PARENTS, DRUGS AND EDUCATION

THE need for drug education extends beyond the immediate potential
victims of this social evil.

Yesterday the Herald Sun reported the disturbing result of a survey
that revealed a dangerous level of ignorance among the parents of teenagers.

The confidential Federal Government report discloses that many parents
themselves have not only used marijuana, but hold the view that
experimentation with this far from innocent drug is acceptable. Thus
they are relaxed about their children trying the drug.

Worse, they are out of touch about harder illicit drugs, such as
heroin, LSD, speed and cocaine, deluding themselves that their
children will not be exposed to this deadly pharmacopoeia.

As a result of this state of affairs, the Federal Government may now
make parents a prime target for education in its $510 million
anti-drug war.

At the end of the day, governments can do only so much to convince the
young of the stupidity of using drugs.

A determination to reject drugs, based on first-hand knowledge of the
awful risks, must be instilled by parents.