The Times

We think that the average parent should know as much about drugs as the average addict

For more than a decade, drug abuse has been a major national concern. The U.S. government has spent a considerable amount of tax money in supplying information, supporting research and instituting centers for treatment. Progress has been made, however, the problem remains very much with us and much remains to be done. One thing that we have learned is that more than just drugs is involved in the "drug problem." We have learned that the misuse of drugs is often a symptom of other problems — problems wider, deeper and more complex than the taking of a chemical substance to alter the illusion of reality. The realities behind the symptoms of drug abuse concern nothing less than the most basic issues we all face as human beings. As columnist Sydney J. Harris observed, "We are the only disjointed creatures on earth; the only ones among millions of species who do not instinctively know their own good and do their own good." Harris sees the conflicts of man as three concentric circles. The first circle encompasses his inner life. The second, his life among his fellows and the third, his relationship to the whole created universe, or what we know of it. It is in the first, Harris says, that man faces his hardest struggle: our greatest foe is from within while all other creatures face their greatest danger from predators, or from without. "Man's task is to become a whole creature — for he cannot survive as a species divided within and among itself," Harris says. What Harris is writing about is not an essay about drugs, their use or misuse. It is about life. And drug abuse is just one symptom that a person has attempted to escape divisions in his personal life, creating a deeper problem rather than a solution. Drug abuse is, first and last, a human problem. People can help each other best when they learn how to relate to each other and to draw strength from the relationships they build with one another. Art Linkletter said in his book, "Coming Home: A Thought-book for People," that "The first step towards drug abuse prevention is not much of a step at all: and is everything. It is the hand that reaches out to touch another." A booklet which contain questions and answers about drug abuse is now available in limited supply at this newspaper and may be picked up at the newspaper office. It will help you to become familiar with the terminology of drugs, the effects, these symptoms, the prevention of abuse and guidance suggestions that will help parents improve their communications — which can be one of the most important ways to prevent a drug abuse problem. SAMPLE DRUG I.Q. TEST 2. In which age group (s) is drug abuse most likely to be a problem? (a) 12-16 (b) 16-25 (c) 25-45 (d) 45 and over (e) all of the above 3. How do most drug users make their first contact with illicit drugs? (a) Through "pushers" seeking new customers (b) Through their friends (c) Accidentally (d) Through the media 4. Which of the following is the most commonly abused drug in the United States? (a) Marihuana (b) Alcohol (c) Cocaine (d) Heroin 10. At what point in time does a person who uses heroin become physically dependent? (a) Immediately (first time) (b) After four or five times (c) After prolonged use (20 times or more) (d) Different for each person 13. When a person becomes physically dependent on drugs, what is the primary reason he continues to take the drug? (a) Experience pleasure (b) Relieve discomfort (c) Escape reality (d) Gain acceptance among friends 15. Which of the following is an effective treatment method for drug abusers? (a) Maintenance (b) Detoxification (c) Abstinence (d) Psychotherapy (e) All of the above THE COMPLETE TEST and fifty pages of interesting facts and information about drugs is included in the free booklet, Q & A, available in the office of this newspaper in limited supply. ANSWERS 2. (e) All of the above. Drug abuse is found in all age groups. The recent focus on use of drugs by young people has been out of proportion. 3. (b) Through their friends. With the exception of alcohol, which is usually first used at home, most drug users are introduced to drugs by friends. 4. (b) Alcohol. Estimates show that about 9 million Americans are alcoholic persons. 10. (d) Different for each person. Although the time it takes a person to become physically dependent on heroin may vary, we know that repeated use of heroin ultimately causes physical dependence, and people can become physically dependent after as few as three or four uses. 13. (b) Relieve discomfort. When a person stops taking a drug that he is physically dependent on, he develops physical withdrawal symptoms (such as muscle spasms, vomiting, sweating, insomnia, etc.). Taking the drug relieves the discomfort of onset of withdrawal symptoms. 15. (e) All of the above. All have been used successfully to treat drug abusers, and many of the methods have been used in combination. THIS EDUCATIONAL ENDEAVOR IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE COOPERATION OF THE FOLLOWING CONCERNED PUBLIC-SPIRITED CITIZENS WHO ARE STRIVING TO MAKE OUR COMMUNITY A BETTER PLACE IN WHICH TO LIVE. JULIO ABISLAIMAN, Vice Pres. Riviera Jewelers | C. DeWITT COFFMAN, Pres. The Coffman Corporation Hotel Consultants | KENNETH E. KAMBERG, Pres. Coral Gables Fed. Savings & Loan Assoc. | GERALD L. ROSE, Pres. Security Federal S & L Association | CARLOS J. ARBOLEYA, Pres. Barnett Bank of Westchester N.A. | MARVIN S. CONE, Director Deerborne School | MARIAN KRUTULIS, Director Gulliver Academy, Inc. | ROBERT L. SEARLE, Pres. Searle & Morris Insurance | JESS QUESADA ANDALUSIA Bake Shop | JAMES E. DOWNS, Pres., Lennor & Klein Jewelers, Inc. | MR. PETE LATA The Madrid Restaurant | E. CARR SMITH | WILLIAM BAGWELL, Pres. Miami Safe and Lock Inc. | HOWARD R. DOWNES Chairman of the Board The Dominion Companies | RAUL P. MASVIDAL, Pres. Royal Trust Bank of Miami, N.A. | ROBERT ULLMAN, Pres. Berni Blanks Men's Store Miracle Mile Merchants Association | M. H. FARNSWORTH, Chairman International Corporate Services Ltd. | EUGENE F. STREWS, Pres. Fidelity National Bank of South Miami | GARY A. MATTHEWS, Pres. Gary's Paint & Body Shop, Inc. | RICHARD D. SWETONIC, Pres. Wallachs/Dick Richmond | CURTIS BLANK Co-owner Cafe Chauveron, Inc. | GENERAL WATERWORKS South Florida Division | FELIPE MORENO, Manager Distributor Sales Latin American Operations Ingersoll-Rand International | NATHAN TARTAK, R.P. Riviera Pharmacy | SOUTH DIXIE DISCOUNT CENTER 8865 South Dixie Highway | JOHN C. BROCKWAY, Pres. Bill Ussery Motors, Inc. | WOLF HANAU, President Les Jardins Restaurant | CLIFFORD J. NAGEL, JR., Pres. The Witters Construction Co. So. Fla. Chapter Assoc. Gen'l. Contractors | RICHARD D. THOMAS Administrator Coral Gables Hospital | GLEN ALLEN BUFF | RALPH JENSEN, Pres. Continental Travel, Inc. | DAVID C. NEALE, Div. Manager 7-Eleven Stores Division of the Southland Corporation | L. GERALD WRIGHT Chairman of the Board Chief, Executive Officer Aristar Management Inc. | GUY C. CARMICHAEL, JR. Pres. Crow, Pope & Land of Florida, Inc. | M. "DICK" JONES, Pres. Catalina Aquatech Pools, Inc. | RONALD R. READER C.L.U. General Agent Mass. Mutual Life Ins. Co. | FRANK H. WIRTZ, Gen'l. Mgr. The Rusty Pelican | G. HERNANDEZ-CARTAYA Chairman of the Board WFC Group