when is a child on drugs? - surviving straight...

When Is A Child On Drugs?How many times have you wondered atthe strange and unpredictable actions ofyour child; especially if a teenager? Doyou notice a tendency to stare off intospace? Do you notice silly, excessivelaughing for no apparent reason? Doesyour child come in later than told withall kinds of excuses or do they come inand go straight to their room, shut thedoor and blast on the radio? Do youhave hassels over the slightest thingsand argue, argue, argue? Have you beencalled by the Dean at school relative toyour child's change in attitude, skippingschool and failing grades? Have younoticed a change in appetite, personalhygiene? If your answer is yes to themajority of these questions then thereason may be your child is on somekind of drug or drugs.

STRAIGHTA Directionfor \oulh

Don't try to confront your child that heor she is on drugs... the answer willsimply be "Of course I'm not," "That'sstupid/ "Prove it." Think back to the kindof kids your child has been around. Dothey come around when you are homeor do they avoid you? If they do comeover, do they just watch TV or do theytalk with you? Is the normal routineforyour child to be gone most of thetime with "just a bunch of kids?"

If you do find out your child is on drugs,don't be conned by them and this wecan't emphasize enough! Don't let themtell you they can control the drugs . . .they can't. Don't let them tell you theycan stop any time they want to ... theycan't. Don't let them tell you they wouldnever do any "hard" drugs . . . theyprobably will. Don't let them tell youthere is no thing you can do about i t . . .you can. Straight can help your child.Straight can help you. Straight can helpvour family.

survivingstraightinc.com

TheDrugsChildrenUse.Parents can be very naive when it comesto realizing the vast amount of drugsthat are available and being used bychildren. Many parents are totallyshocked when they attend a Straightopen meeting and hear all of thedifferent kinds of drugs children use.

Do you know what "huffing gas" means?Ever hear of Acapulco Gold, Blue Cheeror Chicken Powder? Furthermore, youdon't buy Brown Sugar in your localsupermarket, that's one of the manystreet names for heroin.

The drug culture has a language all itsown. Considerable material has beenwritten about drugs. Space does notallow for an in-depth analysis of drugs.The chart on the opposite page givesyou a quick briefing on a few of thedrugs children use.

STRAIGHTA Dircctionjbr Youth


DRUG NAME

I Alcohol

CANNAB1SPotHashHash OilTHCMarijuana

LSDMescalinePCPPeyote

STIMULANTSCocaineAmphetaminesOthers

DEPRESSANTSChloral HydrateBarbituratesTranquilizersMethaqualone

NARCOTICSOpiumMorphineHeroinOthers

ADDITIONALEXOTIC DRUGS

Mushrooms

Huffing Gas andSniffing Glue

Window Pane

OFTEN PRESCRIBEDBRAND NAME

All advertised brandnames

(None)Slang names:Pot, grass, joint, reefer.

(None)(None)Semylan(None)

(None)BenzedrineDexedrineSanorexVoranilPre-Sate

Noctec, SomnosNembutal, SeconalValium, MiltownQuaalude

ParegoricMorphine(None)Percodan,Dilaudid

HOW ADMINISTERED

Mushrooms, with apurple ring on stemclose to collar, arepicked out of cow dung.They may be eaten rawor boiled into a tea.Gasoline, lighter-fluid,aerosol cans. One ofthese is inhaled forabout five minutesthrough a saturatedcloth or in a bag cover-ing the nose andmouth. This procedureis repeated as long asthe child wants to re-main high.

A tiny square thin pieceof gelatin like substancewhich contains a formof LSD. Can be takenorally or may be put incorner of eye.

POSSIBLE EFFECTS

Acts as a depressant.Dehydration, over-active, nausea, head-ache, heartburn, thirst,giddiness.

Euphoria, relaxed in-hibitions, disorientedbehavior.

Illusions and hallucina-tions, poor perceptionof time and distance.

Increased alertness, ex-citation, dilated pupils,increased pulse rateand blood pressure, in-somnia, loss of appetite.

Slurred speech, dis-orientation, drunkenbehavior.

Euphoria, Drowsiness,respiratory depression,constricted pupils,nausea.

POSSIBLE EFFECTS

Cold sweats accom-panied by hallucina-tions.

Very alert, keen senses;possible hallucinationsind dizziness, tightnessin chest area.

1 taken orally eyes willje clear, bright andwhite. Produces dazedeffect, stomach cramps,3hlegm in throat andDrevents sleep.

OVERDOSE EFFECTS

Insomnia, delirium, hal-lucinations, convul-sions, loss of memory.

Fatigue, paranoia, pos-sible psychosis.

Longer, more intense"trip" episodes,psychosis, possibledeath.

Agitation, hallucina-tions, convulsions, pos-sible death.

