Crime & Safety
Parents, Police Talk Teens, Drugs, Technology
Officials and Glendora parents had an open discussion about how teens are becoming more exposed to drugs and how technology can facilitate that.
A handful of parents at Glendora High School spoke one-on-one with members of the Glendora Police Department Monday about ways to engage their children about drug use, know the signs and how to create a positive dialogue.
Glendora Police Chief Rob Castro along with Glendora detectives and the city's new student resource officer discussed the changing trends of teen drug use in town.
Technology
Technology has dramatically altered the way children interact and communicate with each other. Countless social media apps and sites, such as ask.fm, kik.com and Instagram, only compounds the problem, Castro said.
"You really need to know what your kids are doing, who they're hanging out with, what type of social media they're using and be willing to look," Castro said. "My kids know that on occasion I may search their room, I search their cars I've asked them for their phone. Some people say it's too invasive. You have to find what you're comfortable with."
Police said, by far, the biggest medium for narcotics sales is through text messaging. Yet, all forms of social media can be used to promote drugs.
"They [dealers] don't have to come to the schools anymore and wait for the kids to leave. They can just text, or send out a Facebook invite," said Detective Tim Crawford.
Drug Usage
As far as trends seen with Glendora students, marijuana and marijuana paraphernalia are very pervasive items confiscated by officers, said Jerry Arnold, new school resource officer.
Recently, two seventh graders had what was described as a homemade bong, constructed out of a water bottle and attempted to smoke the leaves of a bottle brush tree, Arnold said.
"That's an alarming, mimicked behavior," Arnold said.
Police also remarked seeing two teenagers that had medical marijuana recommendations prescribed to them.
"They had their parents take them in to get a marijuana recommendation. You got a 17-year-old with a marijuana recommendation. It doesn't make any sense," Crawford said.
Prescription pill usage among teens is still a huge issue, Crawford added. Police are seeing juveniles consuming opiates, such as painkillers. Users develop a specific type of addiction and drug dealers have picked up on this by turning teens onto a cheaper high, such as heroin.
Knowing the Signs
Police said the amounts of drugs sold come in small quantities, making them easier to conceal.
A sugar packet is about the equivalent of a gram of methamphetamine, said Corporal Chris Stabio, who has worked in narcotics from about 2005 to 2009. Drugs can be sold in small plastic baggies, paper bindles and dollar bills.
Police recommend checking your teenager's clothing, specifically their jeans for unusual cuts on the waistband and/or seams. If multiple pairs have similar cuts in similar areas, it might be an indication that something is being hidden.
As far as behavioral changes, if your child had a normal sleep cycle which suddenly changes to odd hours, or if a drastic change in grades is seen, these can be indicators that drug use may be happening, Stabio said. Even if your child starts spending time with a completely new set of friends, that can be an indicator.
Chief Castro said he can understand why teens may resort to drug use (modern pressures to succeed at school, bullying, problems at home), but what can have a positive change in a teen's behavior is open communication with their parents.
"It's not always easy and it takes time. It can work," Castro said.
