Editor’s Page From My Heart
Readers Letters
Dear Readers, Crimes committed by juveniles are on the rise; they put our nation’s future and the welfare of our families at risk. Many of these crimes are related to drug abuse. It is our belief that moms can do things that may prevent their children from acquiring the habits of substance abuse and addiction. Moreover, if a loved one already has this problem, there are solutions. Aside from professional help, parents of drug abusers can connect with a God who cares. In this issue we have articles that give information about substance abuse, a testimony of a boy who found the cure for his addiction, and some information about where to find help for substance abuse. We believe there’s hope for a brighter future! Evelyn Damian, Editor
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• Trumpet of Christ - Marikina City • United Evangelical Church - Zamboanga City • Anonymous
Photo by Don David
MOMS Editorial Staff (L-R): Johnson, Evelyn, Kim & Patrick
MOMS EDITORIAL STAFF Chief Editor Kimberly Snider Editor, MOMS Evelyn Damian Editor, MIP Alvin Tud Distribution Johnson Li Cover & Layout Patrick Tan
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Previous Issue: The OFW Opportunity
Current Issue: Teen Alert: Dealing with Substance Abuse
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Our Youth: Healing Our Nation’s Future Hope
Mind & Spirit
M
y elementary teacher once told our class, “You are our nation’s future. You will be the doctors, teachers, soldiers, public servants and other professionals of tomorrow.” Our national hero Dr. Jose Rizal once said, “Our youth is the hope of our future.” The sad truth is, today our nation’s future hope is less than what Rizal envisioned. If you read the newspaper, you will find an alarming number of juvenile crimes due to drugs. One such case involves a juvenile group named Batang Hamog or Spider Gang whose ages range from 15 years old and below. They victimize taxi drivers and passengers. A few of them bang the trunk or the hood of a taxicab to divert the driver’s attention while others open the doors and steal passengers’ bags.1
In a recent news article entitled “Juvenile Cases Rise Worries Solon,” Charissa M. Luci reported, “The House committee on dangerous drugs is moving to recommend amendments to the country’s juvenile justice and welfare law (Republic Act 9344 or the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006) as lawmakers expressed alarm over the increasing number of Filipino minors arrested on drug-related offenses.”2 The alarmed lawmakers want to reduce the age limit of criminal liability from 15 years old down to nine (Republic Act 9344 Sec. 6 “Minimum Age of Criminal Responsibility”).3 Recently, I visited Teen Challenge Manila in Valenzuela City to find out why this is happening in our society. Teen Challenge Manila is a Christian ministry that provides shelter to drug abuse children and works with DSWD and other NGOs to help the children to rebuild their
shattered lives. Teen Challenge Manila in partnership with DSWD provides dynamic activities, lectures, small group discussions focusing on selfawareness, self-confidence, conflict resolution and peer counselling. DSWD social workers, Ms. Jessabel Reyes and Ms. Angela Bunag who is also a psychologist assigned to Teen Challenge Manila gave us some insights on the problem. They cited dysfunctional families, poverty, and a family history of substance abuse as reasons minors take drugs; the major reason being a dysfunctional family. The following are a few guidelines that Ms. Bunag and Ms. Reyes recommended to prevent our children from taking drugs: • Be part of their lives. Spend quality time with them by giving them the right attention and love. • Be a good example for your children. Demonstrate good manners and treating others with respect. • Know where your children are and what they are doing. • Teach your children how to refuse drugs. Kids often do drugs just to fit in with other kids. Help them practice how to say no if someone offers them drugs. Our youth depends on many adults as they grow up. Whether you are a parent, a teacher, a relative, or a friend, you can make a difference and help the children you love grow up in a loving, and caring environment. Rizal’s dreams for our youth may soon come to a reality if we as parents will help start building our child’s dream today.
Photo by Johnson Li
by Rizaldy S. Guevarra
Jessabel (2nd from left) and Angela (far left) with the head of Teen Challenge Manila, Wes Sullivan (6th from left) & the staff and kids in the rehab center.
Types of dysfunctional families: Deficient Parents - hurt their children by neglecting them. Chronic mental illness or a disabling physical illness can contribute to parental inadequacy. Abusive Parents – Abuse can be physical, verbal or sexual. In a physical abuse situation, parents inflict injuries on their children such as burns, cuts, bruises caused by kicking, punching, beating, paddling, etc. In verbal abuse situations, parents belittle and give negative criticism targeted at a child’s looks, intelligence, capabilities or basic values. A sexual abuse situation happens when an adult and child have physical contact that must be kept secret. Controlling Parents – Controlling parents fail to allow their children to assume responsibilities appropriate for their age. These parents continue to dominate and make decisions for their children well beyond the age where this is necessary. Alcoholic Parents - tend to be chaotic and unpredictable. Parents may be strict at times and indifferent at other times. Promises are neither kept nor remembered. Rules that apply one day don’t apply the next.
1. http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/metro-manila/09/09/11/cops-cant-charge-bukas-kotse-youths. 2 http:// mb.com.ph/node/354207/juvenile-ca. 3 http://www.lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra2006/ra_9344_2006.html
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as told to Alena Palad
Diego Gonzales, being an only son like his father, was his father’s joy and only hope to carry on the family’s name through the next generation. Unfortunately, during his teenage years, Diego chose the wrong friends, made the wrong decisions, and ruined his life. Here’s his story and how his path was changed to a life of peace. Tell us something about yourself.
e lived in Quezon Province where my father was a logger. My mother also had a job in a rice cake factory so money was not a problem for our family when I was growing up. I’m now 22 years old. When I was born, both my father and paternal grandmother were very happy. A son meant that someone will carry on the family’s name through the next generation. Can you share with us your experience with drugs?
Growing up, my father was a cigarette smoker. However, he didn’t encourage me to try it. In fact, I remember a time when my father’s best friend asked me to buy a cigarette for him. My father got mad at him. My father was real careful in how he raised me. I was the family’s favorite and we were happy. When I was 13, I started High School and chose my barkada. All of them smoked cigarettes. I was easily lured to try new things, so when my friends claimed something was good, I had no problem trying it. This is how I started smoking. I didn’t tell my parents about it. Eventually, we also started drinking. When I was around 14 to 15 years old, one of my barkada asked me to push marijuana. I enjoyed the money I earned from it and spent everything for myself and my barkada. I started smoking marijuana when one day, instead of paying me money, my friend gave me marijuana and asked me to try it. I remember it felt good and I didn’t know that it would harm my body. We also had a band and practiced a lot, although we didn’t play professionally. I was the guitarist. Our leader and drummer was an American boy and we would often hang out at his place. All of us were drug users. We also loved to skateboard and had a lot of girlfriends. I followed a daily routine of school, band practice, and skateboarding. I would go home only to change clothes. I was always with
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Photo by Alena Palad
W
Diego in Set Free Center
my barkada. We were inseparable. Sometimes we would hang out at our house. Whenever my father saw us, he would say lightly, “Huwag na kayong gumamit ng kung anu-ano, mambabae na lang kayo.” He didn’t nag me. There were times when, after puffing a stick, I would go home and bend my head really low so they would not see that my eyes were red. However, my mother always found out about it and would say, “Ayan ka na naman, ha!” My parents never confronted me about my vices but somehow they let me know that they knew what was going on with my life. Maybe they knew I would not listen to them anyway. I went to 3 different schools to finish my first year in high school. Then I was placed on ELS but did not finish that program because I didn’t submit the requirements on time. Eventually, I shifted from marijuana to Shabu. By this time, I was also traveling to Cavite to buy marijuana so I can resell them. I used the money I earned from it to buy Shabu. I didn’t know then that
