“Mom, What Does Cocaine Feel Like?”

There are two topics that I have always kept in the forefront since I became a parent. Two dangers that I’ve warned my kids about—using age appropriate language—as the years have gone by. The first is sexual abuse and the second is drug abuse. This most likely stems from my Children’s Aid Society days (as a front line investigator). I would teach parents how to approach these topics so as to keep the line of communication always open, and how to gather needed information should the need arrise.

You could imagine my surprise when my 10 year old son, on our way to school one morning, started asking me questions about why people do drugs—and specifically what it feels like to take cocaine. As my brain was screaming ‘mayday!’ I took a deep breath and put my social work hat on. I answered his questions like a bad after school special—professional voice and all!

I started off by saying that I had never taken cocaine so I can’t speak to how it feels. Why people take cocaine is a mystery to me as well. However, I further explained the science behind addiction and how it changes the chemistry of your brain. Once you take hard drugs the body becomes so addicted that it consumes your daily thoughts. Therefore, the chance of dying from taking cocaine—and other hard drugs—is very high. He’s a bright kid so I thought he would find my approach way more interesting than me screaming, “don’t ever fuck’n take drugs you hear me!?” (Clearly I was tempted).

His response? Silence. Which I’ve learned usually means he is listening intensely. Absorbing information that he agrees with. Oh I hope THIS time it really was the case!

I have been open with my kids about my young relative who died of a drug overdose, so they know my periodic mini rants about drugs are not just bogus ‘parent talk’—but rooted in reality.

These are two of my greatest fears as a parent. I’ve prayed and reflected on how best to protect my kids. There comes a time when they will have to make certain decisions on their own. I sure hope I played my ‘parent speech’ card right!

I ended this particular anti-drug rant with a heartfelt phrase that I’ve said to my kids on more than one occasion. “The world is big and round. A beautiful and fascinating place, and there is so much to explore and experience—that is why you never need to take drugs.”

Dear reader, here’s hoping they listen!