Talking honestly about drug use By Patti Skelton-McGougan,
executive director of Youth Eastside Services Have you been
asked The Question? Not the one about where babies come from but
the one parents these days dread far more—“Did you smoke pot
when you were my age?” Relax. It’s ok to be honest with your
kids about your past. Just be thankful they feel comfortable
enough to initiate a conversation like this with you. In fact,
when it comes to helping kids make good choices, one of the most
important things parents can do is maintain an open and ongoing
dialogue. So it’s okay to fess up: “I did make some bad
decisions, and I don’t want you to wind up making them, too.”
You might point out that much has changed over the years. For
example, researchers know much more about the brain and how it’s
adversely affected by alcohol and other drugs. And drugs today,
such as marijuana, are much more potent—even deadly. Be aware
that all the talk of legalizing marijuana has changed kids’
views on it—many see it as no big