Rebels On The Road
Not a man to mince words or beat around the bush, Doc went straight to the point. "I understand you young men have been talking about marijuana. Tell me what ya know about it."Three of the boys, one 16 year-old and two 17 year-olds, lowered their eyes. The 18 year-old, a new kid in town, was caught off guard and started shifting on his stool as if ready to run out the door."It's ok," Doc reassured them as he continued in his typically slow and deliberate manner. "I'm not here to bust you or tell your parents or turn you over to the police. My job is to teach people, to inform and educate them about drugs and related matters. This helps people get well and stay healthy. I help people in this way so they can better help themselves...that is, if they choose to. Ok?"The three younger teenagers nodded their heads in agreement. The oldest still didn't know what to think. Doc directed his attention to this young man. "What's your name son?""Bill," the young man said with a hint of suspicion."You're new to town aren't you?""Yeah," said Bill, now sounding a bit defiant."Welcome to Miatown," said Doc with that genuine smile of his as he extended his hand to the young man. Then he abruptly went on. "Gents, I realize that at your age reading books isn't always a top priority, I mean with girls and sports and cars and fishing and oh, did I mention girls? Anyway, even with all that, and maybe because of it, I've got a book here you might be interested in reading.""You mean more school," groaned Eddy, one of the 17 year-olds. "Doc, don't ya think we've got enough on our plates?"Doc thought about this for a moment. "Maybe you're right Eddy. Let's get back to the point. Tell me what ya know about marijuana. Have you tried it yet?"The three younger boys shook their heads no. Bill, looking a bit apprehensive, didn't move at all. Doc went on."Well, I'm not exactly sure what to say then," Doc scratched his head. "Part of me wants to tell you to just stay away from it, for now at least, wait until you're older if you want to try it. But another part of me knows that if you're curious enough, it's going to be like anything else that comes up at your age...alcohol, cigarettes, sex...if you really want to try it, you will, and I can't stop you...in fact, I'd rather not, that'll only make some of you want to do it more. But I want to do my part.""What's that Doc?" said Miles, the sixteen year old, always sharp as a tack. "What exactly is your part?""Well, you guys know that this is the place to come if you need condoms right?""Sure Doc, they teach us that in school." said Miles with confidence, as if every community was as straightforward as his."Well, I just want you to think about that for awhile as you consider my part in this whole marijuana question. And let's just leave it at that for now." Doc paused for a bit to see if any questions might come up. Then he set to move-on to other business as he asked a final question. "You guys want refills on those sodas?" "No thanks Doc, we've got to get going." said Eddy.As the rest of the young men headed out the door, Bill lingered shyly behind, something still on his mind. "By the way Doc, what was that book you were talking about?"A slight smile came over Doc's face as he headed to his old cabinet and pulled the book off the shelf. He handed it to Bill without saying a word. Bill looked down at the cover. It said, On the Road by Jack Kerouac."You can borrow it if you want." "Thanks Doc," said Bill with a hint of enthusiasm. Then he hurried out the door.Within the hour Doc had settled on the title of a public presentation he wanted to give in light of this occasion. It read...Sex, Drugs, and Rock & Roll
What do we teach our kids?...What do we teach ourselves?
