The Unspoken Truth

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“Officer, Arrest Me!”

       You always hear those comical stories where someone is so careless when doing something illegal, that they might as well tattoo “guilty” on their forehead. But these next stories gives the word “stupid” a whole new meaning. In order to successfully be involved with drugs- and no I do not condone this- you must be clever, realistic, and organized. After searching many different cases, I narrowed it down to the top five people who were pretty much asking to get caught.

1) Prison is suppose to be a place where felons take time to reflect on the crime they committed and learn from right and wrong. Mohamed Jalloah, on the other hand, decided to create his own business while in jail. Jalloah was a prisoner at Verne Prison in Portland, Dorset who convinced the prison guards to let him grow tomato plants. According to Brian Flynn, publisher of The Sun, all the staff thought Jalloah was innocently just growing tomatoes. Unbeknownst to them, he was actually growing weed. He allegedly was even allowed to decorate the “tomato plants” for Christmas. If it wasn’t for his jealous cellmate, he would of gotten away with it.

So just to summarize this, a prisoner was blatantly growing weed right in front of the entire prison and pretty much got away with it. If a prison guard really can’t tell the difference between a tree and a weed plant, they may want to reevaluate their career choice.

2) A 21 year old man named Calvin Hoover, according to Statesman journal, called 911 to report a burglary. This is a normal report for operators to receive. This story is slightly different, however; and by slightly I mean completely. Hoover was slurring his words and the operator could barely understand him. He even had to pause occasionally to throw up. After police officers met up with him, they came to the conclusion that he was drunk. When asked what was stolen he proceeded to tell the officers that his marijuana went missing.

If I were the officers, I don’t know if I would even charge this man. His stupidity reached an all time high and he would not be able to survive in jail. Besides that fact that he was drinking and driving, did he really feel like calling the cops at a time like that was a good idea? And for his missing weed? I’m at a lost for words.

3) Clinton Gordon arrived at the St. Pierce courthouse of Florida. He came to a check point where placing objects through a scanner and walking through a metal detector is required. He placed all of his objects on the conveyor belt, was scanned, and innocently waited to retrieve items. The officers then looked at him as if he was pulling a prank. Gordon then realized he forgot he had a marijuana smoking pipe in his pocket that he foolishly placed down.

If people smoke weed or are involved with any narcotics, you would think they would be more careful. Accidentally bringing drugs to a courthouse-which is bad enough- is one thing, but deliberately placing them through a scanner? They might as well of stopped him and threw him in jail- no questions asked.

4) Lori Compo, according to Joe LaFurgey publisher at News Channel 8, is a drug addict. Her home was raided in 2009 for suspicion of drugs. Found at the home was meth, ecstasy, and cocaine. But the most shocking thing revealed were the drugs found in her grandson’s diaper. After the house was raided, the baby was sent to Child Protective Services and another family member picked up the infant who was not even one yet. She changed his diaper and a plastic bag full of white substances were found. After tests were done, the results showed that it was meth. When the mother of the baby came home, she claimed to have no idea her mother used drugs.

Well talk about grandmother of the year. The fact she is even using drugs is shameful in itself, but to get your grandson involved? She says she has no idea who put the bag in the diaper, but since it was in her home and she was with her friends, she is absolutely held responsible. If she really thought that hiding drugs in her grandson’s diaper was a safe place, then she is really more foolish than she looks.

5) According to The Telegraph, a 25 year old man (whose name will not be released) videotaped and uploaded footage to YouTube that proved he was guilty. He grew a weed farm and made short clips over a period of a few months. The video was found by police and was then used as evidence. It was not hard finding the guy since his username was his real first and last name.

I just do not know where to start. Why do drug dealers feel the need to document every illegal activity they do and brag about it to the world? They clearly do it for attention and attention is exactly what they will get when they are thrown into jail . I wonder what goes through these abusers minds. Do they really think that a public video that documents them partaking in illegal activities would not be seen? I can’t answer that but I really am worried about our future. I guess it is easier for criminals to pretty much confess that they are guilty, but the ways they do it are anything but conventional.  

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"Higher" Education

       A teacher is defined as someone who educates and instructs others how to do something. But teaching is way more than that. They are there to prepare children for the real world, support their students, and have their best interest. That is their job and that is what they CHOSE to do with their life. No where does it say a teacher is suppose to be a students friend. And certainly a teacher is to not hang out or partake in illegal activities with their students.

       James Summer, a high school teacher, clearly didn’t get the memo. To the public, he was an educator and someone that can be trusted to take care of the students of Freedom Area High School. The students knew a whole other man, though. According to Pittsburg CBS, James was caught with and preparing drugs for another student.

       He was unaware of the fact that school officials installed hidden cameras in the physical education teacher’s office. Some say it is unethical for the school officials to have installed a camera and not tell the teacher. I say it is unethical for a teacher to be involved with drugs, let alone bring them to school. Summers, however, feels as if it is appropriate to take breaks and snort Percocet.

       I am not sure which shocked me the most: the fact he does drugs or let a student use drugs. But if thought about, Summers was suppose to act as a role model to these students. What role model deliberately puts a students health at risk? The camera specifically recorded the teacher crushing up a tablet and preparing it for another student. Chances are he introduced this drug to the students and furthermore, that student was not the only one he engaged in these activities with.

       This is yet another thing parents have to worry about. Along with the stress of their children not getting bullied and making friends, they have to worry about teacher smuggling narcotics to their minors. Is this what the world has come to? That not even staff can be trusted?

               Summers once said "I take my role as guardian of the students and staff very seriously, I can assure everyone that every possible step has been taken to maintain the safety and well-being of students and staff." I am confused. He claims to be a guardian-another way of saying protector-but is the person directly damaging them. And “every step has been taken to maintain the safety of the students”? Did he forget that he delivered a drug to students that is known for leaving people in a coma and even sudden death? He is slowly leading these kids life down the wrong path, directly headed towards death.

       This teachers life is already screwed up. He is facing charges and is definitely looking at jail time. Plus when he gets out, no one in their right mind will hire him. But for the students? Their lives are already corrupted. The people that they trusted and looked up to gave them drugs at such a young age. These kids might even be addicted and have to go to therapy. Plus, they must be confused about who they can and can no longer look up to. 

               I was under the impression that “higher education” meant any schooling past high school; not teachers getting high with the students. The background checks on these teachers need to be way more strict. Does it really take a camera to catch teachers giving their students drugs? The administration should spend a little more time choosing their staff more wisely, and try and find out who the people they hired REALLY are.

