Mother Says Drug Salts Almost Ruined Son's Life; Warning Other Parents
By: Marlisa Goldsmith
Updated: July 12, 2012
"He wasn't my son. I couldn't love him, I couldn't do anything. He was a monster," says Marti Lanier.
Around December of last year, Marti Lanier started noticing a difference in her son's behavior.
She explains, "He started getting really paranoid like people were following him. He couldn't get safe enough. He felt in danger all the time."
She assumed it had to do with drugs, but what kind of drugs, she did not know.
"He was tested. Tested three different times and nothing showed up," Lanier explains.
Which is a common result for people using designer drugs like bath salts.
"So that's the challenge for law enforcement. What exactly are we dealing with when we find this substance in the possession of an offender," says Officer George Spindler of Abilene Police Department.
They come in various forms, sold in smoke shops, convenient stores, and even on the street. Although the packaging often says "not for human consumption," people of all ages are trying the poisonous chemicals to get a high.
Spindler continues, "It's something that we are acutely aware and we're taking steps necessary to address the reality of this emerging trend."
Lanier says addiction to this drug does not discriminate,anyone can fall victim.
"I just want parents to be aware that it can happen. I didn't think it could happen to us. My son wasn't raised like that but it happens to the best of people," she says.
Which is why Lanier is doing everything she can to get the message out.
She says, "Everybody just needs to be aware. And that's what i wanted to do. We wanted people to be aware."
Lanier says her son is currently in rehab on the road to recovery.
Around December of last year, Marti Lanier started noticing a difference in her son's behavior.
She explains, "He started getting really paranoid like people were following him. He couldn't get safe enough. He felt in danger all the time."
She assumed it had to do with drugs, but what kind of drugs, she did not know.
"He was tested. Tested three different times and nothing showed up," Lanier explains.
Which is a common result for people using designer drugs like bath salts.
"So that's the challenge for law enforcement. What exactly are we dealing with when we find this substance in the possession of an offender," says Officer George Spindler of Abilene Police Department.
They come in various forms, sold in smoke shops, convenient stores, and even on the street. Although the packaging often says "not for human consumption," people of all ages are trying the poisonous chemicals to get a high.
Spindler continues, "It's something that we are acutely aware and we're taking steps necessary to address the reality of this emerging trend."
Lanier says addiction to this drug does not discriminate,anyone can fall victim.
"I just want parents to be aware that it can happen. I didn't think it could happen to us. My son wasn't raised like that but it happens to the best of people," she says.
Which is why Lanier is doing everything she can to get the message out.
She says, "Everybody just needs to be aware. And that's what i wanted to do. We wanted people to be aware."
Lanier says her son is currently in rehab on the road to recovery.
Comments
Gary, there really isn't anything YOU can do. You can be upset, threaten, disown whatever you feel like doing and it will not change anything not until your son is ready. I know that is a horrible thing to have to accept because you have to watch them hurt themselves and ruin their lives... but that is the way drugs work, they take away peoples lives and those people cannot reclaim their lives until they are ready, by time they reach that time... it is usually to late, they have done damage. It is NOT impossible though it can be done. Just remember tough love... do not enable. Your family is in my prayers!
Kelsey L.
July 13, 2012 at 5:29 am
I would like to follow up on what the lady was saying. My wife and I are going through this same situation right now with our 24yr old son. He is shooting the stuff into his veins. He is paranoid all the time always thinking there is someone else in the house or the cops or outside. It gets worse at night he blocks himself in his room, or we will find him sleep in the clothes hamper in wall in mornings. We took him to Arcadia they would not do anything for him because he has no money. Then they called MHMR and they evaluated him and our son lied so bad to them that they said he's fine and let him go home. We need help. What can we do.
gary g.
July 13, 2012 at 1:38 am
