Parents and Teens: Intervention for Drugs

Parents are the first and most influential aspect of a child’s life. Ideals, moral values, opinions; they all stem from one central source. Fortunately or unfortunately, these learned behaviors also include the parents’ outlook and level of tolerance for illicit substances, ranging from “natural” or herbal drugs to chemical concoctions. A child’s decision to use or not to use drugs is also greatly affected by parental attitudes. According to the article Parent Power by Joseph A. Califano Jr., “Parent power is the greatest weapon we have to curb substance abuse.” (Califano, 209). This essay will explore why I agree to a point with parental intervention when it comes to substance abuse, and how much I think could be too much.

The article, Parent Power by Joseph A. Califano, touches on the importance of parents not only educating their children about drugs, but also the importance of parents playing an active role throughout their child’s developing years. Califano states, “The price young people pay for parental pessimism and nonchalance is high.” (Califano, 208). While the author is speaking of drug awareness by parents, he is also discussing the issue of parents being involved with the development of their children, particularly by being actively attentive to the environments that the child is exposed to.

This idea is very widely expressed and agreed upon, and as a parent stated in an article by the Manitoba Government called Talking with Your Kids about Crystal Meth and Other Drugs, “Where would I rather my daughter get her information about crystal meth? From someone trying to sell it to her or from me?” (Manitoba Government). In the same article, the Government says,“Studies consistently show that kids whose parents talk to them about the dangers of drugs are significantly less likely to use illicit drugs than kids whose parents do not.” (Manitoba Government). Both quotes express the importance of parents being actively involved with their children and to educate them on one of the most important decisions a child will make: To use or not to use drugs.

While I agree that parental involvement in a child’s life is most definitely essential, I do not agree that it is the “greatest weapon” against substance abuse. The reason for this point of view is that I think that Califano paints the image of a Utopian family setting where the ideals are perfectly balanced to influence the child favorably against substance abuse. Califano has written about consistent family meals, lack of extra tension in the house hold, and open communication between members of the family, et cetera. Many homes are not so positive that the parents could maintain such a steady equilibrium. Evidence of this can be shown in under-privileged homes where monetary stress is high and family quality time is low and not possible. It can also be exemplified in homes where the parents are workaholics or just negligent. These are the cases where parent power is not as great as it should be, but rather, quite the opposite.