TEENS LEARNING DRUG USE FROM PARENTS

Editor, The NEWS:

"Do as I say, not as I do," is a saying we have all used with our
kids. What is more relevant is, "Children learn what they live."
Especially teenagers.

It amazes me that parents who indulge in drugs, yes, that includes
that "harmless, recreational" drug marijuana, are dumbfounded and
disappointed in their teenagers who follow suit. I am not implying
that all teens who partake have parents who are "doing it" but if you
as a parent are, how on Earth do you expect your teenagers to stay
away from the drug scene when you don't?

You may say, "I only use it occasionally", or "I know my limitations"
or "it's perfectly harmless." If you are one of the people that feel
marijuana should be legalized, and see it as "safe." It's still
illegal, and until that changes, doing it in front of, around, or in
the vicinity of our kids just teaches them that it's okay to do
something illegal just because you have a different opinion then the
law. Think about what you're teaching them please, for their sake and
for the sake of the rest of us and our kids.

Actions, as always, speak louder than words. If you do drugs, chances
are that your child is going to as well. The problem is that their
chances of being exposed to harder illegal drugs is much higher and
their judgment much worse (though I would question yours for doing
illegal drugs around your children.)

After all, all drugs are the same to kids. So if they try one and it
doesn't hurt them, they may as well try the other. Our kids, teenagers
especially, have a tough enough time without us giving them mixed
messages and confusing them even more. It's bad enough they have to
try and avoid being influenced by their peers who do drugs, never mind
their own parents, or their friends' parents.

Sharon Hack

Pitt Meadows