No!
I was told over and over again that drugs were bad and to just say “no” if I was ever offered any.
I had my chances. I was around drugs at parties and friend’s houses, particularly when I was in university. But I never took any. I didn’t see the benefit, and I didn’t want it in my body. I guess the campaigns worked to some degree.
Yet, this week the popular thing seems to be politicians coming out of the closet about their past drug use. To what benefit? None that I can see. Well at least to the general public.
Justin Trudeau has come out in favour of legalizing weed. The same week a study came out telling us that when teens use, it can seriously impact brain development at a crucial stage.
“No problem!” says Trudeau. “Legalizing it will keep it out of the hands of the youth!”
Sure it will… just like our youth never get access to alcohol.
Look, I don’t care if you took a toke one time back in university and you’re all fine now, it’s not that way for everyone.
Tell that to the families of the two under-age teens I’ve buried in the last two years who mixed alcohol and drugs. Tell that to the young adults who’s brains are burnt and are hooked on stronger drugs today, eliminating themselves from the work force because of it, and damaging relations with their families and friends.
It doesn’t take much to find the ugly side of the story. I’ve seen it up close and personal. I’ve seen how a couple of simple tokes lead to a life of self-destruction, and even death.
So instead of telling me how you’re going to make it acceptable to ruin people’s lives, and instead tell me how you are going to help those who have destroyed their lives and the lives of others through their addictions.
Then maybe I’ll consider voting for you… when you decide to help people instead of your own personal image.
Anyone up to the challenge?
I’m not sure, because no one out there is showing me they want to.