Advertising Drug Abuse….a lot of justice, a little mercy
Posted Monday, April 23rd, 2007 at 10:24 am
Apparently, in Knoxville, TN, a web savvy dad figured out his kid was on drugs from reading his son’s MySpace page (parents are you taking notes?). As a punishment, the father had his son (his son agreed to it) stand in public wearing a large sandwich-board sign that said, “I abused and sold drugs.”
I think this is a great reminder that the Hand of Justice and the Hand of Mercy must be dealt equally. This dad went heavy on the justice (which is my tendency), but he also showed (some) mercy by stopping the punishment when asked to stop, and by not having his son outright arrested. I don’t think I would use this parenting approach, but I imagine it has been an effect method.
What do you think?
April 23rd, 2007 at 12:25 pm
I remember seeing a piece in which Carroll O’Connor was urging viewers to do whatever it takes to get their kids off drugs…whatever it takes. O’Connor had lost his son, a long-time addict to an overdose. Who knows if this will take and the kid will stay clean. But I would venture a guess that it will be more effective than a hug and a good cry.
This father has taken steps to save his son’s life…and soul. I would have to say I’m with him.