All parents worry about their children. The desire to protect them from the world is born along with them, and it never really goes away. At some point, however, we might also have to protect them from themselves. As kids turn into teenagers, we start worrying about them driving, getting into sexual relationships, hanging out with the wrong people, and keeping up with their school work. One unfortunate truth is that we also have to keep an eye out for signs of drug use. In 2013, there were just over 2.8 million new users of illicit drugs, and over half of those were under the age of 18. How do you know if you need to worry about your teenager? There are all kinds of opinions out there about the things that lead kids down the path of substance abuse, but some of them might not be as big of a concern as you’d think.
But what about all these dangers you hear about on the news and from various politicians? You know the sort of hysteria that’s been popping up for decades over music, television, and video games. Back in 1985, Tipper Gore, wife of former Vice President Al Gore, and Susan Baker, wife of then United States Secretary of the Treasury James Baker, formed the Parents Music Resource Center (PMRC). The PMRC wanted to increase parental control over child accessibility of music deemed to have violent, drug-related, or sexual themes. It is responsible for those parental guidance warning stickers you may recall seeing on cassette and CD cases. These labels are still common today, but they aren’t required.
Much has been written about all of the references to drugs and alcohol in music, particularly rap, but is it really harmful? There’s an argument to be made that it makes kids think that drugs are not only acceptable but cool, or that the sheer volume of drug-related references they’re exposed to makes them vulnerable. That may well be true, but in the end, your influence as a parent can make a difference. Follow the warning labels if you wish, but keep in mind that there are still plenty of other ways that your teen is going to hear about drugs.
The best thing you can do is have honest discussions at home. Point out all of the ways that drinking and drug use is harmful, especially for teenagers. There are many musicians and other celebrities whose careers have been ruined and who have lost their lives to substance abuse, and that can lend itself to a discussion about how maybe the authors of those songs weren’t so much trying to pass on the word about how cool they were, but instead talked drugs so much because they had taken over their lives. Encourage your child to think for himself, rather than follow the herd.
If you or a loved one need help with quitting drugs or alcohol, consider Asana Recovery. We offer medical detox, along with both residential and outpatient programs, and you’ll be supervised by a highly trained staff of medical professionals, counselors, and therapists. Call us any time at (949) 438-4504 to get started.
