I really wish my parents had given me the 'call anytime for a ride no questions asked', because there were times I was at risk and as frightening as it is to say this, drunk driving was the norm in small town AB where I grew up. I think and hope that is better now.
One thing that I've noticed that is cool among my younger friends is that they are always very concerned about whether people are good to drive and will insist on paying for cabs or sleeping over if people don't seem good. And having a good group of friends makes that safer.
I think the lesson is to say that friends support each others' safety and if there is a sense that is not occurring to just watch that relationship out.
As for preventing experimentation, I am not sure what on earth can be done about that. Information is power, and accurate information is ideal. I worry about dire warnings against marijuana and whether some kids try that drug, realize that they simply felt peaceful, happy, and really liked that concert they went to, and wonder what else they are missing. One thing that my friend does that is kind of interesting is talk with her kid about how very, very sad drug addiction is, and also how the people who make the money off these drugs (though I cannot realistically apply this to marijuana) are the same people involved in organized crime (ie. who enslave women through prostitution, engage in revenge murder, and seek to undermine the health of our society).
so my opinion which is probably worth little, since I have no kids, is that realistic ongoing dialogue from an early age is a great idea.
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2006-07-02 12:33 am (UTC)One thing that I've noticed that is cool among my younger friends is that they are always very concerned about whether people are good to drive and will insist on paying for cabs or sleeping over if people don't seem good. And having a good group of friends makes that safer.
I think the lesson is to say that friends support each others' safety and if there is a sense that is not occurring to just watch that relationship out.
As for preventing experimentation, I am not sure what on earth can be done about that. Information is power, and accurate information is ideal. I worry about dire warnings against marijuana and whether some kids try that drug, realize that they simply felt peaceful, happy, and really liked that concert they went to, and wonder what else they are missing. One thing that my friend does that is kind of interesting is talk with her kid about how very, very sad drug addiction is, and also how the people who make the money off these drugs (though I cannot realistically apply this to marijuana) are the same people involved in organized crime (ie. who enslave women through prostitution, engage in revenge murder, and seek to undermine the health of our society).
so my opinion which is probably worth little, since I have no kids, is that realistic ongoing dialogue from an early age is a great idea.
There is a fantastic Crystal meth ad on TV in alberta that I swear scares the shit out of everyone I know. 2nd ad/media file at this website:
http://corp.aadac.com/other_drugs/the_basics_about_other_drugs/crystal_meth_resources.asp