Blood Drug Testing

can a alcohol assessment test show if you have drank alcohol within the past week? is there a test that shows the last time you drank alcohol?

How to answer questions on an oral alcohol assessment test and pass?

what happens if you violate your probation by missing a required alcohol assessment test.? lets just say that you have two DWIs already. how likely is more jail time?

Does a alcohol assessment just contain being tested for alcohol or does it test for every drug? So, i gotta take this alcohol assessment class and i was wondering does that include just being tested for alcohol or other drugs as well?

Do I get proof for court ordered alcohol assessment test?

what is a drug and alcohol assessment test consist of?

do they drug test you for a ALCOHOL ASSESSMENT interview 10 points ASAP? i got a meeting this week for a alcohol assessment recominded by my probation officer its a meeting to see if i need classes will they drug test me

Drug test in Alcohol Assessment session? I've been cited for having alcohol as a minor and my lawyer recommended me taking alcohol classes. I've signed up for the classes, but before I can start I have to take an assessment. I asked the guy what the "assessment" involved and he said it was a series of questions about alcohol and drugs. Do they typically do drug tests during these? I've only smoked three times in my life and two of them happened to be a week ago. If I answer truthfully, I might have to attend drug classes along with alcohol. Should I "cheat" and say I haven't taken any drugs. If I do, what are the chances that I will get drug tested? Please answer ASAP! Thank you!

Will I get drug tested for completing a alcohol assessment class? So, I had .01 alcohol in my system and I was ordered to take a alcohol assessment class. Will the class order me to complete a drug test for other substances also?

felony probation in Texas, ? is involved in the TAIP/drug alcohol assessment? do they do drug test then? I was charged w/ fraudulent prescription...ended up getting a Pretrial Diversion...Im on probation for 1 yr...etc. Went to get ID card and community service info but was told to come back EARLY in the morn. to do the TAIP evaluation for drug/alcohol abuse. what happens during this meeting? are you drug tested? What should I expect b/c i need to know if they do a UA or if they do random ones. I am in Harris County/Houston, TX. if so, and I test positive, what happens? if Urine test is done and positive but DO have legitament prescription,what happens? I..need details on the TAIP & advice, I was told to come at 6am b/c they only do so many of these assessments a day......tell me what u know PLEASE'''''''''''THANK U....more info on what to expect. THANK U! My TAIP eval must b dpmr by une 3th, 2009

i have to get a alcohol assessment through dupage co., will their be an urine test?

Where can alcohol assessments tests be given in ohio? I was court ordered to get one because of an underage citation. Where in ohio are these offered?

drug and alcohol assessment classes that are court ordered..what do the urine tests test for? i have a court ordered d and a class assessment tomorrow, and im just wondering..are their urine tests any stronger/more sensitive than your typical job tests? and what do they test for? im asking because for about a month or so, i smoked weed nearly everyday 1-2 times a day, and i know for heavy smokers weed stays in your system for 30-45 days... i stopped smoking on the 20th, and my class is tomorrow, the 8th...so im just kind of trying to figure out if ill pass it or not..

What does an alcohol assessment involve? What does an alcohol assessment ordered by a court after being charged for a DUI involve? And are there subsequent tests performed? I recently got a DUI and don't plan on drinking, but I don't have the time to go in for more assessments besides the initial one because of my work schedule. Any info would be much appreciated. Thanks.

What takes place during an alcohol assessment? One of my family members has been ordered by the court to go to an alcohol abuse assessment. The assessment is scheduled less than two weeks before the next court hearing. He is convinced that he waited too long to schedule it and that the court will put him on probation...can they do that? Also, does anyone know what an alcohol assessment consists of? I know that it will take two hours, but is it just a lot of questions, or are drug tests often given on the spot? Just curious on what to expect. Thanks.

What actually happens at a drug and alcohol assessment? Im worrired about the drug test. I have told my parents I have smoked pot only once and it was two weeks ago. But I have smoked about ten times before that over a six month period. Will that show up on the tests?

How much is the written test in Florida for Learner's Permit? Ever since the new year in order to get your learner's permit you must complete the Drug and Alcohol assessment plus the written test at the dmv... Does anyone have any clue how much it is for the written test?

Does an ex-spouse have the right to input on alcohol assessment? My husband and his ex are still in a heated custody battle. She just plain doesn't want him in their daughters life. She insisted on alcohol/drug assessment, which he complied with. He actually had ten years of testing because he is in a union for work and they will have random testing. He has never had a problem with drugs or alcohol, no arrests, no tickets, no nothing. The ex is dragging him back to court stating he is in comtempt because he didn't allow her to know when and where he had his assessment so she could contribute to it. They have been split up for over four years and she wouldn't have a current say on his drinking or drug use anyway?? What does everyone think, is she out of line?? isn't there laws that would protect his privacy anyway?? The judge didn't seem to have a problem with his assessment just the ex. Please voice your opinion, we can't believe he has to go back to court for this!!

Drug and Alcohol assessment? I'm going to a drug assessment tomorrow. I do not use drugs, the point is to prove that I do not use drugs, I'm just curious if they are going to give me a urine test, and if they are going to watch me, and what else I need to expect.

