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www.onetoke.org
Category:
Young Adult/Teen
Publisher: Porter House
Type: Non-Fiction
Pages: 156
Copyright: January 1st 2014
Price: $7.99 (eBook)
The book is about teen use of marijuana and being safe / harm reduction.
Over two million teens smoke pot and ONE TOKE: A Survival Guide for Teens by Marc Aronoff, MA LMHC, is the first book to address this fact in a straight-forward and useful manner. Written by a licensed mental health counselor who has worked with youth at risk for over 20 years, the book is about making smart decisions and harm reduction, offering clear, cogent counsel for teens and parents who are open to guidance about the realities of smoking pot.
Geared for teens who are either considering smoking pot or already smoking, ONE TOKE is a no-nonsense guide, covering all the subject matters associated with teen marijuana use-- from peer pressure to addiction, and from pot smoking parents to politics.
Written in short vignettes, ONE TOKE guides young people on how to be smart about pot use. If a young person chooses to smoke marijuana, there is a need to be skillful about it and knowing how to smoke smart is essential for maintaining safety and success both at home or school. Smart means knowing how to make good choices, communicate effectively, and being true to yourself. For teens, ONE TOKE explores a myriad of pot issues like, "Why Start?" "Extreme Parents," and "Secrets and Lies." For parents, the book offers insight as to what actually happens with their teen’s potential marijuana use and what a "good enough" parent looks like.
Authored by a counselor who has worked with youth at risk for over 20 years, the book is meant to serve as a catalyst for further thought and discussion among peers and parents. With color illustrations by award winning graphic artist, Earl Cavanah, the book is sure help both young people and parents alike approach and ultimately deepen their understanding about a controversial yet ever-evolving subject.
“Marc Aronoff has started a conversation with ONE TOKE that addresses where marijuana fits, and doesn't fit, in the lives of our teenagers. In the end, this conversation is about so much more than weed.”
--- John Evans, teen psychologist and author of Marathon Dad.
ONE TOKE: A Survival Guide for Teens
By Marc Aronoff, MA, LMHC
Illustrations by Earl Cavanaugh
Published by Porter House
Paperback, 156 Pages
$14.99 Paperback
$7.99 Ebook
Publication Date: October 10th, 2014
Excerpt
DON’T READ THIS
Now that I have your attention, let me tell you a little story. While living in Europe working as a professional dancer, I traveled extensively and had the chance to interact with many different cultures. Once, after a performance in Berlin, we attended an “underground” music event in an abandoned factory. During the intermission a German musician was rolling a joint with tobacco and hash sprinkled together and one of the dancers in our troupe suggested leaving the tobacco out. The joint roller commented, “What? You want only the hashish?”
“Yes,” said the American sincerely. “Why add tobacco?”
Then the German fellow paused and looked up. “You know,” he said, “we Germans just want to relax and be social when we smoke pot. You Americans want to get f— up! You just want to get f— up!”
I smiled inwardly. He had a point.
With marijuana and alcohol, it appears many young Americans are only interested in consuming to excess. Young Europeans in general begin drinking legally at age sixteen because, I believe, they have a sense of maturity, balance, and common sense about “catching a buzz.” It is not about getting f— up. It is about being smart, knowing your limits, and enjoying the moment. That is balance.
I understand the topic is controversial and not everyone is supportive of an open discussion. In the United States, marijuana is illegal for anyone under age twenty-one, and that will likely never change. However, just as there are sex education classes for teens (who are not supposed to be engaging in sex), I believe education is appropriate for the millions of teens who are not supposed to be smoking pot…but will anyway.
In working with teens as a licensed counselor over the last twenty years, I have seen many succeed and change shape as they moved through the often difficult years of adolescence. I have also seen many struggle to find that next step that moves them from problem child to thriving young adult. Some teens simply have an easier time with the emotions, burdens, and challenges of adolescence, and some truly struggle. The reasons are many, from mental health and genetics to parenting style and coping skills. I am a cognitive-behavioral counselor and primarily work within a framework that teaches, smart choices reduce suffering.
In writing this book, it is my intent to explore pertinent issues posed to me over the years by teens who smoke marijuana. I hope this will lead to the possibility of teens and parents discussing marijuana in a healthy and respectful manner. Some of you may think pot is no big deal. Others may think the drug is horrible and to be forbidden at all costs. I try and walk a middle path. One thing for sure is that the subject is relevant to the millions of young people smoking pot today.
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