Blog Assignment #3: Kids Off Drugs
When I have kids, I will want to prevent them from using drugs.
People take drugs because they want to change something about their lives. The reasons people give for taking drugs are to fit in, to escape or relax, relieve bordom, want to seem grown up, or rebel or experiment.
What can you say to kids that they haven't already heard a thousand times?
How can you reach them with a message stronger than peer pressure?
I believe education plays a vital role in preventing drug abuse and it is the most effective weapon in the war on drugs. The best thing to do is to arm young people with the truth about drugs by providing tools that hold their attention, debunking common myths and empowering them to resist peer pressure to use drugs. To do this, you need to deliver a drug prevention message directly to young people in their own language.
I will discuss and address any reasons my kids might have for taking drugs as well as showing them the documentary my parents showed me. The Truth About Drugs documentary, found at http://www.drugfreeworld.org/#/documentaries/truth-about-drugs-documentary-intro, is a no-holds-barred educational film narrated by those who survived the hell of addiction. It includes the most commonly abused drugs, including marijuana, alcohol, Ecstasy, cocaine, crack cocaine, crystal meth, inhalants, heroin, LSD, painkillers, Ritalin and prescription drug abuse, as well as their street names and short and long-term effects. The videos hit home with impact and are captivating. When you've got kids interested, real learning is going to follow and then you've got a real chance in saving them from the dangers of drugs.
For more information on things you can do as well as educate kids about drugs, see:
http://www.drugfreeworld.org
Like you, I think education is key to these particular situations. Kids must understand why they should say "no" to drugs. Without proper education on drugs, kids will become curious. No one wants to become an addict, but it only takes one time. So we need to teach kids more about it, rather than strictly teaching them to say "No". This documentary is perfect for doing just that.
ReplyDeleteI believe that with education and the help of their parents being there to support them in life and making proper decisions that a child will avoid drugs
ReplyDeleteEducation i believe does affect kid to do drugs. Hopefully miost kids make the right choice to stay off drugs and focus on their education and their goals.
ReplyDeleteDerek as a parent I have to say that your right when you say that eduacation and communation is key in discussing drug use. My children have seen the negative effects of drugs on several of their uncle's and Aunts. This is sad but good having someone so close to you addicted because they see the damage drugs can do up close and personal and why they should try and avoid them. I use communacation and education to help my children to steer away from drugs and I show them that I am not afraid to talk about it and leave myself compleatly open to them for any questions and concerns they may have. Honestly it has been such a good thing because my son's are not afraid or timid to come an ask me anything they may have questions or concerns about.
ReplyDeleteEducation is the most powerful way to combat anything. I still remember being in a D.A.R.E.(Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program in elementary school. Now that I've grown up, I look back and realize it really helped and taught me many things about substance abuse.
ReplyDeleteI agree that educating children about drugs plays a huge role in preventing drug abuse. Honesty is the best policy to anything. Visually showing your kids something like a video is a wonderful way to get your point across.
ReplyDeleteI too agree with telling the younger generation about drugs in their "own words." You have to be on their level and speak in their own terms. Going outside the basic school DARE program is another way of trying to get through to them and explaining the truths about how drugs effect you in a negative way.
ReplyDeleteeducation is a key component to keep children away from drugs and gear them towards a better route of living
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