HEADLINE: BC Teacher Aide Arrested

A story came out this week and is being shared all over social media about the teacher's aide who was arrested at the school she worked. Not only was she high on the job but she was also charged with possession while in the school.

Berkeley County, W.Va., Teacher Aide Charged With Possession of a Controlled Substance

I would like to thank the journalist who reported this story fairly and accurately. I read the Herald-Mail now because our own local paper really doesn't report a lot of local news. If you are a criminal or charged with a drug violation they have an entire section of the paper dedicated to the listing of the charges. Not many stories follow, just listings of names and a few times after hearings. 

Sometimes there is an occasional story about those charged and sentenced for crimes relating to drug dealing. I often wonder what is wrong with a system that the drug dealers often get no or little time sentence for drug dealing, but those who commit crimes due to their addiction are given maximum sentences.

I personally have so many mixed emotions since this news came out. As a grandparent, I am angry because one of my grandkids goes to that school. It just proves what I have said all along, drugs are in the school system and not just at the student level.

As a mother of addicts- clean today, struggling daily, my heart goes out to that person and her family because as I've said so many times, heroin and addiction do not discriminate. This story just like many others of professionals proves it doesn't matter who you are or what profession you have, so many people struggle with addiction to heroin.

I am also angry that this proves that apparently, teachers and BOE workers are not being drug tested. 

Honestly (and in my opinion) this answers so many questions and proves that testing needs to be done each year before the start of the school year and randomly throughout the year. 

I think all state workers, not just a selected few need to be drug tested especially if their paychecks are coming from taxpayer money in the state.

I also think this needs to be done as high as the government level- governor, senators, and representatives- and right on down the chain to all of those in any state paying jobs.

I hope that the person accused will receive drug counseling and help.

The story reported by Matthew Umstead @ Herald-Mail

© 2018 Gossip Girl

The Kids of the Heroin Epidemic

Today is Day eleven of the April A-Z Blogging Challenge and the day for the letter K. Today's post is about the kids of this crisis. 

This generation of children is facing something that none of us will ever know. It saddens me to say that my own grandchildren are now part of the statistical numbers of children affected by addiction.

There is a word entering the vocabulary during this epidemic in this country. That word is called, "grand-parenting". It's not really a new word. Grandparents have taken on the role of caregivers and parents in this country since time began. Today, however, it is happening more than ever with this heroin and the opioid crisis in our country.

Foster systems in this country are now being pushed to the max more than ever. Children are being

Please God, I'm Only 17

This was posted in a Dear Abby Column circa late 1970's early 1980's. My mom clipped it a very long time ago and gave it to me a very long time ago. It is worth sharing!

The day I died was an ordinary school day. How I wish I had taken the bus! But I was too cool for the bus. I remember how I wheedled the car out of Mom. ``Special favor,`` I pleaded. ``All the kids drive.`

When the 2:50 bell rang, I threw all my books in the locker. I was free until 8:40 tomorrow morning! I ran to the parking lot, excited at the thought of driving a car and being my own boss. Free!

It doesn`t matter how the accident happened. I was goofing off--going too fast. Taking crazy chances. But I was enjoying my freedom and having fun. The last thing I remember was passing an old lady who seemed to be going awfully slow. I heard a deafening crash and I felt a terrible jolt. Glass and steel flew everywhere. My whole body seemed to be turning inside out. I heard myself scream.

Suddenly I awakened; it was very quiet. A police officer was standing over me. Then I saw a doctor. My body was mangled. I was saturated with blood. Pieces of jagged glass were sticking out all over. Strange that I couldn`t feel anything.

Hey, don`t pull that sheet over my head! I can`t be dead. I`m only 17. I`ve got a date tonight. I`m supposed to grow up and have a wonderful life. I haven`t lived yet. I can`t be dead.

Later I was placed in a drawer. My folks had to identify me. Why did they have to see me like this? Why did I have to look at Mom`s eyes when she faced the most terrible ordeal of her life? Dad suddenly looked like an old man. He told the man in charge, ``Yes, he is my son.``

The funeral was a weird experience. I saw all my relatives and friends walk toward the casket. They passed by, one by one, and looked at me with the saddest eyes I`ve ever seen. Some of my buddies were crying. A few of the girls touched my hand and sobbed as they walked away.

