Zombified, drug-addicted teens in Wheaton startle community

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Cannabis is legal - its hilarious seeing you all cry about it

I personally know a wonderful 19 year old whose life and family have been entirely, heartbreakingly derailed by thc induced psychosis-i assure you, it’s not hilarious.

19 is a common age for severe mental illness to first show up in a kid. Schizophrenics often have their first major episodes around that age. You can’t really point to THC as the cause. Many of that kids peers consumed equal amounts of cannabis yet didn’t have a psychotic break so something was wrong with that 19 year old to begin with.

[Anonymous]

Go on youtube and search Kensington Philadelphia. That is the end state of unchecked fentanyl abuse. There is a great channel called AML films who goes and interviews the people of Kensington and ask about how they got into drugs - sheds a lot of light on how tough life is for young kids and how important it is to provide a stable, loving environment for kids

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's frustrating to me how little of the conversation focuses on why kids wind up doing these drugs and what we could be doing as a society to make it less appeal.

You don't do fentanyl just because you're bored. These are kids who are stressed out, hopeless, probably depressed. Agree with a PP that these are obviously not kids from functional homes because parents would intervene and stop this from happening. So what could we be doing in schools an din public outreach to help these kids?

But people don't want to help them. They just want them to go away.

That's circular reasoning. Kids from "functional" homes don't do this, therefore these kids must not be from "functional" homes.

Bad things happen to good parents too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's frustrating to me how little of the conversation focuses on why kids wind up doing these drugs and what we could be doing as a society to make it less appeal.

You don't do fentanyl just because you're bored. These are kids who are stressed out, hopeless, probably depressed. Agree with a PP that these are obviously not kids from functional homes because parents would intervene and stop this from happening. So what could we be doing in schools an din public outreach to help these kids?

But people don't want to help them. They just want them to go away.

That's circular reasoning. Kids from "functional" homes don't do this, therefore these kids must not be from "functional" homes.

Bad things happen to good parents too.

+1 I know someone who had a a great teen -/ HS athlete, AP classes, etc. He ended up with a sports injury and got hooked on painkillers. Ended up buying pills in college and one had too much fentanyl. Good kid from a good home, real nice parents, UMC, etc. all the things DCUM would approve of and eh still OD’d and passed away.

I’m sure there are more risk factors for kids in unstable homes. But don’t pretend kids from “functional” homes are immune to this. It’s truly scary and can happen to anyone’s kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:SOURCE: https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/montgomery-county-leaders-host-listening-session-to-address-youth-crisis/3382965/

Members of one Montgomery County community came together Tuesday for candid conversation, as local leaders say drugs and violence are causing a youth crisis.

The Wheaton Urban District Advisory Committee hosted a listening session to hear from the folks on the front lines of that crisis.

“I want them to take away the urgency of this situation. It is extremely urgent,” business owner Dave Jarrett said.

Jarrett‘s restaurant and lounge, Crossroads Two, has been open less than a year in Wheaton. But over the last six months, the small business owner said he’s witnessed a frightening trend on Fern Street.

“[They’re] spaced out, walking the streets like zombies,” he said. “I am seeing it. I stand there and watch the kids, zoned out, they come in and say, ‘Can I have water?’ and they are practically standing and sleeping. Just imagine what I’m telling you.”

Many members of the community have similar stories of young people out on the street, under the influence with nowhere to go.

Montgomery County officials said rates for youth public intoxication, overdoses and violent crime are up across the DMV.

Unbelievable. So so sad. And what is Maryland’s reaction? Make pot legal, of course

FFS. They’re not on weed - it’s likely fentanyl.

It can be laced with fentanyl and so can the carts they vape from

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:SOURCE: https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/montgomery-county-leaders-host-listening-session-to-address-youth-crisis/3382965/

Members of one Montgomery County community came together Tuesday for candid conversation, as local leaders say drugs and violence are causing a youth crisis.

The Wheaton Urban District Advisory Committee hosted a listening session to hear from the folks on the front lines of that crisis.

“I want them to take away the urgency of this situation. It is extremely urgent,” business owner Dave Jarrett said.

Jarrett‘s restaurant and lounge, Crossroads Two, has been open less than a year in Wheaton. But over the last six months, the small business owner said he’s witnessed a frightening trend on Fern Street.

“[They’re] spaced out, walking the streets like zombies,” he said. “I am seeing it. I stand there and watch the kids, zoned out, they come in and say, ‘Can I have water?’ and they are practically standing and sleeping. Just imagine what I’m telling you.”

Many members of the community have similar stories of young people out on the street, under the influence with nowhere to go.

Montgomery County officials said rates for youth public intoxication, overdoses and violent crime are up across the DMV.

Unbelievable. So so sad. And what is Maryland’s reaction? Make pot legal, of course

FFS. They’re not on weed - it’s likely fentanyl.

You are such an idiot. It’s not called a gateway drug for no reason.

Everyone knows alcohol is the actual gateway drug. You regurgitate garbage propaganda. I betcha you’re one of the drunks hanging around the liquor stores.

Or maybe you’re a fenty lover? Defender of fake pills? Hmmm.

You pill poppers and alkies are surrounded by legal cannabis in all jurisdictions. Seethe away… I can hear your death rattle

Okay, druggie. Whatever you say.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Cannabis is legal - its hilarious seeing you all cry about it

I personally know a wonderful 19 year old whose life and family have been entirely, heartbreakingly derailed by thc induced psychosis-i assure you, it’s not hilarious.

19 is a common age for severe mental illness to first show up in a kid. Schizophrenics often have their first major episodes around that age. You can’t really point to THC as the cause. Many of that kids peers consumed equal amounts of cannabis yet didn’t have a psychotic break so something was wrong with that 19 year old to begin with.

