NOT MY KID

What the hell is Arnie Kidner going on about substance abuse being a
problem in Kamloops' secondary schools?

Everyone knows only "bad kids" smoke dope and drink at school and the
really bad ones get into the harder stuff.

"Our kids wouldn't do that because ... well, we brought them up to know
better."

The dismal turnout for Thursday's first drug and alcohol awareness meeting
at Brock secondary is probably the result of this somewhat holier-than-thou
attitude.

When will parents stop sticking their heads in the sand? It's dark, lonely
and it makes it far too easy for something to sneak up and kick them in the
butt.

Our kids are into drugs, they're into alcohol and they're into bush
parties. It's no different than what we were into at their age.

Well, no; there is a difference - dope is stronger, cars are faster and
booze is going to be more accessible.

When you add these differences to today's stress of needing to grow up
quicker and peer pressure, there is increasing potential for a teen to
morph into a runaway train.

Parents need to talk to their children but, first of all, they need to know
what they're talking about.

Please, join us when the Brock parents advisory council hosts its next drug
and alcohol information meeting.