WHY SHOULD ADULTS FIGHT TEEN SUBSTANCE USE WHEN IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO PREVENT
IT?

Common sense tells us not to attempt the impossible. When a thing is
known with reasonable certainty to be unattainable, it's clearly
wasteful and ludicrous to put effort and resources towards achieving
that thing.

Yet despite the apparent obviousness of this, applying the theory to
everyday life seems to be difficult at times for some parents and
authority figures on Vashon.

It is, when you get right down to it, impossible to prevent
adolescents from experimenting with drugs and alcohol. It can't be
done. Despite this fact, a surprising number of adults continue to
conduct themselves as if it were an attainable objective. Their
efforts could be put to better use elsewhere.

I comprehend the extremity of these statements and should preface my
arguments by saying that I am not a radical devil's advocate seeking
the legalization of all controlled substances.

My doctrine is simply one of alternatives rather than prevention. The
way I see it, when parents, counselors or health teachers preach
complete abstinence regarding substances, it has the same effect as
preaching abstinence regarding sexual activity. It is
ineffective.

The best policy in both cases is a combination of moderation and
common sense and is most effective in preventing bad decisions in the
long term.

Though it might not initially sound like it, I don't feel this is an
unreasonable request. I am not encouraging parents to condone
experimentation and give their children permission to do whatever they
please.

I only ask that they be realistic. Parents should educate their
children about the dangers of drug use, especially the more dangerous
practices, like drinking and driving. And they should undoubtedly
issue consequences when lines are crossed. But they should also keep
in mind that at the end of the day, if a teenager wants to experiment
badly enough, there is no force in the world powerful enough to stop
him or her, and attempting to do so is nerve-wracking and
time-consuming.

In addition to adopting a more realistic approach to changing the
habits of Vashon teenagers, those adults concerned with the fact that
juvenile drug use on the Island is 20 percent above state levels
should consider providing more constructive alternatives for young
people. The euphemism "idle hands are the devil's playground" rings
truer than ever on Vashon today.

Being a Vashon teen myself, I can say without equivocation that the
vast majority of drug use among my peers stems from a lack of
enjoyable and healthy alternatives. It's not that the youth of Vashon
are poorly raised or more physically susceptible to addiction; it's
that many of them feel there simply isn't anything better to do on a
Friday night in a small, isolated town.

It is not my intent to stir up undue controversy or champion the
freedoms of people my age at the expense of their safety. I don't want
to see the hard work of so many members of our community go to waste.
There are so many concerned adults on Vashon that want nothing more
than to improve life for younger generations, and I respect and admire
their enthusiasm.

I simply request that some of them open their minds and their ears and
think about the reality of the situation. Recall, perhaps, what it was
like to be a teenager, remember the kinds of choices you were making
at that time and avoid hypocrisy whenever possible.

With a mindset that is just slightly more pragmatic, you could do even
more than you already are for people my age.

Joe Sutton-Holcomb is a senior at Vashon High School.