black elk

Found a card in my mailbox today from a woman I admire so very much.

"Grown men may learn from very little children, for the hearts of little children are pure, and, therefore, the Great Spirit may show to them many things which older people miss."

Credit - CL's Kids cards 2009 collection - created by Primary School Students on the Pine Ridge Reservation.

Nicholas Black Elk a famous Wichasha Wakan (Medicine Man or Holy Man) He participated at about the age of twelve in the Battle of Little Big Horn of 1876, and was wounded in the massacre that occurred at Wounded Knee in 1890.

I am attending the Drug Forum at the Buffalo Grove High School this evening, but the way things are panning out in the news lately ~

WHO is listening to the children?

Lake County Daily Herald TODAY ~

Lake County law enforcement officials say they're seeing a disturbing trend: an increase in heroin traffic.

The evidence county officials point to is the amount of heroin seized and several overdose deaths so far this year.

Keith Frederick, deputy director of the Lake County Metropolitan Enforcement Group -- the county wide drug enforcement agency --said heroin traffic increased possibly because the drug is cheap enough for younger users to purchase.

"It's also becoming more popular because there are different ways of ingesting it," Frederick said. "You don't just have to snort it or use a syringe, so it's easier to use."

It costs $10 to $15 for a quick fix of the drug, he said. One gram is equal to about 15 doses.

So far this year, 20 grams of heroin have been seized in Lake County. Four grams were seized in January and February, but 16 grams were taken in the past two weeks.

That's below the 31 grams seized in Lake County in all of 2007, and roughly the same amount -- 21 grams -- as in 2006, Frederick said.

"It's something we are definitely keeping our eye on," he said. "It seems like it's becoming more popular out here."

Lake County Coroner Richard Keller said there's also been a spike in fatal heroin overdoses.

Five heroin-related deaths have been recorded in 2008, and 12 in the past six months, Keller said. In all, heroin overdoses accounted for 18 deaths in 2007 and 16 in 2006.

"I am really concerned," he said.

Just this week, two Fox Lake residents died from what is believed to be a heroin overdose. Keller said he's awaiting toxicology reports for an official cause.

Across the border in northern Cook County, Palatine Police Cmdr. Alan Stoeckel said cocaine and heroin were found at the scene of two separate deaths in the past three months. They also are waiting for toxicology results before announcing an official cause of death.

Frederick said the deaths may occur because users do not know the purity of heroin being consumed.

Chemicals are used to dilute heroin because the human body cannot handle ingesting the drug in its purest form, he said.

"When you get heroin, you essentially don't know what you are getting," he said. "It's like playing Russian Roulette because you aren't sure on the purity or what's been used to dilute it."

While heroin use may be on the rise in Lake County, state drug officials said it is dropping nationally and remaining constant in Illinois.

Tony Rapac, head of the Illinois MEG Directors and Task Force Commander Association, said dealers in Lake County are trying to move in on new territory after leaving other territories.

"This sounds like it's one or two counties," he said. "And, it's probably one or two groups trying to make inroads in there."

Quote per Dr. Keller on the article above

My intent of the longer quote I gave him was that if this is indeed a trend of increased heroin use and death it is concerning on many levels.

Beyond just the toll of the heroin itself, its use is associated with increased participation in crime and violence, certainly negatively impacting the community. To address this problem we need a multi pronged approach with targeted law enforcement, and social prevention programs with treatment availability, to mention just a few parts of the attack. We must also be mindful that this is but one of the many problems that need to be addressed, but if we look for commonalities in approaches we might be able work effectively using a broadened scope and work under a rubric of community healing and wellness beyond individual wellness.

Your comments are welcome ~ thank you...

4 Sean ~ A friend's Nephew ~

A fellow glass beadmaker sent me an email the other day telling me about her sister, as her sister's situation is very similar to mine. Her son, like Jonathan was a wonderful smart, intellegent young adult who succumed to this sickness we call addition.

His short life ended at the age of 23 from Alchol poisoning.

I am grateful she emailed me, I was hesitant to call at first, but anyone really knows who I am I am not a shy woman. I am really not afraid to talk to a stranger, nor to tell it like it is.

I have spoken to other women on the phone who have lost children. I have found that with each and every conversation both parties came out winners. Although, I cannot feel the same feelings as the other women, nor can they feel the same feelings I feel about my child.

What we do have is a common bond, we have each lost a part of our soul. That feeling will never change, that feeling will never go away for any mother.

I did call her, we connected, we both cried, we both laughed & we were able to help each other.

I was going to post today all about what happened to me yesterday. I will share my feelings later. I find this more important right now.

We all have our demon's that we struggle with ~ my friend wants to simlply purchase a headstone to honor her nephew. I encourage you to click on this link to find out more about Sean & if you can please help.

4 Sean

Don't forget to sign the petition either. Thank you.

Buffalo Grove Skate Park

My son wrote many journals which I am finding all over the house.

This following entry seems to resume letter he was writing.

This entry includes a short note with regards to the proposal urging The Village of Buffalo Grove to build a Skate Park.

"I graduated with the class of 2005 from Adlai Stevenson High School located in Linconshire, IL.

For me attending High School wasn't as big of a hassle that my friends made it all out to be. I am a very ambitious person and hope one day I shall open a "Multi Media" company.

In 2001, six of my best friend's and I decided to talk to our village about a new idea for our community. We proposed a skate park to be built next to the already standing Busch Park, an outdoor roller, hockey rink. In our minds the skate park was to be a positive reinforcement our town could rely on as a fun and safe place for our future generations to recreate.

The Village vowed they'd supply a grant to build this park so long as we obtained a certain percentage of signatures on a petition. We accomplished our goal. What a feeling that was.

This accomplishment turned into a burning ambition to get ahead in life.