THE BEST PART IS THE ARGUMENT

Just about every year, I have an interesting session with students
nearing the end of their high school career on the issue of drugs and
addictive behaviours.

It begins with me introducing some of the issues regarding the
operation of the brain and how addictive behaviours develop from the
"instinctive" drive of the brain's reward system and ends with the
students arguing amongst themselves over the ability of any individual
to simply give up a bad habit if and when they want to.

The best part of the lesson for me is, of course, the
argument.

In short order, it is clear that students have a range of experiences
and education that leads to different conclusions.

Instead of me giving them an adult perspective of the issue, they
invariably introduce many student-based stories into the conversation
that offer credibility to my central argument.

How much risk are you willing to take with your life?

The discussion ranged from cigarette and alcohol use to harder drugs,
with the arguments focusing on what the kids themselves referred to as
the marginal drugs.

When I asked for a definition of that term, they agreed that marginal
drugs were the ones that were pretty much considered to be mainstream
acceptable.

"After all, the government sells alcohol," one student said stridently
when it was argued that marijuana should be legalized because it is no
worse, and arguably less dangerous than alcohol. I have heard the same
confusing arguments from adults. In a society where alcohol is heavily
advertised and soft drug use seems to be one of those things people
easily turn their head from, it's not surprising that many young
people have conflicted values. Those who don't, particularly those who
vehemently oppose drug use, usually have a personal story to tell .
The rest seem to be split between those who have more liberal views of
the 'rites of passage' of teen experimentation and those who have
simply decided, either on their own or after much influence by adults
or peers, that the risk is not worth it and there are many ways to
enjoy oneself without having an 'out of mind' experience.

The bad experience group is usually pretty small, although there may
be many of that group who simply are silent, not wishing to share bad
experiences at home.

The 'rite of passage' and 'no thanks' group, in my experience, is
usually about one third each of those remaining. The final third,
again a silent group, likely sits on the fence in public and follows
the crowd in private. It's hard to tell from my place in the room.

The conclusion of our discussion came about as time in the period ran
out and I had to call a time-out. I asked them to think about the
many sides they had heard regarding these issues and do a little
exploration on their own of the truths regarding addictions and
specific drugs. I reinforced my own assertion that I do not believe
drugs or alcohol should have a place in any teenager's life, but
reminded them that I understood, very well, that my desires would have
little to do with their decisions.

I then read them a short paragraph from the confessions of an
alcoholic that outlined how it had destroyed his family and work life
and reminded them that every risk has a real consequence and serious
thought needs to go into decisions that might lead to a life of addiction.

The arguments ensued as students left the room.

Graham Hookey is the author of Parenting Is A Team Sport.