to feel pissed off with Lady Gaga?

[Ladyanonymous]

AIBU to feel really quite pissed off that Lady Gaga has done this interview where she admits that she uses Cocaine "occasionally" (a few times a year).

Cocaine is illegal both here and in the states and is a Class A drug, and is not what I would consider one of the "safer" illegal substances (for those of you who are not familiar with my posts I am quite knowledgeable about drugs as I am a schools drugs adviser/counsellor).

It wouldn't bother me so much if it was an artist who didn't have a lot of younger fans (ie - my 11 yr old daughter! ) - but she does.

AIBU to feel that she can do what the hell she wants in the privacy of her own home but she has a responsibility as a public figure not to broadcast this to a lot of young impressionable people therefore normalising it and making it seem an ok thing to do?

I am in two minds - what do you lot think?

I agree Lady, my dds love her and it annoys me too that she would publicly come out and say this as it makes it sound cool and an ok thing to do.

YABU.

It is normal. (Assuming you define "normal" as something a lot of people do, rather than something you wish everyone would do)

There are loads and loads of people who take cocaine, ecstasy, LSD etc "several times a year" and they are fine. As a "drugs advisor", you should know that. If you don't, you need to learn about drug use.

Lady Gaga is a musician. A talented & successful one, but still a mere entertainer. You cannot expect her to be role model material a la Marie Curie or Florence Nightingale.

Being a "school drugs counsellor" doesn't mean you know much about drugs. It means you have read about them.

Your children will probably try at least one substance that you call "drug" at some point in their lives. If you hope to influence their attitude towards it, you might like to adopt a more realistic approach in the near future.

Here

I have a degree in Theraputic Interventions to Addictions and I was addictied to Heroin for several years, and have worked in addictions for the last 6 years. I am also required to re-train regually and keep my knowledge of trends and new research up to date.

I know a hell of a lot more about illegal drugs than most people on here.

I am also allowed to have my own private opinions as a parent though aren't I?

is this how you advise the young people?

"I do know that the drugs law in this country are a joke - and don't work - and are pertaining to the government agenda - not scientific evidence."

You are right, actually, but not in the way you think.

This is from the BBC. Scientists want new drug ratings

The "scientific evidence" is that "drugs" such as ecstasy and LSD are much less harmful than alcohol and tobacco and they are much less addictive, if at all. Therefore, you would be perfectly safe to take them several times a year, have great fun, and wake up without even a hangover the next day.

Oh wow, x-posted the same article with OP

So you know that "drugs" you scare children off against are much less harmful than legal substances like alcohol?

I'm sorry you were addicted to heroin. Have you tried any other drugs or are you assuming that all drugs are like heroin?

Thanks CoteDAzur I have already posted that .

Not that I know a lot and all

And I only mentioned that so people didn't think I was somer vigilante who doesn't know what I am talking about.

Could you answer the questions, please?

Oh for gods sake?!

Why does everyone seem to be under this illusion that drugs workers try to "scare" people off drugs. This is 2010 - not 1986 and the "just say no" campaign .

So, enlighten us. What do you tell children? I'm curious.

What do you think?

Have you ever met a real life Heroin Addict?

Have they only ever tried Heroin?

Did they wake up one morning and decide to become a Heroin addict?

Or do you think there was a journey involved?

What the fuck does what drugs I have tried have to do with it being ok to normalise drug taking in the press?

Could you answer my other question, please:

Have you tried other drugs than heroin or are you assuming that all drugs are like heroin?

The facts thats what we tell them.

So is that what you tell kids? "If you try one drug, that will lead to another, and you will end up a heroin addict"?

Let's hear your "facts".

Will you make me beg?

On a forum you want me to post my lesson plans ?

You want me to post 6 years working knowledge and 20 years of experience of addiction on a forum?!

Good grief what is your problem?

What is it about me which offends you so?

I'm not offended at all. What a strange choice of words. You do seem a bit touchy, though.

