Is Your Kid Doing Drugs

Meridian group gives parents information to fight drugs and keep up with the trends
BY JOE ESTRELLA - jestrella@idahostatesman.com © 2011 Idaho Statesman
Published: 03/22/11

Volunteer Alison Terrill has been giving Meridian Anti-Drug Coalition presentations for five years. One mother discovered her child was using drugs after hearing Terrill explain that “SRH” on a T-shirt means “Stoners Reeking Havoc.”

“The kid was advertising to the world that he believed in the drug culture,” Terrill said.

MADC has learned there is always a new drug to worry about. Two years ago, Meridian parents had never heard of Spice, an incense that when smoked produces a marijuana-like high.

They’d also never heard of “bath salts,” a synthetic drug engineered to mimic the effects of cocaine or methamphetamine.

Each time MADC had to rework its message to include information on the latest drug.

“Every six months you’re probably going to see a different presentation,” Terrill said.

Trends are a part of the MADC presentation. Recently, it’s been warning that “rave” parties are making a comeback in the Treasure Valley.
Drug traffickers advertise the parties as school events to get unsuspecting parents to drop their kids off. Once students are inside, dealers hand out free drugs. If kids are “hooked young,” dealers have future customers, Terrill said

The war is winnable, said Elisha Figueroa, MADC project director.

“Take a look at the efforts in the last 20 to 30 years against tobacco in the workplace and restaurants,” she said. “It’s limited the number of smokers. I believe we can do the same thing with drugs and alcohol.”

MADC’S MESSAGE TO PARENTS:

• Be consistent. Have rules in place and enforce them.
• Get to know your child’s friends, siblings and parents.
• Don’t let your child declare their car or room off-limits.
• Be prepared to intervene early if you suspect your child is using drugs.

“Data shows that most kids are using drugs for two years before parents realize it,” Figueroa said.

Joe Estrella: 377-6465
Read more: http://www.idahostatesman.com/2011/03/22/1575370/is-your-kid-doing-drugs.html#ixzz1HLvq5irX