Shallow respiration,cold &, clammy skin, di-lated pupils, weak andrapid pulse, coma, pos-sible death.

Slow and shallowbreathing, clammy skin,convulsions, coma,possible death.

OVERDOSE EFFECTS

Stomach cramps,nausea and blackouts.

Brain damage occurswhen used over a longperiod of time. Handsbecome dry, chappedand may peel. Possibledeath.

Severe paranoia, trem-ors and convulsions.May have nightmaresand hallucinations.Possible death.

HOW TO SPOT ANABUSER

Puffiness of the face,redness of eyes, de-pressed, disoriented.

Abusers may feelexhilarated or relaxed,stare off into space; behilarious without ap-parent cause; have ex-aggerated sense of abil-ity

Abusers may undergocomplete personalitychanges, "see" smells,"hear" colors. They maytry to fly or brush im-aginary insects fromtheir bodies, etc. Be-havior is irrational.Marked depersonal-ization.

An almost abnormalcheerfulness and un-usual increase in activ-ity, jumpiness and ir-ritability; hallucinationsand paranoid tenden-cies after intravenoususe.The appearance ofdrunkenness with noodor of alcohol charac-terizes heavy dose. Se-dation with variableataxia.

Constricted pupils.Calm, inattentive "onthe nod", with slowpulse and respiration.

HOW TO SPOT ANABUSER

Beady eyes, nervous, uptight, erratic behavior,sweaty, laughing andcrying.

Smells like whatever thechild was huffing. Slowmental and physical re-sponse to conversation.Scrambled words anddisconnected sen-tences.

Sunken eves, very' ner-vous. Mav appear as ifin a daze, hyperactiveand completely unpre-dictable.


What Ib Do When Mom And DadCan't Stand It Any Longer.When your child says, "I'll come homewhen I want to and there's nothingyoucan do about it/' chances are your childis right. Today as parents we seem attimes to be at the mercy of our children.They tell us what they will or won't doand we feel helpless. With the changingattitudes towards violence, that is takenas part of life, the sex that is flaunted andthe use of drugs as being "the normalthing to do," we have less effect over thelives of our children. Parents want arespectful relationship within the familyStraight can give you another chance.The staff at Straight realizes theproblems of raising a child today. Manyof the people that will help your childare people that have been on drugs andhave changed and are "straight". Theyhave "been there" and know how torelate, help, love and communicate withyour child.

As a parent you must realize that youare not alone. There are many parentsout there hurting just like you. There aremany parents that have sought helpfrom professional psychiatrists,psychologists, counselors and thechurch. A child on drugs has theuncanny ability to "con" adults, even theprofessionals. But it's very hard for a kidto "con" another kid, this is the simpletruth of why the Straight program hasbeen so successful.

At Straight, parents are told not to feelguilty, something that all parents feel atone time. Parents are told that theirchild knows right from wrong and haschosen the way they want to go. Theparents didn't force that first "joint" ofmarijuana into the child's mouth orbend the elbow for that first beer. Soparents, get rid of the burden of guilt.When your child tells you there is noth-ingyou can do about what they aredoing... think about Straight and thinkabout regaining your authority asparents. Someday your child will thankyou.

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Why Straight Works.Kids Help Kids: Peer pressure is one of themain reasons why young people get startedon drugs. At Straight, peer pressure gets themoff drugs. Here young people spend theirtime with peers who are making positivechanges in their lives. The child feelsaccepted and loved by this new communityand soon learns to value real friendship.Family Involvement: The entire family unithas been effected by the presence of a childon drugs and they must all work togethertoward recovery. Children are not just"dropped off" at Straight.For the first time in years, most of thechildren are learning about respect and love,both for themselves and their family. This loveand respect very definitely includes brothersand sisters of children on the program.Straight has recognized the needs of thesesiblings and once a week these children meetfor "sibling raps." Learning the dangers ofdrug abuse is just one of the many topicscovered during this time. These children alsolearn how to get out their feelings aboutthemselves and to relate to one another.

Parents must attend six "new parent" rap;during the first three weeks their child is irStraight. These sessions are designed toorient and educate the parents toward theprogram. Parents are introduced to theconcept of drug use as a "feeling disease" anits effects on the entire family structure.Raps for parents continue once or twice aweek for as long as the child is in theprogram. These raps are an interactionbetween parents and child and are led bystaff. During this time parents get a chance tshare their problems, and get their feelingsout about themselves and their child.From time to time, intense parent weekencare offered to help parents with their ownpersonal growth. These weekends makeparents more aware of the therapeutictechniques used within the group.Many tools are used to help your child fighhis drug and attitude problems. Group rapt


the main technique used, are held daily.There are boys' raps, girls' raps and largegroup raps that deal with the manyexperiences, thoughts and feelings that needto be openly discussed before the child canmove on to a healthy, straight lifestyle. Theprinciples of Rational Behavior Therapy areused by the staff to help our clients get intouch with their feelings.Your child may be out of school for someportion of the program. However, schoolboards are most cooperative aboutwithdrawing the child from school. Thosechildren who have returned to school, whilestill on the program, have achieved amazingresults in their academic studies. A typicalstraight child who had dropped out of schoolor was failing grades, achieves high academicmarks and is cooperating with school officialshe once rebelled against.

