Pubdate: Wed, 7 Oct 1998
Source: Washington Post (DC)
Contact: http://washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/edit/letters/letterform.htm
Website: http://www.washingtonpost.com/
Author: Al Kamen

GUILT BY ASPIRATION

Washington may be focused on the House Judiciary Committee these days,
but other issues still stay on the front burner for many Americans.
One of those issues, of course, is drug use, especially among teenagers.

And there's a handy, 66-page pamphlet to be had on this matter called
"How Parents Can Help Children Live Marijuana Free." The primer was
published last year by Gerald Smith, director of the criminology
program at the University of Utah, and others.

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Orrin G. Hatch (R-Utah), in a
prefatory "Letter to Parents," says "a morally deprived society . . .
has chosen to embrace, rather than attack, this plague" of marijuana
abuse.

But "this book serves as a primary resource to help guide you" in
giving kids a "marijuana-free life," he says, so "carefully study this
book . . . and look for the many warning signs of any children who are
using marijuana or drugs of any kind."

On page 28, there's a listing of the "Social Signs of Regular Users,"
including traditional ones like staying out all night and unexplained
needs for money. Beware if your kid "avoids the family while at home,"
and watch carefully for any "interest in Ras Tafari religion
(Marijuana use is part of that religion.)"

Then there is this most troubling sign indicating drug use: "Excessive
preoccupation with social causes, race relations, environmental
issues, etc."

So if your kid comes home talking about things like clean air, do you
check for dilated pupils?
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Checked-by: Patrick Henry