Anybody who was a full on raver in the 90s, what do you now tell your teenage children about drugs?

[FakeMoustacheAndGlasses]

I haven't talked to my children about drugs yet and I don't want them to do drugs.
My (extensive) experience with drugs though was all positive, as was my husband's, they were the best years of our lives.
I haven't done any drugs since those days, I don't even drink now, I don't go clubbing anymore either though.

Anyone with similar history, what do you tell your kids?

@MrsOnions0

Harm minimisation is always the best advice. My husband and I met through our love for Dance music and the parties/scene. We were luckily but sadly some of our friends or acquaintances weren’t. I now work for a charity that supports others with their substance use. My husband works in the dance music industry. There isn’t the appetite there once was for party drugs (socially) with younger people. There will always be those who are curious but in the whole drug taking treads have shifted massively.

This is reassuring!

@HoliHormonalTigerlilly

What if they do take them though?
You will need to address it then won't you 🤷🏻‍♀️

Of course I would. That doesn't change how I feel about drug use though. I'm not really sure what your point is here. I haven't said if my DC took drugs I wouldn't 'address' it.

Tbh if my dc go to uni and do a few pills or take mushrooms I'm not that fussed. I don't want them doing coke or ket, but pills or mushrooms I'm OK with. I'd tell them how to do it as safe as possible. I hope that if they were inclined to do drugs they would listen to my urgings to do happy sociable/spiritual drugs rather than depressive addictive drugs.

Hmmm if you say so. I looked after a 16 year old in ICU who had taken one ectasy pill at a party. She never taken drugs before.

On a ventilator for over a week, I don't think her parents would see the distinction you draw here. Taking a pill from anywhere is not going to be 'safe'. Utterly ridiculous.

@elelel - completely agree with your posts.

Wow do some parents here not think best to lead by example? Your children do not need to know everything about you surely? Why do they need to know you've taken drugs?

Because it’s the real world.
I’m going to be honest I think - I had the time of my life but it was a scene, it was a culture. It has the potential to be dangerous. I was lucky.
You can’t tell them to be careful where they get their supply from - there is no control over what is in drugs.
I will tell them to always stay with friends whatever they are doing, but I’d do that for alcohol as well, which I see as far more risky for risk of assault/rape etc

@Notbluepeter

I don't know what I'll say. I had the optimal experience all through uni in that I was friends with a dealer who was high up the distribution network and a really sound guy. I always felt 100% safe (as safe can be). It's not like I can say to a teen, 'now make sure you make friends with a drug dealer to be sure you're getting quality'

A dealer who was a really sound guy??? You make it sound like a respectable activity.

What about the trail of exploitation/destruction he’s part of, and is perpetuating? Were you proud to be part of this?

Haha DH and I are the same, we haven't had that conversation with them yet. I suppose the fear is that even though we had a great time and nothing untoward happened, it was only luck and when I think back to some of the risky decisions we made and think about my own kids being in those situations I get palpitations 🤣🤣

Also been there, done that & escaped by skin of teeth. DH is in recovery as a result tho so we have that experience to share I guess. I don't know what we will say to ours. The issue with saying they need to 'have boundaries' is that all boundaries slip away once you're off your face! And as for knowing where you get the drugs from, surely there's no safe route.. anything can have an adverse reaction or cause dropped defences for accidents/ harm to come their way. Knowing what I did, I'm dreading re-living it through my most precious people in the world!!

@Ploppy1322

Haha DH and I are the same, we haven't had that conversation with them yet. I suppose the fear is that even though we had a great time and nothing untoward happened, it was only luck and when I think back to some of the risky decisions we made and think about my own kids being in those situations I get palpitations 🤣🤣

All the posters thinking they’re so “cool” for taking drugs in their youth: remember Leah Betts?

As for the laughing emojis…Christ alive

I guess the thing to address is why we/ they/ anyone is attracted to drugs. Why do we want to 'get off our faces'.. I know my reasons were purely acceptance & thrill seeking. For many though they are deep & dark. It very easy to be self righteous about drugs and the people involved if you've never been in that world.

@SportsMother wow! I don't see much of that on this thread. I am reading people who have grown up & now have maturity & hindsight to understand the stupidness of taking lots of drugs in their youth.
And the majority are just conflicted in how they approach that with their children.