What you are saying is only part of the story. It’s well established that weed users are significantly more likely to suffer from a psychotic break. Especially for young men. There are a lot of articles on this but here is one:
https://nida.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/2023/05/young-men-at-highest-risk-schizophrenia-linked-with-cannabis-use-disorder#:~:text=Previous%20studies%20indicate%20that%20rates,increased%20risk%20of%20developing%20schizophrenia.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Cannabis is legal - its hilarious seeing you all cry about it

I personally know a wonderful 19 year old whose life and family have been entirely, heartbreakingly derailed by thc induced psychosis-i assure you, it’s not hilarious.

19 is a common age for severe mental illness to first show up in a kid. Schizophrenics often have their first major episodes around that age. You can’t really point to THC as the cause. Many of that kids peers consumed equal amounts of cannabis yet didn’t have a psychotic break so something was wrong with that 19 year old to begin with.

What you are saying is only part of the story. It’s well established that weed users are significantly more likely to suffer from a psychotic break. Especially for young men. There are a lot of articles on this but here is one:
https://nida.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/2023/05/young-men-at-highest-risk-schizophrenia-linked-with-cannabis-use-disorder#:~:text=Previous%20studies%20indicate%20that%20rates,increased%20risk%20of%20developing%20schizophrenia.

It would be very difficult to establish a causal relationship, vs. simply a correlation. Does cannabis usage cause an increased likelihood of psychotic break, or does a propensity for schizophrenia/psychosis cause an increased likelihood of cannabis usage?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's frustrating to me how little of the conversation focuses on why kids wind up doing these drugs and what we could be doing as a society to make it less appeal.

You don't do fentanyl just because you're bored. These are kids who are stressed out, hopeless, probably depressed. Agree with a PP that these are obviously not kids from functional homes because parents would intervene and stop this from happening. So what could we be doing in schools an din public outreach to help these kids?

But people don't want to help them. They just want them to go away.

There are myriad reasons for fentanyl use and they cut across class, race and socioeconomic background.

Do kids from dysfunctional home use? Yes. But kids from functional homes do too. Usually behind their parents back and often due to peer pressure or the natural adolescent rebellion that manifests during these years.

[Anonymous]

It’s so odd. 30 years ago very few W kids overdosed, now private and W kids are overdosing weekly.

But sure, let’s focus on Wheaton.

It’s not just the West side. It’s not just moco.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's frustrating to me how little of the conversation focuses on why kids wind up doing these drugs and what we could be doing as a society to make it less appeal.

You don't do fentanyl just because you're bored. These are kids who are stressed out, hopeless, probably depressed. Agree with a PP that these are obviously not kids from functional homes because parents would intervene and stop this from happening. So what could we be doing in schools an din public outreach to help these kids?

But people don't want to help them. They just want them to go away.

That's circular reasoning. Kids from "functional" homes don't do this, therefore these kids must not be from "functional" homes.

Bad things happen to good parents too.

Plus 100

[Anonymous]

We need better parenting, too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:SOURCE: https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/montgomery-county-leaders-host-listening-session-to-address-youth-crisis/3382965/

Members of one Montgomery County community came together Tuesday for candid conversation, as local leaders say drugs and violence are causing a youth crisis.

The Wheaton Urban District Advisory Committee hosted a listening session to hear from the folks on the front lines of that crisis.

“I want them to take away the urgency of this situation. It is extremely urgent,” business owner Dave Jarrett said.

Jarrett‘s restaurant and lounge, Crossroads Two, has been open less than a year in Wheaton. But over the last six months, the small business owner said he’s witnessed a frightening trend on Fern Street.

“[They’re] spaced out, walking the streets like zombies,” he said. “I am seeing it. I stand there and watch the kids, zoned out, they come in and say, ‘Can I have water?’ and they are practically standing and sleeping. Just imagine what I’m telling you.”

Many members of the community have similar stories of young people out on the street, under the influence with nowhere to go.

Montgomery County officials said rates for youth public intoxication, overdoses and violent crime are up across the DMV.

Unbelievable. So so sad. And what is Maryland’s reaction? Make pot legal, of course

FFS. They’re not on weed - it’s likely fentanyl.

It can be laced with fentanyl and so can the carts they vape from

So could your fountain drink from the drive through. Or that cookie at your school bake sale.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Cannabis is legal - its hilarious seeing you all cry about it

I personally know a wonderful 19 year old whose life and family have been entirely, heartbreakingly derailed by thc induced psychosis-i assure you, it’s not hilarious.

19 is a common age for severe mental illness to first show up in a kid. Schizophrenics often have their first major episodes around that age. You can’t really point to THC as the cause. Many of that kids peers consumed equal amounts of cannabis yet didn’t have a psychotic break so something was wrong with that 19 year old to begin with.

What you are saying is only part of the story. It’s well established that weed users are significantly more likely to suffer from a psychotic break. Especially for young men. There are a lot of articles on this but here is one:
https://nida.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/2023/05/young-men-at-highest-risk-schizophrenia-linked-with-cannabis-use-disorder#:~:text=Previous%20studies%20indicate%20that%20rates,increased%20risk%20of%20developing%20schizophrenia.

It would be very difficult to establish a causal relationship, vs. simply a correlation. Does cannabis usage cause an increased likelihood of psychotic break, or does a propensity for schizophrenia/psychosis cause an increased likelihood of cannabis usage?

Short answer is it’s probably both. In any case, if you’ve seen the tragedy of schizophrenia at close hand most people would rather be safe than sorry ( keeping in mind the association is largely with adolescent use-no one is concerned abt 28 year olds with moderate use.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We need better parenting, too.

DCUM's gonna DCUM.