THE TEENS' SPEECH BLOG

Eliza, Midlands Posted 13.11.09 at 09.03 a.m.

Maybe the parents of teenagers now were themselves influenced by the ladette culture featuring Sara Cox and Zoe Ball that began the celebrity and acceptance of boozy nights out and no self control? Easy to blame parents, but they must have had influences too.

Andy - 30, London Posted 13.11.09 at 11.00 a.m.

I think it's a fair point. I sometimes wonder if many teens today will actually be better rounded individuals than their parents.

If there's one thing that's struck me about the teens interviewed so far, it's how considered and thoughtful they are compared to those I went to school with many years ago.

And they have access to myriad ideas beyond those represented by the four TV channels we had.

We fear of children being exposed to things too early. But many of them handle it amazingly. Of course some do not...

Ibby - 16, Yorkshire & The Humber Posted 13.11.09 at 01.58 p.m.

in relation to the ganja that teens in this video talk about - wich are simialar aged to my self. i personaly think if ganja was decriminalised, it would solve problems. the Government would make so much money off it in tax, becuase pot smokers WILL buy it. and the government could controll the strength, the amount you can buy at once, and the age of people getting it. and in all honesty, just think theres always talk of the NHS crumbleing under all the pressure its being put though etc. with all the ganja tax, just think what the government could do with the money, they could pump thousands into the enducation system and the NHS. and i understand that it makes you lazy after a while, it can make you ill (but so can booze!) but so what? the country would benifit from it. And lets face it. the crime rate in amsterdam is very low compaed to the rest of the developed world, ever wondered why? becase theyre all high. and also ganja brings people together. obviously if you are reading this chances are you dont know me, but im not the sort to hang round with what most people would call a "chav" and i meen track suits, drinking on the streets, spening all there money on drugs, never going to school, V cut kinda people. now in the summer, i spent alot of my time high, and i now know so many more people and i understand so much more about other peoples culutres and i have lernt so much from the people i became to know.
how many people have died from smokeing ganja? none. and once your about 19/20 it effects your brain about 80% less. in other words not as bad long term effects. also think about this. you have to smoke 2/3's of your body weight to even begin to over dose on ganja. wich in my case would be over 10 stone. and this is in one sitting. when you consider 1.7 gram can make 4 fat spliffs, thats alot of weed! so what im trying to get at is. its your choice to smoke ganja or not, and there no way your gonna be stopped from doing it if you really want to. so the government meraswell cash in on it?! after all just becuase its legal dosnt meen you HAVE to smoke it dose it?

Vik Posted 13.11.09 at 02.32 p.m.

Thinking about new ways to deal with drugs in society is a real political taboo. Appreciate you taking the time to spell out your ideas. Although I'm not entirely sure *everyone* in Amsterdam is stoned ;-)

Why not head over to myspace.com/theteensspeech or youtube.com/theteensspeech and join the wider debate?

Robyn - 23, South West Posted 26.11.09 at 03.41 p.m.

Ibby, I think its a little naive to say nobody has ever died as a result of smoking too much weed. I think you'll find that there is a substantial suicide rate linked to overuse of marijuana. Ever heard of cannabis psychosis?

I do agree with you that it should be legalised however, even though I've never touched the stuff myself and never intend to. Government control over the use of it would help reduce cases of Cannabis Psychosis for one, and you are right that the money that could be levied from it could give our economy a good old boost.

In terms of drinking and drugs being an issue stemming from parental relationships, I can see some of the point but I think its also important to think about peer pressure from friends in these situations. Your parents could have done an outstanding job on you but if you're in with the wrong crowd that can all change.