One of the college courses I teach is about drugs and drug abuse. The course deals with legal and illegal drugs. We go over how and why certain drugs were developed and their effects on humans. Quite often student's bring their own experiences to classroom discussions. This helps everyone gain a real life perspective to the drug problem in the US, and I suppose, worldwide. One horrible drug students talk about is called "wet". Wet is one of many street names for this drug concoction which consists of dipping either a cigarette or marijuana into PCP (Phencyclidine) and or embalming fluid. It is then smoked and shortly thereafter, the horror starts.
Wet makes some people feel hot. They take off layers of clothing to feel cooler and quite often, they take off all their clothes and walk the streets naked. Wet also disorients folks and makes it difficult for them to say a coherent sentence even though they may try hard to communicate. A friend of mine works as a police officer in a neighborhood where crime is rampant and drug abuse is out of control. Recently, he told me of going to a house where a man was out of control on "wet". When he arrived, he saw a naked man on a table having sex with a cooked turkey. Yes, you read correctly, sex with a turkey, not a live turkey but one ready for dinner. It would be hilarious if it were not so tragic.
Speaking of being under the influence and sex with cooked turkeys, there is the very real and risky behavior of unprotected sex with humans. When men and women are out of control on "wet" or other drugs for that matter, risky sexual behavior is prevalent. This leads to the spread of venereal disease and unwanted pregnancy.
Many areas in the US have terrible problems with drug abuse, which contributes to a host of social problems. Many of these areas are not getting any better. Actually, many are getting worse. Most people know these neighborhoods as the bad side of town and go out of their way to avoid them. Moreover, many do not even want to think about what may be occurring in these areas figuring that what they don't know won't bother them.
It is important to note that even in these pockets of squalor and misery there are good people who want hope and help.Throughout the years, many tactics have been utilized to help people in these areas but nothing has really worked on a major or consistent level.
Muhammad Ali, the famous boxer and one of my childhood heroes once said, "You can't just take the person out of the ghetto to make change but must take the ghetto out of the person". It is not so much the location of where people are living that needs to be repaired. Simply throwing money at the problem in the form of building new homes or consistent handouts is not the solution. It is the mindset and beliefs of people in those areas that needs to be changed. When someone finds a way to implement this solution, millions will be on their way to a life without nearly as much misery, fear and lack of hope. I hope it happens soon.
Steve Kovacs is the author of Protect Yourself: The Simple Keys Women Need to be Safe and Secure. He is the host of the Internet Radio Talk Show, The Kovacs Perspective http://www.thekovacsperspective.com/ where he interviews experts in various fields, geared to help and inform.
Steve's background is in law enforcement, security, investigations and teaching. Contact Steve any time at:info@thekovacsperspective.com
Steve, it is heartbreaking what people will do to get the drugs they have become addicted to, not to mention what they do while on the drug. And you are right, it is not the location and whether rich or poor, drugs are an issue. I am grateful for all the groups and programs out there to help and I am especially grateful for the groups of people who go into drug infested neighborhoods and face these users head on in a loving manner. Many make it out and live to tell and help others because of it. Thank you for sharing this sad, but necessary truth. Blessings to you! Teresa
We should all be grateful for people who go out and try to help. There are success stories, I see them all the time, but they are too far and few. A giant leap would be great. Hopefully, someone will come up with a way to make that happen. Thanks Teresa
Another great article, sir. 'Take the ghetto out of the person' is the answer, as throwing money (so much money over the years) at the problem does nothing. Education is key, as we know, and yet who do these young people have to look up to? Who are they learning from? Unfortunately, they are looking at television, sports and movie stars (and for some, God help them, politicians are role models) for direction, and it is the parents who need to be there. Even in single-parent homes, the mother or father must step up. There is no excuse, and there is no reason a school should have to be the parent. Not only will it not work, it keeps the 'ghetto' (for inner-city kids) or 'fantasy' (for suburban kids) mentality within the child, that mentality which says nothing of hard work or responsibility but says plenty about having the cars, houses, women - all just handed to them on a silver (or concrete) platter. And then come the drugs. And then . . . we all know. That road to change is full of intentions, some good, some bad, most ineffectual. Yet the bottom line is that road has to start at home.
Ali coined the quote regarding the ghetto and he was right on. You bring up an interesting viewpoint regarding a fantasy mentality for suburban kids. There is also another major problem across the US which is prevalent in rural areas and rarely seen in the inner city--it is methamphetamine abuse--(another article for another time).
Family, caretakers (uncles--aunts--grandparents whomever may be raising the kids) are the answer to the problems we are talking about. Mentoring programs may be an answer, but how do we do that on a large scale. Yes, the disenegration of solid, responsible families is the main cause of the problems we are talking about, however, how do we change that around? How do we stop it or change it? Here is where I throw my hands up in the air and say I don't know--I'm not smart enough ...I don't have the answer. The shame is that many good young people are waisting away and dying.
"it keeps the 'ghetto' (for inner-city kids) or 'fantasy' (for suburban kids) mentality within the child"
Drug use is too complicated for ivory tower polemics. It starts with the well-documented adolescent need to belong. School is a very good place for the child to find validation, if he isn't getting it at home. Like everything else, the resources available to you are as effective as your creative use of them. Historically, poor minority populations are the most vulnerable precisely because they have been denied the very money that the people on the white side of the track say they don't deserve. It's a lose-lose situation if you are from the ghetto.
Small towns are, however, becoming ghettoized. It is very, very hard to keep up with burgeoning populations at the same time job opportunities are fringe. School is the answer when parents are not.
I cannot disagree with your thesis regarding schools stepping up to the plate when parents are not--however, in my view that unquestionably is not the best solution to the issue discussed.
Historically, folks from the white side of the tracks as you say may have denied money to poor minority areas, however today, in my view that has nothing to do with the problem, or any solutions needed to help. Sharing different views can be enlightening and I thank you for taking the time to read, reflect and offer your view for reflection.
After learning about a man having sex with a cooked turkey Thanksgiving will never be the same for many people who have learned it. But to me it makes sense for that guy to have sex with the turkey because he is having sex with his own species. Anybody who takes something like the drug wet is a turkey who's mind is cooked. After hearing about wet I hope the police can eventually dry it up.
It's simply tragic. We live in a small city and teachers here are finding that students on drugs are often getting the drugs, or doing drugs, with their parents. It's overwhelming to think we can break that cycle. But we must keep trying, through educating children at an early age and establishing mentoring programs. Everyone can make a difference by reaching out to those they know, who are suffering with a drug addiction. Very sad, but good article Steve.
Yes, there is not much worse than doing drugs with your kids! How do some kids even have a prayer to "make it"! I think we keep trying to help and make a difference whether in the inner city, suburbs or rural areas. Everyone can make a difference. Sometimes the right word from someone can change a life--or at least turn them in a positive direction--thanks Brianna.
Thanks for writing this - I worked as an RN in a conservative university infirmary back in the 70s - the things we saw even then and there - it was and still is awful - Marijo (Mary Jo)
It's amazing you saw this kind of stuff in the 70's and it's still occurring--different drugs perhaps but still crazy behavior. I wonder if we'll ever come up with a way for people to understand that they don't need to or won't want to resort to self defeating behavior...Thank you for writing--Steve
Yep - MDA, LSD, pot and hashish and that was around when my dad was young!, mescaline just to name a few.... And many weren't even touched by prescription drugs which calmed people down usually. People need meaning in their lives and this is not the way to get it for sure. Marijo
Thanks Steve. Being a person who grew up in the projects on the Southside of Chicago, I have seen my fair share of the problems of which you speak. Conversely, having been an administrator and professor at a university in Southeastern MA, I also know these problems are not just about glamorization of the ghetto, but a culture that is endemic in society as a whole.
The ghetto catches the heat and the suburbs usually gets the rehab centers and the understanding of society. It is a complex societal problem, that commands an answer that is not over-simplified, but an approach that is as multi-pronged and multi-faceted as the problem.
I agree that throwing money at the problems (that statement in and of itself has become a catchphrase and mantra that doesn't quite do justice to complex issues), but the question is: have we thrown ourselves into the problem?
What have we given of ourselves to help bring about the changes to the concerns that we write and talk about? If we answer that rightly, maybe we will get something done. Thanks Steve for this thought-provoking read.
Thanks for offering such great comments and bringing solid ideas to the table. Wet is endemic to the inner city in my region as opposed to "meth" which is pretty much unheard of in the inner city but is rampant in rural areas.
I agree with you that the term, "throwing money at it" is a catchphrase that's used too often and misunderstood--I actually did not want to use the term. I also like your comment about giving of ourselves to help bring about the changes we want--well put and it sounds like a valid option. Again, thanks for sharing some great points.
for me, it was the 12 step program that got me turned around.
i think every town shoud have these programs for kids and adults.
they are simple practices, but not if you aren't aware of them being an option. that, coupled with good counseling, can make a difference. i would have to say 3 out of 4 kids do some type of drug. the feelings they are going through are what have to be addressed, and healed, so there is no longer a need to get high. i did it, and i haven't touched a drop in almost 16 years.
it is mindset, and strength and determination and knowledge. i needed to learn that life was better straight than not.
the schools aren't doing their job in any kind of helpful way. if they were, we would't have kids walking through the halls high all day.
i think having therapists available in the school at all times, would at least help some of the kids who just need a little guidance. and i won't hold my breath,
It seems 2 step programs must be pretty good because they have been around for a long time and they are still helping people. I keep hearing that schools are not doing their jobs and maybe that's true. But in my view they cannot fully take over the role of parents/or family caretakers. Yes, when parents are not around schools take up that slack--who else is there. But in my view the solution is not in our schools. Can schools really be expected to change behavior, morals or general mindset that parents are best suited to do for their kids?
Your suggestion about having more therapists can only be a good idea. I know that teachers, therapists and positive mentors can and have made great changes in kids. Maybe you're on to something. Thanks for writing Sue.
I guess the guy with the turkey go mixed up between "go" and "do". Your meant to go cold turkey not do the cold turkey.
Over all a fascinating article. I have always had an interest in drug use (not doing just reading and learning about). I'd love to come to one of your classes on the topic but I can see at least one problem.
Yes drugs are everywhere, this particular drug is pretty much only in certain areas in my region but there's others everywhere as you say--the drug course is part of a Criminal Justice degree program and entitled Substance Abuse--I'm assuming it or classes similar are prerequisites to getting a degree in CJ everywhere, great class by the way--thanks for writing...
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