REALLY TALK TO YOUR KIDS ABOUT DRUGS

            When the ONDCP tells parents to “talk to your kids about drugs” I wholeheartedly agree. Thanks to the ONDCP your kids will not find any reliable information about drugs in your public schools. Schools will tell you about “problem drugs”. They will tell you about what happens with long-term overindulgence. They will also suggest that “problem drugs” cause the misuse. They will tell you a little about “medications”- mostly about not using someone else’s meds. They will tell you about steroids and a few “performance enhancing” drugs in the same manner as “problem drugs” – but not all drugs of this type.

            Schools will not tell you that drugs should be taken only to help the body rest and recuperate from problems and not as a substitute for rest and recuperation. They will not tell you that no drug should be used on a long-term basis – even though it is plainly hidden in the small print of every legally available drug. They don’t want to undermine your authority – especially if you’re one of the millions who use drugs over long periods of time to cope with the stresses of the workplace, social venues, and trying to keep up with the rat race in a society that values success and material acquisition at any cost.

            Schools will offer physical fitness and sports – but not as the first step in a life-long commitment to exercise that can deter, delay or minimize life-long dependencies on medications in later life. They won’t teach kids about how to effectively deal with abusive authority figures – that you need to constantly get clarification on their demands. That could also undermine your authority – as well as theirs or other prominent social and political leaders.

They will not promote a commitment to righteousness – or doing the right thing for yourself and others – as the surest way to achieve emotional independence. They won’t teach kids about how to use forgiveness and reconciliation as a tool for personal well-being. They perversely believe that teaching moral values violates the first amendment. And certainly any teaching about moral values would undermine support for the political leaders of both major parties. They certainly won’t suggest that spiritual guidance can be found within any religious body. The only exposure they’ll get about religion is from media coverage of the many religious leaders who abuse religion to justify themselves over others.

            You should talk to your kids about how you rely – or over rely - on drugs in your life. They will listen closer to your honesty about your drug problems than to lectures about “their drug problems”. If you lack the will – or expertise – to talk directly get The Original Drug Manual for Kids and help them with the Launchpad activities – or “homework”. Ironically, the life you save may be your own.