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Alternatives to Drugs for Guys

Sometimes being a guy isn’t as easy as it looks. You have an expectation to always look good, go to the gym, and be the ultimate badass. With this comes along A LOT of partying. Don’t use these expectations from society as an excuse. You have no reason to do drugs or even drink if you’re underaged.  There are PLENTY of activates you can get involved with that are legal and way more fun. Try them out! You may be surprised about how entertained you actually are or even discover talent you didn’t know you had.

1) Start a Band

Starting a band should be apart of every guys life. There are endless instruments you can choose from including the drums, guitar, or even be the lead singer. You can perform at your school or for special events in your town. This is a perfect excuse to get together with the guys and just  release the stress of life by going in the basement and creating original songs to play. This may even spark an interest in a career. If you find that you have talent, you can start producing your own music, or look into writing songs.

2) Fantasy Sports

This may seem lame but there are people who create fantasy sport teams and fall in love. What you do is get a bunch of people to join the league and pick a sport in which you want to create a team in. Each person picks a team based on the statistics of the real athletes who play. Even though it is a fantasy sport, you have the ability to trade, cut, and even sign players.

3) Barbeque!

Who said cooking is for woman? Bring out the grill and show everyone your skills. The best times and memories come right from the kitchen table, and who better to share these memories than with your best buddies? All guys have an appetite of a football player, so throw on some hot dogs and hamburgers and get the party started.

4) Camping

Camping is one of the best ways to “bond with the bros.” You will be secluded where cell phone service is nonexistent and have to fend for yourself. Fishing and hunting for your food can come as a challenge for most people, but at least attempting will sure end with a funny story to tell. Pitching a tent will also get a laugh or two, as well. 

5) Get a Job

This is so simple, yet many people fail to do so. Instead of spending 7 days a week partying, getting a job will make sure you spend your time wisely. You most likely will have to start out at minimum wage, but can soon work your way up to a managerial position. This will build character, make you independent, and having extra cash is something you can start getting use to.

6) Join a School Club

There are many positives to this alternative. For one, you can try new things you never knew you liked such as the chess or debate team. Two, you can meet more people. Joining a new club gives you the opportunity to meet people you would of never met before. And who knows, you might even meet a lifelong friend.

7) Write a Book

There are hundreds of people who feel that the best way to express themselves is by writing down how you feel. Writing lets you let go of built tension and brings out your creative side. There are two options: you can treat it as a personal diary or even publish your work. Even blogging would be an interesting thing to start. You can talk to people all of the world about certain topics and get different perspectives of situations. 

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Riches to Rags

Bright, alert, responsive-before drug addiction.

Dreary, depressed, different-after drug addiction.

Miserable, freedom-less, regretful-aftermath of drug addiction.

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Roller Coaster of Emotions

       We all have emotions and this has been proven multiple times; this also goes for drug addicts. Although their actions do not always correlate with someone who is sober, they do in fact have emotions that further explain their unexpected behavior.

        Although an abusers actions are questionable, they do not always reflect on who the person is or once was. For instance, drugs affect the way a person feels and reacts to situations. Prior to the drug use, an abuser may have been the most selfless person ever. But because of the narcotics being abused, they completely changed and start acting like someone else. The reason for this is because the addict loses sight of who they are and what is important to them. The mix of emotions leaves them confused and in a daze. To further explain the behaviors of a drug addict, one must understand the emotions an abuser has.  A combination of these emotions is dangerous and possibly lethal.

Apathy

Apathy is a characteristic of almost every drug abuser. Common narcotics that enhance apathy include heroine, cocaine, and even more common drugs such as marijuana. A person loses interests in things they use to be involved with. For instance, if a college student was involved with sports and extra curricular activities, they more than likely will distance themselves from these hobby because they are no longer interested.When people become addicted to drugs,they are only concerned with getting high and feeling a sense of “euphoria”. Initially, an addict feels a sense of excitement and happiness by using drugs, but then quickly feels a sense of loneliness and emptiness.  

Isolation

Due to the lies and intense change in personalities, drug abusers quickly lose those who are important to them.  Their friends and families are drained and overwhelmed with the amount of stress their loved ones put on them. As a result of this, they start feeling isolated. Also, drug addicts usually feel as if they do not even have a problem. They think they can “stop at anytime.” We know this is untrue, but they believe this is the case. So, again, their friends and family distance themselves from the abuser leaving the addict feeling alone in the world.

Aggression

Violent behavior, as a result of drugs, is commonly seen. The primary drug where aggression is administered, but is not limited to, would be alcohol. It is a misconception that alcohol is not considered a drug but it, in fact, alters one’s function to behave appropriately. A simple problem can quickly turn a huge altercations resulting to violence. The use of drugs can make someone snap within seconds. Something as simple as a red light or spilled milk can cause an addict to act in an aggressive or dangerous manner.

Confusion

The misuse of narcotics causes the average human to feel confused. They lose sight of who they are and are not able to function properly. One side effect from drugs that causes a lot of confusion would be the hallucinations. LSD and PCP are commonly reported drugs that cause  hallucinations. The abuser sees things that do not really exist yet interprets them as being real. Addicts are even known to having  conversations with people who are not really.

Paranoia

Paranoia is defined as a mental condition characterized by delusions, unwanted jealousy, or the feeling that the world is against you. Drugs alter your ability to think clearly and make sense of your surroundings. You may feel as if people do not have the write intentions and the people in your life are all of a sudden turning against you. After becoming addicted to drugs, addicts no longer trust their friends and family and may even distance themselves from them.

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Drugs Kill Relationships

  Struggling with a drug addiction is anything but easy. Many addicts develop a drug dependency and remain this way for years. Completely changing and coming clean is rare and almost never happens. But what people fail to talk about are the people in a drug addicts life that struggle, too. People with a drug problem bring down everybody; acting as a parasite sucking the life out of others. Relationships, especially, are affected when one or both people are addicted to drugs. Morgan, Brianna, and Michele can all vouch for this. They all were in committed relationships, but because of their boyfriends’ drug addiction, they had no other choice but to end it.

       Morgan Brothers was in a relationship with a boy who had a serious addiction to marijuana. It has been said that one can only become mentally addicted to weed, not physically. Either way, both are serious and people will go to great lengths to get something that they feel like they need. The beginning of the relationship, as she described, was great. “Max* bought me flowers, would take me on dates, get me presents unexpectedly,” she told me. Morgan shared with me that she was adopted and her boyfriend was the first time she felt accepted. She felt like she was with someone who truly cared.

