Then they need to suffer the consequences of their actions, or get immediate help from a parent. Anyone who uses drugs other than weed on a regular basis who is in HIGH SCHOOL is doing damage to their development. Mentally and physically. This subject is already taught in class. Fact is, high school kids are highly impressionable. Rehab clinics are open to those who want to get clean. If not, juvenile hall is also a viable option. These aren't adults with life experience. They're kids. Elaborating MORE on what damage certain drugs do would be a good idea. Showing how to use them "safely" is NOT.
This is why I think ALL aspects of the drugs should be taught more fairly. When I speak of harm reduction, I'm not saying that we should teach the class as if a child is expected to take the drugs ("if you take heroin, use clean needles"). For harder physically addictive drugs like heroin and speed, there are plenty of ways to explain the absolute truth about the drugs to kids in a way that will keep them from wanting to try the drugs. This is harm reduction at its most basic in my opinion. Kids ought to know better and know WHY they know better. You seem to be saying that children shouldn't be expected to think for themselves. I think this is a poor attitude to take towards education in general.
I think that the main reason for substance abuse in teenagers is the combination of a lack of
proper education and legal prohibition. The fact that these drugs are illegal make them seem much more thrilling to a young and rebellious teenager. When opiates are made legal, opiate addicts and the drugs themselves can be seen by anyone for what they are - very addictive tools that are really only helpful to a person in the context of relieving intense physical pain. Other uses may feel good, but they are counter-productive to what most people would consider a good life (there will always be exceptions in the human psyche, for which reason there should always be resources available to help those who make bad decisions about drugs). The focus should be on addiction, because it is at the root of the vast majority of substance use issues. I don't think we're in total disagreement here. Certainly it's important to stress the possible harms that could come from using any drug. But when you explain the bad side and not the good side, you're leaving it up to the teen to educate his/herself, and planting seeds of mistrust in their minds.
I do however, wish the marijuana portion of drug education wasn't so biased, so we do agree there. The information on weed is rarely based on fact and is more based on bias and general attitude of the substance itself. Other drugs, however, nothing good can come of them at all. Especially when a 15-17 year old is using them.
So do you think cannabis is harmless? What makes it special compared to, say, mescaline? Depending on context, either substance could be helpful or harmful. I think that cannabis should be treated as honestly as any other substance here - people can use it in a pattern that is maladaptive and constitutes as dependence, and it shouldn't be portrayed in a fully-positive light. All substances have drawbacks, this is a concept that should be explained fully. But the use of drugs (therepeutic or otherwise) is a very fundamental part of our society and should be taught more thoroughly and honestly.
I don't plan on having children any time soon, but I should hope that my kids are very well educated about all drugs and how they can affect a person. If the education system won't teach them properly (sadly, it probably won't), then I will be glad to do it myself.
only partially kidding.
