WHEN YOU CARE ENOUGH TO ASK

I am often asked questions like, "What do you do when an otherwise good kid
gets caught smoking pot?" or "What do you do when someone's smoking pot but
it's not a serious problem?"

In recent weeks, we've heard of a British prince smoking pot and a star
athlete getting arrested, charged with marijuana possession. An avid fan of
Gamecock sports, I visited some of the online chat rooms after Derek
Watson's arrest and found that fans were asking such questions as, "Why was
he smoking marijuana in such a public place where he could get caught?"

We are asking the wrong questions.

We have created a culture in which marijuana is deemed a "less dangerous"
or "not serious" drug. The truth is that marijuana is the most commonly
used illegal drug in the United States, and it is addictive.

In South Carolina, 25 percent of all adults and 29 percent of eighth-,
10th- and 12th-graders have used marijuana at least once in their lives.
About 17 percent of these students have used marijuana in the past 30 days.
Children who have family members who use marijuana are more likely to use
the drug. Teen-agers who already smoke cigarettes and drink alcohol are
more likely to use marijuana than those who do not. At the
Lexington-Richland Alcohol and Drug Abuse Council, The Behavioral Health
Center of the Midlands, more than half of our 622 adolescent clients in
2001 were treated primarily for marijuana use.

The questions we should be asking include, "Why would someone with such a
promising future throw it all away to get high?" or "What can we do to keep
our kids from experimenting with addictive drugs?"

Those of us in substance abuse prevention and treatment teach parents and
others who have influence on young people that they must be willing to ask
the tough questions. Where are you going? Where have you been? Who will you
be with? When will you be back? What did you do today? Parents have become
afraid of parenting, of talking to their children and of taking
responsibility for their children's actions.

The question we should be asking is what can we do to change attitudes and
stereotypes about alcohol, tobacco, marijuana and other drugs. The answer
is that we can educate people that trying marijuana is not a rite of
passage; it is a dangerous game. It can lead to disturbances with
short-term memory and learning; distorted perception of sight, sound, time
and touch; trouble with thinking and problem-solving; loss of coordination;
paranoia and anxiety or panic attacks; mood changes; increased apathy; loss
of ambition; difficulty in concentrating and an overall decline in school
or work performance.

The question we should be asking is, "What should parents look for?" The
answer is problems with coordination and balance; slurred speech; bloodshot
eyes; dizziness; a dry mouth and throat; odor on clothing; marijuana
paraphernalia including pipes, rolling papers, incense and other
deodorizers; eye drops; and clothing, posters or jewelry promoting
marijuana use.

The question we should be asking is, "Where can I go if I suspect my child
is using marijuana?" The answer is our council (256-3100) or your county
alcohol and drug abuse authority, where your child can be drug tested and
an evaluation can be made as to whether treatment is recommended. When it
comes to our children, we have to care enough to ask. When it's about our
kids, we need to make sure we're asking the right questions. Whether it's
asking the question, or dealing with the answer, we're here to help.