Parents and drug prohibition

A comment made in response to this documentary shown on SBS TV Australia. 

There are fanatics who wish to stop everybody from having the ability to alter their consciousness using natural and man-made substances.  Of course, they will never succeed, for humans have been altering their consciousness for thousands of years and will continue to do so for many years to come.

If parents wish to protect their children from the dangers of life, they must either lock them in a room, or provide them with the tools to empower and enlighten them on their journey.  Attempting to brainwash children with one's own fanatic and fearful views just won't work- youth are too smart for that.  They need to experience life as we all do and if they are brought up wisely then their ability to deal with life intelligently and healthfully will be maximised.  But dangers do exist.  That is the nature of the world.  We don't live on a planet of fluffy clouds and daffodils as some prohibitionists would like.

Looking at the issue of drug abuse more broadly, we see that those attracted to such an imbalanced use are already psychologically damaged.  A happy, balanced person doesn't seek to obliterate themselves as many young, and not so young, people do.  The problem here is not the drugs but the society which gives birth to such desperate, lost souls.  I think we need to look more closely at the school system, the way youth are treated and overly controlled, and our western way of life more generally, if we are to understand the problem of drug abuse, as opposed to drug use, which is natural part of life for many.

Sharka Todd