This was just forwarded to me from a treatment center in CA. THIS IS HUGE!!! This is what I feared/suspected would happen all along. I can't say I'm surprised and, unfortunately, Brett may have been become one of these kids if Salvia hadn't taken him down long before now. How very sad this all is. Why is our country and the DEA so slow to react to these things?? Why can't we be more proactive instead of so reactive. Does another family have to lose their child before we wake up??
Friday, December 14, 2007
Salvia Divinorum Appears in Teen Drug Treatment
The use of Salvia Divinorum by teens entering teen drug treatment centers is becoming more common. Salvia Divinorum is a potent hallucinogen. Its effects on teen drug abusers have been compared to LSD. Salvia is a member of the sage family, and is a powerful psychoactive drug. Salvia can be chewed but is most commonly smoked as it produces a stronger effect. When smoked its effects last from five to ten minutes. "This shorter high is attractive to a teen that is trying to get high between classes or while in their bedroom..." Says a teen drug treatment client. This is a much shorter time span than other hallucinogens, but the effect has been described as having the same intensity. The effects of salvia range from a mild sense of wellbeing to a full on psychedelic trip that can cause a complete disconnection between the user and reality.The surprising fact about Salvia is that it is one hundred percent legal in every country except Australia. (NOT TRUE!) This includes all US states. (AGAIN, NO TRUE. ) Because Salvia is legal it is commonly sold in cigar shops, all natural stores, and over the Internet. Salvia is also fairly cheap.This makes Salvia extremely accessible to teenagers. Teenagers are able to walk into the smoke shop and purchase this strong psychedelic drug with no imposing consequences. Because of these factors Salvia is extremely appealing to teens that cannot legally buy alcohol or do drugs.While it is impossible to overdose on Salvia there are still many dangers involved in using the drug. Most teenagers smoke Salvia with marijuana making the act illegal. Salvia has also been known to cause depression post use. This was most highly publicized in the case of Brett Chidester, a 17-year-old student from Delaware, who reportedly killed himself after using Salvia. Although these risks do exist there has been no legislation passed to make Salvia illegal. (NOT TRUE). This makes a dangerous drug available to teenagers everywhere. It is expected that the cases of young people entering teen drug treatment will rise as long as this drug is so readily available to them.
Labels: salvia, salvia divinorum, teen-drug-treatment, teenagers
posted by Visions Adolescent Treatment Center @ 6:39 AM
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
"Goofy Brett' as he labeled this pic.
I found this picture on Brett's camera after he had passed on, along with tons of him and Lauren. No surprise there. This is again, just SO Brett, goofing. I love it. It always gives me a smile, no matter how down I am. Then I think "He'll be gone less than a month after he took this." Jan. 23, 2006 will forever be etched in my memory.THIS CHRISTMAS THINK OF OTHERS
I know Brett would wish for everyone to take care of someone less fortunate this season. He believed so much in helping others. He never wanted his buddies to see that side of him but I saw it all the time. Shortly after he passed away I found this essay he wrote when he was 13. I don't remember it but it brought me to tears when I found it. It makes me so proud, even now, that he was so proud of me. I knew he loved me but to see this in writing, especially the last line "I'm just so glad I'm related to her." just blows me away every time I read it.
ONE THING I WILL SAY TO PARENTS EVERYWHERE: This essay shows that your children do watch exactly what you do, they do notice what you do for less fortunate, they do compare you to others. Will you come up short or will your child compare you to the Good Samaritan? Remember this, when you're complaining about not having enough time, when you're running here and there, pushing your kid's onto soccer, ballet, swim team, worrying about your next outfit, your next 4WD gas guzzler, your Starbucks $8 cup of coffee, some little boy or girl may be following your lead.
Here's my sweet Brett's essay in it's entirety:
"Although I know many people who resemble the Good Samaritan, I think my mother is the best of them all. She has helped so many people that it would be impossible to count them all. They range from every race, religion, or cultural background you could think of. Since it would be impossible to list all of her good deeds, I will list the ones that I think had the greatest influence on my life.
The greatest thing she has done lately is volunteering to teach cooking classes at a halfway house called Sojourners' Place. When I saw the looks on the peoples faces there after she had taught them how to cook, I could tell they were very grateful for the time she had taken to be with them. Last Christmas, she bought toys for the orphans at Our Lady of Grace home. The children were extremely happy when they saw their new gifts. She also regularly helps out and donates food, clothes and toys to the Ronald McDonald House. The Ronald McDonald House is a place where people can live while their children are being operated on at A.I DuPont Hospital. Another one of her many good deeds is volunteering at the Emmanuel Dining Room where she serves lunch to the homeless. Also, there is man in our neighborhood who is very elderly and uses a walker to get around. Since he uses a walker, it takes about 2 hours to go 1 mile. Whenever my mom sees him walking, she will always pick him up, no matter what her schedule or how late we are. He appreciates it so much. The deeds I have just listed are good deeds my mom does for less fortunate people.
