Teens and Drugs: What Adults Think Vs. The Truth
Do You Know Why do kids try drugs?
If you read up around the internet on why kids do drugs, you’ll read a lot of stuff about peer pressure. But think back, do you remember anyone directly telling you do drugs when you were a kid? I sure don’t. I remember everyone being totally OK with my sobriety when I was a kid, my friends usually thought is was no problem and often asked me to be the designated driver!
It’s possible that peer pressure is no more than a minor factor in the decision to experiment with drugs. Peer pressure doesn’t make kids do things, it just makes them less resistant to doing something they might want to try for themselves anyway.
If you’re still not convinced and think that peer pressure has more of an impact on drug abuse, look no further than your own childhood. Think back on what it was like to be young and curious.
Why do you think no one ever pressured me to try drugs?
It’s possible that the idea of peer pressure is a convenient excuse for adults. It may be easier than admitting what we don’t know about kids and their natural curiosity, or the culture around drug abuse in our society.
The reality is this: while some teens will experiment with drugs, it’s not always because someone is coercing them to do so.
Maybe they are simply curious. Maybe they think it will be fun.
No matter the reason, it’s important for adults to remember what it was like when we were kids and how much we wanted new experiences. Maybe they think that as long as they don’t put themselves or others at risk with experimentation, trying drugs isn’t such a big deal after all.
When I got older I did get some funny looks from people at bars when I didn’t want to drink with them. In my years of touring with rock bands and broadway shows, I’ve had literally thousands of people ask if they could buy me a drink. I take it as a compliment and I think people use it as a way to foster further interaction.
When I tell them I don’t drink, some people become puzzled at first. Some people ask why. Sometime’s people just accept it. Sometimes I will mention to them that I have a lot of alcoholism in my family and that’s why I don’t drink.
100% people have been respectful towards this situation. Some of them are impressed and inspired by it. Once a person realized they don’t have to buy me a drink in order to interact further, they simply forget the whole topic and there’s really no problem with it.
My advice to kids is to make your own decision and stay firm. People will respect your position if you don’t waver. Everyone loves a person who is decisive and sure of themselves. Make your own decisions and be confident in them. When you’re confident in your decisions, you won’t ever notice or feel an ounce of peer pressure. I know I never did.
