Straight Talk For Teens By Teens

DEAR STRAIGHT TALK: I read that you support marijuana legalization (MAR 25) and was surprised that someone as educated as you is not aware of the dangers of this drug. I have never used the drug, but it is a killer. The idea that it doesn’t lead to worse addiction is not true. There are…

DEAR STRAIGHT TALK: I’m writing about marijuana legalization, which is being discussed in California. As California’s largest cash crop, I understand the appeal to solve the state’s economic problems through regulating this drug, but I worry that more teens will become addicted and at…

DEAR STRAIGHT TALK: I’m 14 and friends of mine (I’ll call them Janine and Claire), go to Mexico a lot with Janine’s family where they hook up with older people and get drunk. Now, as a “present” to themselves for eight grade graduation, they plan to smoke marijuana. Though Claire and Janine…

DEAR STRAIGHT TALK: I have a gripe. Over the years, I’ve been to tons of parties and seen tons of drug and alcohol use, even from my closest friends whom I respect. Now, at college, the “need to party” is even stronger. I’ve tried pot and I drink sometimes, but my choice has been to not use…

DEAR STRAIGHT TALK: My mom and dad got in a fight a few days ago and my mom ended it with, “Just run upstairs and smoke your pot.” Now I realize I can hear my dad smoking it in the bathroom. He does it all the time. It is really bothering me and I don’t know what to do. Please help.

Dear Straight Talk: I am disappointed in your response to “No longer Supermom,” whose daughter began drinking, smoking marijuana, flunking out of school, and had moved into her dad’s house where there were no rules. This girl is crying for help. The mother should intervene like a hammer…

Dear Straight Talk: I’m 17 and I read your column on the web. Over Christmas my cousins “Ryan” and “Gavin” visited from college. I returned home unexpectedly from an errand and found them on the patio smoking pot with my dad.

I was stunned. My dad acted like it was no big deal—he even…