We have added an alternative schoolprogram assuring our students who qualifycan get their academic skills up to theappropriate level before re-entering theschool system. The alternative schoolprogram also serves as a tool for diagnosinglearning disabilities so remedial help maybe sought.

Staff: Straight's Staff includes a clinicalpsychologist and professionals in the field ofalcohol and drug rehabilitation counseling.A pediatrician serves as Medical Director ofeach of the programs. The Director ofMedical Research is located in St. Petersburg.Straight's "Kids helping Kids' concept iscarried out by a well-trained staff ofpara-professionals. These highly motivatedyoung people work with intensity anddevotion with the young people on theprogram.Trained parent volunteers, working understaff supervision, complete the therapeuticcommunity. The advisory committeeincludes doctors, educators, psychologists,area businessmen and other concernedprofessionals and citizens.

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Meet Johnny...Johnny is 16 years old and has been onpot, alcohol uppers, downers and hashuffed gas for two and a half years. Hehas been at Straight for20 days. Duringthose days, he has only talked to hisparents at open meetings through amicrophone. Once again it is an openmeeting night. The staff member that isleading the meeting asks all the boysthat have earned the privilege to "talk" tostand (meaning talking with theirparents after the open meeting face toface)... Johnny stands up along withabout 10 other boys and his parentsare elated.After the parents of all the children havetalked, Johnny and the other boys rushto the side of the room where theirparents wait with open arms. Johnny'sfirst words are "Mom, Dad, I love you.I've been so selfish! I'm so sorry." You canimagine how wonderful these words areto parents who have been through theagony of seeing their children on drugsand with a bad attitude.Johnny has earned "talk and respon-sibility* for the last three open meetings.Each meeting between Johnny and hisparents has been meaningful. When theboys are asked to stand for talk, Johnnydoes not stand and his parents areconfused and hurt. When the timecomes for them to talk to Johnny on themicrophone, a smiling, bouncing,clapping his hands Johnny shouts..."I'm comin' home!" The first phase hasbeen completed. Straight is working!

Johnny is ready to go home and work onhis family relationship, while he coniesback to Straight each day to work moreon himself.


and Mary.Maiy is 17 years old. The drugs she usedwere pot, alcohol, uppers, downers,hash, hash oil, THC, cocaine and hadshot heroin three times. Mary had usedthese drugs for four years and has beenon the Straight program for 232 days.

When Mary was a druggie, the feelingthat was with her constantly wasloneliness. Even when Mary was withher druggie friends, she felt this terribleloneliness and emptiness. Mary firstbecame involved with drugs, when peergroups pressured her into "being one ofthe crowd" by smoking pot and drinkingbeer.

STRAIGHTA Direction for Youth

The guilt of having done tnat andknowing that it was wrong and lettingher parents down, was too much guiltfor Mary to bear... so Mary turned todrugs that would ease that guilt, butonly temporarily.During the period that Mary was ondrugs, she stole money from her parentsand grandparents. She skipped schoolto the point where she was expelled andfinally dropped out when she was 15years old. On the streets most of thetime, Mary turned again to harder andharder drugs and supported herself bymeans of prostitution.


Mary's parents did not know which wayto turn. They tried psychologists, familycounseling and the church, but therewas just no help for them and worse off,no help for Mary. By the time she was 16,Mary had done and seen more in lifethan most adults around her. Shelaughingly called the police station andthe Juvenile Detention Center her"second home."

About three months before Mary wasput on the Straight program, sheover-dosed at a friend's house. Thisperson was such a good friend that hesat there; stoned, and laughed thewhole time the rescue unit was trying tobring Mary back from death.

In the hospital Mary promised herparents that she would never, never turnto drugs again. This time she had reallylearned her lesson. This time she wouldcome home and be a real daughter.Mary did this... for four days she washome and not on drugs. Then another"good" friend persuaded Mary to cometo a party...no heavy drugs, just a littlepot and a few drinks.Two weeks later, Mary woke up milesaway from home, not even knowingwhere she was or who she was with.Finally scared, with no money, no shoes,Mary hitch hiked home. Again shepromised her parents that she wouldbehave and not give them any moretrouble. Again Mary's word was good...for another three days.


