So, tomorrow is April 20th, or 4/20. For those that don't know, 4/20 is the unofficial national day of smoking pot. A day that most of my students seem to be planning to celebrate to the fullest. Many of them ask me what my plans are for the day in quite seriousness as if it were Memorial Day or even Christmas. I simply explain that I don't celebrate Hitler's birthday and leave it at that.
When I was in high school, it was explained to me that the name and date came from a police code, but I don't think that's actually true.
Every year, when this "holiday" rolls around, it makes me think of the prevalent use of the drug in schools and why kids smoke it. For decades it's been students' drug of choice, even though a smart and enlightened teacher can smell it a mile away (as I did a week or two ago with a student). Do students do it as a way of rebellion? I honestly can't answer that as I've never touched an illegal substance for fear of becoming addicted.
Is it the peer pressure to try it and then they become hooked? I'm not sure the pressure is truly out there the way many think it is.
What is so appealing about a drug that makes 9 out of 10 users look completely idiotic while on it? Is that the allure? If that is the case, forget about the cannabis. The simple fact that a large majority of you (students) aren't doing your work and seem to take the prospect of failing with the attitude of a Doris Day song will get the same foolish looking results.
Jon Stewart: A Very Funny Episode!
16 hours ago
Actually, I'm pretty sure it is the police code. Double check with Jason.
ReplyDeleteThe only think I can think of is that people think that it will give them some sort of outlet. They see it, like any other drug, or like alcohol, as a way to set themselves free. I could be wrong, because you know I'm on the same side as you. I think we just choose more positive outlets and have had enough first-hand examples of the damaging effects of addiction on people's lives.