CRYSTAL CLEAR A RURAL PERSPECTIVE

Long gone are the days where the use of drugs amongst teens stayed
within the boundaries of that which could be picked directly from the
earth. Now drugs like crystal meth have taken hold, creating an
entirely new generation of drug users to whom dabbling in other
drugs, such as cocaine or heroin, is no big deal. It is a sad fact
that 15-year-olds know exactly where to get a big dose of
brain-killing, mind altering substances, and it speaks to a
generation that needs to re-educate its youth.

Kids can be brave, but overall, they're still kids. They fall prey
to peer pressure, and without a solid family backing them, they may
miss out on imperative education provided to them at school. It's
unfortunate, but kids don't always think what they learn at school is
cool. Assemblies, classes, and important health talks can all be
lost to the daydreaming teen who is more interested in what's going
on in the back row, than what's being said by teachers and
counsellors between 8:30 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Know the kid you're dealing with and use his or her own vanity
against them. If you have a daughter or son who cares what s/he
looks like, find graphic photos depicting what meth users end up
looking like - it may be traumatizing, but it's better than losing a
child. If you have a teen who is obsessed with becoming a policeman,
a dentist, a photographer, find a way to show them how using this
drug will affect their ability to achieve. It is time to stop being
gentle with our youth. If they are old enough to decide whether they
want to try crystal meth, they're old enough to be shown the
consequences, no matter how dramatic or traumatic it may seem.