Published Tuesday, April 29, 2008 9:43 AM
Updated Tuesday, April 29, 2008 9:44 AM

 

Guest Editorial

Drug fight involves persistence, awareness and action


This is the first of several columns I have written for the purpose of educating the public about traffic and safety issues. I would like to talk about something that affects everyone, especially our children, in one way or another: illegal drugs.

They come in many forms, and their monetary value varies, but they all share some things in common. They all destroy lives, tear apart families, and place a strain on our economy. Illegal drugs have become a national disaster, ongoing and persistent.

We have and will continue to fight with great persistence here in Berkeley County, but you still need to educate you children, be aware, and take action.

First, talk to your children.

Telling them to just say no may not be enough. If you have children you should know that there are dealers who are looking to make them life-long customers, not friends. Educate them. Let them know that they will be presented with opportunities to try or experiment with drugs, the most common being marijuana; that’s why it is called the threshold drug. It is mistakenly regarded as the least dangerous drug, and your kids will be told, “Everyone does it. It’s okay. It’s harmless.”

If they fall to the peer pressure, they are much more likely to try other drugs, many of which are highly addictive, and all of which have the ability to change them forever. This fact alone makes it dangerous, not to mention the health issues, and issues related with a child who has an even lower ability to decide what type of behavior is right, or safe, and which type is wrong, or unsafe.

Second, be aware about what is going on around you.

There are a few indicators that you can be on the look out for. If you notice small burn holes in clothing, or if you notice small round burns on the seats or carpet of your home or vehicle, it may be caused by marijuana seeds that pop when the marijuana is being smoked.

If you see large amounts of discarded tobacco you should know that cigars are used to smoke marijuana. Drug users unpeel the cigar and discard the tobacco inside, replacing it with an illegal drug. Other things to look for include torn plastic bags, sandwich bags with the corners cut out, and jewelry bags.

Many of the drugs sold on the streets are packaged this way. Soda cans or beer cans are also used as homemade pipes. Cans with multiple small holes and soot marks are again just another indicator. Keep an eye out for spoons with a residue in them and burn marks underneath, syringes, glass pipes, and metal ones that look like a four to six inch piece of a radio antenna with burn marks on one end. If you see any of these things, become aware. Changed behavior, falling grades, loss of appetite, and apathy are some others. These are indicators only, sot solid evidence, but if you see this, know the possibilities.

Third, take action.

If drugs have already made an impact on your family, you are not alone, and you don’t have to give up on the ones you love. Seek help for your children through the Sheriff’s Office Crime Prevention Officer who will meet with and talk to your kids about the real impact of their decisions.

You can also seek out treatment options for those with addictions. If drugs are sold on your street, you are not alone either. Help us in our fight. Call the drug tip line to provide information from anywhere in the county using any of the following numbers and leave as detailed a message as possible. You can leave your name or you can remain anonymous.

St. Stephen area call 567-3136, and Moncks Corner area call 719-4692. Other calling areas like Summerville, Goose Creek, and Hanahan call 723-3800 ext. 4692.