      Overtime things changed. Her boyfriend’s life consisted of trying to acquire weed and then smoke it. She told me they would ride around for hours selling weed to whoever they could. Max’s grandmother sold weed, too. This is almost unheard of and is the reason why he originally got involved. Morgan was surrounded by marijuana so much that she actually started the bad habit herself. Morgan describes a time where she was at her boyfriend’s house and her dad came to pick her up. He drove a Ford Crown Victoria, commonly confused as a cop car. Her dad pulled up to the house and her boyfriend’s step got a gun. She explained that it was just her father and that everything was okay.

       After a while, Morgan decided to stop smoking and focus on her grades. Her boyfriend, however, did not seem to accept this idea. He started hanging around other girls who were “pot heads” and cheated on Morgan. After she found out, the two broke up. Max chose to be unfaithful and dishonest just so he can embrace the drug dealer life style.

       Brianna’s story is somewhat different, yet the results were identical. She dated a former drug addict, Cody*, who went through treatment to get better. Their relationship, too, was perfect in the beginning. They got along and never fought. After about 6 months, however, things drastically changed. “His speech became slower and he had trouble completing thoughts; he just seemed off,” she explained. 

       After she brought this issue to his attention, he immediately became defensive. He blamed her for the way he was acting and claimed she was too much to handle. This was the start of a horrible relationship. Cody was constantly borrowing money from Brianna and would show up hours late, if at all, when they had plans. Brianna was miserable and wanted out. She described being so in love with Cody, when in reality, she was in love with the old him.

    She, too, found out her boyfriend cheated on her and she broke things off immediately. After talking to some of Cody’s former friends, she found out he started abusing OxyContin, just like he use to. She also discovered that the girl he cheated on her was someone he met in rehab. To this day, Cody is still a drug addict and visually unrecognizable. Brianna stated “I thought I could change him, but quickly realized that he was the only one who could really change himself.” 

         Although Michele was never cheated on, the combination of lies and disrespect sent her packing. Her story is different in the sense that she was not even aware that her boyfriend was on drugs. They were together for a year and a half before ever realizing he was experimenting with cocaine. 

       Michele was a high school cheerleader and her boyfriend, Frank*, played football. They were known in their school for being such a perfect couple. They were together almost all the time and people seemed to envy them.

       It was not until about 8 months in their relationship when things went south. Frank would start lying about where he was. “He would tell me he was going out with his friends but when I brought it up to them, they said they haven’t seen Frank in weeks,” she describes. When she would bring it up to Frank, he just avoided the topic. 

       Michele had a party at her house for her birthday a few months later where Frank brought some of his “friends.” She said she had never seen them before and they did not seem like people he would normally hang out with. At one point she noticed Frank was no longer at the party and left to go find him. She went to his car and saw something that shocked her. Frank and his friends were all snorting cocaine just a few houses down from hers. She quickly put the pieces together and realized that he had been acting strange and has been lying about where he was due to his addiction. In all three situations, the drugs caused the guys to be dishonest, resulting in the end to the relationships.

*Names have been changed to protect identity 

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Exeter HIGH.

       Before choosing which high school a parent should send their child to, many factors come into account. The education program is always the most important, followed by convenience of location, and then extra curricular activities. As if this wasn’t stressful enough, adults now have to worry about their children being exposed to drugs at an early age. Stories of children drinking and smoking are being talked about throughout the nation. Exeter High School in New Hampshire, however, has topped any story most parents have heard. A few students decided to take ecstasy pills at a school dance. Now parents have to consider circumstances similar to this before sending their children to school. They question whether or not their children will be in this position, and if they want to take this chance. Pattey Gardner, a mother of a former Exeter High School, was interviewed and gave her opinion on how she feels about the situation. She has a daughter who is currently in 8th grade and will have to make a decision on which school she will send her to. 

Q: Multiple rumors have gone around about Exeter High School students experimenting with drugs on school grounds. What is your opinion on this?

A: My first daughter who is now in college actually went to Exeter High School. She graduated in 2012 and we had no problem. Now, there’s all this talk about the use of drugs by minors and I just don’t know what has gotten into these kids.

Q: What would you say is the cause of the increase of students using drugs?

A: I blame the parents. There is no way a parent who is actively involved in their child’s life would not know their kid was using drugs. And if they do know they should get their kid help, not send them to school and have them corrupt their friends.

Q: Do you think the school should be held accountable for the use of drugs?

A: Not until I heard about the incident at one of their school dances.

Q: What exactly happened?

A: Well not too long ago they had a school dance. But at this one a bunch of girls decided to take ecstasy tablets with their boyfriends. Apparently they were peer pressured into doing it, but at that age they should be able to say “no” and stand up for themselves. If their boyfriends are forcing them to do something they don’t want to do, then they shouldn’t be together.

Q: You said that this happened at a school dance, so where would they be able to do this without getting caught?

A: I don’t know, maybe in the bathroom. There supposedly are chaperones supervising the event. I’m not sure how a bunch of students would be able to get away with that. They should get their bags checked in the beginning and a closer eye should have been kept on the kids.

Q: Were the students caught at all?

A: Oh , they were caught all right. Not because someone saw them or another student told a teacher, or something. I almost wish that is what happened, it would have been much better that way. Instead, one of the girls was in the lobby area and had a seizure. I’m not exactly sure what happened, but I know the girl is ok.

Q: That’s terrible! Did the kids end up getting in trouble?

A: From what I heard, and this is just word of mouth I am not exactly sure, but it sounds like all they got was a slap on the wrist. I think they weren’t allowed to play varsity soccer and lacrosse, but were still allowed to come back.

Q: What’s your opinion on this? Do you feel like that’s fair?

A: Absolutely not! I understand kids make mistakes, but what kind of message is this sending? It’s almost like telling the kids that it is okay to do drugs because they won’t get in trouble. The kids should of went to some treatment center and not been able to come back to school. I’m sure those girls don’t even care about the situation and feel powerful because they didn’t get in trouble.

Q: I understand you have another daughter. How old is she?

A: Yes Rachael is 14 and in 8th grade.

Q: So summer is quickly approaching and she will be going to high school next year. Have you given any thought as to where you will be sending her?

A: I’ve talked about it with her father many times and we still haven’t decided. My first daughter, Alexandra, had no problem at that high school. She loved it actually, and it had made her who she is today. But when she went there, we didn’t have to worry about any drug issues. Sure you have the kids who smoke pot and drink, but ecstasy? I don’t want my child exposed to that. I don’t want her thinking it is okay to do drugs because you won’t get in trouble.

Q: Has Rachael ever said she wanted to go to this high school?

A: Of course, her older sister went there and so do all her friends. If she goes to another high school, she will have to make all new friends and she’ll be the new kid.

