Just Say No To Lies
The California state superintendent of schools urged schools to drop presentations to students by Narconon, Scientology's freaky anti-drug program for kids, after the SF Chronicle exposed exactly the kind of twaddle they're teaching. For example:
Some teachers reported that Narconon instructors told students that the body can sweat out drug residues in saunas, and that as drugs exit the body, they produce colored ooze, the Chronicle reported.Some other inaccuracies cited by the evaluation and the Chronicle -- including that drug residues stay in body fat, causing people to experience repeated flashbacks and cravings -- echo beliefs held by the Church of Scientology.
Narconon's president Clark Carr defended the program after the evaluation.
"Narconon is proud that throughout our nearly 40 years of service we have been able to help millions of youth worldwide to turn away from drug experimentation and a life on drugs," Carr said.
Among other findings, the panel determined that Narconon also incorrectly told students that the amount of a drug taken determines whether it acts as a stimulant or sedative, and that drugs "ruin creativity and dull senses."
Ever read Tom Robbins, ya yahoos?
(Excuse me if I don't say anything more on this issue, but I think it's time to take 12 Valium and go jogging.)
Drugs "ruin creativity and dull senses"? That is just not going to fly with anyone who's ever whipped out a sketch pad after dropping a hit of acid. It would be a lot more useful to talk about the effects of different drugs on the central nervous system -- and to help kids using drugs to find something worth living for.
Lena-doodle-doo at March 3, 2005 7:34 AM
And, actually, what's ridiculous is that too many kids know too much about drugs to be lied to. Once you start throwing out stuff like the Narconons do, the kids have to tune out. A better idea is doing what a friend of mine did: being completely honest with his kid about drugs. When the dad was non-hysterical about pot, the kid believed him about coke and heroin. (They live in the 'hood in Venice, so it's pretty readily available.)
Amy Alkon at March 3, 2005 8:13 AM
Say no to nonthink!
Amy Alkon at March 3, 2005 8:13 AM
I wish my parents had told me more about drugs as a child. It took me *months* to figure out how to use a bong.
Frank at March 3, 2005 8:45 AM
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