Pubdate: Mon, 08 Aug 2005 Source: North Thompson Star/Journal (CN BC) Copyright: 2005 The North Thompson Star/Journal Contact: http://www.starjournal.net/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1231 Author: Russell Barth Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v05.n1141.a02.html WHO KEEPS DRUGS FROM KIDS? To the editor; Re; Drug policy for SD 73 in the July 18, 2005, issue of the Star/Journal. I don't think that kids should be using drugs (caffeine included) but I strongly criticize the way we are dealing with the problem in our society. Your article states "-the policy that will see a zero-tolerance stand taken toward drugs and alcohol on school property-" Does that rule extend to teachers and support staff? Why isn't tobacco on that list too? It continues: "Student athletes would be suspended from play for a calendar year under the new rules." Wow! What better way to get a kid to turn to drugs than to take away his extra-curricular activities!? What kind of backward thinking is this!? The message we are sending kids: "If you make a mistake, you will be punished and ostracized". Instead of treating schools like jails, why not just tell kids the straight honest truth about drugs? Why must adults always enforce the "Do as we say, not as we do" doctrine? Why must we treat children like inmates, or worse yet - property - rather than people? It is no wonder so many kids do drugs. On TV, we advertise remedies for everything from headaches and toothaches, to menstrual cramps and erectile dysfunction, mixed in with beer and "zoom zoom" car commercials, followed by Pizza Hut and Weight Watchers commercials. Then we tell kids "Say No To Drugs". We bring children into a culture where wealth-acquisition, violence, and self-indulgence is encouraged, celebrated, and advertised, then tell them to be nice. Does anyone think that kids don't notice this incredibly absurd hypocrisy? When kids realize that adults have lied to them about something as simple as cannabis (for example), they will be much less likely to believe a word that adults say. Once bitten, twice shy- Later, when kids come into contact with meth and heroin and cocaine, they will think "Adults lied about pot, they are probably lying about this too. Gimme a hit!" "Illegal drugs" are easier for kids to access than "legal" drugs like alcohol and tobacco, and prescription drugs are now presenting a much bigger health concern than any other drugs, but we still shroud cannabis in myth and hyperbole and rhetoric. Kids notice this, and they know they are being conned. It is adults who have failed to keep kids away from drugs, and it is adults who have failed to keep drugs away from kids. Russell Barth Federal Medical Marijuana License Holder Ottawa - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin