Get the feedHow Do We Process the Miley Cyrus Bong Video?
Saturday, Dec 11th 2010
First of all, "what is that stuff? And why is it legal?"
Apparently, salvia is the world’s most potent hallucinogenic herb. It’s also used experimentally in medicine is legal almost everywhere across America.
And let me guess. You’ve never heard of it.
Here are the facts, so far:
1. There isn't any research available about the long-term effects of salvia use. In fact, many people find the experience unpleasant. The New York Times reported in 2008, "Indeed, a salvia experience can be so intense, and at times so unsettling, that many try it just once, and even devotees use it sparingly.”
2. It goes by "Sally D" and "Magic Mint"
3. Kids have been known to smoke it, chew it, or mix it with water.
4. It is legal and available through the internet.
The DEA is currently "looking into the drug" to determine if it should be considered "on par" with LSD and heroin.”
Apparently, salvia is the world’s most potent hallucinogenic herb. It’s also used experimentally in medicine is legal almost everywhere across America.
And let me guess. You’ve never heard of it.
Here are the facts, so far:
1. There isn't any research available about the long-term effects of salvia use. In fact, many people find the experience unpleasant. The New York Times reported in 2008, "Indeed, a salvia experience can be so intense, and at times so unsettling, that many try it just once, and even devotees use it sparingly.”
2. It goes by "Sally D" and "Magic Mint"
3. Kids have been known to smoke it, chew it, or mix it with water.
4. It is legal and available through the internet.
The DEA is currently "looking into the drug" to determine if it should be considered "on par" with LSD and heroin.”
Miley Cyrus provides another teachable moment -- whether she intended to or not. Let's don't miss it by talking about the wrong issues.
When the TMZ video of Miley Cyrus smoking a bong of salvia (and consequently giggling and hallucinating) hit the Internet this weekend, parents everywhere groaned.
"Not another scandal."
The video shows the young starlet smoking a psychoactive sage from a bong. "Salvia" is apparently a phenomenon among this country’s youth, even before the former “Hannah Montana” did a virtual advertisement for it. (The video was taken by a friend during her 18th birthday party, and it was either stolen or sold to other sources. It may even top the clip from her music video "Who Owns My Heart.”)
Already, the internet is buzzing with parental complaints, asking celebrities to sober up and realize they're role models for our kids. However, if we've learned anything from her recent troubles -- and the problems of other child actors -- we've learned that they became famous for their talent, not their virtue. Should they really be role models?
However, don't roll your eyes and chalk this bong video up as another celebrity gone wild. Also, don't merely warn your kids about this herb. Instead, let's use this video to talk to our kids about the condition of our hearts.
Let's face it, drugs are a symptom, not a cause, of our lack of moral clarity.
Here are some conversation prompts to use with your kids:
1. Miley never intended for this video to be seen. How do someone's actions when they don't know they are being watched compare to their carefully cultivated messages on television and songs?
2. Who are your role models and how have they disappointed you? Does that say something about the role model or about your expectations of them? Both?
3. How can someone who seeks to entertain kids with a family-friendly television show end up in all these various scandals?
4. Do her recent actions change the truth of the messages of virtue she has given through her show, Hannah Montana?
5. In what ways do all of us indulge in behavior that’s just not right… even though we know better?
It’s tempting to talk to your kids about the Miley Cyrus bong video by stressing the importance of making sure embarrassing moments don’t end up on YouTube. This is wise advice. We could also warn our kids about ending up in situations over which we don't have full control. Again, this is only reasonable. However, it takes guts to deal with our kids’ hearts -- instead of their future reputations or urine tests -- and to look at our kids honestly as flawed human beings who need loving training and guidance as they try to figure out life in this modern age.
Have your kids seen this video? What kinds of responses have they had, and what kind of conversations have resulted?
We want to hear from you!
Nancy French
Nancy French is an author, commentator, and mother. Her next book, about the year her husband spent in Iraq is due out July 4, 2011. Connect with her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/NancyAndersonFrench and follow her on Twitter at https://twitter.com/nancyafrench.
Comments
by C #
Miley Cyrus's behavior may very well be a manifestation of trouble at home...often kids dealing with stress in the home act out in destructive ways...
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First of all, "what is that stuff? And why is it legal?"
Apparently, salvia is the world’s most potent hallucinogenic herb. It’s also used experimentally in medicine is legal almost everywhere across America.
And let me guess. You’ve never heard of it.
Here are the facts, so far:
1. There isn't any research available about the long-term effects of salvia use. In fact, many people find the experience unpleasant. The New York Times reported in 2008, "Indeed, a salvia experience can be so intense, and at times so unsettling, that many try it just once, and even devotees use it sparingly.”
2. It goes by "Sally D" and "Magic Mint"
3. Kids have been known to smoke it, chew it, or mix it with water.
4. It is legal and available through the internet.
The DEA is currently "looking into the drug" to determine if it should be considered "on par" with LSD and heroin.”
Apparently, salvia is the world’s most potent hallucinogenic herb. It’s also used experimentally in medicine is legal almost everywhere across America.
And let me guess. You’ve never heard of it.
Here are the facts, so far:
1. There isn't any research available about the long-term effects of salvia use. In fact, many people find the experience unpleasant. The New York Times reported in 2008, "Indeed, a salvia experience can be so intense, and at times so unsettling, that many try it just once, and even devotees use it sparingly.”
2. It goes by "Sally D" and "Magic Mint"
3. Kids have been known to smoke it, chew it, or mix it with water.
4. It is legal and available through the internet.
The DEA is currently "looking into the drug" to determine if it should be considered "on par" with LSD and heroin.”
by Nancy Anderson French #