The Question Of Teenagers And Drug Abuse Deserves Our Utmost Attention

Drug abuse among teens has reached tragic levels. It Doesn't matter how vigilant you are, your teenagers will definitely be exposed to drugs at school, the very place you believe to be a safe environment. Mrs. Reagan's 'Just say no to drugs' campaign fell flat on its face. The truth is that teens perceive adults as old fuddy-duddies that don't know anything. Parents, try as they may, face an uphill war in safe guarding their young ones from the devastating effects of drugs.

The challenge is made more difficult by the fact that most of us have prescription drugs in our bedroom drawers. When confronting the issue of teenagers and drugs, you have to present a sound argument that distinguishes between necessary medications and street drugs. This isn't easy. Some common prescription medications are being peddaled in schools as a way to catch a buzz. Teens don't realize that these prescriptions are issued in duplicate or triplicate, as a method to control the use of certain narcotics. Not having experienced a real need for such drugs themselves, they could well come to the conclusion that their parents are enjoying some buzz that they are for some reason being denied.

Another problem with educating children on the issue of teen drug use is that society does not make any distinction between drugs. Some pharmaceutical drugs have a place, but when it comes to teens and drugs, we say that every drug is bad. This is a deception. Some kids need prescription medication for a legitimate condition. Used improperly, that medication can produce a high in a kid who doesn't need it. Sometimes, that drug can have fatal consequences when used as a 'recreational' drug.

Children are not able to make those distinctions. For example, a person with severe pain because of arthritis or cancer, could be prescribed codeine or another opiate to manage the pain. Children don't understand that this person doesn't get high. That medication only dulls the pain. However, in the world of teenagers and drugs, this narcotic becomes an opportunity toget high. They don't know the difference.

One major deception that encourages teen drug use is the fable of pot. This street drug is made out to be the first step to drug addiction, thrown in the same category as heroin and ice. The minute that grade school kid tries pot, the child sees that even though it makes them feel good, they can hide this new habit from their parents and it doesn't make them crazy. They make the conclusion that the rest of the warnings about teens and drugs are lies. That's the reason why they fall into the trap of the extremely dangerous drugs.

As a nation, we need to teach our kids. Explain the effects of drugs. Cocaine, crack, heroin and drugs like 'ecstasy' can ruin their lives or kill them. Be honest. We can help our teens.Addiction is a serious problem in our society today but with the "proper" education we can teach our future generations the realities of addictions and drug abuse.