Can bad friends destroy good young people?

Les explains that looking back on his own youth and the lives of others, he saw how often good young people were totally destroyed by bad friends. He notes it is difficult to raise kids today because many have no compunctions for right and wrong, no principles, and no absolutes, making it hard for good parents to raise a good child among bad friends. Scripture is adamant this will happen: Proverbs 13:20 says a companion of fools shall be destroyed, while walking with the wise brings wisdom. Les says this holds both materially and spiritually—you never rise higher than the people you fellowship with.