Q: Would you ever consider letting her go to Exeter?

A: There’s pros and cons to every school we considered. I just don’t know if Exeter can live up to our expectations anymore.

[endicottassignments-blog]

"I Took Advantage of Freedom"

       Mike Wilson came to Endicott College in order to share with us his life and how it went from partying right to jail. His life seems like it was a scripted movie, but is anything but a made up tale. He is a man in his mid 30’s who successfully created a program that helps unstable families reach a place in their life that is stress free and puts them back on the right path. He is an honorable man and a great role model for his kids. He has made his hometown of Beverly, Massachusetts proud and forever changed families lives for the better. Although Mike is an admirable guy, his life hasn't always been like this. Believe it or not, he was a trouble maker and was known for causing havoc. He got involved in the wrong crowd, and it went downhill from there. How does this happen, though? How does someone go from being a punk and a rebel to someone who turns broken households in to one that’s whole again?

         To understand Mike’s unexpected revelation, you need to understand Mike’s life when he was younger. The reason why Mike first starting using drugs was purely for curiosity reasons. A 2010 study by the Addiction Research Institute shows that most people start using drugs around the ages of 13 and 14. This parallels Mike’s life exactly and his initial drug of choice was marijuana. Although many would argue that marijuana is not a gateway drug, in Mike’s case, it was. He quickly was on to more hard drugs that were much more lethal. For now, however, he stuck to smoking weed.

         He became so enveloped with this hobby that he even started selling it. He would spend hours a day researching better ways to sell marijuana and acquire a higher profit. This is where the term “pothead” comes in. It is someone who only cares about getting high and believes smoking marijuana is the most enjoyable thing ever. Sounds ridiculous, I know, but that’s their reality. Maybe if drug dealers put the amount of time and effort into something more productive, they would be able to have a successful (and legal) career.

       If a person spends 5 hours a day doing weed relating things (smoking, selling, etc.) that is equivalent to 1680 hours a year. That is an incredibly large amount of time being wasted smoking and dealing. And to make money, you have to spend money first. This is exactly where Mike ran into a problem. He needed money to buy the weed he was “selling.” But Mike was smoking a majority of the weed he was suppose to be selling. At this point, he was wasting time and spending more money than he actually had.

        He did not seem to care, though. He embraced this lifestyle to the fullest. He described dressing the part with clothes that were way to big for him and also having an attitude that fit the part.

        At the age of 16, Mike decided he needed drugs that were more intense, as mentioned before. He decided to smoke crack and instantly fell in love. Knowing Mike’s previous addictive tendencies, it comes as no surprise that he fell in love with crack. Problem #2? Money-once again. Crack is much more expensive and Mike was already struggling to support his marijuana habit. His solution to this problem shocked the whole crowd at the event. He proceeded to tell us that his grandmother had a jar with a bundle of money in it. He did not know why she had it or what is was for, but that did not stop him from frequently stealing a few hundred dollar bills every now and then.

       One day, he actually got caught stealing from his grandmother by none other than his stepfather. This turned into a yelling match that quickly escalated into a physical altercation. Before Mike knew it, he woke up in the hospital with handcuffs on. Right out of the hospital, he was sent to a living facility which helped people deal with their drug addiction. But all he was doing there was selling to other patients and continuing to use drugs.

       This stubborn behavior demonstrates how difficult it is to quit taking drugs. Throwing someone into a treatment center and hoping for the best rarely works. The “revolving door” reference plays into this situation. People enter treatment, get clean for a short amount of time, then leave treatment. Quickly after, however, they are right back in the doors because they relapsed. The reason is because either the drug abuser does not think they have a problem, or they do not want to get clean. Mike, at this point, did not want to be sober and it will have to be his decision whether or not he wants to change. 

       After sleepless nights from his family members in Massachusetts, they all decided to cut him off and no longer help him. He became the “wandering homeless kid” and had no friends or family to help him. His father constantly would send him money so he can take a bus to Maine, (which is where he lived) to start a brand new, clean life. After multiple attempts, Mike finally took his father up on his offer and took all of his belonging to Maine. He was offered a house in back of his fathers, but soon the police kicked down his doors due to trouble he got in.

       Now, Mike took his trouble-behavior to the residents of Massachusetts to Maine. He was tormenting all of Portland and established a group of “friends” who all sold drugs. The stories he then told us were unheard of. One, in particular, is so memorable that it almost sounds fabricated; it is just too shocking to believe. He described the situation as him and a few other guys getting high in a room. This one time, however, he woke up in an ally with nothing but the clothes on his backs. His “friends” took all of his money and drugs and left him for dead. But wait, I did not get to the shocking part yet. After Mike regained consciousness, he walked all the way back to his “friends” house and asked if he could come back into their circle. They agreed and gave him all of his stuff back.

       This demonstrates how the mentality of a drug addict does not parallel with that of a sober mind. No one would go back to their “friends” house who have proved to be disloyal, let alone even be in that situation in the first place. This pattern continued for a while until he met his girlfriend, who is now the mother of his children.

       You probably expect me to tell you that he met this amazing woman who got him clean and changed his life. Wrong. They used heroin together, and this seemed to be like the only thing they had in common at the time. His house, however, got raided and he was thrown into jail.

       After jail, Mike’s life was still not on the right track. He was 25 and his girlfriend had a baby. He had a child, a girlfriend, and no job. He was in between a rock and a hard place and had no way to make ends meet. His solution was to sell the majority of his drugs and use the profit to open up his own tanning salon/body building supplement store. A combination of no business skills and little effort ended in him losing the business and resorting to living in a garage.

       Over the course of a few months, he hit rock bottom. Because of previous restraining orders, he was no longer able to be around kids,  including his son. He battled with depression and attempted suicide but was “too weak” to go through with it. He was at an all time low and there was no coming out of the state he was in.

       The revolving door reference should really be used for going to jail. People serve their time, but land right back where they started. Mike went back to jail for 6 months, yet seemed to “embrace this lifestyle” just like he embraced the lifestyle of a pothead in his earlier years.

       Mike finally felt right at home. He was easily accepted, had a place to sleep, and food to eat. This mentality faded quickly once he started to think about his son. He couldn't stop thinking about him getting bullied at school because of who his father was. He just could not stand to think that his son had to pay for his mistakes.

       This revelation saved Mike’s life. He came up with an idea to start a nonprofit organization that offered services to those in needs. He asked his lawyer to suggest this to the judge in order for his sentence to be suspended. His lawyer, shockingly, denied his request. She claimed that the judge would never go for the plead and they would look at him as if he were crazy.

