Parenthood in a time of addiction and drug proliferation

Today's parents have a lot to manage. They are raising their children in a 24/7, nonstop world where addiction is prevalent in many forms; online pornography is just a click away, addictive sports betting among barely legal young adults is skyrocketing, and the proliferation of illicit drug legalization is giving everyone the impression that there are few harms of recreational use.

As a mother of four young adults, these are the struggles I dealt with as a parent. In the short, few years since my children's teen years, these addictions have only become more prevalent across our society. 

The normalization of illicit drug use has been pushed onto everyone in multiple ways. Many states have adopted marijuana legalization in some form (in violation of federal law). Along with that comes the explosion of pot shops, billboard advertisement, and the distinct odor emanating throughout common family spaces like parks and beaches, despite widespread state laws prohibiting public use. And that is only what people experience in their physical environment.

In movies, television, and online content, marijuana use is portrayed as something fun that people do with their friends. I have yet to come across a movie or show that depicts the actual downsides of marijuana use which occur in a notable number of users. These downsides include addiction, cannabis hyperemesis syndrome, psychotic episodes, depression, paranoia, and increased suicidality.

This is the world that parents must help their children navigate. It is alarming because parenting on its own is hard enough without a state legislature, Hollywood, and countless pro-drug activists communicating the message to children that marijuana is just a harmless consumable plant that is also good for tax revenue. The constant onslaught of bad messaging parents must combat on a near-continual basis is something that is hurting families, communities, and society overall.

Unfortunately, the people who push for drug normalization don't seem to realize this tragic fact: This will become their problem eventually as more young adults succumb to addiction, increasing mental health struggles, and become less productive members of society.

We already live in a society where there are not enough mental health services for those who need them, many citizens depend on government assistance to meet their basic needs, and our nation is drowning in federal debt. How exactly is this tenuous situation going to stabilize if we compromise the health of our youngest generation, increase their dependence on drugs, and undermine their potential to successfully support themselves as adults and eventually raise up the next generation that will come after them?

A healthy society understands that doing what is best for the wellbeing of children is the right thing to do. With regard to recreational drugs, the best thing we can do for our nation's children is to not lie to them about the harms of marijuana use. Continuing to sacrifice our children to the false narrative that marijuana is harmless and fun, just because a handful of adults want widespread societal acceptance of their personal drug use, is a shortsighted goal that will quickly destroy everyone's future.

As a society, we must do better. Our nation's children need us all to act like responsible adults.