True Stories from a Parent

OUR NIGHTMARE

Here is an experience that no parent wants to live through. My daughter was a "good" kid up to age 17 when she went off to college. I believed that she had a strong set of values, and that we had good communication. While at college she met up with some people who she befriended which has changed her life. The result is that she is 24 years old with a drug habit that I could not imagine. She came home after college and I missed the signs of addiction. It was a gradual change. Signs to look for that I missed include road trips and lack of staying in touch; accessing drug friends on my computer in my kitchen; pipe in backpack at age 23 and Photos posted on the internet.? I finally accessed her MySpace page and read all the posting of the friends. I wish that I had not been such a trusting parent and that I had really educated myself about the drug scene. Parents need to smarten up. I wish I had done it earlier.

OUR SON

Our son is 34 now. He is addicted to crack cocaine and lives on the streets of Dallas, Texas. His family misses him and still loves him.

He began drinking beer at age 16 then graduated to marijuana at 17 and over the next few years became chronically addicted to crack cocaine.

1) We underestimated the problem and over estimated our ability to deal with it.
2) We waited too long to seek professional counseling.
3) We did not study or educate ourselves on the disease of addiction.
4) We did not seek outside support like a "parent" support group and/or Al-Anon.

PARENTS HAVE TO BE INVOLVED

Recently I discovered that the kids in my daughter? 5th grade class were huffing permanent markers. She came home and was asking me about why these boys thought it was so cool and could they really see different colors and feel tingly. I was so shocked that these kids in 5th grade were trying these things. I had to have a talk with her and explain peer pressure and all the effects of inhaling, (huffing) chemicals and other substances. I am hosting a parents, teachers and students 4-6th grade meeting on the dangers of inhalants. I think it is so important for parents to be involved and pay attention to what are children are learning and doing in school.