Admittedly, I don't smoke very much. I'm more a dedicated activist than a dedicated smoker. However, I have an 11-year-old in public school, and its just a matter of time before they come after him with the DARE program propaganda. I would rather take a "harm reduction" - based approach to my son's drug education. (http://www.safety1st.org/) How do I peacefully discuss his education in the school in a way that is not going to make them feel threatened by "pot-smoking hippies" and yet will have some assurance that our political freedom is not being trampled in the education process and that he is recieving honest, factual information and not hype and lies. He is in a fairly progressive school district, but I seriously have my doubts. What is the best way to approach drug education with my son when he is most likely going to be bombarded by conflicting information in the public schools?
What grade is he in, if hes 11 then im assuming hes in grade 6? Thats when they tried to teach us all of that shit, but to tell you the truth it just made me more interested in trying drugs. Ask him sometime if they taught him that yet, ask him what he thinks about it... I dont know your son, but at 11 he might think what your saying is bad, and ive heard about how those DARE bastards try to get kids to rat out their parents. If you trust your son alot, then talk to him about it, but if he is the type to go tell people and ask questions, he might ask the DARE officer "my mom said that these drugs arent really that bad, and that you guys are lying", and then those assholes would probably knock down your door and arrest you. if you trust your son alot not to talk to the officers about what you said, i would talk to him about it
Let me reframe this. I'm not so much concerned about my son (I trust him, and really, he has almost nothing to "rat us out" for. Not every dedicated cannabis activist is a regular smoker - although if the current medical cannabis legislation in our state goes through, I want to be first in line for pain relief!) It's the relationship with the school I'm concerned about. I want to exercise my first amendment freedom to honestly communicate my dissatisfaction with the status quo of drug education and the need for reform, without creating an adversarial relationship with the school. I want to take steps towards peaceful change in how we educate, and my son may be caught in the middle. I believe it is possible, if one is willing to think outside the box of storming the castle with the attitude of "those cops and narcs and DARE educators are all bastards and I'm going to call them out as liars! Don't rat out Mommy!" That obviously isn't going to work. I want to try something else. In other words, I am interested in fostering actual change in how families communicate with schools regarding drug education. And you can't make a change by just playing the game. If I have to not smoke to safely make my point about honesty in communication, then I'll do it. It's the actual change I'm interested in, in a peaceful, non-adversarial manner, not just "getting away with a different lifestyle choice." I understand I have to be very, very careful with how and what I communicate, but I'm not willing to just "play the game" because obviously that hasn't worked. Hello, Chopping Block! Meet my head!
The DARE program is optional. It is your decision whether or not you want him to participate or not. I would think that if enough people opt their kids out, that would be sufficient in getting the point across. Here comes a candle to light you to bed, Here comes a chopper to chop off your head. Good luck with your cause.
Thank you. I know there are other parents in the area that have opted their kids out of the DARE program, but it hasn't been a popular choice. I know even more parents who are opposed to the status quo but have allowed their kids to participate in the DARE program with the guidance and awareness that that's not the only way, and that authority figures may intimidate but aren't necessarily "right" (or even in favor of current policies. Who hear knows about LEAP?) In a sense, a complete drug education would include awareness of the bullshit as well as the facts. I like the Safety 1st Project because it presents sane alternatives, and considers the needs of students, parents, and educators. I hope that's going to go a long way towards keeping the dialogue peaceful and non-threatening. I think one reason why educators get flipped out about dissent is because they're under pressure, they have regulations that they have to meet (in NY "drug and alcohol education & prevention" is mandatory, but ill-defined. Ultimately, they can regulate subject matter, but not content. The Safety 1st alternatives will meet the regulations just as much as the DARE program will, thus meeting everyone's needs.) So I think it's important to keep the focus on meeting needs, and not just about complaining about the way things are or brooding in opressed and resentful victimhood. For those parents who do prefer the DARE program, it may help to approach the talking points as providing another tool, not taking options away. I happen to believe it's a better tool than the DARE program. But what other parents believe is none of my business, however I may disagree with them. I do know there is interest in providing alternatives in drug education. I led a discussion group at a festival. It turned into a bitch-fest, but it also made it evident that there are other parents interested in alternatives, even if they feel isolated and powerless now.
I agree with you. I think that its absurd that the police and other authority figures should be able to instill such vibrations of fear within us. In my eyes, they are public servants, and shouldn't abuse the authority we give them. Also, you may want to start a dialogue at a city council or school board meeting. As long as you bring some alternatives. I can see how people would be irritated when someone shits on their idea, and they dont even come up with an alternative one. I know that irritates me.
Gawd I fucking hate DARE. Propoganda bullshit spewed out by the government to turn your kids against you and make them little thought police.
I was forced into dare, not by my parents, but they were just there in my health class one day in the 7th grade. Could I have refused to be there, because we never got the chance.
our 12 year old has been exposed to it through her whole life since mama has the traveling gypsy life style. She has very big problems whenever she smells it and gets upset with us. One day I sat her down and gave her all kinds of information on medical uses. That really seemed to chill her out alot
my mom was pissed when i went through DARE, mostly because i came home and explained to her how to snort coke. i'd say just make sure he understands that it IS propaganda, that its another side of the story. Drugs Are Really Excellent
i really dont remember them talking that much about drugs in school, i learned it all from my parents & sister, so i actually think that your child will believe what you have to teach him about drugs rather than the teachers. all teachers do si try to scare you as to where an reponsible parent will probably tell it like it really is.
Really, maybe thats why i dont remember learning this shit in school, i mean I remember sex-ed but I honestly dont remember them teaching us about drugs....I took classes about drugs but thats only because it was court ordered, still didn't learn anything I didnt already know.
I think it was either 7th or 8th grade when they started teaching us about marijuana. all i remember them saying is that it's worse than tobacco, it's a gate way drug and that the defense of "it's just nature" isn't all that great. "some people give the reason that since it grows in the nature that it's all right. but think about it, birds flying over and defecating on it, and worms crawling through the soil. do you really want to put something like that in your body?" they will say anything to get you from spending their tax revenue on "illegal drugs"
They taught this propaganda bullshit to me since I was in like second grade. I mean, it doesn't really sink in too much, so don't worry. Mostly, kids just laugh it off and don't really pay attention. I mean, all it is it something to get them out of class. I really don't agree with the school's and DARE's methods, though. Just a few weeks ago, I had to take a survey on drugs and if I thought they were wrong in any way and/or harmful. I also had to watch some BS video on the affects drugs have. The video didn't teach us anything other than how to actually try those drugs. It didn't make any valid points. I just think it's all ridiculous. (Sorry for my ill-aimed rant, I get carried away)
