I have a general question that I would like many opinions on? Why do young kids 15-23yrs of age do drugs? From the child's standpoint, I have been trying to explain to a parent why their child would want to experiment or do drugs. The parent also asked me when (at what age) would the child stop? Inquiring minds want to know.

Unsigned

 

Unsigned,

You mentioned that you took it upon yourself to try and help her see the child's point of view. Commendable as that is please, leave this up to the experts, you aren't checked out on dispensing life-changing advice. You did come to the right place. I'll solve it for you, in one clean, swift column. No worries.

Why do kids 15-23 do drugs? First thing you need to rethink is your definition of this group.
The dictionary states:
Kid
1) A young person of either sex (between birth and puberty)
2) A young goat

I'll take a guess that you are not talking about the usage habits of young goats (although it is a dire situation around the world). So, I think the group should be defined as teenagers.
Again, the dictionary states:
Teenager
1) A juvenile between the onset of puberty and maturity
2) Crazed drug-experimenting freaks

There now that we have that straight I would also say anyone 20 and older has the faculties to make their own decisions relating to experimentation with drugs. Perhaps this age is more like 18, depending on what experiences the teen has had and the environment raised in.

Please ask your friend how does she define 'drugs'; are they over the counter, on the street, tobacco, alcohol, legal, Illegal? Has she ever taken drugs, or did she 'experiment' (with drugs, not sexually) when she was a teen; this will give her insight into the quandary. If a prescription drug is taken without a prescription is that a bad thing. Has your friend ever done that?

At the end of the day - drugs are fun. The vast majority of teenagers don't take drugs or drink because they are clinically depressed, suicidal, or lacking in self-esteem. They do it because it gives them pleasure, like drinking coffee, smoking cigarettes, drinking liquor, and taking drugs (prescription or illegal) gives adults pleasure.

Oh yes, please make sure to guilt trip the youngin' into thinking that they caused Sept. 11 by experimenting with drugs. As the TV says - marijuana is solely distributed to fund terrorists. The funny thing is, I happen to have it on pretty good authority that half of the cannabis consumed in the United States is grown domestically, with another 40 percent coming from Mexico and Canada. But, TV can't be wrong, can it?

To sum it up, since humans are robots and completely predictable I can say, with 100% confidence that your friends child will stop using drugs when they reach 23 years, 7 months, 4 days and 20 minutes. To the second, so don't worry; as long as they make it there it's clear sailing all the way to the grave.

 

For the concerned parent, below are a few quick warning signs that your teenager is using drugs:
They are always in their room (doing god knows what).
They have that silly poster with the weird, trippy design on it.
They are always giggling and laughing
They wear those crazy clothes.
And they always have the munchies.

 

Share and Enjoy,

Dr. Know

 

PS - some silly little beer company actually had the nards to publish this:
Beer vs. Illegal Drugs

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