"Alcohol is a drug"

[mistymama]

I have not read all the responses - wanted to share my experience first, then go back and read!

We are in the middle of "Red Ribbon Week" here. Yesterday ds came home with a "drug free, way to be" sticker on and told me how they learned how to "hop away from alcohol, like frogs". :

So they told him alcohol is a drug and to stay away from it. When I told him my glass of wine or beer is alcohol, he was shocked, had no clue. So we had a good conversation about what alcohol actually is. Then about how in moderation things like red wine can actually be good for you - but in excess can really hurt your body. *sigh*

I detest DARE. It's a dangerous program, that at best does not work. I so clearly remember going through it and fearing pot - thinking some shady character in a back alley was going to "force" me to smoke some. Then I was totally unprepared when the guy who offered it to me was a super cute, popular guy I wanted to date - and that when I did try it, I wasn't "hooked" or "crazy" - I was just fine. Made me wonder if cocaine and all of the harder drugs were the same way. I mean, they lied about pot, why should I trust what they had to say about the other stuff??

I had always planned to keep ds out of the DARE program. But this is our 2nd year in public school and I felt it was going to really single him out - and as a kid with Aspergers, he does not need that at all. So I've chosen to speak with him openly and honestly in an age appropriate way. When he's older I will share my experiences, things I've learned and be brutally honest about all drugs - from caffeine to crack.

I'm just really irked by the whole alcohol is a dangerous drug thing. I mean, really? What are our kids supposed to think? I drink a glass of wine sometimes while cooking dinner and dh and I both like to buy good quality beers and drink a few while watching football on Saturdays. We model responsible, safe drinking. So to have DARE come in and basicly lump that in with smoking meth - it sucks. It's the whole "just say no" theme and we already know that DOES NOT WORK.

[Ruthla]

Originally Posted by Ruthla

I really hope she doesn't lose points on the project because the teacher disagreed with DD2's conclusions. If she does, then I'll help her fight it. This project is too big a part of her grade. Overall, I get the feeling that the teacher is one of those people who never learned responsible drinking habits from HER parents! She's also a fairly inexperienced teacher- a long term sub while the regular health teacher is on maternity leave. I suspect a more experienced teacher would have handled the presentation very differently- let DD2 defend herself and answer other students questions, and then reiterate "kids shouldn't drink, period" after the presentation was over.

Originally Posted by SunshineJ

Honestly regardless of what the subject matter was I would be having words with the teacher and possibly principal over this. Your DD did her assignment and presented it in a valid, professional (for lack of better term) way and was interrupted and treated with complete disrespect by her instructor. That's how self-esteem's begin to get crushed and how people are taught not to go beyond what is "expected", not to mention it was completely unprofessional of the teacher. I would want to know DD was getting a fair grade and want dd to receive an apology. The teacher would never have stood for a student treating her that way during a lecture, and when your DD was doing her presentation she was in the same position and deserved the same courtesy.

DD got an A+ on the report.