Alcohol treatment assessment? My fiance is going in for an assessment tomorrow for alcoholism at a local treatment center. I'm petrified of what they are going to say but think I am that way because I don't know what to expect from the appointment. What are they going to do tomorrow? Just ask a bunch of questions? Will they take a urine or blood test? Has anybody been through this or done an assessment and knows whats going to happen?

i have a dui case out of will co. il. and need alcohol assessment that i cant afford.? the last time i went into court for my d.u.i. the judge granted me a continuance. he insisted i get the assessment or else they would have to take it to trial. i was really really drunk and blew in the Breathalyzer. every one is telling me if i go in next time with out assessment i am going to jail. it seems will co. is really cracking down. its my first dui. i can not afford the assessment and they want me to take a particular kind of test that i can not get any help for from any kind of charitable agency. ( ive looked every where for help paying for it.) what kind of time am i realistically looking at. i know its can carry a sentencing up to 1 yr. in jail and a fine of 25,000.00 fine, but what are my odds in will co. court house and even though it is my first d.u.i. i do have other felony and misdemeanor convictions. ie. retail theft and possession of controlled substance and criminal trespassing all from cook co. first time in trouble in will county. don't know what to do, very scared. just want suggestions and probable out come of sentencing to my case. i do have a drug addiction problem and was thinking of checking myself into a inpatient rehab. my next court date is within 2 weeks which doesn't leave much time for the paper work of assessment to be processed even if i could afford it. please help. sorry i must have not made my question clear enuf...i just want 2 know what i most am likely to be sentenced to. max? min? ca$h?

ok. i had a alchohol assessment. they want me to do the pee test randomly. some say it out of system? within 12 hours or so. but assessment lady says they can detect alcohol in metabolism up to 3 days after if ive drank more than3. is this true. usually 6-8 per night i drink

how do i prove to the courts my husband is a drunk? I am separated from my husband for a year now do to his drinking, He started the divorce process but ran outta money to finish it, however i have 1 child with him and his parents helped pay for a laywer and i on the other hand don't have money. I stated the reason behind why i left my husband and his laywer had him take a alcohol assessment test. Of course he pasted. I told his laywer those things are a joke he could be drunk and answer yes and no to ?'s they ask him and pass with flying colors, however he was in the navy 2 years ago and he was in treament 2 differnet times for drinking how do i get those records too. I feel the odds are against me and I hate to think that i am putting my daughter in danger when in his care, but as you all know if i can't prove it i have no reason to hold my child from seeing her father. I've called the police on him cause he left her alone 1 time, but the cop said he can't do anything unless she was hurt. He said it wasn't even nelgence. please help! my main concern is my daughter's safety while in his care, i also have a 11 yrs (not his child) who is afaid of him when he drinks. I never use my children as a tool. It's never about the money cause if something was to happen to my daughter while in his care, no amount of money could replace her life. This is what i fear. His parents support him even knowing he has a drinking problem. I wouldn't mind supervised visitaion but i think i need to prove why i want it

Drug test during probation for DUI? Please only answer if you or someone close have experienced this. I have been placed on probation for 1 year due to a DUI offense. I already went thru a drug and alcohol assessment appointment, I did very well on the test and was not considered to have any drug addiction problems, and I was only required to sign up for a Prime for Life class. My question: Is there any chance that my probation officer might request me at anytime to undergo a drug test? I don't know why I don't feel like they could play this trick on me. It seems that the probation officer should tell me from the very beginning of the probation period to not use any drugs before he could just surprise me by asking me to undergo a drug test. My question: Is there any chance that my probation officer might request me to undergo a drug test? Please let me know what's your source.

What happens if I fail my first drug test on Probation in Michigan? Im 18 years old and I got an MIP in Michigan. It was my first offense and the judge gave me a year of probation. Thats all. My first time going to the probation officer was today and I did not have to drug test or anything he just told me I would have to take a Substance Abuse Assessment with a counselor and then if the assessment reveals the need for further counseling, i would be required to take a class. I am required to visit him once a month but he did not tell me if I was ever going to have to blow (alcohol test) or drug test. He gave me a sheet with a list of the things I have to do such as the Substance Abuse Assesment and it says that I MAY be required to take a drug screen/breath test. So my question is, if the next time I go in do you think I will be required to drug test? and if I am required to, if I fail my first time will I be in trouble? or do I simply have to have my drug levels decrease from the first test? Any help is appreciated. Remember I was charged with an MIP. First time I have any trouble with the law. Nothing related to drugs. Those of you saying I will for sure have to drug test.... how do you know? My brother got a DUI and was on probation and didnt have to drug test once. Plus, I go to school and have a job, wouldnt they simply extend my probation? Everyone ive ever heard that failed a breath test or drug test didnt go to jail... thats ridiculous.

What assessment parameters would be addressed? What diagnostic tests would you expect to be ordered? You are caring a 60 y/o man w/ a history of diabetes, pancreatitis,alcohol abuse & abdominal pain associated w/ meals. he states that he sometimes has nausea and vomiting after dinner. Identify questions that should be asked when taking patient's history.

