Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Keep'n them safe

My son and I worked late into the night and me into the morning on a DFY project. (Drug Free Youth.) OOPS government class project. It’s an important project so I was glad to lend a hand. This one isn’t just a cool thing for him to do this is life and it’s for you and essential your children. Staying up late to put words with his video was necessity.

I pray that it saves lives.

I’d love to put the video on this site but I don’t have permission to do so.

Cody’s Law

On September 19, 2004 a 16 year old Cody Greenhaw died from a methadone overdose. He was given the drugs from the parents of his friend. They willingly gave him drugs and alcohol. He was encouraged to score for them. Did his parents see it? Yes they found the marijuana in his truck and did what most of us would do. They took away privileges and made him take regular drug tests. He passed over and over again so when he asked to spend time with his friend they gave in, after all he was doing well. He asked again, it was a birthday party so they gave in.

I can’t imagine what it was like to have police officers show up in church to tell you that your son is dead. The parents never called to tell them that they found him dead in their home.
Yes Cody had chosen to do drugs but they were given to him while the parents watched.

My son’s class decided to raise awareness and work towards strengthening the bill. They took first in the region for some of the work that they’ve done but that isn’t the true goal. They want the bill to make parents responsible for their children and your children when they are in our homes.

This one hit my heart. These kids are just like your kids. Some of the quotes are things that I’d say about my son. He was a good boy who made a bad friend. But here’s where it really hits us as parents WE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR WHAT HAPPENS IN OUR HOMES! I have pain killers in my house. My husband has alcohol on occasion. Right now I wouldn’t be responsible if a kid overdosed without my knowledge. Look folks all that we would need to is put those items where they can’t get to them before we go for the pizza for our video playing kids. Before we leave the house with someone else’s child in it, a child that you don’t really know, put it away. Be the cool parent and keep them safe. You wouldn't put a loaded gun on your bathroom counter. Or do you?

Another thing check out who they are hanging out with. Don’t be afraid to drop by to meet the parents and don’t be afraid to see the house where they live. If it feels off it most likely is.

I kept looking at my son and saying this could be any of you.

This could be you.

He was a kind, sensitive and caring kid.
Cody’s mom Sareva Greenhaw about her son

It was not uncommon to hear from other parents that he was their favorite among their kids' friends.
He was the boy next door.
He was a good student and he was involved in athletics and church,

He was also involved in drugs,
Cody’s mom

The hardest thing you'll ever have to do is close the lid on your child's casket, and we don't want to see another family endure thistragedy.
Mark Greenhaw Cody’s dad.
PRAYING FOR DRUG FREE KIDS
DFY

2 comments:

kc bob said...

I have four years of first hand experience of parenting a child with a drug problem. During that time I did absolutely everything I could.. called the cops.. went to court.. went to rehab with the child.. visited in jail.. prayed.. did a parents support group.. and more.

What I found during this time was schools that became adversarial.. cops who were unethical.. courts that were impotent.. treatment centers that tried hard but didn't help.

A common denominator with all of these groups (along with our culture in general) was the idea that it was the parents fault.. that troubled kids always come from bad parents. It is a mentality that I had before my children lost their mother to death. Fortunately I don't have it any more.

Anonymous said...

Wow, that's tragic. I can't imagine loosing my child knowing that another parent essentially had a hand in their death. To deal with the grief is hard enough, but to wrestle with anger, hatred, desire for revenge and yet know the need is to forgive ... that might just be too much.

We are pretty protective of who our girls hang out with, but I know that I can't watch every hour. We've had to cut ties with one because we didn't like the influence they were having on our daugher. It's hard (and not 100% enforceable), but important.

Bob - Thanks for the reminder. I tend to think that if I do all I can, my kids will be OK. But our world is broken and sometimes our best isn't good enough. Scary.