There never seems to be any shortage of important and often controversial issues being brought to our attention in the media, especially with the upcoming elections in both state and federal arenas.
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One of these would have to be the issue about drug usage and the suggested pill testing at music festivals.
It would seem that there is some mob psychology at work among our younger generations that insists that everyone attending these events will only enjoy them to the full if they partake of illicit pills.
No consideration appears to be evident as to where they come from, what they actually contain, or who is profiting from the illicit trading. In addition to this, of course, is the real danger of death, addiction or lifelong mental illness.
Part of the solution seems to lie with the parenting, family life, schooling and general upbringing of young people.
In the Sydney Morning Herald at the weekend and again in the Central Western Daily on Monday there was a disturbing anonymous article from a 21-year-old university student with the heading ‘I know all the risks but I’m still going to take drugs at festivals’.
Beside this was a column listing 13 young men and women who had lost their lives in the last few years through the use of illicit drug taking at music festivals.
I am inclined to think that this juxtaposition was eloquent in itself.
If pill testing can block some of the flow of this poison, then it certainly could be a good thing. Nevertheless, it would seem that the solutions lie far deeper and that the problem has become much more widespread.
Unlike enjoying an alcoholic drink in moderation, unless you happen to be an alcoholic, there does not seem to be a safe and moderate way to “enjoy” illicit drugs.
In this day and age, there are many drugs that can be prescribed by medical practitioners that need to be taken under supervision for a whole range of medical conditions.
Abuse of or ignorance of the prescribed dosage can prove to be extremely harmful and cause more harm than good.
Part of the solution seems to lie with the parenting, family life, schooling and general upbringing of young people.
If we can inculcate basic ethical values, respect for all people including ourselves, as well as meaningful communication and discussion, then we are well on the way to a better lifestyle.
The “dos” and the “don’ts”, the “thou shalt” and the “thou shalt not” has proved over the years that they simply don’t work. Like the little boy who told his mum, “when you say don’t, I feel won’t all over”.
With young people especially, spending countless hours on the internet mostly without any supervision, it is not surprising that parents and carers become oblivious to what their young people are taking in, or how they are interpreting what they see.
There is no easy answer to this dilemma, but somewhere in it could lie the beginning of a solution to this problem.
Nobody wants to put teenagers into straight jackets or curtail their opportunities for leisure and relaxation, but surely all of us would like to know we are raising a generation of healthy, wholesome, sensible, compassionate and intelligent human beings of whom we can be proud.
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