Please--somebody--wake me up! Get me out of here! I can`t bear to see my mom and dad so broken up. My grandparents are so racked with grief they can hardly walk. My brother and sisters are like zombies. They move like robots. In a daze, everybody! No one can believe this. And I can`t believe it, either.

Please don`t bury me! I`m not dead! I have a lot of living to do!

I want to laugh and run again.

I want to sing and dance.

Please don`t put me in the ground. I promise if you give me just one more chance, God, I`ll be the most careful driver in the whole world.

All I want is one more chance.

Please, God, I`m only 17!

Written by Unknown and posted by Dear Abby

When Is Enough, Enough?

When exactly is enough, enough?

How many more lives will our community lose to heroin, opiates, addiction and overdose before enough is enough?

If this disease doesn't affect you today, how can you be so sure it

Gracies Secret

Meet Grace. At nine years old she has a big secret. Grace knows first-hand that life can be difficult. Her parents aren't very happy. Their arguing is giving her a stomach ache.

She spends a lot of time alone, worrying. Are her parents problems her fault? Had she done something wrong?

Grace pretends everything is fine, but it's not. She feels helpless and has learned that making things up is easier than telling the truth. One big question haunts her every day.

Will her family ever be happy again?

This book is perfect for a child with a difficult home life. Divorce, addiction, mental health issues and more can cause children to feel alone, anxious and afraid.

Gracie's Secret addresses this by showing kids they aren't alone, and that they can feel better. With a workbook section for kids to understand their own issues and a message that talking to a safe person will help, Gracie's story can help kids cope.

A book written by Lorelie Rozanno and available on Amazon and is available in paperback.

Working Toward Real Solutions Extend Beyond The Village

I have been doing some Internet searches on Solutions to this Heroin Epidemic here in our community seeking out webpages from those in larger cities. Many of the larger cities have come up with some great ideas for solutions that are working in their communities. I seek and read just to see if our community is working on real solutions towards combatting

Back To School Reminder: Our Kids Are Dying

Yesterday our kids went back to school here in Berkeley County (WV). Facebook reminders told us to watch out for the school buses on the roadways. I read reminders from driving carefully because of the small children on the bus stops to reminders to stop for the flashing red school bus lights.

BUT...

Challenge Myself: Day #66 Family Projects

Today is Day #66 of our Nar Anon Group Just For Today Challenge. I am also integrating the Live Happy into my Challenge. The Live Happy Challenge for today is to spend one hour working on a family project, or an arts and crafts.

What child doesn't like this idea?

Back when my kids were growing up we sent them to Vacation Bible School. Not just Bible School at our church, every church here in town. They loved the crafts and projects and for a time our house displayed macaroni picture frames and birdhouses made with popsicle sticks.

The book says,

After the dishes are done and the homework has been put away, turn off the television and turn on your creativity.

Get out the craft box and create something fun, whimsical, or beautiful with your kids.

Quality time with your children is never wasted. They need time with you to feel loved and wanted. Instead of allowing them to sit in front of the television and get bombarded with undesirable messages, establish an hour of family fellowship, and watch them thrive.

I've made homemade play dough for my grandson. You don't have to be artistic to be creative. If you have young children Lowes and Home Depot have projects for young children also.

Also if you live local don't forget the Be-Hive for kids 13 and under. Visit their webpage @ Be-Hive
The Be-Hive is great family fun. They do arts and crafts as well as learn fun and exciting things.

Just For Today: I will close my eyes, breathe and allow for some creative ideas to flow into my mind.

Here is a link to some kids project ideas:
23 DIY Projects For Kids

From the book: Live Happy

If Only... The Opioid Movie

If Only, follows the story of two teenage boys who experiment with and become addicted to drugs.

From YouTube

It Seems To Fall On Deaf Ears

On May 12th I stood in front of the Mayor of Martinsburg and the City Council (those few that attended the meeting) and read our petition to them. I also told them on that day that this reaches into our schools here. In light of the recent OD's and the two deaths of the young Spring Mills High School Graduates and students I wonder if my words fell on deaf ears that day? Did they not believe me that this has already reached into the school system here in Martinsburg and Berkeley County?

I have no clue what more it is going to take for our leaders to wisen up to this problem here. How many more will need to die while our leaders set idly by?

