My mom mixed scotch with antidepressants all the time, and no one ever talked about it. – Tad, father of two, Chicago, Illinois
I remember years ago sitting in a PTA presentation on drugs, when they warned us that kids might try getting high on the gas shooting out of cans of whipped cream. – Lee, mother of three, Columbia, South Carolina
My husband and I have different opinions about drug use – and this creates a lot of conflict between us and with the kids. – Dana, mother of two, Seattle, Washington
My second grader just learned the term “weed” – on the school bus. – Jan, mother of one, New York City
When you hear the words “drugs,” which drugs come to mind? And when you think about your child, which ones concern you the most? Most parents’ concerns center on illegal drugs like pot, ecstasy, heroin, and crack cocaine. Some parents see danger in alcohol, some parents worry most about tobacco, and other parents are concerned about the abuse of prescription drugs.
Clearly, drugs are a common part of our lives. Where would we be without aspirin, caffeine, antihistamines, and a cabinet full of prescription drugs? Many of us use a cup of coffee to give us a boost in the morning. Some look forward to a glass of wine or a beer after a day at work. Antidepressants have become accepted by many as a normal way to deal with anxiety or depression. Using drugs – including alcohol, tobacco, and medical prescriptions – which chemically alter our feelings is commonplace for most of us.
But it’s not easy to talk about all drugs at once. Legal drugs can save lives and can also ruin them if used improperly. There’s a thin line between therapeutic use and abuse. Talking about that line can be complicated. Talking about illegal drug use can be more complicated still, and can bring up memories of childhood, youthful experimentation, and family patters of drug use. These are tough topics, but as parents we cannot avoid them. What’s more, we have to start these conversations early in our children’s lives. This chapter is designed to help you clarify your definition of “drugs” and to help you compare your definitions with those of your children.
