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Topic: What elements are important in a prevention program?

Topic Posted by: Close To Home
Date Posted: Wed Mar 18 15:22:22 1998

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Posted by: Steve
Date posted: Tue Apr 7 11:39:05 1998
Subject: "From Chocolate to Morphine"
Message:
Dr. Andrew Weil wrote a book, "From Chocolate to Morphine,"
that is his attempt to present straight facts about drugs
to kids (and to parents, for that matter).  His basic
thesis is, "There are no good or bad drugs, only good and
bad relationships with drugs."  From that he proceeds to
explain the effects of the common (and not so common)
drugs, their dangers, and how to ensure you have a
"good" relationship (basically "take it or leave it")
with that drug.  Along the way he asks questions like, 
"Why do you want to take drugs?  Is that a good reason?"

It is far removed from "Just say no," but it is 
scrupulously straightforward, honest, and objective.
I doubt it could stand alone as the only component of
a prevention program, but I think it would have a much
better chance of reaching kids than all the "Just say no"
hype. 

For one thing, the way it presents drugs is almost
boring; it doesn't glamorize them or make them "the
forbidden fruit." (We know how well that approach worked
with Adam and Eve, and that aspect of human nature hasn't
changed in the ensuing umpteen-thousand years.)  I think
it would tend to go a long way to satisfying curiosity
and get kids thinking about responsible choices.  And, if
a kid does decide to experiment, I think the information
would help the kid to experiment responsibly, so he would
have a better chance of coming through the experience in
one piece.

But I sure don't know; if anyone else has read the book,
I'd be interested in hearing your opinion.


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