all these drugs were doing harm to my body. When I used Shabu, I ate just the right amount of food. I felt light and active. I remember I would clean the house extensively and scrub every corner of the kitchen tiles until it became very clean. I would also wash clothes. I thought the effect of Shabu was just right for me. As my day went on, I would feel agitated and would look for another dose of Shabu. What was your turning point? When our band leader went back to the US, there were four of us left behind. There was a great change in the way we lived. I and my barkada combined our money to have capital to continue selling drugs. But we still had a lot of unpaid debts. The last time I left to buy drugs, I took with me all of my friends’ money but embezzled it. A long time went by before I went back to see my friends again. Naturally, they were angry with me and didn’t trust me anymore. Our band fell apart. I went home broke. At first, I shamefully asked my family for money but eventually, they hid their money from me. My siblings treated me like I didn’t exist. I borrowed money from everyone I knew - my relatives, neighbors, girlfriend, other friends, and even the balut vendor. I was desperate. I never got to pay them back. I remember I had two computers repaired but I wasn’t able to pay the technician either. Even my grandmother didn’t give me money anymore. When my girlfriend did not lend me money to restart my marijuana business, I broke up with her. I felt so alone that day. It seemed like everyone was against me. I was staring at my cellphone and no one was texting me. I called my girlfriend several times but she rejected my calls. Then I came to the point of desperation and I just sat in a corner of my room thinking that no one loves me. I looked at the walls of my room. They were full of posters about anti-Christ. I was mad at the world and punched the wall. After that, I went out to get my dog. I stoned him and then I beat him. I let my anger out on him. My dog got mad and I said, “Pati ba naman ikaw galit din sa akin?” At that point, I called my older sister who was working in Manila. I threatened that if she didn’t take me to a rehab center, I would kill a guy who did me wrong. “Hirap na hirap na ako nun. Nandun na talaga ‘yung kailangan ko na ng tulong. Kailangan ko nang magpahinga.” My father was already ill at this time and we were hard up, but we could still eat three times a day. My sister said, “Okay, I will take you to rehab but do you know that’s expensive?” Somehow I was already wondering, “If there is no God, then who made man?” And then I said, “Lord, please help me. Save me. I will not do this anymore. I surrender. I’m losing all the people I love.”
Photo courtesy of Set Free Center
Make a Difference
The boys in Set Free Center after a game of basketball.
her house when my aunt, who lived in Manila, came to visit her. When my aunt heard that I wanted to go to rehab, they discussed money matters between themselves and she promised to help me. The very next day, my grandmother urged me to go to Manila with my aunt. When we arrived in Manila, I immediately used my aunt’s computer to search for a rehab center and came across Set Free Center. When I found out they offer free treatments, I contacted them right away. Through their program, my life turned in a different direction. I learned to value myself. I learned to respect authority as the Bible says. I learned how to love without expecting anything in return. I don’t curse anymore. I also made up my mind to continue my studies. Set Free Center made a way for me to continue my education. During my first few weeks at Set Free Center, I still craved cigarettes. I saw a neighbor smoking so I approached him, asked for a stick, and smoked. After that incident, I felt guilty so I approached my counselor and told him what I did. We talked about it and after that I never did it again. Whenever I felt like giving up, I remembered where I came from – a miserable and lonely life. I also thought of the people I’ve hurt. Since coming to Set Free Center, I have received lots of blessings. The Lord changed my life. He brought back my family, my aunt who used to hate me, my cousins, and friends, even though I haven’t paid any of them yet. Above all the material blessings and the restoration of my relationships, I’m most thankful that I’m able to have the chance to ask forgiveness for all of my sins. I’m thankful that I recognized that I’m a sinner and I thank God that I’m able to repent for all my sins. That to me is the most important gift!
When my grandmother found out I decided to go to a rehab center, she was very happy. I was in
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Body & Soul Bad Drugs Do Bad Things by Kim Snider
S
ubstance abuse in the Philippines is growing rapidly. In fact, 65% of the crime suspects are drug addicts. Addictive drugs cause dependency; after taking the drug, the user feels compelled to take it again and again. This is because at first the drug causes pleasure, but later, as it leaves the body, users suffer anxiety and physical pain. These are what cause users to keep taking the drug. Another feature of these drugs is that the quantities needed to feel good increase. Shabu, inhalants and marijuana are the most often used drugs among young people. Shabu is the street name for methamphetamine hydrochloride. A dose of Shabu causes a rush of pleasure by releasing excessive amounts of dopamine—a pleasure regulator in the brain. The drug causes high energy, excessive talking, and increased activity, respiration and sexuality. It decreases feelings of tiredness and appetite. Over the long term it can cause dependency, anxiety, confusion, insomnia, stroke, paranoia and cardiovascular problems. An addiction to this drug is hard to get over.
