[Ganoshenko]

Hi,

Thank You all for your responses.

It is always good to get another point of view for complex topics.

I am not sure if I condone some of the examples that I have posted but have had people that I know advocate thier views and I had wanted to get some feedback from a Buddhist prespective.

For example, Though I have not had a struggle with substance abuse I did work in a Rehab. Many of the staff who did have a history of addiction were very strong in the opinon that one of the best things that ever happened to them was a painful long withdrawal so that they would have that memory as a means to not fall back to their old habits. More than one Recovered Addict pushed very hard to only give meds to protect health during withdrawl and no pain meds or other support. I will admit that to me it does sound very harsh but was told in no uncertain terms that since I had never gone thru a withdrawal my input was irrelevent, as was the opinons of the medical staff since we "Just did not Get it"

That was a very eye opening thing to be around.

I also am not in favior of harsh punishments for teens but have seen some children grow up thinking they will be able to get away with everything and wonder if a bit of tough love might have helped.

All the Best