Guest Post: US News and World Report

I received this e-mail today. If you would like to talk to this reporter please contact her directly and mention you saw this on my blog. Hope this can help minor age addition treatment.

Hello,

I came across your blog when I was searching online … and I’m hoping that you can help me with a story I’m working on.

In a couple of weeks we are releasing Best Children’s Hospitals. This guide does not include a list of hospitals that have inpatient psychiatry units, because there are so few of them.

When I looked into this, I realized that the services for addiction in children’s hospitals, within psychiatry departments, were even more grave. I decided to write a story about it, and I have talked to many policymakers and doctors about why this is.

I’m hoping to provide the patient’s voice in all of this. I noticed you have an extended network—could you connect me with someone I might talk to? I prefer someone who has a child who is 18 or under. We are simply looking to tell their story, and to help other parents understand that when they face this they will have to look hard to find services that meet their children’s needs. I would need to speak with someone today or tomorrow.

I’m happy to discuss changing any names to protect children as they are going off to college.

Thank you in advance for your help!

Thank you all for your support. Kimberly sent me a response and said she has ll the interviews she can handle and has promised to link me to her article when it published. When I get the link I will post the article and link on here for all to read.

What We Feed Grows

Annette over at Just For Today... wrote a great post for anyone, not just parents of addicts.

What we feed grows. Those four words carry so much when you apply them not just to addiction but to life.

I can't say it any better than Annette so I am just going to link you to her post right here: What We Feed Grows

Memories and Realizations for Memorial Day

On Memorial Day much is made of memorializing our veterans and of that I am appreciative. My father was a veteran of the US Army. He served in Germany after World War 2. In 1982 he lost his life to cancer.

On this day I do not forget those parents that have lost a child to the monster of drugs and alcohol. Every day another parent feels that unbearable pain. I have met parents and spoke to people that walk and live with more strength than I can imagine. They live with a hurt I am not sure I am strong enough to bear.

As the sun rises on another Memorial Day salute the flags and veterans but do not forgot those parents that suffer in silence and alone. There child did not die for nothing. They died with love inside them that could not escape the monster and disease.

As I remember all of the parents that have lost their child I have a realization of how fortunate, lucky, blessed or whatever word fits that my son is happy, healthy, clear and sober another day. The rest of my life I will never take a single day for granted.

Breaking News!!!

The Partnership at Drugfree.org has re-branded itself into more of what we as parents are looking for, to help our kids.

A new name:  "Partnership for Drug-Free Kids"

Same easy to remember web address: www.drugfree.org

The website is easier to read and navigate. Truth is many of us have been telling them to KISS it for a long time, Keep It Simple Stupid. One of the things I told Tom Hedrick a long time ago, was when we were first discovering our REAL issue with Alex I went online looking for answers, one of the first sites that popped up was The Partnership site. The old site was too confusing to find answers through the tears. Today it is so much better. It's parent friendly.

If you haven't been to The Partnership site for a while, then today is the day to visit an old friend.

If you are a parent that needs to talk to someone, a real professional in addiction call The Parent Helpline. Jerry or Denise will answer the phone, if they are talking to other parents or it is after hours.......LEAVE A MESSAGE! They will call you back. If it feels weird or you are scared to call........tell them Ron told you to call, they know me. You'll be talking to old friends that can help you.

1-855-DRUGFREE

(1-855-378-4373)

Johnson County, KS. Public Discussion About Drug Abuse in Youth

This is a public notice for those in the Kansas City area that Johnson County is holding a frank and public discussion about drug abuse in our community.

I have been ask by Officer Richard Spandle the School Resource Officer at Shawnee Mission South High School if I would be available to answer questions or maybe say a few words as the parent of an addict. I will be there.

I hope you can join me.

STOP Underage Drinking Coalition of Johnson County

And

The Overland Park Police Department Present:

Down the Up Staircase: Addiction is only a few steps away

A short film that documents the recent rise in oxycodone and heroin abuse in Johnson County

When:  May 20, 2014, 6:30 – 8:00 pm

Where:  Shawnee Mission South High School, Little Theater

What:  A presentation of the “Down the Up Staircase” film and a frank discussion drug use and abuse in our community with the Overland Park Police.

Who:  This presentation is designed for parents, students, professionals and members of our community who are concerned about the youth in our county.  All are welcome.

Please let us know if you plan to attend by contacting Charlene Whitney at Charlene.Whitney@JOCOGOV.ORG

Comments From The Anonymous Parent

What is an anonymous parent? Many comment on this blog as anonymous and that is great. Who are these anonymous parents? What is life like to be the person without a name?

I've thought about who that anonymous parent is and what they are going through. Maybe I'm right maybe I'm wrong but here is what I have come up with because I was once an anonymous parent.

The Anonymous Parent is that parent who is up at 2am but their child is not home.

The Anonymous Parent is searching and barely able to read a computer screen through the tears to learn more about this monster and what they can do to help their sick child.

The Anonymous Parent has piles of books and articles colored with highlighter marks in their bedroom.

The Anonymous Parent calls helpline and strangers looking for answers as to what to do and what comes next.

The Anonymous Parent has sat through way too many lectures and meetings trying to understand what is happening to their family.

The Anonymous Parent has emptied their savings and retirement accounts on rehabs and medical bills.

The Anonymous Parent has suffered the embarrassment of the flashing lights of police cars in their driveway at all hours, day and night.

The Anonymous Parent cries at night before going to sleep and feels a level of fear they never felt was possible.

The Anonymous Parent loves a person that by all accounts to everyone else is unlovable.

The Anonymous Parent makes a difference in one life. Sometimes that is all that is possible.

It doesn't matter how anonymous you are, you are not alone. Reach out and take the hand that is offered.