Sad to say that history DOES repeat itself.. I suppose it will always be a vicious cycle that is a never ending process.
In a nutshell, I always felt that if the person who does have a drug problem will admit up to it and want help for themselves.. they will seek it.. they can't be forced into it.
Those who don't admit it will sooner or later perish for their mistakes.. not everyone can be saved.
As far as being put into a place where you remember and your children are suffering for it, there must be something that can be done.
I don't find the justice system helpful unless you have a bunch of money laying around to hire a lawyer.. who has that kind of income now a days?
There are always alternatives to help and hope. Sad to say there arn't enough people out there to understand or want to try to bring it out to the public view of what those alternatives are.
I'm not familiar with Elan.. but if it is anything like Straight Inc. there are other routes to take.
I know local AA meetings in churches, they do the 12 step program, sponsors are helpful.
I feel the strictist dicipline should come from the parent with an out of control teen. I'm not saying corporal punishment, that would be morally and ethically wrong..
I found all new friends when I left Straight because I didn't want to hang out with my "druggie friends" and subject myself to that environment.. that was the first step for me to take to leading a drug-free life.
From there I got moral support, and went to the movies, played some card games, things of that nature that would be totally drug-free activities.
I found out who I was and what my goals need to be in life. Nobody can teach you street smarts either.. that is something that needs to be learned from within