       Long story short, the judge (for whatever reason) agreed to give him one last chance. He started this organization and helped so many families that the community was thoroughly impressed. He received generous donations and his rent was even paid for a year. Mike has been clean ever since and his non profit organization, known as Renewed Hope Project, helped hundred of families.

       The moral of the story is that life is full of opportunities and you can change whenever you choose. Mike was a punk teenager with a bad attitude, and was not afraid to let anybody know. He did not let this define the rest of his life, however. He turned his entire life around and started helping people who truly needed it. If one sets their mind to something, they can accomplish anything; no matter how far fetched it may seem.

Mike Wilson 

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How to Recognize & Avoid Peer Pressure

     There are going to be multiple situations in your life where you need to make very important decisions. Some of these will be easy to decide, and others not so much. Every person at one point in their life is going to get pressure from peers to do something; this is not something you can control. What you can control, however, is how you handle the situation. Drugs and alcohol are constantly being used by minors. In many cases, you may feel like you are being forced by your friends to try new things you do not want to do. After reading this guide, you will be a pro at avoiding peer pressure and speaking your mind. Every choice you make affects your future; don't make a foolish decision.

1) Approach Method:

     If someone directly asks you to use drugs, you may not know how to say no. Whether it be a friend, family member, or someone who is apart of the “popular” group, there are multiple ways to avoid the use of drugs. The people around you will do whatever they could to convince you that taking the drugs is a good choice. A common way they can persuade you is by saying it's “cool” or “everyone is doing it.” These are both false statements. They are neither cool nor is “everyone doing it.” You must remind yourself of the health risks that come along with it and the possible trouble you can get in. Simply say “No, thank you” or “I'm not into that kind of stuff.” This way you get right to the point and the person asking you will leave you alone.

2) Indirect Peer Pressure:

     There will be times when it seems like everyone is smoking, doing drugs, or drinking under aged  This can possibly make you question whether or not you should partake in these activities. Using narcotics and drinking may seem like an easy choice so you don't stand out but by doing this, you will lose sight of who you are and what is really important. Remain strong and continue to refuse to go along with what “everyone is doing.” You would be surprised about how many other people have the same mentality as you and want to spend their time more wisely.

3) Self-Inflicted Peer Pressure

     Sometimes, you may not need even know you're putting pressure on yourself. Maybe you're going off to college or moving to a new location. Regardless of the circumstances, you will have to find new friends to hang out with. No matter where you go, there will always be people who would rather go see a movie or go to a friends house than a party. Your job is determining who these people are. Finding friends will be difficult at first, but whatever you do, do not stoop down to something you wouldn't do in order to feel accepted. Take charge of who are and don't let anyone make decisions for you.

4) Excuses

     This method is not always the best option, but when it comes to avoiding drugs, it may be necessary. There are plenty ways you can get out of awkward situations. For example, you can pretend you have an early curfew or a babysitting job that requires you to leave immediately. Or, you can pretend to have an important phone call and when you return, your friends are done using the drugs. This may sound like a cheesy way to get out of a situation, but it has been proven to work multiple times.

5) Suggest Alternative Activities

     There are plenty of cases where people resort to using drugs and drinking because they feel as if there is nothing else to do. Don't be afraid to voice your opinion and suggest something else. Dance parties are way more fun than drinking parties. And the best part? You'll remember the entire night and it is completely legal. Scavenger hunts have been proven to be successful and are appropriate for all ages. There are hundreds of alternatives and who knows, maybe your friends will find an activity they like better than drinking and taking drugs.

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Where's Molly?

      And no, I am not talking about a girls name. For those of you who are unfamiliar with this narcotic, it is the pure form of MDMA which is the prime ingredient in ecstasy. This drug first became popular in 2011 and has risen dramatically. They are mostly used for raves and clubs in order to intensify their reaction to lights and sounds. An article by the Miami Herald elaborates on the use of Molly, specifying on the Ultra Music Fest in Florida. Usually, they expect close to 160,000 people to come and support different DJ’s and music artists. This year, however, they are attracting way more than is being offered. It once was a celebratory event,  but is now being used as a place for people to get together and consume Molly. The question that goes unanswered is whether or not people are coming to these events because they genuinely enjoy the music, or if it’s used as another gathering to just get high.

There are multiple ways to intake this drug. A popular way is to orally take it; either by swallowing or parachuting it. Parachuting is when people crush up the drug and wrap it in toilet paper then swallow it. Odd, I know, but supposedly it dissolves the substance quicker in your system and you get high immediately. Another way is by snorting Molly, the same way people consume cocaine. Last, and one of the most unconventional ways, is by anally injecting the substance. But then again, what way is taking Molly actually considered conventional? 

Although Molly is still new to the scene and the long term effects are not able to be determined, studies show that brain hemorrhaging and brain damage is becoming more common after ingesting Molly. In addition to this, traces of bath salts have been found in Molly which is known to cause depression and suicidal thoughts. 

Molly is not just for the average person either; celebrities have been advocating the drug, as well. Tyga, a famous rapper, just recently made a song called “Molly” with lyrics such as “I’ve looked everywhere for Molly” and how he had a “bad trip.” And even more shocking, last year at a concert Madonna asked the crowd, “How many people have seen Molly?” It is almost as if these artists are encouraging their fans to try this lethal drug.

There are multiple issues I have with this scenario. People are wasting $10-$25 a tablet, even though they have absolutely no idea what is in them. And as a result to this, some suffer from brain hemorrhaging and can possibly end up killing themselves. Plus, they are getting support from artists they look up to. 

The biggest concern, in my opinion, is the fact that people who consume these substances have no way of knowing what’s in it unless they test it; and lets get real, they aren’t testing it . There have been multiple accounts of cocaine, meth, and as mentioned before, bath salts being found in Molly.

Is Molly really needed for these concerts, though? What happened to just enjoying the music and the experience at concerts? The staff at these events, especially the Ultra Music Fest, spends thousands of dollars creating a concert for people to enjoy. The venue, souvenirs being sold, and artists playing takes months to plan. But the fans who attend don’t seem to come for all this anymore. Instead, they are just using it as an excuse to get high. 

What’s ironic is the fact that dubstep/rave music has recently became popular over the past few years; the same goes for Molly. Are music industries creating this music and aiming it towards the younger generation on purpose? Or has the use of Molly risen because the rave music suddenly became popular? Who’s to say, but one safe assumption is that the use of Molly will not be declining any time soon; especially at concerts. 

