MORONIC TO GIVE TEENS POWER TO DECIDE ABOUT DRUG USE

Just Say No?

Re: "Why 'Just Say No' just doesn't work," Journal, Jan. 21.

I would like to say "no" to Marsha Rosenbaum's opinions on drug
education. I speak as a mother whose 16-year-old son died because of the
drug "alcohol."

Our children need to hear that they can say no and they need to learn
how and why to say no. Peer pressure, stress and self-esteem are
incredible burdens for our children. We need to teach our children how to
overcome their problems in life without the use of drugs.

Handing our children all the "scientifically accurate, objective and
non-biased and presented without value judgment" information is about
the most moronic attitude I have heard. Leaving the responsibility of such
a decision in the hands and minds of children is no solution.

There is a reason why we have created laws regarding children;
children's brains are still maturing and their ability to decide on
what is best for them has not been fully developed. Teens see
themselves as invincible; mortality is a word which holds little
meaning for them.

Making decisions for the health and safety of a child is the
responsibility of mature adults.

The statement made by the Canadian Centre for Addiction and Mental
Health, "Most adolescents who try alcohol or other drugs do not become
frequent or problem users," may be correct but I wonder how many of our
children are dying because of use of all drugs.

I wonder if Rosenbaum has children and if so does she know the grief a
parent endures when one of their children dies a death aided by a drug?

No parent is exempt from the possibility of losing a child to such a
death and those who think it could never happen to them are mistaken.

Elaine Moreau

Stony Plain