ursulav, the author of the odd and beautifully-drawn webcomic Digger, has a wonderful bit of musing as to why kids shouldn't take drugs. Before you start ranting and screaming at me for being a hypocrite given my mostly Libertarian views, go read it.
As a probably-lifelong Zyrtec-taker, I wholeheartedly concur with her view.
The contrarian view: Kids should take drugs because it's the only time they can do it for pure enjoyment... ;-p
But the real issue isn't whether kids should take drugs or not - it's whether they are being raised and educated to make appropriate choices. Kids will always do things they know are wrong or stupid, but at least they should be given real and useful information, rather than a steady diet of obvious propaganda.
Kids will always do things they know are wrong or stupid, but at least they should be given real and useful information, rather than a steady diet of obvious propaganda No argument, but the question then becomes, "what is real and useful information?" This may touch off many more fights than simply "kids on drugs is bad." (People who accept this simplistic statement are also likely to overlook the grammatical problems with the statement.)
I remember one brief, shining moment when I was getting my birth control pills at the college pharmacy, and noticed the pharmacist wearing a "Just say NO to drugs" button. I looked at her levelly and pointed out that if everyone followed that slogan she would be out of a job.
When she returned with my prescription, she had taken off the button.
I'm probably going to be a lifelong Paxil user simply because getting on the drug gives me nasty effects for about 2 weeks. The first time, I figured it was the living hell that my life had become, but the second time... it was the drug, man. Once it became stabilized life was good but I really hate acid reflux, insomnia, mood swings and changes in eating patterns.
Of course, when I become a 8' talking purple iguana 15 years after taking Paxil, I may have another opinion. However, right now I don't see any sign of growth spurts. :-P
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Date: 2005-06-30 02:58 pm (UTC)When you have asthma at age 9 months...you don't have the luxury of that option.
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Date: 2005-06-30 03:13 pm (UTC)I have but one 'script and I only take it about half the time. Annoys me that I have to do that.
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Date: 2005-06-30 03:44 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-06-30 04:36 pm (UTC)But the real issue isn't whether kids should take drugs or not - it's whether they are being raised and educated to make appropriate choices. Kids will always do things they know are wrong or stupid, but at least they should be given real and useful information, rather than a steady diet of obvious propaganda.
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Date: 2005-07-01 06:10 am (UTC)No argument, but the question then becomes, "what is real and useful information?" This may touch off many more fights than simply "kids on drugs is bad." (People who accept this simplistic statement are also likely to overlook the grammatical problems with the statement.)
I remember one brief, shining moment when I was getting my birth control pills at the college pharmacy, and noticed the pharmacist wearing a "Just say NO to drugs" button. I looked at her levelly and pointed out that if everyone followed that slogan she would be out of a job.
When she returned with my prescription, she had taken off the button.
no subject
Date: 2005-07-01 02:59 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-07-01 03:58 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-07-01 06:07 am (UTC)I'm probably going to be a lifelong Paxil user simply because getting on the drug gives me nasty effects for about 2 weeks. The first time, I figured it was the living hell that my life had become, but the second time... it was the drug, man. Once it became stabilized life was good but I really hate acid reflux, insomnia, mood swings and changes in eating patterns.
Of course, when I become a 8' talking purple iguana 15 years after taking Paxil, I may have another opinion. However, right now I don't see any sign of growth spurts. :-P
no subject
Date: 2005-07-01 02:38 pm (UTC)