They push boundaries. But some want to see that there are boundaries.
And it probably does give them an out. If the friends are that deep into substance abuse, perhaps he needs a change of friends (voluntarily).
There are people who never went through a drug phase and adults who still snort in cocaine several times every week.
Where does they see themselves in 5 years?
It all comes does to self-esteem. Substance abuse can be a means of self-medicating. It can also be just a means to an end... acceptance (as with hyping OBAMA or sharing naked photos with someone). Say this, do this, smoke this, listen to this, wear this... and you’ll be one of us...
I agree that I do not want my kids to hang around with kids who do drugs. But that decision comes after the discovery that a friend is involved with drugs in some way. The first incident is always the point of discovery. My son has changed friends. We had two eigth graders kicked out of out junior high this year. One lasted at his second school for two weeks. The problem is out there. I want to teach my kids to make the right decision. I also want to help them make the right decisions. In today’s world they need every tool you can give them.