Replies to '04/16 Drug Troubles'

I will definitely watch this episode of Dr. Phil since it so closely resembles what I went through and am still going through with my middle son (I have 3 sons...each 2 years apart and now grown).

#2 son did all the things mentioned in the synopsis plus many more.  I am quite sure he did things that I never even knew about.  He has a juvenile record longer than both of my arms and legs and now, since he's an adult, his record is growing by leaps and bounds.  He is currently a guest of the Texas Dept of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) and will be until April 2009.  This visit to TDCJ is the result of domestic abuse of a family member.  He knocked out his girlfriend's 2 front teeth during a fight they were having.  Both of them were drunk and high on marijuana at the time.

He was up for parole last month (March 2008) and I requested an interview with the Parole Board.  I did a telephone interview with the lady in charge of the Parole Board.  The first thing she asked me was if I was advocating or protesting.  I immediately told her that I was protesting!!!  He is a danger to himself and to society and probably always will be.  At age 15 years, he broke my nose when I confronted him with his stash of marijuana.  Then when I picked up the phone to call 911, he grabbed it out of my hand and tried to knock me out with it.  I had to run to escape further injury.

There was a time not long after that when I told him it was time to come in the house since it was getting late.  His temper flared again and he came after me with a knife.  Fortunately, I was able to get into the house and lock the door before he could stab me.

Apparently giving this information to the Parole Board, as his birth mother, and telling them that I was in fear of my life should he be allowed parole carried some weight with them because he was denied parole.  He will now be an inmate until April 2009.  I intend to obtain a permanent restraining order against him prior to that date.  I realize that a piece of paper is not going to stop him so I have taken other measures to protect myself as well.

He was raised the same way as my other 2 sons and they're both "normal" (whatever that means).  He was diagnosed with ADHD when he was 5; however, I did everything I could to help him.  At the age he is now, 28 years old, I can no longer do anything to help him.  Now I just have to let it go and protect myself.

I guess 2 good ones out of 3 is all I can expect...