Say that Again?

I was at a training this week for juvenile court staff. Usually I work the whole conference and am running around and taking care of things. This conference was no difference except for today's training. We only had a half day and everything was taken care of and I decided to sit in on the session. It was an update on alcohol & drugs that are used by children who appear in juvenile court. As a mom of a newly fresh teen I thought it would be informative and interesting.

The speaker used to be a Youth Services Officer in Juvenile Court and now was in charge of that counties Juvenile Drug Court and some other juvenile programs. She was so informative and knowledgeable in her field. She started with Depressants: Alcohol - she showed us what your vision is like when you are on alcohol. Normally your vision is peripheral and you can see something coming from behind somewhere around your shoulders, when you are on alcohol your peripheral vision is actually between your shoulders and elbows. She then went on to prescription drugs like Xanax and Valium, GHB and Ketamine. Did you know that kids can go online and buy follicle shampoo that will mask their follicles in a drug test. In addition they KNOW other agents that mask urine drug tests - like pectin, stat, detox, golden seal, bleach, milk thistle and pickle juice. Most of which can be bought at GNC. AND when they use drugs they call it tweeking or geeking out.

Next was Hallucinogens: PCP, LSD, Rohypnol and shrooms. Did you know that a Blunt is a hollowed out cigar that can be used with all of these drugs. Premos are cocaine laced blunts. Did you know that a 4" piece of paper dipped in acid is called a blotter. Did you know that just one try of LSD can produce a permanent bad trip. An example was Orange Juice boy. He always stands in a corner because he thinks people are going to drink him - he has these thoughts every day. Did you know that Rohypnol is not only a date rape drug but child molesters are now using it to molest children especially boys.

Third was Stimulants: Nicotine, Amphetamines, Methamphetamines, Ecstasy and Cocaine/Crack. Did you know that 98% of children that appear in court are on Meth. Did you know that the chemicals in Meth rots your teeth. Did you know that the life span of someone on Meth is 7-9 years. Did you know that children in jail will ask a new inmate when they last used Meth and if it was within 24 hours they will barter for their urine to drink or scabs to eat because they both will contain Meth. Did you know that Meth now comes in flavors and is being made like pop rocks. It comes in Strawberry Quik, grape, lemon and coke flavors and when put on the tongue reacts like pop rocks. A dealer will give a bag out to children for free because they get hooked automatically so when they come back they will have to buy. Did you know that there is a company called Dance Safe that will attend raves and check out your drugs and tell you what is in them, then give them back and tell you to have a good time. Did you know that you can get your Ecstasy pills in designer form with different logos, like cats, superhero logos and smiley faces. Gangs put their logos on them. Did you know that one use of Cocaine can make the user not feel normal ever again. Did you know that a hit of Cocaine only gives a 5-10 minute high then a crushing low.

Fourth and Fifth were opiates and other drugs. Did you know that poppies are grown on the side of highways and in medians in TN. Did you know that children are buying Dayquil, Robitussin and Coricin because they contain DXM (Dextromethorphan). Did you know that Coricin tablets are called skittles. Did you know that children use these products to sleep to forget.

Lastly were Steroids, Marijuana and Inhalants. Did you know that joints dipped in embalming fluid are called Fryers. Did you know that doctors give a prescription called Marinol which is a synthetic version of marijuana to children for various reasons. Did you know that children are inhaling computer dusters and glade scented candles (especially mulberry and cherry). Did you know that children are putting white out on their notebooks. They re-wet the whiteout and then put their head down in class and sniff. Girls are hiding stuff in scrunchies, placing them on their wrists and sniffing in class.

One important thing though is Did You Know? Well there is a good possibility that your child may know. Your child might know what parents leave their kids alone, what parents will share alcohol, who the dealers are, what other kids use. Don't you think you should know!?

I can not believe how naive I am regarding all of this stuff that my son MAY experience in school. I knew their was evil in the world and I knew it targeted children. BUT strawberry quik flavored pop rocks that looks so much like candy that a classmate might share. At first this session shocked and scared me. But then I started thinking and as long as we stay active in our sons life, as long as we stay educated, as long as I pray every night we just might get through this obstacle. Becoming more knowledgeable and investing time in my child is more than worth what I can save him from. I need to ask questions, be knowledgeable (know slang, know what it going on). My son is worth it.
http://www.nida.nih.gov/
http://www.hightimes.com/ht/home/
http://www.facingthedragon.org/index.htm