Another drug-related death

Another drug-related death of a young man (in his 20s) this week (not to mention the gentleman in his 50s or the woman in her 30s, they are no less tragic and they also died drug-related deaths this week)

He died of heroin intoxication, abuse, over-use. What also stood out with this young man is that when we tested several items from his room for drug residue we came up with results that beg action or reaction. We found a dollar bill with heroin residue, cocaine residue on his dresser, cocaine and THC residue on a small scale in his room, and a part of a jeweler’s screwdriver with THC residue.

Youthful experimenting? To me it screams the need to get honest information repetitively out to the public (how do you get it to the youth of our community?). Among other important bits of information, that the heroin on our streets right now is potent and particularly deadly. We must develop and push prevention; we must develop and push treatment.

It will be work, hard work, but aren’t these folks worth it?

Suicidal Thoughts ~ watch your child

I read Dr. Keller's blog everyday.
I find information that helps guide me through this process of losing a child.
I share all of this with you so that maybe just maybe you would 'get it'

- we, yes we as parents are responsible for gaining the knowledge and passing it on to your children, not the teachers in the public schools, yes they need to be educated as well.

Excuse me! Did you know that Suicide, not accidents, not homicide, is now the third leading cause of death of high school students doesn't this disturb you.
The world is different, the world has changed.

- we must teach and education them at a younger age
- we as parents can change the future of our children
- we need to wake up and "Smell the Rose's"

What do they say - learn something new everyday, well keep clicking, dig deeper ~ trust me this is just a small start!

New York Times

Symptoms
Early signs:
Depression
Statements or expressions of guilt feelings
Tension or anxiety
Nervousness
Impulsiveness
Critical signs:
Sudden change in behavior, especially calmness after a period of anxiety Giving away belongings, attempts to "get one's affairs in order" Direct or indirect threats to commit suicide Direct attempts to commit suicide.
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Suicide: premeditated vs. "crime" of passion
Friday, July 11, 2008,
Dr. Richard Keller - blog post

I came across an interesting article this week (via the NAME list serv) about suicide. Early on it brings up an interesting statistic that “the nation’s suicide rate (11 per 100,000 inhabitants) is almost precisely what it was in 1965”. Despite all the research, all the programs, all the new medications, the rate has not changed in over 40 years. That really is startling.

The author, as well as some researchers, feels that that is due to a dichotomy in suicidal behavior, much as there is in homicide. He discusses a premeditation vs. passion division amongst deaths by suicide. The premeditated suicides are most easily impacted by programs, medications, and therapy. The passion or impulsive suicides not so much. His discussion resonates with my experience.

The impulsive suicides are best impacted by creating “barriers to suicide or means restriction”. This was well documented (and then ignored) in the 60s and 70s in Great Britain. Death by suicide dropped by a third with the change from coal-gas to natural gas stoves during those decades. In the 50s “sticking one’s head in the oven” accounted for half of all British suicides. "Many of those were impulsive acts using a means with little time for second thoughts". “Remove it, and the process slowed down; it allowed time for the dark passion to pass".

We need to modify how we address death by suicide, how we think about death by suicide. They are not homogeneous (neither the individuals nor the methods) and likely require multiple, varied interventions. Youth particularly fall into the more impulsive category, making brief, timely interventions critical. This recognition of differences can lead to more successful intervention.

But never lose sight of the underlying condition:

"They had wanted their inner pain to stop; they wanted some measure of relief; and this was the only answer they could find. They were in spiritual agony, and they sought a physical solution."

Listen to him ~ HEAR HIM SPEAK!

Never to young for a lullaby ~

Life has becomes an unexpected pleasure for me, this may sound a tad like I
just fell off my rocker, grief can be what I call "Good Grief" ~ just like Charlie Brown ~
I have learned from this tragedy is that you are never to old for a lullaby!
I sang these when he was born, and I sang these songs to him six months ago~

Hush, little baby, don't say a word.
Mama's gonna buy you a mockingbird

And if that mockingbird won't sing,
Mama's gonna buy you a diamond ring

And if that diamond ring turns brass,
Mama's gonna buy you a looking glass

And if that looking glass gets broke,
Mama's gonna buy you a billy goat

And if that billy goat won't pull,
Mama's gonna buy you a cart and bull

And if that cart and bull turn over,
Mama's going to buy you a dog named Rover.

And if that dog named Rover won't bark,
Mama's going to buy you a horse and cart.

And if that horse and cart fall down,
You'll still be the sweetest little baby in town.

Are you sleeping, are you sleeping?
My son Jon, My Son Jon?
Morning bells are ringing, morning bells are ringing
Ding dang dong, ding dang dong.

"What is lovely never dies, put passes into other loveliness"
Thomas Bailey Aldrich

I love you a bushel and a Peck and a Hug around the Neck!
xoxo ma