received a false thc / bac test result - possible health related? i had to go to get an alcohol assessment for an owi (2 beers in a 6 1/2 hour time span showed a bac of .132 ,, after i blew clean on the breathalizer and then the cop found out i had a well paying job) and after the assessment they had me give them a urine sample whioch they are saying tested positive for marijuana. i don't smoke marijuana, dont hang around anyone who smokes, and dont even allow it to be brought into my home. i looked online to find reasons for a false thc reading and one of them was kidney disease or diabetes- was wondering if its possible i could have either one based on the fact that i usually consume an average of a 12 pack of Sunkist Orange soda a day along with a few candy bars here and there and my usual diet consists of boxed/canned foods and frozen pizzas- and smoke cigs - pack-pack and 1/2 a day - im a mailman so i walk a lot everyday so im not huge or anything- stocky at best. is it possible i could have one of these and not know it.. and if so would it cause a false reading on the marijuana as well as the bac? also dont have alcohol in my home (was raised by an alcoholic mother so i dont drink at home and have only been to a bar twice in the last 7 months, and then just had a few and played the jukebox.) since the assessment place took down my salary before the assessment im convinced this is the biggest money hungry scam going on and im a bit pissed- especially about the marijuana thing. will call my lawyer friday but wanted to check to see if i had anything going on in my favor here.

what questions should be asked when taking the patients history? what assessment parameters would be addressed? what diagnostic tests would you expect to be ordered? PROBLEM: You are caring for a 60 yrs old man with a history of diabetes, pancreatitis, alcohol abuse, and abdominal pain associated with meals.He states that he sometimes has nausea and vomiting after eating dinner.

I have to get a drug & alchol assessment screening I have been drinking everyday, if I dont drink for 1 day? if i stop drinking for one day and take the test next day will it still show my alcohol

smoking weed and urine tests? okay, so im court ordered to take a piss test on the 8th of dec. for an alcohol/drug assessment evaluation..problem is, i work from 6-2am so i like to smoke after work so i can sleep because my body is real achey since its the 17th now, what point is it a good time to stop smoking weed so i can pass the test? is this test at this drug and alcohol assessment class going to be any stronger/accurate than a typical test say..a job would give you? oh ya, i had stopped smoking weed for awhile..but i picked it back up again about 1 1/2 months ago

Drug testing during DUI procedure in Oklahoma? I just got my first DUI (on alcohol, at Norman). From what I know during probation I'll have to attend community service, DUI School, and take a Drugs and Alcohol assessment. Will I get a drug test at some point throughout the whole procedure? I'm worried about weed, which I do smoke occasionally. Please help me with some intelligent and valuable answers in here : ) ok so I'm no longer driving and drinking... or smoking weed for some time either. However if they did test me, I could turn out positive, so that' why I need to know if drug tests are involved. Could you help me with this? Thx : )

Leaving the state.Can I go? I got married and my husband is in the military. He recently got a new assignment and we would be required to move to another state. My sons father, which I was not married to and has not been a steady part of his life for 7 years is now fighting it. His attorney is now digging up my past before my son was even thought of. We both have attorneys and its a huge mess. He is trying to gain full custody after I have had it for this whole 7 years. My sons father has been convicted of 3 DUI's which is a felony and had child protection involved due to bringing my son home with severe scrapes and telling me another story, which later the truth had to come out. We are going through a home study as well as psychological testing, drug/alcohol assessments and so on..its a huge mess. Will the judge approve me to leave the state once this is all complete. The lady in charge of doing the home study does not seem like she is very interested in my side of it and it worries me that she may recommend to the judge to not let me leave the state. I never thought that a custody battle would be so stressful. I have worked too hard to loose custody of my son after this long. I have a college degree and have given him a very healthy life. Since my marriage I am able to be a stay at home mother as well. Anyone have advice for me?? Thanks so much!!!!

Fail drug test, what happens? I've been cited for having alcohol as a minor and my lawyer recommended me taking alcohol classes. I've signed up for the classes, but before I can start I have to take an assessment. I asked the guy what the "assessment" involved and he said it was a series of questions about alcohol and drugs. So I assume I will be drug tested and will fail. What would happen after a positive drug test? I honestly have only smoked 3 times in my life, but 1 was recent. Is it likely that I will be required to take a drug class as well as my alcohol one or can it be forgiven? Will it be reported to the police or could it ruin my chances of getting my minor in possession of alcohol dismissed? God, I screwed up so much in the past month...

Can I get an MIP if I did not drink or have any alcohol in my possession at a party that got busted? Hi I'm 17, I was at a kind of small party(15-20ppl) that got busted at a girls house. She lives in an apartment but has a residential clubhouse she has access to with a key card, and she has parties there. The cops came and I had not drank anything at all, some kids ran and got away and some kids got legitimate MIP's and MIC's because they had been drinking. I blew zeros in the Breathalyzer test and got charged with a "criminal trespass" (along with the others) for being at the clubhouse after official hours. Being a minor and first time offender, I dealt with all the legal stuff like assessment/evaluation (Not drug evaluation because it wasn't drug related) for the "criminal trespassing" charge. I got my papers in the mail not expecting it to be much of a big deal, either the easiest level diversion program with no drug test or AA meetings (because my charge was not drug or alcohol related) or youth court which probably would have ended with a possible fine and a little community service. I got the diversion papers and my first "count" was for a fucking MIP when I didn't drink and blew zeros!? Then my second "count" was for the actual crime, which was the criminal trespassing charge, in which I knew I had coming. Also the police report says my ONLY offense was criminal trespassing no MIP or MIC and I know I blew zeros because the officer showed us what we blew and I've been in these situations before and completely understand them. My question is can I get out of this with proper legal help like a lawyer!? Because I did NOT drink that night and I know I had the criminal trespassing charges coming like all my other friends but right now I'm being accused of an MIP/MIC. I'm so mad, sad, upset at the same time. Its very stressful. What exactly should I do at this point because diversion for an MIP/MIC is a LOT more expensive then a light Diversion program for criminal trespassing.

