Report drug dealers to police
As the parent of teenagers I try to keep up with the current "in" friends, who are the "freak" kids for the week, what teachers are "stressing the kids out", who's hanging with who and just the usual teenage social and school yard "goss".
As well of course as trying to keep up with all the "grown up stuff" like increases in interest rates, petrol and generally the cost of living as a whole, over crowded hospitals, underage drinking etcetera
Living in Roxby though, at times, we seem distances from the social issues and stresses of our city neighbours.
Our kids have a bit more freedom due to you knowing more people and most of the kids have grown up together, play sport together, go to school together, and so you know the families and feel comfortable with giving the kids that bit of freedom that they may not have enjoyed if they had been brought up in the city.
However, in the last couple of years Roxby, like so many other "small towns", has entered the fast lane and we too have problems with underage drinking and substance abuse by both adults and teenagers.
Recently I was shattered by an incident involving a local teenager being taken to hospital due to the effects of a mixture and alcohol and so called "party drugs".
A teenager that comes from a loving, caring home environment, a kid that plays sport with our kids, a polite and friendly kid ... a normal teenager.
A teenager who, without any trouble was able to purchase not only the drugs locally, but also being able to purchase alcohol while still underage.
The frightening thing is that incidents of this type will continue as long as information ports like the internet and YouTube glamorise the taking of party drugs, alcohol and prescription drugs as is exemplified in the Brittany Spears and Heath Ledger episodes.
As a mother of a teenager that walked away from a loving family environment a few years ago, I am not being judgemental but feel that I'm in a position to let other parents know that it can happen to any one of us when we least expect it.
So we need to be aware of our surroundings report anything that doesn't look right, check who our kids hang with and what they are doing on the internet and talk to them about the ill effects of such irresponsible behaviour as it not only affects them but a whole range of people, family, friends, teachers, workmates.
This incident also shows that there is some complacency with some of our liquor outlets in that ID is not being asked for when alcohol is being purchased.
Showing signage stating that ID may be asked for does not get them off the hook for not asking in the first place.
And lastly the "party drug" dealers, someone must know them?
Please report them to the police - next time the ending may not be a happy one and it maybe your child!
Cindy Matthews
Roxby Downs
Email a friend
Favourites
Del.icio.us
Facebook
Digg
StumbleUpon
MySpace
Reddit
Newsvine
LinkedIn
Kwoff