Learn how to talk to young people about psychoactive substances
Kids and drugs are among the most taboo topics in our culture. Even though it’s well-established at this point that the DARE program was a failure, many parents and other trusted adults—some of whom use psychedelics, cannabis, and other drugs with care—are left unsure about how to talk to young people about in a way that is more personally empowering, scientifically accurate, and less discriminatory than standard “just say no” educational programs. Meanwhile, there can be fear about what might happen if we do give our kids more effective drug education—what if their teachers, other parents, and even Child Protective Services find out? These challenges can be intimidating, even when it comes to discussions about substances like psychedelics that have played a key role in Indigenous healing practices for many generations. Happily, there are strategies for talking with young people about psychoactive substances that can lead to more understanding for everyone involved, kids and adults alike. We discuss all this and more with author and drug journalist Caitlin Donohue and our host, Monica Cadena.
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About Caitlin Donohue
Caitlin Donohue is a San Francisco Bay Area-raised, Mexico City-based bilingual culture journalist and drug educator.
Her upcoming book for teenagers Weed: Cannabis Culture in the Americas will be published on September 5th via Zest/Lerner Books. In it, Caitlin interviews 17 people from across the hemisphere with extensive knowledge of cannabis, from a nursing professor to an adolescent medical marijuana patient to a formerly incarcerated drug justice advocate to a pro athlete with a legal cannabis company, and many more. It will dramatically expand the kinds of information on weed and the international Drug War available to teens—and adults.
Her first book for young adults was ‘She Represents: 43 Women Who Are Changing Politics … And The World’.
Caitlin’s weekly Spanish language radio show Crónica examines psychoactive substances during prohibition and airs on Radio Nopal, one of Mexico’s most extensive independent web stations. She started working as a union organizer as a teenager. In her twenties, she began her journalism career as an intern at the San Francisco Bay Guardian alternative weekly newspaper, where she eventually became culture editor. There, Caitlin started writing about weed for her column “Herbwise”—kicking off a journey that, years later, would bring her to become a two-time judge for the Mexican Cannabis Cup. She now teaches workshops on responsible drug use in parties, festivals, and nightlife venues throughout Mexico City.
She has contributed to publications including High Times, Remezcla, Rookie, Advocate, Marie Claire, FACT, and McSweeney’s anthology Indelible in the Hippocampus: Writings from the Me Too Movement. Caitlin believes that culture journalism has the power to reframe reality.
She has lived on four continents and has made a home in Mexico City with her cat, Kiara, since 2014.
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