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Page 1 of 2 Parental handling of the psychotic drug problem
Precautionary measures
The first important requirement is that you, as a parent, do not live in a fool’s paradise and believe that only other people’s children can be ensnared in psychotic drug addiction. This kind of complacency can be dangerous. The Psychotic drug menace is so prevalent that NO, repeat NO, family is immune to the problem. All types of families have been affected even the most loving ones. Do not be smug and believe that just because your child is a high ‘Achiever’ he or she cannot possibly be on drugs. Unfortunately statistics show that ALL kinds of youngsters (honors students, athletes, extroverts and introverts) have come under the influence of drugs. It is a fact that most youngsters on drugs buy, sell and use drugs at school, at college and even at home. BE ALERT.
Do not feel guilty about checking up where your child goes after school or college. It is a Parent’s right as well as an obligation to know where the child is, and it is the parent’s responsibility to keep the child away from bad company. Your child is entitled to some privacy. But you are also entitled to know what is going on in your own home. Drug users often get ‘High’ in their rooms and hide their supplies in the house–inside stereo speakers, in air conditioning vents, inside toys, behind pictures etc.
Do not make medicines and drugs a ‘Normal’ part of your life but only keep those drugs handy which are strictly for medical use. If parents are constantly and regularly using prescribed and over the counter drugs, the child begins to think that all drugs are harmless. Throw out drugs you do not use, and do not use drugs you do not need. Avoid remarks like “What a day I’ve had, I could do with a drink”, or “I’ll need a Calmpose tonight’. Your child could unconsciously pick up the idea of seeking relief from his tensions–perhaps through drugs. Never fall into the trap of thinking that drugs are ‘Harmless’ and that taking them is a ‘Normal’ part of growing up. Parents should make sure that every member of the family knows exactly what the parental views are about the use of drugs and alcohol, the rules concerning these substances, and the consequences of violating them. It is better your children think you are an “Old Forgery” or “Square” than that a child becomes a psychotic drug addict. Also children respect parents who impose discipline and restraint, although they may like to suggest to the contrary.
Discovering the problem of psychotic drug abuse
Investigate immediately if your child’s behavior pattern changes suddenly, if his grades in studies suddenly drop, if he loses interests in his hobbies and projects, if his old friends do not come around anymore, if he has visits and phone calls from new friends, and if he has frequency of mood fluctuations ranging from grandiosity to bouts of depression. If your child takes to compulsive lying, and if money or objects disappear mysteriously from the house, do not ignore this danger signal, or automatically attribute it to the servants. Drugs cost a great deal of money, and your child’s pocket money is unlikely to be enough, causing him to steal.
Be suspicious if your child has pin–point pupils even at night. This is an effect even after a ‘Joint’. If he takes longer in the toilet, it may be either constipation, or he is enjoying a ‘Joint’. Drug abusers often try to hide red eyes caused by drugs by applying eye drops, so be suspicious if your child has his or her own supply of eye drops. The other signs to look for are rapid loss of weight, loss of appetite, difficulty in waking up, keeping late nights, loss of sleep punctuated by bouts of coughing, occasional bouts of vomiting, talking as if under the influence of alcohol but no smell of spirits emanating from the mouth, and a brownish fringe on the surface of the tongue which appears rough.
Also look out for direct evidence such as holes in the clothes (made by burning cigarettes), loose tobacco unburnt, in ash trays. (when ‘Brown sugar’ is filled in a cigarette to make a ‘Joint’, a little tobacco is removed.) Other direct evidence are ‘Pudi’ , vial. stained coin, foil or chaser. These are used for ‘Chasing’ where the powder is poured into a cigarette foil and a match stick or candle is held under it to warm it. Under the heat the powder turns into a liquid and the vapor is ‘Chased’ or inhaled through a pipe. Burnt tips of thumbs, forefinger and middle finger are commonly seen in ‘Chasers’ due to burning the match stick to the end. Needle marks on the forearm are also direct evidence. Some addicts always wear full–sleeved shirts, even in summer, to hide these marks. Lastly, there are the symptoms of ‘Cold turkey’ when the child cannot get the drug.
Watch also for changes in the behavior pattern of the other family members. In a family thrown off balance by one child who is a drug user, the other children may suddenly adopt new roles in an effort to re–balance the family structure. A child may become extra good to make up for the drug abuser’s bad behavior. Another child may become trouble some in order to distract the family’s attention from the problem, or start clowning in a desperate attempt to get the family to laugh again. Sometimes a sibling may imitate the drug abuser and take to drugs as well.
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