What are some common outcomes for others that received a DUI in NC since 2007? Jan.10, 2007 I was charged with a DUI. I had gotten off work around 11:30pm and had 3 beers. The last two of course were within the last hour I was there. I was pulled over for "speeding" in my Eclipse Spyder (sports cars are easy to spot) and of course was asked if I had been drinking by the Trooper. I admitted that I had and how much I had. I consented to a breathalizer. He gave me three. He would have me blow and then he'd read it and write something down, answer a call, chit chat with me a bit, then have me do the breathlizer again and so on. Of course, I'm thinking nothing of the situation I'm in, because I hadn't had that much to drink from 11:30 to 1:30pm. I asked him after the third test what I was registering and he told me that his machine doesn't tell him what I'm blowing but just that there is alcohol in my system. DUH! It wouldn't have taken him 3 tests and I admitted that I had just finished my 3rd beer, so obviously he was watching the levels rise. A hour after he pulled me over he had me take two breathlizer tests downtown. I blew a .08 and immediately after that a .09. I've hired a lawyer who has continued it since then and now my court date is coming up in January where I was informed that I need to appear. I paid my lawyer, did my alcohol assessment, and now I'm not sure how to feel about my odds in court. I know that at the time I was pulled over I was no where near the legal limit and I even told him that I was less than 5 minutes from my house. I would have been home and asleep in the time it took for my BAC to get to .08. I would appreciate any responses to anyone that's in a similar situation and in NC, so I know what to expect. I know the law is the law, but can this Trooper really get away with taking advantage?

What are the possible punishments i will receive for my underage drinking citation? Can I fight it?.? One night my boyfriend and I got off of a boat and he was intoxicated (he is 28). I was not drinking ( I am 20), but we got in a disagreement and he took a ride home with his friend. I had to car, so I called my mom to give me a ride. (I gave her ten dollars in gas money for the ride when it only used five dollars at the most.) Well, the whole ride home my mother was bitching about how crappy my boyfriend is (he is the sweetest guy ever by the way). Anyways, after my mom dropped me off my boyfriend was irritated that i called my mother, so he called her and asked her to come pick me up for the night. He wanted the night to cool off, and I didn't mind if i went there for the night. Sometime after my mother dropped me off, she called the police and told them that my boyfriend was going to kill me! I believe that she was just trying to get him arrested because she HATES him so much. Next thing I know i am opening my door to the cops outside. They told me to come talk to them. I assured them there was no problem, but then my boyfriend stepped outside to see what was going on. They were repeatedly questioning us. My boy was drunk, but they said they smelt alcohol on me. I told them I wasn't drinking and refused a breathilizer test. They tell me I will be receiving a citation in the mail for underage drinking. I say uh...ok. And the cops walk off. A few days later i have a citation in my mail box for $263.50 and a mandatory court appearance. I just want to know what i will have to do: jail, alcohol assessment, probation...can someone please give me some input? By the way this is a wisconsin case.

My boyfriend wants to gain custody of his daughter? My boyfriend is involved in a case where the mother of his daughter took his daughter away before she was born and had another man sign the recognition of parentage. Then they got her children taken away because she was doing drugs while pregnant with the child and after. She has signed over her rights to all 3 of her children. He (my boyfriend) in the meantime has gotten a paternity test done and he is the father so now he is fighting with child protection to gain custody of his daughter. He has continually been doing everything they have asked of him he did a alcohol assessment and the monitoring and passed all of that, plus parenting assessments, and parenting classes, got an apartment of his own, and also is working the schedule they wanted him to work. Now they are using the sister bond against him they don't want to separate the girls. Thing is though the mother never gave him the chance to even be a father to his daughter she took her away and got her into the situation she is in we are trying to find away to get the judge on our side so he can have the chance he deserves. Someone please help.

How to make it happens?!? I'm 27 nearly 28. I finished my Masters in Engineering in 2007. Since graduation no company has offered me a decent job. I always get rejected at the final step. I was forced to leave my country of origin and that makes me a refugee in this country which something I never wanted but I had to make. Accordingly, I believe the reason behind the rejection in many cases is my visa status, which deliberately illustrate that I am a refugee. At one assessment day, the interviewer smile was wiped off when he took a copy of my visa the day before the drug/alcohol test which is just before signing the contract of the graduate scheme. He said, we have to make another arrangement and we have to contact the team leader before we sign you on. From that moment I knew I wouldn't get the job. Same thing happened in another interview but in a different fashion on the assessment day when an interviewer blatantly illustrated that they cannot give me the job because of my status. He said, " you will miss home and you will leave us soon". Mind you, that there was a Polish and a South African applicants, whom were given the job later, insisted that they didn't hear similar rant from the very particular interviewer. ( That was the very first interview in the day) I'm working as a waiter in a nearby pub and I don't want to go on to describe the agony of descending to that level but I have to wake up in the morrow for something and makes me feel productive. I know that some might say, if you don't like it here why don't you f***** off back to your country, well I hope and I pray to God that I can do that! How can I make it happens? How can I get on with the proper life I want for myself? I'm almost 30 with not much achieved!

do they drug test 10 points? at the ohio heath care center in ohio i took an assessment and they told me i got to do 4 alcohol classes

