I think it depends on what enviorment you live in.. While waiting for dare might be apropriate for a suburbanite. In the city and especially the inner city unfortunatly some sort of exposure to drug selling and usage will be more prominant. Better to give children the info early and give them a chance to be empowered by knowledge than be put into a bad situation with no foundation to resist the temptation

Great point. I agree that in areas where children that young are being recruited and exposed to drug dealing, the class should be taught. It should still be up to the parent if their child participates though.

It has nothing to do with where the child lives. that's being biased. They are doing this all over the country...but my son and I live in a middle to upper class area, houses are expensive and most of the moms have a few kids and are very involved, however I do not know if they are soccer moms! But where you're living has nothing to do with it. Anyone living anywhere in rich or poor neighborhoods can be dealing drugs.

serious question here. My children don't have any kind of contact with drugs other than medication at home. But let's say your kindergarten age child is at school, and one of his older friends comes up to him on a day that the child is sad or feeling left out, then tells them, "here, try this it will make you feel better".
The child in question has had no contact concerning drugs or alcohol, and thus has no reason to worry or be concerned, because it is their friend who is suggesting it.

I am not saying that a 5 year old needs in depth lessons concerning this topic, but they do need something; and sadly too many parents do not talk with them other than to maybe say, "Don't do drugs; don't drink beer". A good suggestion was made to do so with an age appropriate book, and discussion about it afterwards. I think a signed agreement would be too much as well, although maybe a verbal agreement would be all right.

Thanks for the opinion Daniel.

I've re-read all the opinions, thoughts and concerns here including ones from family and friends and I think i've thought about it enough. Today when I pick up my son I'm going to ask what's going to happen next week and if they are going be lecturing or teaching to the children about the drugs or alcohol then I will just ask that she give my son something to do or pull him into another classroom till she's done.

When the time is right and I am sure it will come sooner than I think then I will personally discuss this with him, but even myself I am still trying to cope with the fact his father will never change, he is a drug abuser, sitting in jail and I Just don't want my son to know he has that kind of father. It has taken me years to realize that he was no good and for 3 years we've been happy without him...but it's the coping with the realization of his drug abuse and the day my son will ask "where's my dad?" And how he will feel when there are "father/son activities" and he doesn't have one to be included with. He knows what a dad is and how a dad is supposed to be but he never questions it...Anyway, I really appreciate all of the opinions given and believe for my son I am going to make the right choice with this. Thanks again all.