To the editor: Whether it be teen and pre-teen angst, home life trauma or latent mental illness, something is causing the pain that has our children turning to the medicine cabinet for relief. Once they do, they may trigger a mental illness, an inherited addiction, or a need for a bigger thrill (party on!).

Our children have to be approached early on in order to head off the need for drugs to alleviate emotional pain. Strong and sympathetic parents, or teachers/counsellors, are needed to help us understand and appreciate their pain or the pain their peers are experiencing. Group discussion may also greatly benefit our children.

Drugs are not the answer; sympathy, compassion and early intervention are. And legalized marijuana will only exacerbate the opioid crisis.

Michael Nihme

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