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"Drug addiction destroys lives, tears apart families, and harms society"

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Free Drugs

   “Adderall has become to college what steroids became to baseball;” this is the most memorable and accurate quote in Competition Drug by The New York Times. Adderall is a drug prescribed to people who have a hard time concentrating and better known as a case of ADHD. It is common that college students are using Adderall to concentrate and potentially get better grades, but are these young adults really to blame?

   The unspoken side of the situation, which I have yet to hear about, is about who is actually giving out all this Adderall. I find it hard to believe that all the students using Adderall, and these are just the ones prescribed, were accurately diagnosed. If thought about, how is ADHD even diagnosed? Can a doctor really tell if a student had a problem concentrating. Or is the Adderall being used for alternative motives?

   Steven Roderick was mentioned in the article and is an example of someone who had access to these “free drugs” and someone who probably can go without them. Initially, he was a student who illegally received Adderall from another student and apparently Aced his next test. The question here is if the Adderall was really the reason why he did well or if a placebo effect took place. This opened his eyes to a new life that has been discovered. He finally “found the link between intelligence and the capacity to be productive.” Apparently studying hard and staying up late the natural way is too much to ask for.

   Soon after this, he went to his doctor and was given a prescription for Adderall with no diagnosis procedure. I’m glad that a student in their 20’s can just walk into a facility and pretty much self diagnose themselves and get drugs. I am just wondering why Steven’s case didn’t raise any red flags. He, at the time, was in his early 20’s. What doctor in their right mind would prescribe someone Adderall so late? And without a diagnosis procedure at that? Seems legit.

       This just seems like an easy way for doctors to do their job. Instead of doing an extensive research or maybe even some research on why students are unable to concentrate, doctors are practically forcing pills down the students throat. God forbid the doctors do their actual job. The number of students on Adderall is rising each year and should not be the first source to go to when they run into trouble.

   After this situation, the same student claimed to have a sleeping issue and was prescribed Ativan to help. This makes complete sense. If we are giving a student a drugs for no proven reason, why not just throw in another drug in there. The issue with this is that Roderick doesn’t even see a problem with this. He claims that there is a distinction between addiction and dependency. All I can say is what a load of crap. There is no distinction. If you need a substance to get you through the day, that is both an addiction and a dependent action. 

   One positive thing out of this situation is that after a few years, Steven seemed to realize that starting to use Adderall was not the best choice. His anxiety level is at an all time high and he has even started missing classes. At this point, he only needs three more credits to graduate but will more than likely have to drop out due to the fact that he is “unable” to attend classes. Although Steven made this realization, it’s just a little too late. His future is damaged and he may not be able to find a job. 

   Is this really what America wants? For a kid to be dependent on drugs because a doctor falsely “diagnosed” someone with a disorder and gave them Adderall? I think the real problem is that the process to access certain drugs is not thorough and the blame should be shifted to these “professionals” rather than the students making poor decisions. 

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"There are all kinds of addicts. We all have pain. And we all look for ways to make the pain go away"

Sherman Alexie

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How to Deal With a Parent Addicted to Drugs For Kids:

      Life at your age is awesome! You get to see all your friends at school then spend quality time with your family for the rest of the day. Many people can relate to this, but then there are the children who just fantasize about this kind of lifestyle. There are kids in the world who do not have a good relationship with one or even both of their parents due to their drug addiction. If you or someone you know is in a similar position, read this “How -to” in order to lift a weight off your shoulder and live a happier life.

1. Tell someone you trust.

     Being a child of someone with a drug addiction is hard. You will have mixed emotions and may not know how to handle the situation. Telling someone about how you feel will relieve stress and make you feel much better.

2. Join a sports team or club.

     This will shift your attention to more positive things. You may discover many hobbies that you never knew you loved. You can also learn more about yourself and meet new people.

3. Talk to your parent.

     It can be useful to try and explain to your mother or father how their drug addiction is affecting you. They will understand how you feel and may even start treatment.

4. Don’t blame yourself!

      You did nothing wrong and it was ultimately your parents decision to start experimenting with drugs and you had no say in the matter. They started the problem, and they will have to stop it.

5. Don’t get in a car with a parent who was using drugs or alcohol.

     This is both dangerous for you and your parents. Using drugs makes driving way harder and you may get hurt.

6. Get help.

     If you feel that you are in danger, tell a teacher or police officer. They can give you the help you need and make your living situation better. By telling a trusted adult, you will not have to deal with the problem alone.

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Life Through A Drug Addict

    The Teen Addiction Epidemic is a documentary that exposes actual stories of teens who struggled with drugs or alcohol, and sheds light on what they went through. It is very hard to understand why someone would start experimenting with drugs, let alone continue to use them. The addicts in this documentary explain their use of drugs and the consequences of their choice. Kelsey, a heroin drug addict, is an average 20 year old who had everything going for her. A combination of poor choices and hanging out with the wrong crowd led her to be homeless and having no contact with her family. To someone who is sober, not being able to talk to their family would upset them. To a drug addict, on the other hand, getting high and how they are going to get their next fix is what is most important. Kelsey explains her drugs as “pain killers,” which is ironic because the drugs caused her to miss out on a great future and overall increased the amount of pain she had in her life.    

    Kelsey has a friend named Casey who is also a heroin addict. He demonstrates how priorities that were once significant are no longer important because drugs are now the only thing on his mind. He was once in the military but was injured during combat. After being prescribed pain killers, he quickly became addicted and now his only goal in life is to get drugs before his “high” wears off. At one point, he cared about his life and serving for his country. The use of drugs quickly created a guy who only possesses selfish tendencies.    

   Doctor Michael Wilkes explains how hard it is to prevent a kid from experimenting with drugs. As years go on, kids are becoming more creative in finding a way to get high. Wilkes said, “Who would of thought that someone would spray room freshener up their nose to try and get high?” The desperation with these young adults is appalling. They will go through great lengths and swallow their pride in order to fulfill their craving. Who they hurt, in their eyes, is irrelevant and they will not let anyone get in their way.   

  On the contrary to these stories, former drug addict Lindsay successful beat the battle against drugs; the road to success, however, was anything but easy. Her choice of drugs were inhalants, alcohol, and prescription drugs. Adderall, a prescribed drug for those with ADHD, seemed to be her preference. It came to a point where she was taking 9x the recommended dosage and still wanted more. This seems to be common with drug addicts. For a while they consistently use the same dosage each time they are getting high. After a while, their tolerance is so high that the drugs no longer affect them and they feel the need to get their hands on an even stronger drug.    

