Of course we want our Children too be an example that all Children can follow, but thats not always the case. Some are going to do Drink, do Drugs, and have Sex, all before they are of Legal Age.
Some Parents feel that it better for their Children too do those things with their Guidance

Can this be an Affective Method, or is it sending your Child down a Path of Doom?

Path of doom there!

teach them it's wrong and then reaffirm your love for them is all you can do - in the end, they will make their own decisions and all you can do is hope you instilled a good conscience in them!

I have no idea

I think the biggest problem today is kids are too affraid to talk to their parents. At a certain age kids have to realize that everything in life is a choice and has its consequences. The idea is for them to make informed choices, I feel the biggest source of information to make these choices should be the parents. I knew when my oldest wanted to start having sex, she came to me. My kids all knew I preferred they didn't drink, but if they did and were too drunk to drive...call I'll go get them. Drugs, they know, are a definite reason for me to kick a**.

It all comes down to communication, it HAS to be there.

God no. i wouldn't ever set my kids an example by smoking dope with them and/or getting raging drunk. i am their mother; not their buddy

i'm not naive enough to think that they won't experiment with drugs, but they certainly won't be experimenting with me, or under my roof.

My son and I discuss everything... from drinking to drugs to sex. Although he knows I in no way like the idea of him drinking, he knows if he takes off with his buddies (they just graduated high school)and they get drinking, I expect him to call me for a safe ride home. I'd much rather deal with a hungover teen, than plan his funeral.

I have told all my nieces and nephews this and to this day I have only got called once. I think it has made them quite responsible.

Well, I did all that and yes my mother, hell even my father knew, didn't show that it phased them.(I know it bothered them). My point though is I quit at a much, much younger age. I guess I didn't get the reaction I was looking for and I got bored. By the time it was legal for me to drink in a bar I had quit. Yes I was an alcoholic but most of my friends back then still drink, do drugs, are in prison, or, unfortunately, have died.