Drug abuse: Don’t ignore the signs

The photo on the second page of last week’s Lakeville Journal, taken by Patrick Sullivan, had such a benign and even playful look: snappy graphics on little plastic bags, a tiny round rubber band. Here’s hoping the eye-catching shot attracted the attention of many readers, especially those with teenage children who may be at risk of becoming drug abusers. As described in the caption and story below it, the photo showed bags commonly used in the sale of heroin, and the type of rubber band used to hold together the bags of the addictive, powdery white opiate.

Sullivan’s story was a follow-up to his article in the Aug. 20 issue of this newspaper which described an in-depth discussion of teen drug abuse with Mary Marcuccio, founder of Parents 4 A Change, and other parents of addicts. Marcuccio and her group are committed to helping others come through the traumatic problems resulting from having an abuser in the family. The discussion of the struggles relating to addiction shared by those present at the meeting was heart-wrenching but could give hope and perspective to those in the middle of it themselves.

Drug addiction is an affliction that can rip families apart. It takes all the strength of those battling it to come through it and find a way to live their lives again, clear-eyed and hopeful.

As a new school year has begun, and teens are socializing and trying to find their own ways to deal with the pressures of high-school life, parents need to be especially vigilant in looking for any of the warning signs of drug abuse as described in Sullivan’s article last week. Those signs can be subtle, but hopefully not so subtle as to escape the notice of parents who are very familiar with their children’s normal patterns of behavior.

If any of the warning signs seem familiar, don’t delay in looking for help. Marcuccio’s group emphasizes the fact that heroin is becoming the drug of choice for abusers who are young, suburban and middle class. The Web site offers many kinds of support for those in trouble, including resources for direct help, and the connection of those who are struggling with addiction in their own families. To read Sullivan’s articles, go to tcextra.com, and for Marcuccio’s Web site, go to parents4achange.net.