Inhalants are ordinary substances that are used as recreational drugs. They can be any product such as household cleaners, paint thinner, and adhesives and solvents. The most popular is rugby. Rugby can be easily obtained and is inexpensive. Sniffing rugby makes the user high and they can temporarily forget hunger pangs, family problems, poor self-esteem and peer pressure. It causes memory lapse and loss of motor skills and muscular coordination. It induces a state of hallucination like drunkenness; it is marked by incoherent speech, inability to maintain balance and discern things clearly. Long term use can cause bronchitis, skin rashes, weight loss, unstable temperament, and inability to concentrate. It can also cause damage to the kidneys, liver, brain and overall nervous system which can be fatal. Marijuana, made of dried leaves of the cannabis plant, contains tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) that triggers the brain to release dopamine; this causes the user to feel “high.” Marijuana can cause loss of coordination, Continued on p. 7
Helping Teens Break Free by APMM Staff
E
ach person who is a victim of addiction has their own reason why they began their journey into substance abuse. Whatever their reason, addicted teens end up ruining their lives and drastically impacting their families. Thankfully there are cures for drug abuse problems and addictions IF the abuser is willing to change. Although recovery from substance abuse is very difficult, there are institutions that can help rehabilitate people enslaved by it. One of these institutions is Teen Challenge Manila. Teen Challenge Manila is a Christian school program that deals with spirituality, moral cleanness, commitment, and work ethics so that young people can become productive citizens in their community and so that eventually they can help others who are caught in the substance abuse trap.
While Teen Challenge Manila certainly helps drug abusers deal with the biological and emotional issues which comprise addiction, it also identifies the causes of addiction such as anger, bitterness, jealousy, and pain from the past. Teen Challenge Manila teaches drug abusers to read the word of God and depend on Him to overcome those problems. Our local Teen Challenge Manila, located in Valenzuela City, has partnered with the office of the
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Mayor, the DSWD, and other NGO’s to help kids recover from substance abuse. It has an education program through the city of Valenzuela. There are public school teachers that go to Teen Challenge Manila twice a week to further the kids’ education. Teen Challenge Manila also visits the parents of the kids to see if they can encourage and teach them to be part of solutions to their addiction problem. Wes Sullivan is head of Teen Challenge Manila in Valenzuela City. He is a recovered substance abuser himself and he really understands the teens in his care and how to relate to them. He says: “Teen Challenge is not an easy ministry because it deals with disciplining people who never had discipline in their lives, people who never took care of themselves, never had any work ethics or any type of hygiene. Teen Challenge helps them improve in this area by integrating spiritual, physical and mental discipline in their daily routine from the time they wake up to the time they go to bed. On Sundays, we also go to a church near our area so that the kids here can interact with other kids and they can develop their social skills. The only thing that will cure people is a relationship with Jesus Christ.” You can contact Teen Challenge Manila at telephone 0932-843-3949 or by email: wesleysullivan42@yahoo.com
Love & Money
Advice to Prevent Drug Addiction Jonathan Pieren is the director of Set Free Center, a drug rehabilitation center in Cainta, Rizal. Set Free Center is open to boys with substance abuse or addiction problems who are willing to change. Its goal is to make them productive individuals for the society. Every day Jonathan talks to each person in Set Free Center. Jonathan shared with us what he has learned as a parent and from interaction with the boys who have gone through the problem of substance abuse. Here is his advice on what parents can do to help prevent their children from taking drugs.
