Editor’s note:
The following letter has appeared on the internet and was viewed by many readers. Many felt it would be appropriate for the readers of Avoyelles Parish.

The other day, someone at a store in our town read that a Methamphetamine lab had been found in an old farmhouse in the adjoining county and he asked me a rhetorical question, “Why didn’t we have a drug problem when you and I were growing up?”

I replied, I had a drug problem when I was young: I was drug to church on Sunday morning. I was drug to church for weddings and funerals. I was drug to family reunions and community socials no matter the weather.

I was drug by my ears when I was disrespectful to adults. I was also drug to the woodshed when I disobeyed my parents, told a lie, brought home a bad report card, did not speak with respect, spoke ill of the teacher or the preacher, or if I didn’t put forth my best effort in everything that was asked of me.

I was drug to the kitchen sink to have my mouth washed out with soap if I uttered a profanity. I was drug out to pull weeds in mom’s garden and flower beds and cockleburs out of dad’s fields. I was drug to the homes of family, friends and neighbors to help out some poor soul who had no one to mow the yard, repair the clothesline, or chop some firewood, and, if my mother had even known that I took a single dime as a tip for this kindness, she would have drug me back to the woodshed.

Those drugs are still in my veins and they affect my behavior in everything I do, say or think. They are stronger than cocaine, crack, or heroin; and, if today’s children had this kind of drug problem, America would be a better place.

God bless the parents who drugged us.

I remember these "drugs" too :D:D:D

Hi Chasing Hawk, I am with you on the Drug problem, I had the same as you and if the kids now adays had these kind of drug problems things would be so much better, it didn't kill us it just made us stronger and how to deal with things head on.

What a great read! Thanks for sharing with us :)

Amen to that!!

My kids had the same drug problem when they grew up

Been drugged my self and have drugged two sons whom have grown up to be fine men any mother would be proud of.

Sounds like my drug problem as a wee folk and I did do my best to pass on the same problems to my kids ;)

Mine too, but one "fell off the wagon" I booted him right back on it....LOL

Tee hee....I was never *drug* out to the woodshed, but I'm thankful my folks were "old school" in the ways of respect. I think my generation was the last. And I just turned 36...