surprised

The other night, Tuesday, my husband and I went to the police station community house for parents and adults to listen to a panel talk about, of all things ....drugs!  We went because one of the speakers on the panel is in our parent support group and he had asked us to come.  He is a well respected drug educator in our large county and we did want to hear him anyway.   Truth be told, I was a little uncomfortable walking into the police station to begin with and then who do I see first thing sitting in his police car out in front of the building?  The last fellow to arrest my son that put him into detention.  Actually, I was  happy to see him.  I HAD to thank him again for what he did.  I wrote him a thank you weeks before telling him that that arrest was what turned our son around.  T had to spend the night in the juvenile detention center.  The next day my son stopped drugs.  In fact his 3 month sobriety date was yesterday!   After talking to him, I walk into the room of the building and because I was a little late....I had to sit up front smack in front of the juvenile detective who was one of the people on the panel.  I didn't think he was going to be there.  I like the guy a lot.  He's been understanding and kind but ....seeing him just brought back some unpleasant memories and then........he read my letter to the group.  Now THAT caught me off guard.  My heart rate went up, and even though no one knew it was mine.....it still had an effect on me.  Back about a month or so ago there was a parent drug information night at the high school and I had asked him to read a letter I wrote (directing it to the parents) from my heart.......my experience as parent with a drug addicted child.   The title of the letter was "Who would have thought?"  Strangely enough, because I hadn't read or heard it in awhile....it didn't seem like it was me who wrote it.  It was as if it was coming from someone else.  Thankfully, it was well written because there were a few who knew the letter was from me.  In fact, the drug education director (who is in our parent support group) told me that the letter really hit him as a parent.  I am glad it had some impact.   That letter ignited an idea that evening and so last night I wrote an e-mail to the detective and to the assistant principal of the high school telling them my idea.  I suggested that when they become aware of a child who is struggling (caught with drugs at hs or arrested outside of school) heading in the direction of addiction - that the parent of the child could be given an information packet that would include local phone numbers of various agencies for them to contact.  I even suggested to include a list of parents willing to be contacted who've been there, done that for support.  I didn't have anyone like that to give me information.  Fortunately, I happened to know the high school drug counselor in our neighboring community and she was extremely helpful in directing me in the right direction.  It's a thought.  For my 2 out of 3 sons - who both went through some difficult times.... I felt alone prompting me to want to help others.  So we will see.....I hope they're open to it.  I had to fight hard to get mental health awareness up at the school but this one....I think......will be easier because it is such a huge problem.