Australian army assessment day Interview? Well just to tell you Little more about myself, im 19 turning 20, im in the state emergency service specialising within the recon and logistics unit, been on countless emergency operations/ jobs / call outs and have rarely ever said no to a job, i work part time at a warehouse doing general duties and assisting in the management of intake and out take of the stores so just general logistics duties, i go to gym 6 days a week for 1 and half to 2 hours a day i box 2 nights a week and do muy thai fighting 2 nights a fortnight, i also live near a national park so i do a 9km up and down hill climb with just under 20kg of weight in webbing and pack on me i do this every friday with my older brother. i am extremely fit i know i can destroy the PFA which is the minimum fitness requirement for kapooka, last i checked which was 2 months ago i could get 10.2 in the beep test, do 60 push ups and about 100 sit ups, and i have definitely increased in strength and stamina then as i have been seeing a dietitian and a personal trainer and they conducted a fitness test proving i have. ive worked in logistics since i was 14, i have had different part time jobs during school but have always had a role in some form of logistics, alot of people in my SES unit are former or current defence force personnel alot of which have served in vietnam, soloman islands and or are in the reserves at our local unit. I have already failed the interview once before, i was interviewed by a lady in the navy and i answered all her questions very well as i have a very long and rich knowledge about modern history and military history especially about our country. the only question i got wrong was the conditions of service, i told her all the conditions of service except the most obvious one which is the zero tolerance for non medical use of drugs and zero tolerance for harassment and excessive use of alcohol. aside from that she said she wants me to come back in 6 months time and show her how motivated i am to be in the army. (not that i wasn't motivated in the first place i think she just didn't really catch it because ive wanted to be a digger since i was very young and it has always been my dream job) any whom my question is the following i have gotten in touch with my cousin who is a captain in the air force and my unit commander in the SES who is a former corporal who was a vietnam combat veteran and they want to help me start my life long career in the army, would there references actually help? another question would be is there any points i should excessively try to get across the board to the interview because i believe that was what got me the first time around and another question would be does it look well and or would they take into account that i am trying yet again to get into the job i want and to serve? other than that any criticism or tips are much appreciated thank you in advance everyone. :)

Answers to chemical addiction questions I can't find for my test!!! Please Help!!!? If someone is knowledgable on the topics of chemical addictions, I am in dire need of your help. My book was stolen on Monday and I have some online questions due tonight. Please help!!! Which is not a diagnostic category related to substance abuse in the DSM IV a. Substance Intoxication b. Substance use c. Substance Abuse d. Substance Dependence It is believed that most drugs with abuse potential enhance pleasure centers by causing the release of ______. a. norepinephrine b. dopamine c. serotonin d. adrenalin When LSD is taken orally, what percentage of the total dose reaches the brain? a. 75% b. 100% c. 1% d. 25% The idea that assessments must be able to stand up in court is called a. Marketability b. Ideation c. The Gold Standard d. Assessment specification ______ is a effect that occurs when a drug has been eliminated from the body a. Reverse tolerance b. Rebound effect c. Physical dependence d. Mental set A glass of champagne has a faster onset of action than a glass of wine which contains the same amount of alcohol because ______ a. liver enzymes do not metabolize champagne as rapidly as wine. b. wine, but not champagne, contain contaminant products which slow down absorption. c. champagne does not have to be digested because it is absorbed more readily, whereas wine has to be digested. d. the carbon dioxide (carbonation) in champagne moves it more rapidly from the stomach to the small intestine where absorption occurs more rapidly. In families where “We keep peace at all costs” is called a _____ family system. a. overfunctioning b. ambiguous c. ineffective d. bargaining e. cognitively ineffective The numbering code associated with a diagnosis is called a. The Numeric Diagnostic Categories b. The OHRP reporting criteria c. The ICD-10 codes d. The OCRH scaling system Which is correct about screenings? a. screenings allow the therapist to develop a DSM diagnosis. b. screenings tend to get a lot of information and take a long time. c. screenings allow the therapist to place the client in an appropriate treatment setting. d. . screening are designed to allow the therapist to determine if more information is needed

Maryland DUI Need Help (First Offense)? I KNOW DRINKING AND DRIVING IS HORRIBLE AND NOTHING THAT I SAY OR DO CAN CHANGE THE PAST. I KNOW I WILL BE SLAMMED WITH COMMENTS ABOUT HOW MUCH OF A BAD PERSON I AM FOR DOING IT AND I SHOULD "BURN IN HELL" BUT PLEASE LIMIT THEM. I ALREADY WANT TO JUMP OFF A BRIDGE. I was pulled over in Maryland and Live in Maryland About a month ago I was pulled over for "exceeding maximum speed limit" I was then arrested and taken to the precinct. I blew a .20. There was no accidents. I was initally stopped for speeding. I was courteous to the police officer and to the sargent who gave me my breathalyzer. They released me about an hour of paper work at the precinct. I had my father pick me up and drive me home. There are reasonings beind why I drove that night but they aren't an excuse because I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR MY OWN ACTIONS. I waived my right to a 45 day temporary license and interlock device 2 days after the arrest and began my 90 suspension. I have also set a date to get an alochol assessment which will most like be a MAST (Michigan Alcohol Screening Test) Test. I do not need a lawyer because I already have one (paying $2000 for him). I have a pretty clean driving record (only PBJs which were YEARS ago [I am 25]). I already know the penalties (1 year jail - $1000 fine). What can I expect from the judge? When might I be able to be back on the road living an alcohol free life? (after this I never want to drink and drive again - saying I never want to drink again is a little extreme but I am sure someone will tell me to) What else can I do in order to show the judge remorse and hopefully get back on the road ASAP because it is straining my relationship to the max THANK YOU To be perfectly honest I do not know what my lawyer plans to do. He is also a judge for Baltimore County. Perhaps he sees something that I do not. Yes, a .2 was high. I do not disagree with that. If its any consolidation with you I was kicked out of the place I was staying do to an argument and had no where to sleep. I had options like get a hotel room, which I should've done. To be perfectly honest I do not know what my lawyer plans to do. He is also a judge for Baltimore County. Perhaps he sees something that I do not. Yes, a .2 was high. I do not disagree with that. If its any consolidation with you I was kicked out of the place I was staying do to an argument and had no where to sleep. I had options like get a hotel room, which I should've done.

