HOW TO WRITE AN OBITUARY FOR YOUR TEENAGER.

YOU sit and watch your child sleep. The hospital intercom serves as a
constant reminder of where you are. You tuck in the blanket around his
feet. He hasn't moved since you last tucked it in, but it gives you
something to do. It's been two days since your child's friends carried
him into the emergency room. The doctor says it's a losing battle.
You're not ready for that.

(Inset, different type) * LISTING THE cause of death in the obituary
is the family's discretion.

When the hospital called, you thought it was a minor cut, another
broken collarbone. The hospital nurse mentioned inhalants. That was a
mistake, you thought. But you soon learned 11 "sniffing" - inhaling
household products to get high - was not a mistake. It was a habit. A
habit that could've started with over 100 ordinary, everyday products
like markers, correction fluid and spray paint. A habit that makes
paraphernalia out of socks, soda cans, lunch bags. A habit that can
damage the brain, heart, kidneys, liver. A habit that can even kill
the very first time. You stare at your child and wonder if maybe that
wouldn't have been better.

Inset:

* IT IS APPROPRIATE to include the child's nickname if well-known.

It's been 16 hours since your child was pronounced dead. The relatives
you phoned didn't know about inhalants. It seems no one did. You
haven't slept in two days. but somehow you keep going. Because you
have a funeral to arrange. And people to console. And someone from the
obituary section is on the hone. They need to know about he child you
just lost.

*FAMILIES WILL often prefer to have the funeral home handle the
obituary.

Could this be your child?

We hope not. For more information about sniffing, please call
1-800-788-2800. There are signs to look for. You lust need to know
what they are. *

Bottom of the page, in a smaller frame, similar to large one: IF YOU
DON'T WANT TO LEARN ABOUT OBITUARIES. PLEASE LEARN ABOUT SNIFFING.
CALL 800 788-2800,

Office of National Drug Control Policy Partnership for a Drug-Free
America!

www.projectknow.com - www.drugfreeamerica.org