In evaluating drug prevention materials, keep the following points in
mind:
Check the date of publication.
Material published before 1980 may be outdated and even recently
published materials may be inaccurate.
Look for "warning flag" phrases and concepts.
These expressions, many of which appear frequently in "pro-drug"
material, falsely imply that there is a "safe" use of mind-altering
drugs: experimental use, recreational use, social use, controlled use,
responsible use, use/abuse.
"Mood-altering" is a deceptive euphemism for mind-altering.
The implication of the phrase "mood-altering" is that only
temporary feelings are involved. The fact is that mood changes are
biological changes in the brain.
"There are no 'good' or 'bad' drugs, just improper use":
This is a popular semantic camouflage in pro-drug literature. It
confuses young people and minimizes the distinct chemical
differences among substances.
"The child's own decision":
Parents cannot afford to leave such hazardous choices to their
children. It is the parents' responsibility to do all in their
power to provide the information and the protection to assure their
children a drug-free childhood and adolescence.
Be alert for contradictory messages.
Often an author gives a pro-drug message and then covers his tracks by
including "cautions" about how to use drugs.
Make certain the health consequences revealed in current research are
adequately described.
Literature should make these facts clear: The high potency of marijuana
on the market today makes it more dangerous than ever; THC, a
psychoactive ingredient in marijuana, is fat soluble and its
accumulation in the body has many adverse biological effects; cocaine
can cause death and is one of the most addictive drugs known to man.
Demand material that sets positive standards of behavior for children.
The message conveyed must be an expectation that children can say no to
drugs. The publication and its message must provide the information and
must support caring family involvement to reinforce the child's courage
to stay drug free.