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Drug abuse among teenagers has reached tragic levels. No matter how on top of it you are, your teens are going to be exposed to drugs at school, the very place you believe to be a safe environment. Mrs. Reagan's 'Just say no to drugs' campaign was a complete failure. The fact is that teens perceive adults as old fuddy-duddies that don't know anything. Parents, try as they may, face a bitter war in protecting their young ones from the devastating effects of drugs.

The challenge is made more difficult by the fact that most of us have prescription drugs in our bedroom drawers. When confronting the issue of teenagers and drugs, you have to give them a sound argument that differentiates between necessary prescriptions and illegal drugs. This isn't easy. Some common prescription medicines are being sold at school as a way to get high. Teens don't know that these medications are issued in duplicate or triplicate, as a way to control the use of specific narcotics. Without having experienced a real need for these drugs themselves, they could well conclude that their parents are enjoying some buzz that they are somehow being denied.

One more problem with teaching kids about the issue of teen drug use is that society does not differentiate between drugs. Some medicinal drugs are needed, but when it comes to teenagers and drugs, we tell them that every drug is bad. This is incorrect. Some children need specific drugs for a legitimate condition. Not used [correctly, that medicine can produce a high in a kid who doesn't need it. Sometimes, that medication can have fatal consequences when used as a 'recreational' drug.

Children are not able to make those distinctions. For example, a person with severe pain because of arthritis or cancer, may be prescribed codeine or another opiate to manage the pain. Kids don't understand that this person doesn't get high. That med only eases the pain. However, in the world of kids and drugs, this potentially dangerous drug becomes an opportunity toget high. They don't know the difference.

One major deception that encourages teen drug abuse is the fable of pot. This street drug is posited as the first step to drug addiction, thrown in the same bag as heroin and ice. The minute that high school child tries weed, the child sees that even though it makes them feel good, they can hide this new habit from their parents and it doesn't make them crazy. They conclude that the rest of the warnings issued on teens and drugs are lies. That's why they fall into the trap of the truly dangerous drugs.

As a society, we need to educate our kids. Teach them the effects of drugs. Cocaine, crack, heroin and drugs like 'ecstasy' can destroy their lives or kill them. Be honest. We can protect our children.Addiction is a terrible problem in our society today but with the right education we can teach our future generations the realities of addictions and drug abuse.

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