Pubdate: Wed, 18 Apr 2012
Source: Sooke News Mirror (CN BC)
Copyright: 2012 Sooke News Mirror
Contact:  http://www.sookenewsmirror.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2142
Author: Wayne Phillips
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v12/n215/a02.html

TELL KIDS THE TRUTH

Ellen Lewers (War on substance abuse of April 11, Sooke News MIrror) 
is right, let's just all join together to encourage our children to 
make healthy choices for their bodies and minds. She should keep in 
mind though that posing rhetorical commentary as questions, however 
well intentioned, solves nothing.

Let's start that by being honest about the counter-productivity of 
the anti-drug strategy, the illogic of criminalizing health issues, 
and the damage lies perpetuating it (the criminalizing of drugs) has 
done. Let's not lead our children down the same garden path Whitney 
Houston and countless others were led. The outcome, for the most 
part, never varies.

The reality is kids do need to be encouraged to make smart, healthy 
choices, if, for no other reason than to be forewarned about the 
quagmire that currently exists, and how it came about. In short, kids 
need to be told the truth about substances, supported and encouraged 
by educators, health care professionals and parents as is deemed 
appropriate (by the aforementioned).

Wayne Phillips

Hamilton, Ont
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom