[Closed] If you caught your kids smoking weed......

Have seen too many awful things including the death of one extremely talented guy I knew who never reached his musical potential 😥

Quite a few people I knew ended up with serious mental health problems, attempted suicide etc.

I'm not a parent - only 18.

But when/if I ever have kids, this would be a real dilemma for me, its really got me thinking.

I have never smoked weed or even smoked at all. But my life has definitely been affected by weed. My cousin who I was very close to, started smoking it at around 16 and has been in and out of mental hospitals since - hes now 24. Mental illness was already is that side of the family, his grandmother had suffered from it. The weed seemed to instantly bring it out and he has never been the same since.

At around 16 all my friends started smoking it, I didn't want to, so I didn't. Since then, most of them were expelled from school, dropped out of college.. etc. I had to find a whole new group of friends and slowly distance myself from them. It was and still is very upsetting to watch how they are all, with only 1 exception, wasting their lives away.

So, in answer to the question.

I haven't got a clue. I'd want to keep them safe but obviously want to stop them at the same time. I think that if I do have kids I will just try and teach them from a young age not to try it and hope that works.

Should have said that I do have kids and told them about my and my friends experiences. Reckon my distress was noticed.

For every horror story of drug use their are thousands of users who are unharmed by the experience.
Just replace the word drug for alcohol in that sentence if you disagree with it.
Some people develop issues with drug use but MOST dont.

Indeed. I know extremely succesful, extremely coherant, intelligent and sociable individuals who smoke copious amounts of weed, proper strong stuff too. I'd also argue that they are the amazing people they are, partially because they smoke weed. I think lots of people can become far more creative and innovative simpy by ingesting certain drugs, the music scene is a superb example of this. I'd suggest that many of the finest popular music ever would never have existed without the use of recreational drugs and that would be a bad thing.

I had a great time when I was younger and to be honest I'd quite like my kids to have their own, maybe similar maybe not, experiences as they grow up, I'd be worried of course that they would be damaged in some way, hopefully they won't throw their lives away like me and end up working in IT. Seems even copious amounts of weed wasn't enough to make up for a lack of creative talent 🙁

To go back to the OP.

I am not a parent but my nephew (who is dutch) asked me if I had ever smoked and what did I think about it when he was 15.

I didn't really know what to say to him but he is a smart lad so I thought the truth as I knew it wa the best answer which was: I have smoked. It can be harmless, it can be a bad thing. It can lead you into nicotine addiction easily which is what happened to me, if you have nothing else in your life it can make you very dull indeed and lead to a wasted life. If you have other things in your life then it won't take over. it ain't good for your lungs and some folk it sends crackers. Like most things in life moderation is the key.

Interestingly because he is dutch and weed is available easily it actually seems to have less attraction for the kids as there is no naughty rebellious glamour associated with it. probably less kids there smoke than do here - most of the smokers are adults.

What would Jacqui Smith do?

Far more importantly, what would RudeBoy do?

Indeed, [i]far[/i] more important...

I can't be bothered to read some of the long posts above, because quite frankly, my memory is not capable of concentrating long enough for the period of time it would take to read them. That, and they're probbly boring reconstiututed waffle that's been spouted countless times before, about this kind of subject.

Q: Would you let yer kids drink? Not illicitly, with a bottle of blue booze in the local park, I mean a little glass of something at family do's, weddings, parties, etc.

If the answer is yes, then I can't see as you can have a real moral objection to them smoking dope, as alcohol is actually a far more destructive drug socially, and by allowing them to drink, you're condoning the consumption of such.

My mum found an eighth me and me mates had chipped in for, once. I'd just scored it. Down the bog it went; oh, what joy, explaining that one to me mates. [url=

also threw away my best porno mag[/url] (well, it was a spesh edition of German Playboy, belonging to me mate, actually).

I ended up going round me next door neighbour's place, and smoke there. My mum weren't happy at first, but me neighbour explained 'he'll be out smoking on the street, so maybe it's better he's indoors at mine, where he won't get nicked'. That, she saw the logic in. She never condoned my behaviour, but din't get all hysterical over it.

Having smoked for many years, I appreciate the dangers of dope; the long term psychological effects aren't to be ignored, for sure. But people will experiment. If I had kids, I doubt I could be a hypocrit and stop them from smoking dope, considering I did it as a yute. I spose if they were under 16, I'd do me utmost to prevent them, but what you gonna do, when they're outside where you can't see them?

I'd endeavour at least to educate them propply, on the dangers of abusing drugs, but be honest and open with them. Fore warned is fore armed.

Having been there myself, there's no way any kids of mine could ever hide it from me. I'd find there little stash plots!

One of my instant thoughts are that I would be well and truly miffed if they (my theoretical kids) smoked tobacco with it - a physical addiction is not the same as a psychological/social addiction to deal with.

Would I let them smoke? I guess it depends on the person! A friend of mine is some old hippy-type 'dude' and I think he son (who's at uni) enjoy's a bit of stuff to expand his mind (mushrooms) but knowing him and his lad, it is known that it would not be permanent, just a 'phase' as he is more than educated (in both senses).

Now if I found out they were buying coke/ecstasy/ketamine, i'd be pretty upset and want to deal with it - the same goes as heavy drinking!!

Jon - I wouldn't put Es in the same category as coke. its much less powerful and damaging. Es make you lovey dovey and mellow - coke makes you obnoxious gobby arsehole

I admit I havent read the whole thread but when I was in my early teens (i.e. pre legal drinking age) a load of us used to go over to a mates house and snoke pot. Likewise his parents knew full well what we were doing but took the view that they would rather us do that in the house rather than roam the streets/sit in parks etc.

I dont have kids but from my upbringing I imagine that I'll take the stance that I'd rather let my kids get away with certain things within my four walls and under my supervision than to sit in parks drinking and smoking etc. Although I would endeavour to steer them away from casual drug use but most kids are pretty impressionable arent they.

Didn't have time to read the post but i have a friend who has a professional opinion on this and as we are both ex smokers, we are not exactlt anti drugs.

The problem lies in the fact that the THC or TCH (whichever?) content has gone from 3% to 15 to 20% and due to this there are lots of people having head problems.. Not good for you, never mind your kids.

Good point Mugboo. Do all illict drug makers follow the same ingredients/manufacturing standards? Not too long ago I smoked some Skunk and had to stop- it was mental. Its always been strong- but this time even though I only had two draws I was mentally in the pits for over 3days. Ive always been 'sensitive' to weed but the 3day depression, well no thanks.

cinnamon_girl - Member

Should have said that I do have kids and told them about my and my friends experiences. Reckon my distress was noticed.

Go on - was it pink elephants?

An old mate of mine was a gamekeeper who enjoyed a few too many 'smokes'. He realised it was time to pack it in when he awoke one night and a rabbit was sitting on the bed with a shotgun. Every time he hid under the covers and peered back out again their was the rabbit with a 12 bore still pointing at him!

(we did have a good laugh about this one at the time but I guess it was a pretty serious mind **** as he stopped)

[url=

Reason to stop![/url]

to the OP, yes i would, but you prob guessed that anyway.

used to smoke at a mates house. his folks were left-over hippies. really nice people with a successful business.

i would rather have an element of control and trust over the situation. that and when my stash ran out i could blackmail them into giving me some of theirs.....

"i'll tell ya mum...."

these are all very insular opinions
if you're talking about educating your kids about the social and health problems related to recreational drug use then maybe you should tell them about the wider implications and where their money is ultimately going, what it is funding and how it is impacting not just their lives, but their local community, fuelling the greedy and power-hungry criminals in organised crime and enabling all sorts of horrific people to do all sorts of horrific things here and overseas
you may be fortunate enough that your kids end up being well-balanced, upstanding individuals - but think about other people's kids who might see their brothers, sisters, families or friends end up dead

sorry if that sounds a bit preachy, but your kids need to be made aware of the wider implications

If I caught my kids smoking dope I'd march them down to the front of the local nick and make them smoke all they had in front of the police with a placard saying

'I'm smoking weed - in spite of all my parents have said. I also realise that I am, through my actions, sponsoring local criminal activity and possibly even terrorists. My dad says he is not paying his national health insurance so I can **** up like this - you deal with it'

Fair to say I don't tolerate drugs.....

(Christ! I suddenly realise being from Ulster does not mean I'm necessarily a 'moderate'):roll:

Think that's what I alluded to in my earlier response...

maybe you should tell them about the wider implications and where their money is ultimately going, what it is funding and how it is impacting not just their lives, but their local community, fuelling the greedy and power-hungry criminals in organised crime and enabling all sorts of horrific people to do all sorts of horrific things here and overseas

Same could be said of all sorts of 'legitimate' industries, though. Sweatshops, toxic chemicals, dangerous working conditions, slave wages, dodgy regimes, etc, etc...

yes, and the rest of the world's ills that we choose to remain blissfully ignorant of, but the line of sight here is a lot more obvious and a lot easier to do something about

stop buying drugs

(or grow your own)

brakes - Member

.................then maybe you should tell them about the wider implications and where their money is ultimately going, what it is funding and how it is impacting not just their lives, but their local community, fuelling the greedy and power-hungry criminals in organised crime and enabling all sorts of horrific people to do all sorts of horrific things here and overseas

This I think is a very valid point. I often think of the stereotype of the middle class dinner party with its organic veg and voting green =where the coke comes out with the coffee. Cocaine has ****ed up Columbia totally. A conveniently forgotten aspect

Growing your own is much more socially responsible then...

We've always taken the attitude that we grew up OK after doing things that would have horrified our parents back then (we got together in 1969 btw), so we would never shout at our kids for doing what we did. But we took a lot of effort to make sure they grew up as good people.

So yes they all drink, smoke weed and shag, but are none the worse for it.

But it does get me that when I was young my parents used to shout "turn that awful music down" and you had to hide your stash from them. Now its my kids shouting that at us.

you should tell them about the wider implications and where their money is ultimately going, what it is funding and how it is impacting not just their lives, but their local community, fuelling the greedy and power-hungry criminals in organised crime and enabling all sorts of horrific people to do all sorts of horrific things here and overseas

TJ - I'm quite familiar with anything mentioned, and even some not (sorry, didn't mean it to sound off, just commenting). If I was to educate my theoretical children on the 'facts' of where drug money goes and what it funds, we also have to look a little closer to home and how our taxes continually fund methadone for junkies rather than alternative forms of rehab. etc etc - the whole thing is contradictory.

Whatever one says to the yay or nay of drugs, there is one to fight the opposing corner with equally as much gusto and fact throwing.

I'd just be hopeful that I would be able to have a much more pleasant relationship with any potential offspring, rather than the "I am your father, you shall fear me" attitude that I was brought up with - which, I feel, leads itself to a much better relationship with kids.

Either that, or i'll just work a bit harder now and make sure that I buy myself and family out of certain social circles when none of that happens. Yes, that's right, wealthy people don't do that do they? Pass the port and coke spoon would you old bean.... what ho.

Whatever one says to the yay or nay of drugs, there is one to fight the opposing corner with equally as much gusto and fact throwing

but one corner is fighting for their rights (basic, human, civil, freedom of choice, or otherwise) to what is essentially a luxury, not a staple, not a necessity
and to fight for a luxury which in most cases is causing (at best indirectly) the pain and suffering of others is not exactly fighting a good fight

I think legalisation could be a solution, but is too much of a minefield, at least for me to comprehend

Real quality information, truthfulness and honesty would be the key things.

The problem with weed is it's incredibly powerful nowadays and probably has as much of a high as heroin/pills/coke etc.. - Not like when we all used to smoke some crappy moroccan black or whatnot in the 80's/90's etc..Great buzz but the psychological effects are massive with "modern" weed.

Lanesra - sorry that is simply a myth - it is stronger but it is not in the same league as smack or coke.

Objective testing has shown it to be 1.5 - 2 times as strong and no stronger than the best of old skool weed

1.5 - 2x as strong but not stronger? How does that work then?

Its stronger than the average weed from years ago but no stronger than good Thai

Not knowing a massive amount about growing the stuff, I would speculate as the chemicals used in growing a lot of it, quickly ... Like any chemically grown crop available, the stuff sprayed on them is pretty damned bad for you.

But who's going to stand up and say that chemically enhanced bio-products are bad for you, that would leave 000's of products 'unsuitable for human consumption' and a lot of farmers in trouble?

Maybe anyway.

But yep, couldn't agree more with TJ on this... open, honest and straight talking.

Different drugs, different times - All "manufactured" drugs (pills/weed etc) are much more powerful than the ones we took as kids

Also agree about education, I worked in Eindhoven for a few years and I think its someting stupid that less than 5% of dutch people smoke weed/black etc..despite it being legal

more of us should smoke weed. end of.
ever had a fight with a stoner? no? thought not.

in reply to the original post i would say probably, i would try my hardest though in stopping them from starting on tobacco as that really is a very expensive and damaging life long habit for most people.

http://www.badscience.net/2007/03/reefer-badness/
should clear up misconceptions about modern weed being 25x stronger,

http://www.badscience.net/2007/07/blah-blah-cannabis-blah-blah-blah/
this one is about psychosis.

Dr Ben Goldacre for those of you that have not heard of him is a very sensible sounding chap that likes to dispel all sorts of nonsense usually spouted by the media. He has many many entries on a very wide variety of subjects.

Just read the badscience link, very interesting.

Its funny how things change. Here i am, 38 years old and already i've forgotten the lessons of youth!

Coming from the E generation i've done most drugs (avoided H and Crack!)
And spent plenty of time defending the use of them in moderation..

My biggest gripe was always the lack of good solid facts and figures. Always its scare tactics, drugs kill, etc.. I have a large circle of friends and none of us are showing any ill effects from our mispent youth (we still partake in most things on stag do's).

My parents didn't have the information they needed to make an informed reason for me not to, they only had government/The Sun BS to argue their corner. Nothing has changed today, the same old BS..

Having said all that the world has changed and kids now discover drugs at a very young age.

For us drugs was a just a faze because in the end we had to grow up a little and make the most of our lives, fun while it lasted though..These days my drugs are techy descents, snowboarding and alcohol!

We should always try and research the facts and not fall for sensationalist rubbish (this goes for most subjects)..

Thanks for sharing!!!!

[url= http://www.synergytreatment.com/ ] Drug Rehab [/url]

spamtastic post marymn.

hey is this the party thread?

why not, new crop just dried.

pull up a mat and a rizla.

I don't know. I have issues with the path that drugs take to get here and the crime it's associated with as Tankslapper points out.
Other than that I've no real problem with it, however my teenage kids haven't gone near alchol yet. And I wasn't bothered for weed or booze either yet my mum grew canibis in her back garden.
I did experience my daughters friends smoking weed in the back garden at her party last month, and TBH I thought it was just a bit cheeky.
One thing though smoking the stuff in public is severely disrespectful, that'll get my fists clenched.

My son(20 soon) started and stopped smoking pot quite quickly.
I've been at it for 21 years with no issues.

If you want to keep your kids on the straight and narrow point them to youtube and get them to watch Swansea love story parts 1-6.

Very sad but very real.

If my lad decides in the future he wants to smoke weed then I'd be more happy for him to smoke at home than elsewhere but would rather if he wanted to get high to find a non smoking method of using it.

I started smoking fags at 12 years old cos it made me look hard ect...
my first try of canabis was when I was 15 , the usual squidgy/Moroccan that seemed to be what was available in the 80's. I've never been tempted to try anything else despite numerous offers.

Nowadays I've packed in tobacco on it's own and only smoke weed now and again when a friends crop comes of age and I don't have to pay for it , but I've always been a 1 joint is enough smoker cos once your stoned your just wasting whats left.

The best non smoking method is , boil a bottle of high fat milk(jersy/gold top) and pour into a flask adding a good sized bud , leave to steep for an hour then seive out the weed. Use to make tea/coffee. ingesting the tch gives a much better buzz and doesn't cack your lungs up.