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Drug abuse among teens has reached tragic levels. It Doesn't matter how on top of it you are, your teens will definitely be exposed to drugs at school, the very place you think should be a safe environment. Mrs. Reagan's 'Just say no to drugs' campaign fell flat on its face. The truth is that teenagers view adults as old fuddy-duddies that have never seen the outside of a paper bag. Parents, try as they may, face an uphill battle in protecting their children from the ravaging effects of drugs.

The challenge is made more difficult by the fact that most of us have prescription medications in our bedroom drawers. When confronting the issue of teens and drugs, you have to present a rational argument that distinguishes between necessary medications and street drugs. This isn't easy. Some well known prescription medicines are being sold at school as a way to get high. Teenagers don't realize that these medications are issued in duplicate or triplicate, as a method to control the use of certain narcotics. Without having experienced a legitimate need for these drugs themselves, they may well come to the conclusion that their parents are enjoying some buzz that they are somehow being forbidden.

One more problem with teaching kids about the issue of teen drug abuse is that our society does not differentiate between drugs. Some pharmaceutical drugs are needed, but when it comes to our youth and drugs, we tell them that every drug is bad. This is a deception. Some kids need medications for a legitimate condition. Used improperly, that medicine can produce a high in a kid who doesn't need it. Sometimes, that medication can have disastrous consequences when used as a 'recreational' drug.

Kids are not capable of making those distinctions. For example, a patient with extreme pain due to arthritis or cancer, could be prescribed codeine or another opiate to help with the pain. Kids don't comprehend that this person doesn't get high. That medication only dulls the pain. However, in the world of kids and drugs, this potentially dangerous drug becomes an opportunity tocatch a buzz. They don't know the difference.

One major lie that encourages teenage drug abuse is the fable of pot. This street drug is made out to be the first step to drug addiction, thrown in the same bag as heroin and mescaline. The minute that high school kid tries weed, the child sees that although it gets them high and they like it, they can hide this new habit from their parents and it doesn't make them crazy. They come to the conclusion that the rest of the warnings issued on kids and drugs are deceptions. That's the reason why they step into the trap of the invidiously dangerous drugs.

As a nation, we need to educate our kids. Teach them the effects of drugs. Ice, crack, heroin and drugs like 'ecstasy' can destroy their lives or kill them. Be honest. We can help our children.Addiction is a terrible problem in our society today but with the right education we can lead our teenagers away from the truth and consequences of addictions and drug abuse.

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