My emotional appeal to parents
We must talk about drugs at home. Before it's too late
Hello,
If we haven’t met, I’m Daphne. It’s been a while since I introduced myself here back in September, and I’ve had some new readers subscribe to my newsletter. So I figured it’s time to reintroduce myself and explain what I’m doing here.
I’m here because I believe we are failing our children. We’re not equipping them to understand substances. And I’m writing to ask for your help in fixing that.
We are failing them by not speaking honestly, by not preparing them for the realities they will face, and by pretending that silence is safer than knowledge. It is not.
We live in a world where substances—alcohol, nicotine, cannabis, prescription drugs, and many more substances—are everywhere. They’re marketed in flashy ads, glamorized in movies, and normalized in conversations.
Talking ≠ Promoting
Yet, when it comes to our kids, we act as though the less they know, the better off they’ll be.
Talking about the pleasures of drugs is thought to be a form of promotion. As a result of a powerful stigma against pleasure—and using substances for pleasure—we talk only about the harms of drugs. We avoid the hard conversations about why people use substances, and we hope that ignorance will somehow protect our kids!?
But ignorance does not protect. Ignorance leaves our kids vulnerable.
Every day, children are exposed to substances without understanding what they are, what they do, or how to make informed choices. They hear whispers in the schoolyard, see influencers promoting products online, and watch adults in their lives use substances casually. But no one is talking to them—really talking to them—about what it all means.
Countering misinformation is a parenting task
The truth is, whether we like it or not, many young people will encounter substances. And when they do, they will either navigate that moment with knowledge or to stumble through it blindly. The choice is ours.
If we want our children to be safe, then we need to start early. We need to give them the tools to understand the risks, recognize the signs of harm, and know how to ask for help. We need to teach them how to make decisions that align with their values and their safety, even under pressure.
They’re not too young
Some parents will say, “But they’re too young. They’re not ready to hear about these things.” But the world is not waiting for them to be ready. The ads, the influencers, the peer pressures—none of it waits. So why should we?
Others will say, “Talking about the pleasures of substances will just encourage kids to experiment.” But study after study shows that the opposite is true. Education does not encourage experimentation; it reduces harm.
When kids understand the effects and the consequences, they are less likely to take dangerous risks. When they know they can come to us without fear of judgment, they are more likely to seek help when they need it.
This is not a fight we can afford to ignore. Every overdose, every “toxic drug poisoning,” as it’s called when a child buys one poisoned pill on Snapchat and dies a few hours later on his bedroom floor, shows us that our guidance is sorely needed.
This fight is for every young life altered or lost because no one told them the truth—those are preventable tragedies. Every child deserves better. They deserve the chance to grow up informed and empowered, to make choices with their eyes open, not clouded by misinformation or fear.
We are at a crossroads. We can continue down the path of silence and stigma, or we can choose a new way forward—a way that prioritizes education, compassion, and open dialogue. The choice is ours, and the stakes could not be higher.
Modelling substance awareness
I am calling on parents, teachers, community leaders, and policymakers to join me. Let’s put aside our discomfort and put our children first. Let’s create curriculums that teach kids about substances—not just the dangers, but the pleasures, the science, the context, and the strategies to stay safe.
This is not someone else’s responsibility. It is ours. It is mine, and it is yours. The time to act is now. Because every moment we wait is a moment too late for the next child who needs this knowledge.
Let’s start educating our kids about drugs and addiction not with fear, but with facts. Not with judgment, but with discernment. Because no person is too small to learn about what is safe to put in their body and what is not.
And I propose that parents are the best — and only — people for this job. We can convey information, and we can also convey family values. This is an opportunity for us. We can make a difference in the future happiness of our children.
But no one can do this alone. Let’s accept the opportunity together, and let’s support each other along the way.
If this mission appeals to you, you might want to subscribe.
Coming in 2025: A paid subscription offering
My newsletters will continue to be free to subscribers in 2025. My articles will be viewable on my Substack website for one week following the email.
After one week, some of my more in-depth articles will be available only for paid subscribers.
In addition to access to the archives, my Substack paid subscription will also offer exclusive content and live experiences designed to empower families, educators, and advocates with practical tools and insights:
In-Depth Guides: Step-by-step resources on how to talk to kids about substances, tailored by age group and developmental stage.
Expert Interviews: Conversations with leading professionals in harm reduction, education, and child psychology.
Workshops & Webinars: Access to live and recorded sessions on navigating complex issues like peer pressure, addiction, and Snapchat.
Real-Life Stories: Personal accounts from families and individuals who have navigated these challenges and found meaningful solutions.
Actionable Strategies: Downloadable templates, scripts, and checklists for starting and sustaining these essential conversations.
Access to Private Chat with Me and a Likeminded Community: A moderated, private space for direct support, guidance, and conversation.
Sessions on Substack: Live sessions focused on support, reflection, and self-care practices for parents to recharge and connect.
By subscribing, you’ll gain access to valuable resources. You’ll also support a movement toward education, openness, and harm reduction for the next generation.
Let’s work together to build a future where every child has the knowledge and support they need to thrive.