During the two weeks that Mary wasgone, her parents began to searcheverywhere, talk to everyone, doanything to find help for Mary. Someonetold them about the Straight program.After talking to the staff at Straight,Mary's parents knew what to do andwhere to turn. One week after Maryreturned home, her parents brought herinto Straight. As they left her there, theywere still concerned about Mary... butat least they knew where she was andthat she was safe.After her 232 days, Mary stands upstraight and tall, her hair back off herface. She always has a smile and is onthe honor roll in school. Her parents areproud to call her their daughter. Theminister at church cannot say enoughabout the change in Mary. Her teachersand friends find her a delight to bewith...and Mary, well, Mary is happywith herself and loves herself, her familyand new straight friends. She didn't getthat way overnight, Mary worked veryhard, had a few" slip ups," kept on goingand finally made it.

On an open meeting night, the direc-tor of the Straight program, tells theaudience made up of parents, childrenand visitors about a girl that he thoughtwould never get it together. Her first fourmonths on the Straight program werelike a roller coaster, up and down, upand down. Her family had worked justas hard as she had and so he was verypleased to graduate a real example ofbeing "straight". Would Mary pleasecome forward and bring her parents.She was graduating from Straight!Straight worked ... for Mary and herparents.

STRAIGHTA Direction for Youth

How You Can HelpThese illustrations are only a com-posite of the stories and the lives of thechildren who come to Straight for help.None of the drugs are fictional, not eventhe events that you read. There are somechildren that have done less thanJohnny and Mary and there are somethat have done much more.

Think of all the children "out there" whoare doing drugs and are on the path ofself destruction. Who will help thesechildren? Straight is a hope . . . a chance. . . a beginning. Please give it thought,whether you are a parent with problemsor just a person wanting to give a child ahelping hand.. . give to Straight! Give sothat other Johnnys and Marys can holdup their head high and say withconviction and with pride in their heart. . ."I'mstraight!"


What The ProfessionalsThink Of Straight.

/ have visited Straight, Inc. and have seen firsthandthe impressive results that come from a blend ofcompassion and professionalism. It is a programthat works where it counts;young drug abusers aregetting straight again.

Charles McC. Mathias, Jr.United States Senator(R.Md)

Straight, Inc. is the finest program in our comrr,ity for young adults who have drug problems. Ipleased, proud and relieved that STRAIGHT is pof our community.

Herbert Goldstein, Ph.D.Director ofServicesDevelopmental CenterSt. Petersburg, Florida

Let me be the first to say that Straight, Inc. is notonly the best adolescent drug abuse treatmentprogram in this area...it is the best in the country.

Robert L. DuPont, M.D.Founding DirectorNational Institute on Drug Abuse

It's my sincere professional opinion that theStraight, Inc. program is one of the best treatmentprograms there is for kids who are abusing drugs.

Maxie C. Maultsby, Jr., M.D.DirectorRational Behavior Therapy CenterUniversity of KentuckyCollege of Medicine

Straight has had remarkable success in helpingyoung people in our community fight drug abuseand return to a meaningful life.

Rabbi David J. SusskindTemple Beth ElSt. Petersburg, Florida

Straight has been of enormous help to the familiesI have referred there. I believe intense peer pres-sure is needed to counteract the peer influences atschool and Straight has the resources for meetingthis need.

Dr. Harold Wahking, Dr. of MinistryDirectorThe Network ofChristianCounciling CentersSt. Petersburg, Florida

STRAIGHT1̂ Direction for Youth

Straight, Inc. has utilized a group approach todevastating social problem which we have hadPinellas County, centering primarily on drug abuand juveniles. It has had adequate psychiatric a;psychological supervision by professionls, to i.sure the safety of the clients and the integrity oft!program.

Although this may not be the ulitmate answer ithis nearly overwhelming problem, it is the best \\ at the present time and I heartily endorse th

effort made by the staff of Straight, Inc.At the present time, to my knowledge, this is th

most direct, efficient and aggressive program of itsort, which has a wide base of support among thicommunity.

William F. Mallette M.D.Past PresidentPinellas County Medical Society

The Straight program for drug abuse has a suc-cess rate unequalled in my experience. The kidsare carefully screened, and for those who need it,Straight gives a fresh start on the road to adultresponsibilities.

Mark Wayne Morris, M.D.St. Petersburrg, Florida

From my 30 years of experience in the communi-cation field, I can state emphatically that StraightInc.'s professional and successful therapytechniques, through communicating love and un-derstanding between individuals, are truly as-tonishing to observe. Druggies become straight,and their families become united as never before.

I wish everyone could participate and experi-ence what I have seen myself at Straight, Inc. Ibelieve you would support it too!

Sam G. RahallExecutive OfficerRahall Communications DivisionWTSP-TVSt. Petersburg, Florida


when is a child on drugs? - surviving straight...

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