whats the point of getting a minor dui charge lowered? Ok so i have ran into a problem from the past, it has now been 3 years and i have been out of a job, and seems like what keeps causing my problem was in my background check for a Minor DUI offense. Due to the businesses insurance company will not allow me to get a position at the job. Now im sitting here wondering what was the point of all this work for this stupid Minor DUI charge.. here's the story now went to a beach party labeled as the D.D. we were there for nearly 4-5 hours and we were in the middle of nowhere and it was about a 20 minute walk to be able to get to just the car. So during about the 2-3rd hour i had grabbed the weakest drink we had there which was i think a Smirnoff twist beer thing "flavored crap for girls" i only drank about 1/2 of this thing and then ended up leaving it behind to talk to some random guy who i guess we woke up with all the noise. And it felt like i was talking to this guy for hours. But the night came to an end and I had to drag all of these guys back to the car and get prepared for any "messes" We started to drive off and got probably 15 miles from the scene and pulled off the freeway which then i was tagged by a police car, i was pulled over and was told it was because my cars taillights weren't very visible for some reason "they were tinted very lightly" and that the right brake light wasn't working "which it was" .. car is a 1979 Camaro with awesome upkeep Well now that the cop had gotten me he smelled all the alcohol from the 3 other passengers and asked me if I had drank at all. I explained truthfully that yes but only 1/2 a beer "in his ears he probably heard 1/2 x 4 = 2 + 3 = 5 beers hes drunk!!" But i was underage at the time "limit here for underage is 0.020" We did the sobriety test did perfect on everything besides the breathalyser which for whatever reason came up as a 0.030 "official Breathalyzer was taken almost 30-40 minutes after and still came up .028" I might also put that i didn't eat anything that whole day was basically fasting. I was then brought to jail placed there for a night. Went to court almost 4 months after the ticket because they took forever to give me a court date. Then i got my charge lowered to a Minor in Possession after doing all required items on time Alcohol / Drug Assessment within 1 Mos. Attend D.W.I. Victim Panel within 60 days Paid all Fines No convictions of any offense involving Major traffic violations No driving unless validly licensed and insured "which i am" No similar offense Alcohol and/or drug related violations criminal violations Not drive with a alcohol concentration of .02 or more w/i 2 hours of driving do not refuse to submit to a breath / blood test If all conditions of the Deferral are met the charges to be dismissed "that is what the paper says word for word" I have done it all. Paid all $885 for all the crap fees and ticket, paid another $400 for the assessment and class which even the teacher was wondering why i was even there "I use to only drink during holidays not i don't drink at all" attended the victim panel "which i felt terrible for the person" walked home from jail while it was snowing and hailing. Having to pay for the SR22 insurance, Paid to get my license back. Top it off paying it all off with money I dint have. And now have had to deal with it screwing my job life over for 3 years. It shows on my driving record as Minor=> .02-1st OFNS FEDL COURT WA DMV Minor=> .02-1st OFNS F/R ENDS : 08/25/11 my question is what is the point of even bothering deferring the charge to minor in possession when it doesn't even do anything at all? what can i do to get rid of this problem? I also want to mention that i was planning on going into the military in the past and because of this they had to close my case in order for me to join. But never made it cause I suck at life and asvab tests "my math and english is terrible" Now please lets stay away from the "oh you were drunk you deserve all of this" or "hundreds of people die from drunk drivers" i know i get it problem was i wasn't even drunk, not even buzzed, i was nothing at all just got caught with the worlds smallest amount of alcohol i have ever drank in 1 sitting. No I don't have a drinking problem, no im not a alcoholic, no there is no history of it in my family. i get it you hear this 300 times a day on TV alone i've had to deal with getting the finger pointed at me already and trust me im a smart kid I was stupid at the time, but even then i still managed to pay the nearly $3k worth of bills, which got me no where in life. Im now 21 was 18 at the time of being charged. and like i mentioned i don't even drink anymore. so lets please stick to answering the question and help me find a way to get this thing done! Thank your friends

Is DCF (Child Protective Services)...? I need to know if DCF is allowed to make me take alcohol tests?.. I am living with my boyfriend, and his ex wife had custody of his two children, and my boyfriend called DCF on her because she was living with my brother and they were beating each other, and drinking and drugging, while neglecting the kids. )We had not seen the children a good month in a half when he called, she would not let us see them. So now I have to take these stupid classes which I don’t need..Why is this? Because his ex wife is a loser, that didn’t work and stayed home all day and did drugs and drank? Since I will have my assessment completed and my boyfriend has completed the substance abuse classes all we have left is parenting which will be started buy next court date you think the judge will drop the case..Even though the mother is taking some classes, but still drinking and not visiting the kids …We didn’t have the kids when they took them away from her..and I was the one that told him to call DCF???????? I would of hired an attorney but we are not married and my insurance won’t cover an attorney for him. DCF is all about taking money its sad.I can take care of those two boys much better then his ex, I make way more money and I don’t drink. Very sad. I am doing the tests..and no I dont drink or do drugs..I just wanted to know what gives them the right to accuse me of that. And one more thing...to clarify..we do not have custody of the kids they are in a foster home..I was never investigated, they just assumed I did drugs and drank becasue his ex did..I have a very good job, and am a responsible woman. ONLY SERIOUS ANSWERS PLZ