It is really amazing the struggle in getting people just to sign the

A Young Voice Speaking Out About Our Heroin Epidemic Here

It is such a great thing to know that the younger generation is starting to speak out and joining in the fight

This video was made by Courtney Tomes, "After hearing about a recent passing of a peer due to a drug overdose, I had an idea to record myself talking to a friend about the drug epidemic in my area. Within the last few years some major drugs have made a huge impact on this community. It has always affected this area, however it just continues to get worse. I decided to share this video in hopes to raise awareness about this issue."

Thank you so much Courtney. It took a lot of courage for you to stand up and speak out among your peers. Thank you for all that you are doing.

Educating Is The First Step

Whenever I see an opening in conversation I like to throw in some education on heroin, opiates, drugs and addiction.

When I read, see or hear some trash talk conversation or those seem to talk clueless about heroin and addiction I normally start with:

Not one person ever wakes up one morning, bored and says, "hmmmm I think I'll become a heroin addict today."

If We Do Nothing...

About a month ago I held a Community Awakening, Memorial and Vigil to bring attention to our growing heroin epidemic here in Berkley County, West Virginia.

This event was to bring us all together in one place. That place is the site of the proposed treatment center here in Martinsburg, West Virginia.

About fifty people attended from various groups here in the county. All of us coming together as one. The goal I had in mind then is still the goal I have in mind today. We have to make them see in such a way that they cannot deny this problem any longer. This will not go away on it's own.

Although a month ago I still remember the words of Mr. James Boyd that day when he said,

"If we do nothing this will hit those who haven't even made it here yet."

Boy was he right. Yesterday I learned that three young people from our county who just graduated from high school six days ago are dead from an overdose. There was a graduation party this past weekend and from the stories I am hearing about it they apparently bought what they thought was cocaine. It was either pure heroin or it was cocaine laced with heroin I'm not sure which since our county officials- Sheriffs Department- has not come forward to the news paper with this story.

I am saddened, but I am not shocked or surprised.

I am saddened that another family is going through this; yet I'm not shocked or surprised that this has happened.

WV Drug Report Card

West Virginia had the Highest Rate of Youth Drug Overdose Death Rates, Rate has Tripled in Just Over a Decade

West Virginia's Report Card.

You know we have a lot of work to do when kids are finding ways to chase a high by means of

• Getting high by ingesting Morning Glory Seeds
• Young girls putting drugs on tampons and inserting them to get a bigger high
• Drinking Fizzy Which is putting poppy seeds in water, shaking them really hard to split the seeds and then drinking the water.
• Smoking Alcohol
• Eyeballing- Pouring vodka in their eyeball.
• Drank- Jolly Ranchers, Cough Syrup and Sprite
• Robo Tripping- Drinking cough syrup
• Boozy Bears/Gummy Shots- Gummy Bears soaked in vodka
• Purple Wave, Zoom, Vanilla Sky Cloud Nine- Bath Salts
• Blaze, Bliss, Black Mamba, Bombay Blue, Pulse, Hush, Mystery, Earthquake, Serenity, Red X Dawn Stinger, Zohia, Summit, Genie - Names for Spice
• They are smoking the kitchen spice Nutmeg
• They inhale Mothballs
• Beezin- Rubbing Burts Bee's lip balm on your eyelid
• Cheese- Tylenol PM mixed with heroin. Costs $2
• Smoking Catnip- Yep the stuff found in pet stores
• Many more just like these

You may also want to study: The Teen Drug Slang Dictionary For Parents

Other Links:

Bath Salts

There Is A Support Group For Children

I recently learned that there is a support group for children quite similar to NarAnon. It's called S.T.E.P.

Among the many things offered by STEP is Mental Health Services-weekly discussion groups led by a licensed social worker, individual counseling, family counseling, case management

Here is the information for STEP:

Contact Liz Lundberg
Phone 304-260-0400

613 Winchester Ave in Martinsburg WV. It is located near the Rite Aid
Their website is found @ S.T.E.P. Success Through Empowerment Program

I haven't yet had a chance to contact them to get more information on this program. Due to having young grandchildren myself, I know that children need a place to go too. They need a place with other children who are going through this so that they know they are not alone. They need a place where there is no ridicule or fear that their parents, grandparent, aunt or uncle or loved one will not be arrested and put in jail.
Trust me, many children will clam up because of that fear. They do not want to see their loved one go to jail. They want them to be well and get better again and free of the addiction.