Vi, so many people don't realize how dangerous many prescription drugs truly are!

Yes, I agree that marijuana would've been a better choice for your brother.

One or two of the Columbine shooters were on ritalin-type drugs when they committed their heinous crime. Ritalin and it's counterparts have the same effect on the brain that cocaine does. It is also in the same class as cocaine.

To learn more about antidepressants and ritalin check out Dr. Peter Breggins book, Toxic Psychiatry. He has several others but I can't remember the titles offhand. I've read them all.

Vi, I have read a couple times about your brother. You are remarkable. I don't know how one goes on after that. May God continue to heal your breaking heart when those memories of 1980 are stirred.

Ladybug,you're so right about the dangers of the prescription drugs. My grand nephew was given Ritalin for ADHD starting when he was six. My sister, Anita, who passed away in June was his grandmother. She raised all kinds of h..l with her former daughter-in-law to get the boy off of them, but the former dauthter-in-law would not listen. Anita even planned to adopt him at one point. It all fell through. By the time he was 18, he was off of Ritalin and went directly to hard illegal drugs. He's now in the state pen for an awful crime. It broke my sister's heart.

Dotsie, it's like everything else. At first, especially, you make it one day at a time, sometimes one hour at a time. A person can either allow all the tragedy to break them, or they can look deep inside and ask God, or your higher self, or whatever you want to call that which is greater than ourselves, what it is you were born to do. The answer will come - when there are no time limits placed on the request. That's what I did. I'm following the path, as best I can. Sometimes I get it right. Sometimes I don't. But in the doing, in the helping others, in the developing of my talents, I am using all that heartache to create beauty. That's why I believe we go through it.

I'm fine really. I am blessed in so many ways. I have a wonderful husband who loves me. I live a good life writing and painting and helping as I can. The only other thing I can really ask for is my books to be published. And that will come. I know it. I was born to do this.

Vi

[ December 05, 2005, 03:20 AM: Message edited by: Vi ]

At one time the Army would not take any young men who used ritalin after the age of eleven. That should tell you something.

I feel sorry for the kids who have been raised to think that some kind of prescription drug is the answer. It makes the pharmecuticals and doctors rich and ruins lives. It's really sad.

Ladybug, I appreciate your private messsage and have sent one in return. I only mention this here because I always think something important is going to disappear into the electronic abyss. A little paranoia on my part, I guess. You are indeed a loving person. Thank you for caring on so many levels.

When my daughter fell into a deep depression, we took her to a psychologist who wanted to admit her to a mental ward AND put her on drugs.

Oh, what would that do for her?

Tell her that she is crazy, and that she needs pills to be o.k.

Not in our house. It was risky, but paid off.

D.

Danita, my hats off to you as a smart parent. It would have been far easier to listen to the psychologist but you took the best advice that was given to you by your heart.

That's what truly saved your daughter.

We knew it was a gamble and that we were taking a chance, and I know it is not the answer for everyone. As you said, we followed our hearts.

She is VERY proud of the fact that she has never taken medications especially for depression...she is very strong.

I think alot of times the answer to teen stuggles is medications. What a crock of crap. Some kids need it - but not all do. It is such a quick fix.

I talked to a social worker friend of mine when all of this went down - and she said that a caring and supportive family that was present, was a good way to deal with such things.

Scary times I will say. I'm so thankful to seemingly be on the other side.

We go to the battered womens' shelter on Weds. to sign up to volunteer.

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger.

Danita

Danita, unfortunately, not all these young gals have the loving supportive family that your daughter has. She is so blessed. I think lots of parents are looking for quick fixes because they don't have the time to invest in their children. I'm with you. I'll take the time because I believe our children are our best investments.

Tell us about this shelter.

When all this was happening Dots WE felt like the minority becuz to get "good help" for a family member cost thousands, upon thousands of dollars...and we just didn't have it. So the good Lord orchestrated it so that we would have to do the work. We had lots of support from friends both professionals and those who had "just been through it"....the greatest encouragment came from the mothers who had children who even went through worse times (ran away, did major drugs, etc) and who now have productive, mature adult children. Talk about giving us hope.

It's a battered women's shelter -
we go tomorrow.

I believe they have about 10 women and 5 children.

This is primarily Bre's idea and her project for school - she is researching being a "life coach", and this is an area she wanted to work in.

We will go through some Domestic Violence training....and we will see where they need us to help.

I will keep everyone posted.

hugs,
danita