12 replies to this topic

[Steve Heard]

Our kids are at risk and being forced to make choices about drug and alcohol abuse every day.

 

It's not 'just pot' anymore.  Folsom kids are exposed to alcohol, prescription drugs, designer drugs and even heroin. You need to know about this.

 

Folsom resident, mom and News10 Anchor Cristina Mendonsa will be hosting an open forum to inform the public about the risks our kids are facing, how to talk to them about these risks and where to go for help and support.

 

The forum will be held this Monday night, September 22nd, at Folsom High School in the Jill Solberg Theater.

 

The evening starts with food truck and resource tables at 530pm, with the presentation starting at 7pm.

 

Get in the know and protect your kids.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Folks, if you have kids, I urge you to attend this forum. It's been a while since they've had one. Many years ago, when I was fairly new to town, I was appalled by the open drug use and lack of supervision of Folsom kids. I was discussing it with a co-worker who told me I should talk about it on this website called, 'myfolsom'.

 

Shortly thereafter, I got started discussions on myfolsom. I learned that there was going to be a forum on teen drug abuse.

 

I talked to parents and encouraged them to attend. I was shocked to hear parents say things like, "I don't want to talk to my kids about drugs because then they'll get curious and want to try them." (those parents were ignorant to the fact that their classmates were already talking to them about drugs and offering them to them)

 

or

 

"It's just pot", or 'It's just booze", or "We all did it".

 

or

 

"We respect our kids' privacy, and trust them to make good choices."

 

I went to the drug forum, and when I had the chance, I grabbed a microphone and spoke out about these very dangerous attitudes.

 

I ended up becoming a volunteer helping to organize probably 6 more of these forums, but interest faded.

 

Today, with kids starting off at earlier ages (elementary school age) and being exposed to even more dangerous drugs (heroin has killed quite a few Folsom kids), there is renewed interest.

 

If you have kids, please attend the forum. You need to know. 

 

[Deb aka Resume Lady]

Is this only for Folsomites or can other interested parties attend?

[Steve Heard]

Is this only for Folsomites or can other interested parties attend?

Anyone!

[Deb aka Resume Lady]

Anyone!

Thanks. I'm going to pass this along to the CASA staff.

[SCA]

I attended this forum last night with a bunch of other moms and we all thought it was excellent.  A couple of really interesting points were made by the keynote speaker - a former addict who now runs a rehab program.  First, by the time you discover your child is using drugs, he/she has probably been using for two years.  Second, drug addicts are addicted to the feeling of being high, not just to a particular substance.  He gave the analogy that if you really like mint chip ice cream and go to Baskin Robbins to get some but they are out, you are not going to leave the store empty handed.  You'll simply choose another flavor of ice cream. 

[Steve Heard]

I attended this forum last night with a bunch of other moms and we all thought it was excellent.  A couple of really interesting points were made by the keynote speaker - a former addict who now runs a rehab program.  First, by the time you discover your child is using drugs, he/she has probably been using for two years.  Second, drug addicts are addicted to the feeling of being high, not just to a particular substance.  He gave the analogy that if you really like mint chip ice cream and go to Baskin Robbins to get some but they are out, you are not going to leave the store empty handed.  You'll simply choose another flavor of ice cream. 

 

I'm glad you went.

 

I used to help organize those events, and they were always very informative.

 

I remember one speaker saying that if you have a relationship with intoxication, that if your intoxicant is removed, you'll just get another.

 

One of my biggest concerns about many parents in town is the total lack of awareness, the denial and the blame. These kids are just kids, and they need their parents for support, supervision, discipline, and guidance.

 

I hope the seminars continue, and that some parents are able to save their kids.

[Judge Smails]

Did they mention the heroin problem at Folsom High?

[Steve Heard]

I wasn't there, but I know heroin was supposed to be discussed. It was on the flyer as well. 

[supermom]

The drug problems are not specifically a problem in one high school vs the other. All three high schools in Folsom have drug problems. Folsom students in particular tend to have daily access to more personal cash than students who live in lower economical fortunate communities. The more access to money means more access to a cornucopia of pharma and illegal substances. Keep your kids safe by remaining resolute in your rules, paranoid as all git, and investigate your child's lives, property and friends. Nope, you won't be well-liked at the supper table- but at least they haven't stolen it to pay for a habit. Don't blame schools, dont blame politics or cops, or laws, or accessibility. Choices suck and even the most brilliant make bad ones. Regardless of the mind blowing negativity I have seen on the net about home testing, it really is the only way you will know what you're fighting. If you have reached the end of your resources and cant reach the kid- then the excuses for privacy are really moot. Once they're dead, they dont really have any privacy anymore, anyway...right? I feel terrible for parents these days. They really don't have a lot of legal rights so that prevention or proper and life-saving  timing in intervention can happen. We have lost so many kids to drugs and alcohol in Folsom while my children have been students here. Its terrible and terribly sad, but even worse the lengths parents won't go to- to keep a child off drugs. I encourage in-your-face embarrassing moments in front of other students if it will save your child from the irrevocable harm of being befriended by a druggie. Somebody has got to be the grown-up; and it should be the grown-up.  Naysayers laugh at the idea of gateway drugs- but like suicidal people- practice makes a dead child. 

[Steve Heard]

Exactly! I wasn't too popular with my daughters or their friends, but I wasn't in a popularity contest. Unfortunately, quite a few of their friends became addicts, and probably 8 or so of them died.

 

I don't know if all could have been prevented, but I know that for some, there seemed to be no supervision and little guidance.  

[SCA]

They did talk about heroin, marijuana, some sort of incense, etc. They talked about drug testing your kids and how kids can use it as an excuse if they are being pressured to use drugs. "Thanks but no. My parents give me random drug tests."

[2kids4me]

Was there are recording of the event?  We were unable to attend, but would love to hear it.

[tessieca]

I don't think it was recorded, but Jon Daily, the main speaker, has a website at www.recoveryhappens.com.  There are tons of free resources on there, plus cheap drug testing kits.  Try the Resources tab and then the Understanding Teen and Young Adult Addiction pdf.