In what section can I ask about a lawsuit? 10 points!? I got of work and picked up my daughter from school. On my way back home I got pulled over. The cop asked if I knew why, I said no. He said that because the school called 911 because I smelled some alcohol. He made do lot of tests and blow twice. He didn't want to tell me my alcohol level. He said that it was recorded by camera and pointed to he car. He let make my phone call which i made to the lawyer. My lawyer told me to do what they say even if there was no probable cause. I was taken to jail from Thursday until Monday, put on alcohol monitoring for almost three months. My driver license was never revoked, they never sent me anything telling me how much alcohol I had in my blood, and my lawyer didn't tell me neither and few day before court I asked him he said that my alcohol level was bellow the legal limit. The court day, I took the material for the monitoring with me, and In the court house he asked me if I can provide them with an alcohol dependency assessment as I was going to stay on the monitoring until I give them the assessment. I told my lawyer that I rather stay in jail than taking the material back with me. He needed few minutes alone with the County Attorney. He finally got back to me with a positive answer. I get off at 3:30 and my daughter is ready for pick up at 4:10. I work 15 min from the school. I weigh 110 Lb. My co-worker was in the car with me. I had 1 shot of Johnny Walker stait up and he had one beer. At the police station I blew 0.01 which was not even 30min after the first two tests (it’s very small town). I have never seen any documents but my lawyer told me that it had 0.06. I had lost my job next day I was released (My boss told me that he didn’t know where I was for the last 5 day and that he needed someone he can count on) I couldn’t find a job since then. I was on the local news papers saying that I was drunk and endangring my child. I had hired him for $6000. Igave $1000 then $500. I understood he wantet to delay the process until he gets paid so a week before the last court I faxed him a request for a continuance. I have never heard of him since then except for the anonymous bills (he sends me anonymous letters with the bill for the remaining balance inside). I am not an American citizen (allegible though), my wife and my daughter are. I don’t know what to do or from where to start. I feel I was victim of a discrimination of some kink. I have been trying to forget all this for the last 9 months but I couldn’t…it’s a sufficating memory I cannot even sleep. I desided to sue the the county (I was not arrested in my county and my lawyer is from bigger city) and my lawyer. Could you please tell me if should make payments to my lawyer and try to forget about everything or should I fight? If should, Where am I going to start? I think I am inocent…What do you think? Thank you very much in advance and please don’t mind the mistakes I made writing this letter. Thanks again.

General counseling questions. Please answer!? 1. Action-oriented theories primarily focus on: … 2. The role of the counselor in action-oriented theories tends to be: . . 3. The influence and principles of behaviorism in the field of counseling have been:... 4. The Behavioral approach to counseling views clients' problems as: ... 5. The primary goal of cognitive therapy is to: ... 6. Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT) practitioners tend to be: ... 7. Play Therapy is useful for children because: ... 8. The testing and assessment process is crucial to accomplishing which of the following tasks?... 9. One of the advantages of using testing in counseling is: ... 10. Counselors rely on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for which of the following reasons?... 11. Many professionals in the counseling field oppose the concept of formal diagnosis because:... 12. Ideally, an assessment should include: ... 13. Which of the following best describes a standardized test? ... 14. The interpretations of assessment data should: ... 15. Because family counseling sessions can become emotionally charged, the effective family counselor tends to be:... 16. Power in the family is directly related to: ... 17. Family counseling shares greater similarity with: ... 18. Preparation for family counseling should include: ... 19. Compared to individual counseling, family counselors tend to be more:... 20. We would expect to find the strategy of a family counselor to include:... 21. The primary task of a vocational counselor is to: ... 22. Certain developmental problems such as career immaturity may be helped by the counselor applying ______________.... 23. The first step in helping clients with career decisions involves: ... 24. Career counseling tends to focus on decision-making but also includes which of the following:... 25. A primary goal of career counseling is to optimize resources and decisions that lead to:... 26. John Holland's theory of vocational development is divided into six categories and focuses on:... 27. Addictions counseling involves clients who abuse: ... 28. The difference between drug use and drug abuse is: ... 29. Narcotics affect a person's system by: ... 30. Frequent adolescent drug abusers appear to be which of the following?... 31. With the elderly and disabled populations which of the following may trigger alcohol and/or drug abuse?... 32. Treatment of the drug abuser usually requires: ... 33. When working with a diverse population of clients the counselor's job is to:... 34. When counseling culturally different clients, it is suggested that counselors:... 35. Aging clients may experience which of the following: ... 36. What is a major problem that persons with physical challenges face?... 37. When working with the disabled, it is important: ... 38. Family members of disabled individuals may experience which of the following?... 39. It is more useful to consider ethical issues and possible resolutions at which critical times:... 40. The process of seduction of a client by a counselor is: ... 41. The confidential nature of the counselor/client relationship may be ethically breached when:... 42. In a landmark court case, now referred to as the Tarasoff decision, a counselor:... 43. Counselors have an ethical and legal obligation to breach the vow of confidentiality when all of the following occur except:... 44. In experiments the ______ is manipulated by the experimenter. ... 45. Good research: ... 46. In an experiment the ______ is usually the measuring instrument (test).... 47. The experimental method tries to: ... 48. _______ is a plan, structure, and strategy of investigation conceived so as to obtain answers to research questions and to control variance.... 49. A research design tells us: ... 50. Which of the following research method is used most often? …

