SWEEP THAT UNDER THE OTHER RUG

"What Do You Avoid"

I can go on many topics, but Politics is one thing I do avoid, religion is also a touchy subject, marriage, family issues, sexual orient, & social media.

There are things we can not avoid.  our daily lives exisit of bills, keeping a roof over your family's head, money and the list goes on.  I have not been able to write blogs on a daily basis as I would like to.  I have become so involved in helping to find solutions and implement programs along with several organizations.  Besides work, home, family life and keeping up on my studies it has been challenging, but I have learned to not overwhelm myself trying to do it all.  But, my involvement in OUR YOUTHS and an epidemic that has spreading like a wildfire has been my main focus these days.  I have been BLESSED to actually began doing Direct Practice in my Field of study. As a Youth Advocate/Counselor ; it is my obligation to make as many people aware of what is going on in our own homes, family and friends lives and share information I am experiencing and learning.

A few months ago, I begin volunteer at an Mental Health and Drug abuse facility for youths. It was heart-warmth to hear a young man who was battling with not only a drug addiction, but trying to also sale drugs to help his father who was  making minimum wage. To tell me on my first day, that I was like a "breath of fresh air".

I am asking EVERYONE of my Audience, readers, supporters ...AND especially, PARENTS TO WATCH YOUR CHILDREN~ Observe any unusal behavior, ask questions, find someone to support you, become a snooping and open-minded parent.  We are living in different times and a new generation.  A generation where peer pressure is at its all time high!  We are seeing numerous complaints throughout our nation on "BULLYING".  It is a MAJOR problem!  It has gone to the extreme where we are having children committing suicide, children no longer want to attend school and are being home schooled.  We hear about it, but many ignore because we think it can not happen in our homes.  

"NOT MY CHILD, I KNOW WHAT MY CHILD IS DOING". 

**PLEASE TAKE THAT THOUGHT OUT OF YOUR MIND BEFORE YOU END UP TELLING YOUR STORY AND BEFORE IT IS TO LATE.**

Another alarming epidemic is "PRESCRIPTION DRUGS".  Our world has become the Capital of prescription drug abuse.  We can go to our doctors and complain about anything and BLAM! That doctor does not hesitate putting us on a medication. 

 #1~ It is ALL ABOUT PROFIT.  Our Country thrives on not what is best for us, but how valuable we are.  Each time we visit the doctors, each time we make them and insurance companies money. Are value is based on what or how much we cost and our net worth is their profit.  

WE ARE IN THE ERA of the NEW RECESSION and that has caused MAJOR DEPRESSION.  So there has been an increase in what is now a major disorder "depression and anxiety". So what does your doctor do? Place you on more medication.  More people are applying for disability at alarming  rates. Count how many times you see a commercial a law firm promising to get us disability benefits. Now ask yourself, 
where are our youths getting their fix? From home, relatives, friends, friends that have family members on medication or connections in school and connections that may surprise you (classmates and teachers).
I have attended so many seminars and heard so many tragic stories of youths using prescription medication. Not saying parents are not monitoring their children, but I listened to a few parents that have lost their children, have placed not one, but two or more children in rehabs and these parents have not just lost their children, but they have lost themselves. They have blamed themselves and crying for help, but also trying to place blames on schools instead of looking for other resour.  

I've heard them expeess how they feel it should be the responsibilities of schools to educate these kids of the dangers of drugs.  

**The school can only do so much and Education is key**but, education can also take place at home. 

It is all of our  responsibilities. You can have your children in all the sports, musical classes, ballet, karate lessons and think their is not a problem because we oir keeping them so active that it's no way they have time to indulge in drugs. It sadden me to hear families tell their stories and how they had no clue that their child has been indulging in drugs since they were 8 years old or younger.  They see their child as being this great athletic and not a drug abusers . Why, because they are the captain of the  football team and guess what? Those team members are aware and some of those teammates are also using or providing.  

The saddest part is not realizing until that same child is continuously using and you start noticing some changes, but by now they are going into adolescent years and the problem has gotten out of control.  That same child has been going in your medicine cabinets, pocketbooks, knows where you keep your supplies and we are still thinking there is nothing wrong.  Yes, we have noticed that their attitude has changed, they are just tired, stressed trying to keep up on their studies and anything they may be involved in at school.

I hardly remember having peer pressure, but in my day and age.  There was pressure such as; being in the in-crowd, smoking cigarettes, smoking weed, and yes, the most I heard as far as a drug was ACID and I had no ideal what it was or what it looked like and was not curious to find out nor did I care about popularity.  that was then and this is now.

I am proud to be part of many awareness leagues and orgorganizations that are plaguing our nations and being part of doing some thing that matters. Some things we can not continue to "Sweep Under Another Rug".

It can not be ignored. It's REAL just as real as facing facts that we are still a divided and injustice system. As real as same sex marriage, as real as billions of people who are affected with HIV/AIDS [and millions who do not know they are affected], bipolor disorders, multiple personalities,  as real as schizophrenia. 

We all have stereotypes against any individuals that we feel does not fit in society because we believe people want to be drug addicts or have mental disorders that we believe is an excuse. It is as real as PTD {post traumatic depression}. 

Some people's disorders can be managed many ways without medications, but some can not. 

Look at the news, read, and stay informed of all the devastating deaths of mothers and fathers killing their children or starving their children because they have not taking their medications. 

Medications have become a security blanket an addiction. 

What happened to alternative traditional therapy.  Take away deadly medications and try herbal methods? 

We are losing loved ones, celebrities that we watch on our favorite shows not realizing that they are suffering and calling out for help, but didn't know HOW to ask for help because of shame or embarrassment. 

So how or what can we do? Open our minds, our hearts, educate, and not be in denial. Let's tackle these issues and concerns before they become a MAJOR Problem. Let's not wait until another Government Shut-down where we all feel the crunch and wait till it gets out of control and than choose to take action. LET'S TAKE ACTION NOW, BEFORE WE LOSE MORE OF OURSELVES.