Summary of "Not My Child" (October 13, 2012)

IS YOUR CHILD AT RISK?

 

Denise Marano

ARC Manor Addiction & Recovery

• Warning signs:  mood swings, withdrawal from family and friends
• Drug abuse and suicide are linked.
• Suicide is the third leading cause of death among those who are15 to 24.
• Suicide is the sixth leading cause of death among those who are 5 to 15.
• The age range for starting to experiment with drugs is between 8 and 10.
• Watch for the triggers:  death of a parent, any major life change, trauma

Robin Davis

Armstrong County Detective

Former Chief of Police, Apollo, PA

• The first step is to admit there is a problem.  The second step is to begin with simple gatherings to create awareness and strategy.
• You need to be the parent, not the pal.
• Sometimes the only help left is to have your child arrested.  At least he/she will be in a safe environment.

Eric Altman

C & S Ambulance

First Responder / EMT

• Be involved in your child's life.
• Let your child know you believe in him and that you love him.
• Look for anything out of the ordinary.  Don't be too quick to blow it off as nothing.
• Kids today are under more pressure from more sources than ever before.
• Warning signs:  unusual change in sleeping patterns or eating habits
• Watch the quantity of your prescription medications.  Return any unused or unfinished prescriptions to a local pharmacy. 
• Males are four times as likely to succeed at suicide.
• Females will attempt suicide more than males.
• Anger fear and embarrassment are common emotions EMT's encounter from parents (at scenes of suicide or drug overdose).

Frank Pitzer

Deputy Sheriff, Armstrong County

• He represented the district attorney's office.
• Suicide rates are on the rise. 
• We must fight together as a community to protect our children.
• Parents are under pressure more than ever to make ends meet.  One consequence is that there is not enough time for quality investment in the children.
• Ask your children questions.  Ask their friends questions.  You'll be amazed what you'll learn.

Debbie Young

Founder of Save a Life Outreach

• Debbie knows firsthand the horrors of suicide.  Her 17-year-old son, Colton, committed suicide.
• 381,000 people each year due of suicide.  (That's only the reported and confirmed cases.)
• Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death across the board.
• There is 1 suicide in America every 14 minutes.
• 105 Americans commit suicide every day.
• Suicide is a surprise package -- a bomb that rips stability off its hinges.
• 1 hug is worth 1,000 words.
• Life is not fair.

Q & A

• "Skittles Party" > Each person who attends the "party" brings a variety of drugs.  Some are illegal drugs and others are prescription drugs.  All are thrown in a large bowl.  Participants grab a random handful and swallow them.  No one knows exactly what he/she is getting.
• Let your child's first exposure to the topics of suicide and drug abuse come from you, the parent.  You bring up the difficult topics.  You tell your children the truth.

Thank you to all our presenters.  You did a great job.  We appreciate your time, expertise and care.