“W
e should always pray for our children. We should love them and give them rules, teach them values, and guidelines for life. If you teach your child at a young age, the Bible says, ‘he will not depart from it.’ “We should be good examples for our children. I believe that will impact them. We should be role models. Parents should be living what they’re talking. “Many of these addicted teens are from broken families, but there are also a good number from middle class whose families are not broken. This is because the parents pamper their children. They give and do everything for the child if the child pushes for it. These children do not learn to deal with the challenges of life. They do not learn to follow rules. They get whatever they want whenever they want. That is not reality. When the time comes, they are not able to cope with certain things. If teens just have an easy life, hang out with their barkada, have too much idle time, they will be pulled into drugs. It is not guaranteed, but it happens. “Parents should not be too strict with their children and not too loose. There should be a balance in between. Through years of parenting, I figured out that if there are too many rules, the child loses joy and doesn’t build relationships. When you praise your child when they do well, they are motivated. This is a much easier type of parenting than applying rules. Rules need to be there, yes, and they need to be followed, but if it’s
Photo by Johnson Li
as told to Evelyn Damian
Jonathan and his wife
only rules that you communicate to your children, it might harden their heart and it’s not so easy to get their hearts opened up to you again. “Good parenting and healthy relationships in the family have a big impact on the child’s identity and confidence. They help the child say “no” to things he knows are not right; I think they really enable our children to say no to drugs. Of course, a person at some point of his life will make his own decision; that’s part of growing up. We cannot always decide for our children. But I believe if we have given healthy, good support to our children while we are raising them, it will help them make good decisions. If children have solid identity, they will not give in to peer pressure. Peer pressure happens most during teenage years, in school, and in university. That’s why it’s important that children have a solid identity. “Another cause for drug use is lack of direction for life. Sometimes when we ask children what their dreams are, they don’t know what to say because they haven’t thought about it. It’s like ‘everyday I’m living but I don’t know where I’m going.’ Of course that attitude won’t help a person move on. We try to help them develop direction in life. “Finally, we need to acknowledge that God is The Creator and following Him and His ways is actually the best anyone can do. One should connect and have relationship with Jesus Christ. This works!” You can contact Set Free Center at telephone (02) 658-4895 or by email: SetFreeCenter@helpphilippines.org
Bad Drugs, p. 6
decrease in memory, good judgment and perception. In the long term, it is thought that marijuana use affects brain function, mental health, and can cause depression and anxiety. People who smoke marijuana are susceptible to chest colds, coughs, and bronchitis. Although it is said often that marijuana is non- addictive, 9% of all marijuana users become dependent on it. Perhaps the most serious concern is that people who smoke marijuana are more likely to be exposed to and urged to try other drugs. Resources used in this article were: http://www.stuartxchange.org/Shabu.html. http://aynfender.hubpages.com/hub/buster. (Shabu). Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) or Ecstasy. Marijuana.Cocaine. Ephedrine. http://www.articlesbase.com/addictions-articles/a-look-at-drug-addictionin-the-philippines-1412551.html. http://www.blurtit.com/q168636.html. http://voices.yahoo.com/rugby-boys-inhalant-abuse-philippines-94899.html. http://teens. drugabuse.gov/facts/facts_mj2.php. http://www.philippinestoday.net/July2001/tinig701.htm
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Q A
My teenager is in a “barkada” of drug addicts and has been taking drugs. What should I do?
It is traumatic for a parent to find out their teenager is taking drugs. The worse thing you can do is to ignore the problem and hope it will go away. Ask God to give you wisdom in confronting your son. Calmly assure him that you are concerned because you love him and have his best interest at heart. Offer your help and support, without being judgmental. There may be issues in his life that have caused him to take drugs and go with this particular barkada. Seek medical evaluation to determine the extent of the addiction and to determine if he needs to be in a rehab center. If he needs to be rehabilitated, then he will need the support of your family, church community and school guidance counselors. As a parent here are some things you can do. • Set rules and consequences. He should understand that taking drugs comes with specific consequences. Do not give rules you cannot enforce. Make sure you and your husband agree to enforce them. • Monitor his activities. It is important to realize that your teenager should be separated from the environment that enables him to pursue his addiction. Know where your he goes and who his barkada is. Check potential hiding places for drugs—in bags, drawers or cabinets. Explain to him that this lack of privacy is a consequence of him getting caught using drugs.
• Encourage him to have wholesome extra-curricular activities. Sports and school clubs can help redirect his energies in a positive way. • Expose him to a Bible study group for teenagers. Your teen must have new and stronger values. He must live by God’s principles found in the Bible. A relationship with the living God is important for a drug free life and mindset.
To Start a Relationship with Christ
Usapang Pamilya DVD Collection Volume 5
Believe in Jesus. “For God so
Features THREE family issues: • Bangag (Overcoming Drug Abuse) • Born Bading (Living Free) • Silip (Freedom from Pornography)
Admit you have sinned. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23 loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish; but have eternal life.” John 3:16b
Confess and leave your sin
behind. Stop sinning. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just, and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9
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To continue growing in your relationship with Christ, fellowship with other believers, read the Bible and pray!
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