If you are not prepared to talk about this subject, you probably should not have created a topic about it. Especially in AIBU.

sorry to go all the way back to the first page but:

"I cannot chose/censor which music my DD listens to can I?"

um yes, its called parenting?

im a bit fed up of parents putting all the blame on artists when it is their job to make sure their child does not watch videos, listen to music that the parent finds innapropriate. switch to radio 4. dont have it on tv. tell their friends parents. make sure you know about the schools use of phones in schooltimes policy. theres so many things you can do to censor things you find innapropriate to your child. there really are!
frankly, im glad the music industry isnt child friendly, i'd find it quite boring to be honest.

sorry LadyAnonymous, i realise i sound harsh [and my judgement is clouded because i am a music nerd and love lady gaga] apologies
but it is good to open up discussion with your DD. a poster further up mentioned that their mother taught them how to 'fake it' if neccessary. my dad was the same. he told me all the dangers of drugs, told me aboiut music stars who've done certain drugs, and also told me that he couldnt stop me, but its dangerous, and if i ever felt pressured, heres how to get out of these situations without losing face. this actually got my confidence up enough to Just Say No.

and Lady Gaga teaches people to be proud of who they are and not let others dictate how you should act or dress or behave. and she has worked hard for her dreams, and id love my daughter to have that attitude. i want my daughters to not be afraid of what society thinks of them, i want them to love what they do and work hard, and i want them to be tolerant of others, no matter who they are.
recently there were protestors outside her concert in St Louis and Lady Gaga posted this on twitter

"At the risk of drawing attention to a hateful organisation, I would like to make my little monster fan aware of a protest being held outside the Monsterball in St.Louis tonight.

"Although we have had protesters before, as well as fundamentalists at the show, this group of protesters are hate criminals and preach using lewd and violent language and imagery that I wish I protect you all from.

"Their message is of hatred and divisiveness, but inside at the Monsterball we preach love and unity.

"My request to all little monsters and public authority is to pay these hate criminals no mind. Do not interact with them, or try to fight. Do not respond to any of their provocation. Don't waste your words, or feelings, no matter what you hear or see. You are more fortunate and blessed than they are, and in your heart just pray for them. Although I respect and do not judge anyone for their personal views on any politics or religion, this group in particular to me, is violent and dangerous.

"I wanted to make my fans aware of my views on how to approach, or rather not approach, these kinds of hate activists.

"Be inspired to ignore their ignorant message, and feel gratitude in your heart that you are not burdened or addicted to hate, as they are. X"

i realise this is really long and drawn out but one last thing, if your child is going to take drugs, i think a lot of it is going to depend on the exact circumstances of the moment they are offered drugs. not what theyve seen Amy Winehouse do in the papers last week...

I cannot control what my DD listens to - she is 11 - not 2.

She goes all sorts of places where I cannot control what she hears

Just as I cannot control her hearing people swearing in public places.

It should be easy enough to say "I tell students that they should steer clear of all drugs, even the relatively benign ones, as they are 'gateway' drugs"

or

"I tell students that some drugs are OK to try (marijuana, ecstasy, etc) as long as they don't make them into their lifestyle, whereas others (cocaine, heroin) are definite no-no"

or

"I tell students to make sure they drink enough water and rest from time to time if they are going to take drugs and dance all night"

You get the picture

You are attacking my proffession when this thread is nothing to do about that - I just expalined that in my OP so that it was clear I was informed.

I didn't actually express a clear view either I asked what others thought about this type of info being in the public forum - not for my career choice to be questioned in a highly disparaging way or my own personal battles with addictions.

Most people would be a little touchy actually - when that is not was I was inviting.

I am not attacking your "profession" and it is not at all clear from your OP that you are "well informed".

This is a public forum and the idea is that we will talk on this subject that you have suggested. I am asking you questions and you are refusing to answer. That is not "talking".

That is all that is happening. No attacking. Just you getting huffy for no reason, and rather childishly refusing to answer simple questions.