Pubdate: Thu, 08 Feb 2007 Source: Lethbridge Herald (CN AB) Copyright: 2007 The Lethbridge Herald Contact: http://www.lethbridgeherald.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/239 Author: Kara Smith CONCERT DRUG USE A TEST OF PARENTING SKILLS Editor: I have heard the recent babble about the use of drugs and encouragement of drug use at a recent concert and I am not mentioning the singer's name because it just doesn't matter who was on stage. Drug use has been present at concerts for too many years to count and I've been disgusted with the smell at concerts I have attended, but I choose to ignore it in favour of enjoying what I paid so handsomely to see and hear. There are those who do and those who don't and until the government decides on stiffer laws and ways to enforce, we have to learn to co-exist. If you still want a simple solution, why not put some dogs to work at the entrance? I'm sure they would weed out the bad ones (no pun intended, of course). I think the ones complaining are overlooking the most important fact. When you drop your kids off at a concert, any concert, as a parent you know what may be present at these types of events and then the only question is whether you raised your kids properly with enough brains to say no and to watch their drinks at all times. If parents have done their best to instill good values in their kids, they should be able to feel secure in letting them attend such events. I think if Lethbridge parents want to be concerned about something; it should be their kids' whereabouts and actions when they are not at home. Shoplifting, vandalism and teenage pregnancy seem rampant here in Lethbridge. What do you put first, work or being a parent? It's time to start checking in with your kids. Kara Smith Lethbridge - --- MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman