OPINION
PAGE 10 THURSDAY, July 19, 2012
STREETBEAT
NEWS CHIEFTAIN
BY MELODY HUANG
‘Have you ever had a desire to attend Comic-Con?’
WEBPOLL Votes cast on our website: Yes No
29% 71%
Next week’s question is, “Should traffic be banned in portions of Balboa Park?” Vote on www.pomeradonews.com.
“I’ve never gone, but “I think it’s important “I’ve never been there. “San Diego should do “I think it’s great. I everything in its power to know people come into I think it’s great. Every- that San Diego keeps it. I hear it’s awesome.” — Ethan Gaines keep Comic-Con here.” town from all over to at- one seems to enjoy it. It’s It provides an economic influx for the city.” Certified nursing — Phil Balun tend. It’s great for the great for tourism.” — Jane Duke — Evan Laird assistant Cashier economy.” Physical therapist Life technologies Rancho Bernardo Rancho Bernardo — Galina Shekhtman Real estate agent assistant Carmel Mtn. Ranch Carmel Mtn. Ranch Rancho Penasquitos
How do you tell if your teen is on drugs? A simple Google search will yield a hundred websites giving you the traditional answers to this question. I’ve found these surface-level answers to be of little help when dealing with teens. These basics are a good start, but only a start. Let’s look at the general questions and expand from there. I’d say these are the typical top answers: • Poor grades • Change in friends • Low motivation • Isolating from family • Sleep patterns • Loss or no interests • Mood swings • Weight loss or gain • Lies or outrageous stories • Missing or new unexplainable things at home. All of these are accurate for a drug abuser, yet most of these are very similar or even mimic normal teenage behavior. So how can you really tell? Warning signs are just that; signs that
A big hip and hooray to the City of Poway’s Fourth of July celebrations at Old Poway Park and the fireworks at Poway High. Park superintendent Dave Richards and his crew cooked up an event that harked back to old-time celebrations we read about at the turn of the century (1900 that is). It is estimated that over 6,000 people attended throughout the day, and as a participant, I can believe it. I helped out as a reserve ranger at the information booth and patrolling parking lots and I can attest to the fact that the place was packed, and, everyone seemed to really enjoy themselves. Of note were the large numbers of, what I would call, new, or wanna be Americans who were in attendance. An East Indian couple in traditional dress, Latin American immigrant families, a family from Sweden and many more, all wanting to be a part of America’s biggest party. We passed out small American flags and everyone wanted them, citizenship not withstanding. People were proud to wave the “Red, White and
Will Wooton THE STRAIGHT DOPE there may be more going on than you think. When I’m assessing someone I don’t ask, “Do you have no motivation?” or “Do you see yourself having mood swings?” That would do me no good. What I do is look at overall behavior and how the teen views life. Addiction and drug use is not a disease of morality. It can affect anyone or any family no matter how moral the upbringing. It is a disease that will take away someone’s convictions and allow him or her to do things they would have never thought possible. From theft to dropping out of their favorite sport, drugs change kids. Change them to act like a total stranger in your
home. If you feel as if there is a loss of knowing who your teen is, then there is a problem. Drug use thrives on secrecy. The more they can make you think you’re the only parent that makes a big deal out of what’s going on, the more successful their manipulation. A drug abuser’s goal is to push the limits while making you feel guilty or thinking you’re crazy for suspecting them of wrongdoing. You’re not crazy for caring and wanting what’s best for your child. Parental denial is the most powerful tool kids use. If you are uncomfortable with the idea of sending your kid to college today, as they just don’t seem to have the life skills to make it yet, that’s a real sign too. If you find yourself thinking, how could my child think their behavior is acceptable. If you see a push toward criminal thinking like theft or blowing off rules (rules are stupid or don’t apply to them) then you must act. Loss of integrity is a key warning signal. Is your teen meeting their potential or just floating through life week to week?
It’s what this country is all about Bob Emery MY TOWN Blue.” In recent years, the far right and tea party extremists have attempted to co-opt the use of our flag. You can only be a flagwaving patriot if you follow their dogma. Baloney! Patriots come in all colors and sizes and political beliefs. A liberal or moderate has just as much right to tear up at the sound of our national anthem and the raising of our flag as does a conservative. That is what this country is all about. ***** Speaking of baloney, a big boo hiss to a columnist in this paper who has suggested that we “stop” anyone who is considering
running for the Poway City Council and defer to his anointed choice, Jeff Mangum. Now I have nothing against Jeff. In fact, he was the first person I contacted when I decided not to run for reelection. I thought he would be an excellent councilmember and I still do. He was too busy to run four years ago but now seems to have found the time. What I find disturbing is this attempt to clear the field so Jeff would have no competition. That is dead wrong. A politician needs to campaign, to test their mettle against opponents with differing views. Voters need to hear alternative opinions at public forums and in interviews. Candidates need to go door to door and meet the public. Councilmember Jim Cunningham, whom I did finally endorse to run for my former seat, is out there right now pounding the pavement and meeting voters in his bid for reelection, that’s how it should be. Win your seat fair and square after a good campaign with opponents. That is what this country is all about.
And if your gut is telling you that your teen is on drugs, I’m sorry, but they most likely are. Listen to your instincts. The next step is to drug test them. Most doctors will order a drug test if you ask. Find out what’s in your teen’s system. Drug stores carry home tests, but those don’t give you the quantities of what has been abused, only a simple positive or negative. Search your teen’s room. Go through their computer histories and look at phone and text records. Don’t feel that because they are growing up you need to give and respect their privacy. No parent who has lost a child to addiction has ever said, “I wish I had done less or tried less.” Drugs can and do kill kids. If you’ve seen warning signs, dig more. If you’re digging shows you that there is more going on, then take action and seek professional help. Wooton is program director of Pacific Treatment Services in Escondido and coauthor of “Bring Your Teen Back from the Brink: Get Educated, Get Tough and Get Help to Save Your Teen from Drugs.” Reach him at will.pts@me.com.
***** Finally, I received a letter from Poway resident Jeanne Eagle Bull-Oxendine, a member of the Oglala Lakota Nation of South Dakota. She had read my column about our trip to the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C., and wanted to correct my use of the general term Indian. In a couple of instances, I used the generic term “Indian” without the qualifying word “American” preceding it and I was wrong. We all know how the term “Indian” was misapplied to the indigenous peoples of the Western Hemisphere by Christopher Columbus who thought he had reached India. The name stuck and Native Americans seem to have accepted the misnomer as long as there is the clarifying word, “American.” I have a number of Native American acquaintances who say, “Hey, I’m an Indian” and that is their prerogative. But to the rest of us, they are American Indians. Thanks for the heads up Jeanne, and hey, that is what this country is all about.