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comment by b_b

Drug addiction is obviously a huge problem once the addict starts letting drugs get the best of him. But unfortunately people see this and ask the question, "How do we stop people from doing drugs?" When really the correct question is, "Why do people want to do drugs in the first place?" Schools are terrible offenders in this regard, and none seems to know how to deal with drug users.





djw  ·  4325 days ago  ·  link  ·  

You're right, and I think the answer to the suggested question is more complicated than many realize.

Addiction is often thought of as a habit – as if to say it's characterized only by doing a drug often – when, in reality, it's a disease.

humanodon  ·  4325 days ago  ·  link  ·  

It's really amazing to me that some people just can't imagine addiction to be anything more than a choice. It's a little scary actually.

b_b  ·  4325 days ago  ·  link  ·  

Addicts make poor choices, but its a vast oversimplification to say addiction is just a choice.

ButterflyEffect  ·  4325 days ago  ·  link  ·  

Are "Just Say No" programs still a thing? If so, it's just a silly idealized way of dealing with this. Sure it's nice to teach children that they shouldn't do drugs, but there should be a "What if I say yes?" section taught at some point, that deals with where to get help and support in case you do become addicted.

b_b  ·  4325 days ago  ·  link  ·  

I hope not, but I really don't know. Same thing as abstinence education. Why waste the time. When I heard about LSD in 6th or 7th grade in a just say no or DARE program, all that happened was that my interest was piqued and I had to try it.

humanodon  ·  4325 days ago  ·  link  ·  

Is DARE still a thing? I heard in my local school district they were thinking of cancelling it since it had so little effect.

b_b  ·  4325 days ago  ·  link  ·  

Hell if I know. This was almost 20 years ago.

humanodon  ·  4325 days ago  ·  link  ·  

Me too. Like you, DARE opened up a whole world of things I'd never heard of but ultimately became curious about. Good one DARE.

hugitout  ·  4324 days ago  ·  link  ·  

DARE is still very much alive even though the website looks like it was made 20 years ago. Check this puppy out. http://www.dare.com/home/default.asp

humanodon  ·  4324 days ago  ·  link  ·  

    "Keepin’ it REAL" is a multicultural, school-based substance use prevention program for students 12-14 years old and taught by D.A.R.E. Officers.

Keep it real DARE.