I am a firm believer in the notion that you can't get enough quality education. With respect to drug and alcohol abuse we as a society seem to be trying our best by bombarding our youngsters with warnings about drugs and alcohol.
As a counselor for both in class and online alcohol awareness classes and online drug classes, I often ask my students if they think the court-mandated class which caused the vast majority of them to wind up in my classroom will be beneficial toward their not becoming addicted to alcohol and or other drugs, or to help them along their path to recovery if they already are an addict.
This article will look through my student's eyes as we examine this question. Let's face it - as a society what do we have besides education to keep the streets safe and drugs and alcohol out of our, and our children's, bodies? The answer of course is law enforcement. What do you think might be the more positive way to resolve our nation's problems with drugs and alcohol abuse.
War on Drugs
Since Nancy Reagan officially launched the "War on Drugs" back in 1981, can you say the war campaign has been successful? I would say the answer is definitively, no, but many other things besides the prevalence of drugs and alcohol in society today merit examination. If law enforcement is not the answer - education must be - or at least it cannot hurt.
The Answer
We cannot rely on law enforcement as the main thrust of our goal to rid society of its addictive tendencies. There is no doubt law enforcement is necessary, and in some cases even medicinal.
I remember the first time I was arrested and it changed my life, for a while. I spent a few days in juvenile hall and was scared senseless by the entire situation. This was my first attempt to quit all of my bad habits, which included, but was not limited to, alcohol abuse, drug use and shoplifting.
For almost five years I was the model citizen. I was the son my parents wanted. I was becoming successful. I was devoted and communicated well with friends and family. I was well-liked and involved all across the board.
Oh, No - A Relapse!
Then, out of nowhere, I encountered a relapse. I had been sober from all drugs and alcohol for more than a year. I had not stolen for more than 13 months. Then my entire world crashed down upon me.
Anyone who ever has been an addict knows that there are certain triggers for addiction. IN my case, I had my college roommate come to visit. In college, we had been fraternity brothers. Alcohol and drugs were a major part of our relationship.
My "friend" knew I had been sober for more than a year. But how good a friend was he to bring up the "good, old times" and admit that he had brought pot and prescription drugs with him that we could take if I wanted to.
I hate to say it, but - I wanted to. I did not make the smart choice. I chose to do drugs and drink 1 beer with my buddy. I had somehow reasoned that I was sober for over year, so what kind of big deal would one night be?
The Future
One year of sobriety down the drain. That was not the hard part. The hard part was the next 15 years of addictive behavior that cost me jobs, friends and family.
Yet another relapse on my ever-hopeful road to sobriety. My prayer always remained the same - please let me become sober before I kill myself or someone else!
Please, if you or someone you love is an alcoholic or a drug addict, please seek help immediately. If you prefer to maintain total anonymity there are online alcohol awareness classes and online drug classes as well.
Mike Miller is the Education Director at Online Drug Class, a website specializing on online drug classes and minor in possession classes.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mike_R_Miller
Tidak ada komentar:
Posting Komentar