"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.