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"When my children were just starting school I attended a "Drug Information" seminar. The professionals urged parents to ensure that their children were into sports. Into open communication, spirited, and mix well with adults and children. He outlined the profile of a habitual drug taker.
[INOT A TEAM PLAYER - NOT ENERGETIC - QUIET AND WITHDRAWN - UNABLE TO COMMUNICATE - CHIP ON HIS/HER SHOULDER - DOESN'T HAVE ANY SELF-AWARENESS - LIKES TO BE ALONE - UNDERACHIEVER"
I'm sure that they meant well when they said this, but it is SUCH a stereotype. Not everyone enjoys sports or finds them fun to play. My son is a kid like that. He played hockey for a while when he was younger, but wasn't really thrilled with it. Doesn't mean he is more likely to do drugs. He just has different interests. He is a certified scuba diver (certified at age 13), enjoys role-playing games, has attended sailing camp and science camps.
As an only child, he is quite comfortable occupying himself too. He has friends and enjoys time with them, but can happily spend an entire day at home, too.
Playing sports is no guarantee that a kid won't do drugs. And in some places, including where I live, people assume every kid MUST play sports. There are so many other things in the world you can do besides play sports. I think the key is to have interests that you enjoy. Not just sports.
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