The drug problem in America

[Tin]

The Drug Problem in America

The other day, someone at a store in our town read that a methamphetamine lab had been found in an old farmhouse in the adjoining county. After reading the story he asked me a rhetorical question, ''why didn't we have a drug problem when you and I were growing up?''

I replied: I had a drug problem when I was young:

I was drug to church on Sunday morning.

I was drug to church for weddings and funerals.

I was drug to family reunions and community socials no matter the weather.

I was drug by my ears when I was disrespectful to adults.

I was also drug to the woodshed when I disobeyed my parents, told a lie, brought home a bad report card, did not speak with respect, spoke ill of the teacher or the preacher, or if I didn't put forth my best effort in everything that was asked of me.

I was drug to the kitchen sink to have my mouth washed out with soap if I uttered a profane four-letter word.

I was drug out to pull weeds in mom's garden and flowerbeds and cockleburs out of dad's fields.

I was drug to the homes of family, friends, and neighbors to help out some poor soul who had no one to mow the yard, repair the clothesline, or chop some firewood; and, if my mother had ever known that I took a single dime as a tip for this kindness, she would have drug me back to the woodshed.

Those drugs are still in my veins; and they affect my behavior in everything I do, say, and think. They are stronger than cocaine, crack, or heroin; and, if today's children had this kind of drug problem, America would be a better place.

Author Unknown

[David M]

Excellent Tin. Makes one wonder the direction our society is taking. It seems the younger people look up to and emulate societies lowest common denominator now. Where are the real heroes now? I don't see athletes and rap stars as the best role models for our children and teens. Seems parents should be the role models and the ones who keep kids on track. That's not whats happening though. Some kids are doing well with parents who give then good guidance, but so many parents seem to let their kids do as they please.

[sdkfz]

Yup, you can't touch a child today for fear of abuse claims, I got my share of what you could call a 'whupping', this was capital punishment - the death sentence so to speak. Only happend a half dozen times or so - they used the bamboo sticks balloons came on before helium was so cheap as switches. 4 or 5 hits on the backside that left a little welt and stung like heck. In our house the punishments were fair (not that I thought so at the time) and escalatory and consistent. If you did something you knew what was going to happen, did it again etc.

To be honest with you the worst punishment was the lecture, no yelling, profanity, but a calm and usually lengthy lecture that until you could explain the problem back in your own words just kept going on, and I do not mean a "yes I understand I won't do it again" type of response.

I think the core of the problem is how we are no longer the 'village', the people you see everyday as you travel to and fro are not neighbors who know who you are (you're the baker's boy aint ya?") just people, people who get in your way when you want to lane change and you'll never see again so we do not treat them as people, just objects.

It will change when it has gone to far - think "A Clockwork Orange"

rant mode off....

[doctorgonzo]

Originally Posted by David M It seems the younger people look up to and emulate societies lowest common denominator now.

I don't think things have change all that much in terms of good and bad. It's just the size of society that has changed.

"Back the in day", as they say, your whole world was your little community. Your pastor or your parents were heroes because, well, who else was there? Similarly, all you knew about the world was what you saw in your limited community; again, what else was there?

Now we've got worldwide media, the internet, TV, and all these other things. The "lowest common denominator" can be much lower because the world is that much bigger. But so can the highest aspirations, because the world is that much bigger.

That's why I think these changes are neither good nor bad, just different. We live in a significantly larger (and smaller) world today than we used to, and that brings both good and bad things. One thing is certain: there's really no going back.

[mbossman2]

all of the things listed in the article taught a critical component needed in life:

Respect:

For others
For other beliefs
For other points of view

The heroes of today get so outraged when they "dissed" but refuse to show to others the same level of respect they want accorded to them

[piasabird]

It is difficult to explain to your child that drinking is bad if you are doing the drinking! The Apple does not fall far from the tree.

If you dont want your kids to do drugs, then be their best example and dont drink! Kids love to emulate their adult leaders who all drink and smoke.

Not wanting to be a bad father, when I found I had a drinking problem and was drinking a 12 pack a day I decided to just quit drinking. With a little help from AA I quit drinking completely. I think my family saw what I went through and they are willing to accept what I say a lot more than if I was a split tounged snake telling them not to drink, while I was swilling down my beer.

[Nuclear Krusader]

The key question is very simple, albeit it upsets lots of people: Where are the parents?

The answer answers pretty much everything about the decadence of our western societies.

[Jaggannath]

I think that there are still a lot of good people out there doing their bit... look at this forum, for instance. If we bring up kids imbued with our values, we can't go wrong. The problem lies in parents who take little to no responsibility for the upbringing of their children