Posted by A parent's opinion on August 08, 2002 at 13:00:12:
In Reply to: It all starts with parenting..... posted by Eric on August 06, 2002 at 19:21:46:
I have been personally touched by the drug epidemic in our town. I wasn't going to respond until your post.
> The family structure is all screwed up. Some children don't have a mom or dad and in some cases, mom and dad are already drug users and their example or lackthereof eventually becomes "burned" into the kid's head..
(My response...Oh come on. Yes, there are cases of this. That is a stero type. I personally know parents that are in this struggle with their children having drug problems. I know for a fact these children were not raised in a drug enviroment. Yet today they are in their own fight to stay clean. Family structure has been the blame since the beginning of time. If there's a problem, well then, lets pull out the standard excuse....break down of family structure...Why would we want to put the time and effort to see what the REAL problem is when there's such a universal excuse....
I also know a man that was raise by his mother. He grew up with a fear of what his mother would do to him he she ever found out that he did something. So is it a single parent family to blame? No, not in every case. But isn't that really the reality. Every case is different and can't have a blanket excuse/blame)
> I realize this next statement is a bit of a sexist remark but once more and more women wanted to work and send their kids to daycare, the one on one nurturing has twindled. Its like mom and dad are just passing the responsibility. I also realize both need to work to keep the family afloat with the economy so do we really blame that?
(Good Gertie !!! Sexists to say the VERY LEAST. Do you even know a working mom? Maybe this was your experience. But again a blanket excuse/ blame)
> As for stopping drugs, I think the plan is very simple. Create an "informant" hotline to report possible drug corners or activity for a special law enforcement department to infiltrate and investigate.
(There is not simple plan. It's as complex as the problem it's self)
> I also think the police need more help from the lawmakers, lawyers, judges, and juries to convict those and punish them for their crimes.
> Education, Enforcement and Rehab are the best ways to go about this but it all starts at home with everything in our society.
(I do agree with you here. As many, many people have said....it takes a village to raise a child)
> ....of course, this is just my opinion.
(and only mine too)