Some other deeds she does are for people who are as fortunate as we are, but they just need some extra help. She has been a volunteer for the historic Chalfonte Hotel, built in 1874, in Cape May, NJ for over 20 years! She has stenciled over 50 rooms, free of charge. She spends 2 weekends a year donating her time to make the hotel a better place to visit. One of the most important things she has done is being an officer for the Wilmington Ski Club for over 7 years. Without pay, she runs ski trips out west and to Europe. She also does all the club's accounting. She always tells me that this was A LOT of work. She was a committee member for a 5K walk and she has also helped in the March of Dimes walk-a-thon 4 different years.
When my mom volunteers or helps out, I usually go with her. She thinks it is very important that I see how lucky I am. I watch the peoples' faces while she's helping them and after she has helped. Whether it's poor, homeless, or rich people, they always look extremely happy and grateful. I can never count how many times I hear "Thank you!" Whenever I see the people thanking her I get a feeling of happiness. I can tell they really like her and wish she would come back again. She usually does help them again, she doesn't know how to say no to people who need her help. My mom works full time and has 2 little part time jobs but she always finds the time to volunteer. In conclusion, I think my mom is the greatest person and she is the most like the Good Samaritan of all the people I know. And I'm just so glad I'm related to her.
Brett Chidester
8B
... and his teacher wrote "Grade :A You have something to be proud of to have such a giving parent!"
ONE THING I WILL SAY TO PARENTS EVERYWHERE: This essay shows that your children do watch exactly what you do, they do notice what you do for less fortunate, they do compare you to others. Will you come up short or will your child compare you to the Good Samaritan? Remember this, when you're complaining about not having enough time, when you're running here and there, pushing your kid's onto soccer, ballet, swim team, worrying about your next outfit, your next 4WD gas guzzler, your Starbucks $8 cup of coffee, some little boy or girl may be following your lead.
Here's my sweet Brett's essay in it's entirety:
"Although I know many people who resemble the Good Samaritan, I think my mother is the best of them all. She has helped so many people that it would be impossible to count them all. They range from every race, religion, or cultural background you could think of. Since it would be impossible to list all of her good deeds, I will list the ones that I think had the greatest influence on my life.
The greatest thing she has done lately is volunteering to teach cooking classes at a halfway house called Sojourners' Place. When I saw the looks on the peoples faces there after she had taught them how to cook, I could tell they were very grateful for the time she had taken to be with them. Last Christmas, she bought toys for the orphans at Our Lady of Grace home. The children were extremely happy when they saw their new gifts. She also regularly helps out and donates food, clothes and toys to the Ronald McDonald House. The Ronald McDonald House is a place where people can live while their children are being operated on at A.I DuPont Hospital. Another one of her many good deeds is volunteering at the Emmanuel Dining Room where she serves lunch to the homeless. Also, there is man in our neighborhood who is very elderly and uses a walker to get around. Since he uses a walker, it takes about 2 hours to go 1 mile. Whenever my mom sees him walking, she will always pick him up, no matter what her schedule or how late we are. He appreciates it so much. The deeds I have just listed are good deeds my mom does for less fortunate people.
Some other deeds she does are for people who are as fortunate as we are, but they just need some extra help. She has been a volunteer for the historic Chalfonte Hotel, built in 1874, in Cape May, NJ for over 20 years! She has stenciled over 50 rooms, free of charge. She spends 2 weekends a year donating her time to make the hotel a better place to visit. One of the most important things she has done is being an officer for the Wilmington Ski Club for over 7 years. Without pay, she runs ski trips out west and to Europe. She also does all the club's accounting. She always tells me that this was A LOT of work. She was a committee member for a 5K walk and she has also helped in the March of Dimes walk-a-thon 4 different years.
When my mom volunteers or helps out, I usually go with her. She thinks it is very important that I see how lucky I am. I watch the peoples' faces while she's helping them and after she has helped. Whether it's poor, homeless, or rich people, they always look extremely happy and grateful. I can never count how many times I hear "Thank you!" Whenever I see the people thanking her I get a feeling of happiness. I can tell they really like her and wish she would come back again. She usually does help them again, she doesn't know how to say no to people who need her help. My mom works full time and has 2 little part time jobs but she always finds the time to volunteer. In conclusion, I think my mom is the greatest person and she is the most like the Good Samaritan of all the people I know. And I'm just so glad I'm related to her.
Brett Chidester
8B
... and his teacher wrote "Grade :A You have something to be proud of to have such a giving parent!"
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