TALKING TO CHILDREN ABOUT DRUGS

"WELCOME TO life in the danger zone," April 25. I have advice for Scott
Haskins about talking to children about drugs. Calm down. Read and find
out the truth about drugs, how the war on drugs got started and whether
illegal drugs are more harmful than legal drugs. Find out about
Prohibition, understand why so many users died, understand why it was
ended. Sure it takes time, but aren't your children worth it?

There is no shame in being ignorant about something that's important to
you, only in continuing to be ill informed. Talk to your children honestly
about drugs. Don't lie, especially don't lie about your experiences with
drugs, past and present. Be prepared to learn from the kids too. Advise
them to be careful with all drugs, but especially with prohibited drugs.
The police are always anxious to pad their statistics with an easy drug
bust or two. Remember the potency and purity of street drugs is unknown.
For the older children, try discussing whether ending drug prohibition will
make things better or worse? Good luck.

Alan Randell

(Honesty is best, tempered with a little research and experience from the past.)