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Original poster

Is my son on drugs?

59 replies

sharry · 26/06/2005 20:17

We have been a little suspicious of our 16yr old son lately. Yesterday while doing the washing an awfull smell came from the tumble dryer, I thought a dead animal had crawled behind to die but today while emptying the dryer found two small plastic bag packages neatly tied inside was small bits of green, stalky stuff?? Befor we confront him we would really like to know what it is! Remember it has been washed and tumbled dry we have no idea what it is apart from it has a smell neither of us can identify! But it stinks.

OP posts:
lemonice · 26/06/2005 20:54

that what was what I meant just ask him either directly by giving it back to him or through his brother...but it is also stronger than weed and there are suggestions that it may have long term effects in susceptible teenagers ...

colditz · 26/06/2005 20:55

Also, it is not physically addictive, but can be a problem if there are underlying mental health problems

Original poster
sharry · 26/06/2005 20:57

My son is 16 not 20!!!
He also works hard and SAVES hard i really don't want him to waste a years hard graff/wages on this or his friends. What i am concerned with is that his is passing it on to his younger friends.

OP posts:
HappyHuggy · 26/06/2005 20:57

I know what you mean about having a sniff..... memories of finding beavus and butthead hysterical spring to mind..... oh the shame of it

lemonice · 26/06/2005 20:59

sorry i thought you mentioned a 20 year old sibling and thought if you didn't want to ask directly you could ask him/her..it can effect teens so ask him what it is and where he got it...

HappyMumof2 · 26/06/2005 21:00

Message withdrawn

lemonice · 26/06/2005 21:03

my ds is 17 so if i found something similar i would either get one of his sisters to make enquiries or i would put it on his pillow for example and say in a note this was in your jeans, i'm worrying what is it?

lemonice · 26/06/2005 21:06

occasional use is not likely to be a problem and is common place but extended use for susceptible teens could be a mental health issue...

happymerryberries · 26/06/2005 21:07

Latest advice that I read in the Times Ed this week is that the younger they are when they use canabis the greater the liklyhood of schizophrenia in later life.

Original poster
sharry · 26/06/2005 21:07

Well HappyHuggy you should have walked passed my house yesterday! the smell was unbelievable and had there been sniffer dogs they all surely would have been at the end of my road, the fumes from the tumble dryer could have made Glastonbury tame! I thought it smellt awfull. The cat up the road is known for catching rats/mice I really thought that there was something dead hidden away .

OP posts:
HappyHuggy · 26/06/2005 21:07

I think that if my mom had asked me what it was when i was 17, then my first reaction would have been to be defensive and deny i knew anything about it. I know this isnt much help, but am trying to look fromhis perspective. He probably thinks it harmless, all his mates are doing it and its a laugh. How often does he go out with his mates? Is he still at school? Have you noticed any other signs, like his eyes being red or dilated or his clothes smelling, eating and sleeping alot?

I think the best thing to do would be to get him some leaflets and leave them in his room for him to read, dont give him the stuff back, chuck it.

I dont know if theres much else you can do other than tell him not to bring it into your house cause you cant watch him 24/7

sorry thats not much help.

Original poster
sharry · 26/06/2005 21:20

My son left education last year at the age of 16 -a disfunctional boy who thinks education and him don't get along! He's dyslexic. The last year we have been so proud as he works his a** off two jobs both hard physical jobs. But he has saved nearly all of his wages for the last year! a tidy some and with no girls on the scene but friends who are younger and tbh seem dross! skive school etc and while we respect his work ethic you cannot pick/choose their friends for them, but are concerned that he is in a posititonj that many would take advantage of (given the chance)

OP posts:
Original poster
sharry · 26/06/2005 21:33

Thank you ALL for help and your honesty.
When we found the 'skunk' and DH asked who can we ask about this? The trouble is you can't really approach people you know to answer your question, this may lead them to believe that they 'use' drugs!
There was only one place where I could ask that question MUMS NET to the rescue once again!

Thank you all, big hugs all round
sharry

OP posts:
charleepeters · 26/06/2005 21:39

Yep thats weed - can get stinky depending on the variety of skunk - it can be really strong or can be weak - i bet he wont be happy you washed it though! they smoke it in joints/pipes/bongs. it costs about £20-£25 for an 1/8 and most people who smoke it smoke it regarly.

if you have any questions feel free to ask

AuntyQuated · 26/06/2005 21:43

oh no sharry!!

what you going to do? tackle him, ask DD to do it, say nowt?

how about reading thro' Lou's web link and then tackling him all knowledgeable about it..."what you doing with skunk? did you know it can do XYZ to young people who smoke it?"

charleepeters · 26/06/2005 21:45

Sharry - i used to be a heavy skunk smoke in my youth and did nothing but for about a year, in my experience your son may be very paranoid and have mood swings so he probably wont want to talk about it. i know that wont be what you wanted to hear just wanted to give you a heads up that he may not be open about it.

lemonice · 26/06/2005 22:57

my ds is also dyslexic, what job is yours doing?

lunachic · 26/06/2005 23:30

for what its worth i would say the bigger problem you make it the bigger problem it will be(or become)
i would say that the biggest problem with skunk would be lack of motivation of some people who use it but if your son is working hard doing two kobs this isnt a problem.
a lot of people now think thats its a good alternative to alcohol which many problems associated with it
and btw its not physically addictive though its said to be psychologically addictive
the only other thought i have is that id rather be with someone whose smoked too much weed than someone whose had too much to drink everytime
btw it cant kill you smoke too much and youll probably just fall asleep !

charliep is it ok if i cat you this weeek about your mum doing a reading for me please dreamt about her the other night after we talked and id like to check the dream out with you see if it was her !

lunachic · 26/06/2005 23:31

whoops meant jobs not kobs lol

charleepeters · 26/06/2005 23:37

Feel free Lunachic

lunachic · 26/06/2005 23:43

thanks charlie will do

lunachic · 26/06/2005 23:48

your son sounds like he is doing so well sharry you should be really proud of him
i know its not my place to say but please dont come down on him like a ton of bricks cause i can almost assure you it wont help matters
approach him calmly
ill try and find a good link for you to a web site that can give you some facts and help and info

sparklymieow · 26/06/2005 23:50

yep defo. skunk. I hate the smell of it. You roll it into a spliff and smoke it. No advice on how to bring it up with your son though.

Original poster
sharry · 21/07/2005 14:25

UPDATE!
We have found out lots about drugs spoken to other proffessionals advice. Discussed with son who said tht he would think about giving it up. All his friends take it and their parents know (he said). However, as we were suspicious asked to see his building soc book and he has spent 1,500 on drugs in 6wks. Apparently buying them for a friend. The more I find out the more it seems it isn't a problem for my son but it is a big issue for us as parents. He came on stoned at the weekend, we have also discovered that one of his friends family with whom he is friendly with have recently had a child taken into care and do drugs themselves. We have tried to keep him busy on his days off- he is having lots of time off work. We have approached his friends parents, who all did know and are as concerned as we are, however, as the boys aren't open to one another about how parents feel we think we should have a meeting with them all, boys and fathers that is. I have spoken to our health visitor and the local police who have been supportive. I think I know the lad who is supplying them, and I am considering approaching him myself. To say that if his is the person (who knows my son, then if I was him I would tread very carefully, then to tell his mother i was asking after her!
I swing from being to and to be honest desperate in the quest to help him, or alternatively help him find another home.

OP posts:
Skribble · 22/07/2005 01:32

The problem often isn't the drug and its effects itself but who they buy it from and the kind of people that this brings them in contact with. I have no idea how I would tackle this.

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