   This process refers to the theory that “Marijuana is a gateway drug.” Many people disagree with this theory, but a majority of drug abusers claim to have started out by smoking weed. After a while, the abuser gets bored or is no longer affected and moves on to something more powerful such as ecstasy or cocaine.    

   Lindsay claimed to have a revelation that made her realize she had a drug problem and needed help. Her outcome is very rare, unfortunately. Typically, a drug addict will deny having any problem with drugs and they feel that they could quit at any time. They will not admit to the struggle they have, let alone find ways to better themselves. Denial is a big part of being a drug addict. They do not want to admit any substance has the ability to control them, and that they are still able to make their own decisions.    

   In order to first be sure if someone is using a drug, it is important to recognize signs of an abuser. Visual evidence would be the most apparent side affect. Common changes include speech patterns, dilated pupils, or hyperactivity. Unexplained changes in personality such as being increasingly outgoing or quiet is a possible side affect. Missing items is a big indication that someone is abusing drugs. No matter how close you are with someone, an abuser will steal anything from anyone to get their hands on drugs. Keeping a close eye on valuables would be a smart decision. One last thing to look out for is if someone is all of a sudden frequently getting in trouble. Whether it is poor academic grades or a person is constantly arguing with their friends or parents, both are signs that someone may be experimenting with drugs. If one or more of these side affect apply to someone, the best choice is to look further into the situation and figure out a solution to help the problem.    

   An addiction is so strong that an addict would do anything to get their drug of choice. A prime example would be Christina who told her story in this video. She discussed renting out a small room in order to exchange drugs for sex. She is degrading her own body and losing all respect for herself by doing this. Instead of acquiring a job or spending time with friends, she spends all her day thinking about the next time she will inject herself with heroin.    

   An even more shocking story would be Brianna’s case. She started experimenting with drugs at an early age; this was only the beginning of a dark road. By the time she was in 8th grade, she was in such a depressed state that she attempted suicide by using an over the counter cough medicine. For the next few years she started using multiple different drugs until she had “gotten so deep into things.” She then decided that the only way to keep her “clean” and head down the right path is by bring another life into the world. By the time she was 16, she had a baby and claims getting pregnant was intentional. Although this is not a usual way of dealing with a drug problem, she allegedly became and remained sober from all drugs.  

      Both of these ladies situations are not uncommon. Having a drug dependency typically makes addicts do things that are out of the ordinary. They lose sight of what is important and pick things that are less sufficient to them.    

    Parents also need to take notes when it comes to this documentary. Many parents feel that their kids are unable to access drugs due to the fact that the medicines in their house are locked up. This will not stop a child from using drugs. Instead, they will go to friends or even surrounding neighborhoods where they know they can get what they need. Raven Hoops agrees that the best way to prevent their kids from using drugs is sitting down with them and explaining how drugs can negatively impact their future and the consequences that come alone with abusing them.    

   A common position friends and family fall into when dealing with an addict is the enabler. They end up becoming someone who actually helps an addict get their drugs. Parents feel it is their duty to support their children and will continue giving their son or daughter money for “food” or “clothes.” They may convince themselves that they are doing the right thing or being a good person when in reality they support their loved ones addiction.    

   A method families frequently use that continues to prove to be affective is giving the addict and ultimatum. The choice the addict will have to make is to either get clean or lose all contact with the family. This is the addicts “rock bottom” and a way they will open their eyes and realize they have a problem. It is impossible to force an addict to get help; they must want to get help themselves in order to successfully get better. An ultimatum does force, however, a drug addict to make a decision and usually, they choose their friends and family over the drugs.  

   This documentary is important and gives insightful information to the viewer. It shows the problem from both aspects: the drug addict and loved ones. We see the drug addicts life from day to day and how their future will be affected. In addition to this, we see how the parents are affected and how they chose to handle the situation. This helps other people who have a drug problem because they see the actual problem from another perspective. They may be able to relate to the other users and seek the help that they need. After viewing this video. the parents will understand that they are not alone and there are ways they can get help, as well.    

   The common theme in this documentary is that a drug addict comes in all ages and sizes and they will do the most degrading and unethical things to get what they need. Someone who seems to have a great life may be hiding a secret that is damaging their future daily. It is ultimately up to an addict to change and get treatment, but from the help from friends and family, it could possibly give them the encouragement they need to start a better life for themselves.

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College Drug Life

         When thinking about a drug addict, who do you picture? An unshaven, old man who looks homeless? A woman with wrinkles who looks as if she hasn't bathed in weeks, perhaps? What if I told you that your roommate can potentially be an individual who abuses drugs? Would you believe me? The truth is there is no specific look that identifies a drug addict; it can be anybody. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the number of people who use drugs on college campuses are skyrocketing and distinguishing a drug addict is just the first part. Many people do not acquire the skills it takes to handle a situation similar to this, but the steps are way easier than expected.

    Lindsay Shrayer has a masters in Education and majored in Sociology. She is very familiar with situations that deal with someone who has a drug addiction.She has dealt with many students and people in general who are or are involved with someone who abuses drugs. She knows how to handle these troubling situations and gives great advice that everyone should be aware of.

   The conversation initially started off with an in depth understanding as to why people start using drugs. There seems to be a  common misconception that drug addicts were all neglected children who had a horrible childhood. According to Shrayer, this can be one explanation but isn’t always the case. She explains  experimenting with substances can lead to a lifetime of addiction. I followed up by asking what age this experimenting starts at, but no specific age was given. Instead, she explained that it varies and unfortunately, the age is getting younger each year. In addition to this, she said the younger someone starts using drugs, the greater their chances of developing a drug problem is.

    Before this interview, I searched a few statistics regarding the use of drugs. The outcome of this search led to me focusing specifically on college campuses. There were alarming statistics that were calculated a few years ago, which is sure to have risen by now. The National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) found that “One out of every four college students between the ages of 18-20 admitted to using medications non-medially at least once in their lifetime.” Also, according to NSDUH, “By student’s sophomore year of college, about half have been offered the opportunity to abuse drugs.” These two statistics left me speechless. Clearly, the use of drugs on college campuses are becoming the norm nowadays.

    It is very difficult to distinguish who is and isn't a drug addict, but there are red flags to look out for. She reassured me that it may be hard, but not impossible to determine if someone may be involved in this activity. Shrayer said that drugs abusers usually, but not always, have dramatic shifts in behavior . This is very important to look for. If someone was once shy and is now very outgoing, or vice versa, drug use is one possibility. I researched more about signs and symptoms and a common result was the neglecting of school responsibilities or hobbies. For example, if a student took pride in their work and could now barely make it to class, this could potentially be a result of drug use.

