One Toke: A Survival Guide For Teens

From the Publisher: Over two million teens smoke pot, some everyday, 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.

For parents, the book offers insight as to what actually happens with their teens and marijuana use and what a "good enough" parent looks like. For the author, 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. As John Evans, author of Marathon Dad puts it, "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."

My Review: I have to admit, this was a bit hard for me to read and review. I normally stay away from these types of books, simply because I don't want to be seen as condoning, disapproving, or making a statement one way or the other. But, I will be honest here and say that I am against drug use, no matter what. So, I really had to make myself not be judgmental when reading this book.

Now, on with what I thought! :) Having said what I did in the paragraph above, I will say that if you are a parent of a teen/young adult that does smoke marijuana, then I do recommend this book to you. Aronoff gives a practical look at what our teens face today and if they do smoke, he gives advice on not only safe ways to do it, but also makes you aware of if you are an occasional smoker or someone who completely addicted. Aronoff also debunks the myth that marijuana leads to harder drugs and points out that those who use it as a stepping stone to further their drug use, then those are the kind of individuals that have an addictive personality.

There is a lot of information in this book for both parents and teens alike and if your child (or you) smoke pot, then I recommend you get this and read it so you will be more aware of how to handle the situation.

Click here to purchase on Amazon.

**** 4 Stars