MOLLY, THE PARTY DRUG

SEPTEMBER, NATIONAL RECOVERY MONTH

 

 

LSD in the 60s, weed in the 70s, cocaine/crack cocaine in the 80s, heroin in the 90s.  Every decade, it seems, has an "in" drug.  The new and popular drug for the "in" crowd, the young, the old,  the middle class, the poor, the rich.  Well, this decade continues with the same pattern with the emergence of "Molly." 

Molly is made up of many substances to include cocaine, crack, ecstasy, crystal meth and bath salts.  It comes in powder, crystalline or pill form and is very popular among teenagers. It is odorless and easy to conceal.   It has the makings of what can be called absolute disaster and is akin to playing Russian roulette.  As easy and as cheap to get as a six-pack of beer, it offers a euphoric high, a burst of energy and hallucinations.  The symptoms include:  high blood pressure, seizures, teeth grinding, insomnia, fever and hyperthermia.  Emergency room visits have more than doubled for overdoses contributed to Molly in the past few years, some resulting in death.

It is embraced by rappers such as Gucci Mane, Kanye West, Lil Wayne, Rihanna and Rick Ross.  Miley Cyrus even has a new single in which she sings what sounds like, "We like to party, dancing with Molly."  At a music festival last year, Madonna was criticized for asking the audience, "How many people in this crowd have seen Molly?"

Molly is the big thing now with our children and youth.  We must stay abreast of what is out there, what it is our children are being exposed to.  The age old advice still works:  be involved in your children's lives, know their friends, keep communication open and honest and don't be afraid to talk about the effects of drugs and alcohol with them.   And if you suspect your child of drug or alcohol abuse, don't be afraid to seek help.  We are still in the middle of the "War on Drugs," don't put down your weapons yet.






 



PREVENTING CHILD ABUSE

Research conducted by the Center for the Study of Social Policy has shown that certain protective factors can help improve a child's health and wellbeing.

Parents who can handle stress appropriately and thereby rebound from challenges more quickly, can parent more effectively and promote their children's healthy development. When emotional support and social connections are provided by family, friends, neighbors and community members, parents cope better with stressors. 

When food, clothing, housing and other basic needs are met, families are better able to thrive. Also, when parents have access to services and supports to ensure these needs are met, they are better able to handle a crisis when it arises.  Parents that understand basic child development based on age, to include appropriate behavior expectations, are more likely to discipline and nurture children appropriately.  When children can communicate effectively their feelings and regulate their behavior, they are better able to form positive relationships with their family, other adults and peers.

Awareness, education, prevention, these are just some of the things that we can all do to ensure that a child is safe from the evils of abuse and that a parent is receiving the support they need to be good parents.  Both contribute to productivity in society and emotional well being.

www.cssp.org