Pubdate: Wed, 23 Nov 2005
Source: Reflector, The (State U, MS Edu)
Copyright: 2005 The Reflector
Contact:  http://www.reflector-online.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2802
Author: Zita Magloire
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/heroin.htm (Heroin)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

US MS: OPED: AMERICA'S YOUTH IN DANGER

Warning America: the youth of this country are under attack.

Bombings, catastrophic natural disasters and the threat of another 
world war: all of these sound like terrifying realities. But there is 
a much more alarming threat to our way of life that, if not addressed 
immediately, will leave our country and our entire future in shambles.

The use of drugs, alcohol and the incidence of teenage crime has 
always been a reality. But what is alarming is not only the number of 
teens who now participate in this kind of behavior, but also the 
amount of exposure and the ease of availability for these destructive items.

A number of studies have charted the progression of teen drug use, 
and one study by the Ohio State University department of human 
development and family science conveys how much of a problem we're 
dealing with.

One of the findings said that by the age of 14, over one-third of 
teens will have tried an illegal drug, and that number will increase 
to more than half by their senior year in high school. With the 
legalization of marijuana in select cities in the United States, it 
should not be surprising that it is the most accessible and also the 
most frequently used drug by teens (over 40 percent). Probably even 
more alarming is that 90 percent of students say that the drug is 
easily accessible for them.

What are some of the causes for this recklessly loose attitude toward 
drugs? One reason, sadly, is that the people who are supposed to be 
protecting our rights as citizens are tragically confused. Lawmakers 
think giving us more rights and the freedom to do whatever we want-no 
matter how bad it is for us-is freedom and democracy.

The law that just passed in Denver, Colo., legalizing the possession 
of one ounce of marijuana for a person age 21 and older is an example 
of their disastrous misinterpretation. The lawmakers, as well as the 
populace of that city, are sending the message to kids that using 
drugs is acceptable, which is the argument used by some proponents by 
pushing the idea that marijuana is safer than alcohol because alcohol 
causes wrecks and violent behavior. This is in direct contradiction 
to the findings by the study mentioned earlier that found teens who 
use marijuana are much more likely to start using other more 
dangerous drugs such as cocaine and heroin.

The lines have to be redrawn when addressing these issues that 
greatly affect young people. We are not just fighting a war on drugs; 
it's much more serious than that. It's not about accessibility 
anymore because the stuff is out there for anyone who wants it. It's 
about acceptance. It's about embracing behaviors that 10 or 20 years 
ago would be unheard of. Did the idea of what was right and good for 
our communities change because we are a few decades more 
technologically advanced? Did the idea of intellectual progression 
spill over into the realm of our basic belief system, so that our 
basic concepts regarding acceptable behavior changed because we're in 
a new millennium?

Increasing the use of drugs among young people is not progressive. It 
is not forward thinking, and it is not helping the kids or our 
society. I think we have enough freedom for the whole world, and 
recent laws support that. If you want the right to do something, all 
you have to do is be the most outspoken. You can do what you want to 
do, and you'll have a written law made to back you up.

I do agree in changing our social attitudes to the extent of growing 
as a society and working to dispel stereotypes and discriminatory 
practices that hurt us personally and as a community. But the line 
needs to be drawn when progress supercedes common sense and the 
desires of a select few impede on the basic rights of the majority.

The knowledge that drug use is increasing at an alarming rate should 
be reason enough for us to take a step back and look at where we are 
headed. Even if you view marijuana as no more harmful than any other 
legalized drug, the statistics should tell you that although 
marijuana may not be more harmful, its use is highly correlated with 
lethargy and decreased performance, as well as the increased 
likelihood of using more dangerous drugs.

How important is the future of America to you or even your own 
future? Eventually, this next generation will be filling the shoes of 
the doctors, lawyers, lawmakers and, perhaps most importantly, 
parents. Will they be prepared to assume these roles, or will the age 
of selfish desires and the "Me" attitude usher us into a dismal 
future? The answer to the last question may prove to be even scarier; 
what becomes of the future of this country depends on us.

We are at a critical stage as college students. We are now 
responsible for not only our futures but also the preservation of the 
next generation. Additionally, because our teenage years are not long 
gone, we can have a great influence on these young people-more so 
than older adults. We must actively seek out and take part in the 
lives of young people who are becoming increasingly susceptible to 
falling into ways of acting and thinking that hurt them and all of us 
collectively.

While we may not be able to change individual family problems or 
large-scale social issues alone, together we can unite our efforts so 
that we can encourage teens and give them direction and purpose, 
motivating them to improve themselves and our country.

While each of us can only have a limited effect when it comes to 
tackling the laws that are in place and the lawmakers that write 
them, we can have an exponential effect by mentoring this younger 
generation. All the evidence in the studies cited say that the key to 
deterring youth from deviant behavior is encouragement and 
involvement in their lives by parents or parental figures. According 
to the P/PA (Public/Private ventures), mentoring programs decrease 
the use of illegal drugs and alcohol and increase positive behaviors 
such as attending school and improving family relations.

One of the most well-known mentoring programs is Big Brothers Big 
Sisters, which has helped thousands of children through its programs. 
Signing up for this mentoring program is easy and can be done online 
at its Web site, www.bbbsa.org. We also have our own mentoring 
opportunities within a few miles of us. Ever think about your younger 
siblings or cousins needing a strong positive influence? They do. 
They are at ground zero right now as middle and high school and even 
elementary students. The point is this: we are the last defense 
against the direct attack on the future of this country.

We will soon be adults and fully integrated into the workforce and 
starting our own families. This country is much of our 
responsibility. Ask yourselves, what kind of country do you want to build?
- ---
MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman