PARENTS MUST BE HONEST WITH YOUTHS

Re: Off the streets and into the classroom, Sept. 17.

It seems that more and more youths are turning to drugs and alcohol at
younger ages. Some youths can go to school and then go out; others get the
two mixed up. The number of school dropouts is increasing and the drive to
finish school is not there.

In the past, parents would drag their children to school and punish them
for not going. Nowadays, parents are more lenient and it's easier to get
away with things. Nick Simpson is not alone in the struggle to stay in
school and get an education. At the moment, I am trying to convince one of
my best friends, aged 17, to take correspondence courses to complete an
education.

The easy accessibility of both drugs and alcohol is affecting the youngest
of youths in this era. Teenagers and nearly teenagers lack the
self-discipline and self-motivation to stay away from drugs.

Younger children need to be educated about drugs and alcohol in order for
them to make an educated decision to stay away from them. When older
friends ask them to try something new, they will already know the
consequences and side-effects of their actions.

Parents, don't hide the truth of the world from your children: Tell them
how things are and what the streets are like. When asked a question, don't
just blow it off and not talk about, sit down and talk, it will help.

Richelle Roberts

Ottawa