    After being confident that you have a friend at school that is involved with drugs, it could be very hard for you to handle. In many cases, people will just choose to ignore the situation and look the other way. This is possibly the worse thing to do. It can send off the message that you don’t care and make matters worse. Instead, building up the courage to talk to your friend would be more beneficial. The best way in doing so would be by explaining how you feel about the situation and how it pains you to watch your friend make such decisions. If that does not help, going to the school counselor and asking for their help is your best bet. They can give advice on how to handle the situation and also save your friend from an ugly future.

    If all goes well, the next step in handling the situation is for the drug abuser to recognize the addiction and go to therapy. Different therapy methods are possibly the most interesting thing I learned between research and interviewing Lindsay. When someone mentions treatment, I think of a group of addicts sitting in a circle explaining their story. I was very wrong. This is, in fact, a method to treating addiction, but there are many other ways I was unaware of.

    One method is art therapy which is a form of expression to improve physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Music therapy is the same concept but instead uses sounds to improve health. A method Shrayer informed me about was equine therapy. Leaving the interview, I still had no idea how riding a horse can help someone with an addiction to drugs. Many articles later, I discovered that it is solely based on disciplining and leading the horse. This is important because it increases social skills and builds trust.

    In addition to this, I learned that not only is it important for a drug abuser to get help, but for family and friends to seek therapy as well. When someone is using drugs, it affects everyone. By getting treatment, you can understand the situation better and learn about ways to deal with it. In many situations, college students want to be a good friend, yet want to experience the college life. If you go to therapy, you will learn how to both have a social life and how to be a supportive friend to a drug abuser.

    The college life is stressful and one is faced with many obstacles. Having a friend or even living with a roommate who is addicted to drugs is more than likely not something that is expected or easy to live with. By understanding the mentality of a drug abuser and using the techniques mentioned, your college life will go by much more smoothly and you can even save a life.

Q: What school did you go to and what did you study?

A: For undergraduate I went to the University of California at Santa Barbara where I was a sociology major. For graduate school I went to Cambridge College and I have a masters in education in counseling psychology. Q: That is really interesting! So I’m sure you are really familiar with dealing with those who have a drug problem and know about different techniques to deal with it. I researched reasons as to why people start using drugs but in your opinion, what is the most common way?

A: Well I think the most common way would be curiosity mixed with experimentation at different ages and definitely alcohol and marijuana being the first two drugs that somebody will try. Q: I definitely agree. But what age do people actually start using these types of drugs.

A: It really, you know, definitely varies. Statistically as time goes on people are getting younger and younger in terms of the age at which they do start. I wouldn’t know statistically how many but definitely what I can say is that the younger you are when you start, the greater your chances are of developing an addiction or dependency. So, that definitely I think is a big contributor. Q: Do you think drug use is becoming more common on college campuses?

A: Well, you know, drug and alcohol are still definitely in the top two. Depending upon the college population and where you are at, I would say for our college population [Endicott College] the next one that I see is probably prescription pain killers or prescription drug abuse. So whether it is abusing Adderall, Vicodin, Percocets, or Oxycontin or those types of things I would say those are the next ones for our school. Q: Clearly, college students are becoming more familiar with these drugs. So exactly what signs or red flags are there that would determine a student may be involved with drugs?

A: The biggest signs you’re going to see are changes in eating and sleeping. I think also mood, irritability and I think the biggest thing that any friend or any person can look for is if there are significant changes to a persons behavior before previously. So for example, if someone was outgoing and social and then they start becoming less outgoing and or vice versa if someone who is really shy and reserved before is now becoming extraverted but not necessarily in a positive way. Q: I searched about different therapy methods including art therapy, music therapy, and even mediation. What are some effective ways that you would suggest to someone that is battling a drug addiction.

A: For addiction, there are probably two top ones that I see as being beneficial. One would be cognitive-behavioral therapy and the other is group therapy. Group therapy is especially important whether it’s a 12 step program or any other alternative group setting can talk about the challenges and successes they have. They can relate to one another in ways other people can’t relate to them. I would say those are the top two types but there are alternatives such as art therapy, music therapy, or even equine therapy which would be using horses. It definitely depends upon the person, but any type of rehabilitation program where 28 days or longer is going to incorporate a whole bunch of different types of therapy that will be very positive for individuals who are trying to do an intensive recovery. Q: I know there are a lot of situations in which people meet others or even have a roommate that has a drug problem. What steps would you suggest they take in handling a situation similar to this?

A: The best thing you can do is let the person know how their drug use is negatively impacting you. So for example when dealing with a roommate who has a drug issue, instead of just saying “I’m worried about you, you’re up all night, you’re not sleeping, you’ve lost weight, you’re doing too many drugs,” the best thing a person can do is say, “Listen, as your roommate, your drug use is making me feel afraid, I can sleep, I’m having a hard time studying.” As soon as we accuse them of doing something, they’re going to get defensive and they will start saying things like “Well, you drink and you smoke with me every now and then, how come THAT isn’t a big deal?” So, letting the person that is using know that they are negatively affecting you would work better. Q: If this did not work, however, would you suggest that the person tell a counselor or someone else?

A: One thing is, which I feel that most college students do not know is as adults, a student can come into the counseling center confidentially; they do not even have to say the name. They can just explain that they’re worried about a friend or roommate and I can sit with them and try to figure out if that person should be worried. I do not have to call their parents if there is a problem in every situation. On the flip side of that, people actually have come and asked what they should do to handle this situation. Most of the time, within 24-48 hours, that person and their friend they are worried about shows up and convinces them to get counseling because if a student is using drugs, I can’t tell anybody. I am legally bound to keep that confidential. Unless a student says I want to get help and we need to use their health insurance, I don’t tell anybody. So a student can have a problem with drugs and get help without parents or anyone else knowing. Q: I actually did not know that. I thought you automatically had to tell their parents if you thought they were partaking in illegal activity. But speaking of parents, how important would you say it is for family and friends to also go to counseling if they have a family member using drugs?

A: It is extremely important that family and friends get therapy. And it doesn’t always have to be long term therapy. A lot of students can benefit from Al-Anon support groups. They will be learning how to deal with an alcoholic or an addict that is in their life. Sometimes it can be beneficial to go to a meeting or counseling session together. I have students right now on campus who are in recovery and there have been times where their parents, roommate, boyfriend, or girlfriend come in with that student who are trying to figure out how to be supportive and how to deal with the fact that they want to go out and go to parties but don’t know how to enjoy the college experience and also be a good friend. So really, understanding how to be supportive and how to separate their issues from your issues is really important. So sometimes it is just meeting with a counselor.