FAMILY | So, You Want to See the Wizard?

FAMILY LIFE
So, You Want to See the Wizard?
Our Children and Drugs
by Dr. Terita Gusby-McCauley

Nothing can be more destructive to a family than children using drugs. The infiltration of drugs in our communities runs across racial and economic lines. Drugs are everywhere. Our children have open avenues of resources to try, buy and sell drugs. It’s a part of our culture now. They are everywhere. You see the signs everywhere. Upon entering school buildings, private dwellings and businesses the signs plainly state that they are forbidden. Our kids know about drugs and go to school with kids who use them. They are approached sometimes daily to participate as well. Our endowment to have good health and strength is often taken lightly.

Our children have learned that reckless habits of eating, drug use and behaviors are the norm. It is not hip to be drug free anymore. It falls into the same category of illicit sexual behavior. You often hear children say, ‘Well, everybody’s doing it.’ So who is everybody? Is your child included? We now have a generation of children who don’t have fear factors. They will try anything once or twice. It is difficult for them to become an exception to the rule. The peer pressure is ten times greater than it has ever been.

Fear excites children.

They tell stories of being involved in dangerous and life-threatening situations. They feel that others respect them more if they have been involved in dangerous situations. They tell stories of seeing friends killed right in front of them, almost falling off of buildings, getting kicked out of the house, walking the street all night, or being put in jail. The stories represent their badges of honor and respect.

Drugs play an active role in bad behaviors. The more unruly and bizarre the behavior, the more eventful it becomes with the need to include drugs. Being high allows you to escape the drama from your parents, school or the world itself. As parents, we must set limits of behavior for our children early in their development. Setting limits allows children to create order and productivity in their lives. It is important that parents have clear rules set for your children in order that they understand the parameters of safety that surround them. Along with these rules, there must be consequences if broken. They must also be clear and consistent.

This is where as parents we often fall short. The rules change. Or we make them up as we go. Our homes must become safe havens for our children and environments conducive to success. Our children should have goals and strategies of how to achieve them. We have to be available in the process and allow them to use choices as learning tools for growth. Children require supervision. Parents or adults should always be available in rearing and supervising children. Their behaviors should always be monitored whether they are at school or in the home.

The following indicators can help you in determining whether there may be a problem with drug use:

1. Violent outbursts at home
2. Academic failure
3. Running away
4. Glassy eyes
5. Valuables missing
6. Hostility towards family
7. Stealing/borrowing money
8. Verbally abusive
9. Change in associations
10. Reckless/Sneaky behavior
11. Increased appetite
12. Truancy
13. Chemical breath
14. Withdrawal
15. Disrespectful to parents

It‘s a challenge to be a parent. These are difficult times. The subject of teenage drug use is multifaceted. Children are blind in understanding the true ramifications of allowing drugs to become a part of their metabolisms. They haven’t a clue of the serious health risks that they pose. So as parents we must stay awake and aware and take nothing for granted. The lives of our children are at stake.

For further assistance parents can contact / The Parent Hotline (1-866-394-7333)