Is it better to treat the cause or the symptoms of alcoholism? 6 months ago I had a initial assessment(and full blood test) as to whether my drinking is a problem(as I was drinking 4 cans of strong lager per day) and failed to recieve the letter they sent offering a follow up apointment. 3 months ago I was referred back to them for yet another "Initial assessment and again heard nothing in reply. I was(am) unemployed at the time and was referred to COAST((Community outreach and support team) I think) two months ago and have a brilliant 1 to 1 support worker who thinking I need to go into Rehab to deal with it, contacted the people who did the initial assessment and they said I don't have a problem???? I'm now suffering physical/psychological effects of alcohol dependency which I feel if was taken seriously at an earlier time could have been avoided Yes or no? I'm not talking tetleys 3.4% I'm talking 4 cans of Super strength Lager 9% stuff! not boasting cos I know I've got a prob, because its what I think of when I wake up:-( Sorry gartom, unusually for a bloke I had a multiple posting!!LOL

If they suggest I go to rehab, what happens? Hi I'm a 21 year old girl.. I typically drink one night, every 2 weeks. When I drink I will have two beers maximum. I'm not a big drinker, alchohol makes me tired. Im notorious for being the DD.. and I am a good kid. Yet in December I got a DUI.. because I had 3 beers.. I called a cop because i could not find my car and he arrested me (yes dumb I know but we all make mistakes.) I had to speak to these counselors because it was a court mandated Assessment to see whether i have a problem with alchohol and drugs. The counselor said, "Look, you 21, we dont expect you to stop drinking we just dont want you to drink and drive.. and we need to make sure your not on any other drugs". ... so the other day i had a drug test, and the night before it was my bestfriends birthday, and i had a beer. So alcohol came up positive on my test. My counselor wrote a letter to the court saying since my test came up positive for alcohol, that they are going to suggest I go to an impatient rehab center for 4 months to "Detox". My friends and family think this is absurd considering I do not drink. This test was taken 4 months after my DUI arrest. This is not fair, and completely inaccurate. Tomorrow when i go to court, are they going to force me to go to rehab or is it my right to get a second opinion from some other program. -No....... I am by law allowed to drink. There was nothing saying I wasnt allowed to drink. I thought it was a drug test. I didnt know I wasnt supposed to be drinking.

Underage Drinking While Driving??? (NC)? My roommate was just charged for not coming to a complete stop at a stop light (illegal right turn). This was at about 1am as he was returning from a club with a friend of his. The officer has him step out of the car and has him take the sobriety test.. he had no problem, and passed the test fine. The officer then breathalyzed him and he blew a (.02) He told the officer he had not had anything to drink, though he had had a very small drink an hour or so and admits to not eating anything. The legal limit is (.07) in North Carolina, he turns 20 in a few days. My roommate is the best driver i know, drives exactly the speed limit and takes precautions. He also never drinks! He did have a small drink that night being social but admits that was the first time he had touched alcohol in a long time and that he was very certain he was okay to drive, and tested to be well under the limit to be considered (impaired). The lawyer he saw has told him he will be charged with a DWI. He blew a .02, that can be mouth wash! His lawyer sat him down, him scared and confused... and he told him that he would lose his license for a year, have to pay 1200 dollars, receive 12 points on his license, attend Alcohol classes, get a substance abuse assessment done, and work community service hours for the ticket. He blew a .02 ! I dont understand how he is saying they can charge him for driving while impaired when he wasn't impaired! (Impaired = .07 and above) I can understand getting a simple alcohol violation but this is ridiculous! He is on the deans list, very involved on campus, has amazing grades and works full time. Please if you have any suggestions, info or advice! Thanks! NC Underage Drinking http://www.ncleg.net/enactedlegislation/statutes/html/bysection/chapter_20/gs_20-138.3.html NC DWI http://www.ncleg.net/enactedlegislation/statutes/html/bysection/chapter_20/gs_20-138.1.html UNC-CH (Laws on Underage Drinking) http://www.med.unc.edu/alcohol/prevention/law.html ****He was not driving crazy, he is a very good driver... the ticket he recieved was for driving a motor vehicle while alcohol was or had been previously consumed was still in his body. (Passed sobriety test / blew a .02) He was pulled and charged also for not coming to a complete stop at a stop light, he said he slowed way down and turned.. the cop was on the side of the street. This i would hope would not be considered reckless driving and on the UNC page it says without reckless driving he cannot be charged for a DWI and may have to pay a fine.

Anyone have an idea what this is? This may be a bit long, but please hear me out, I'm thinking about ending my life over this (it may seem stupid but 'not knowing' is driving me insane) I'd like you guys to help me do the impossible and aid me in finding out what this problem is. It started on June 6th, 3 months ago. I went on a drinking binge and had 3 hard drinking sessions, one at night, one the next morning, then the next night I tried gin for the first time. After drinking about half a bottle of gin, I got short of breath, so I stopped (keep in mind I've drank more alcohol than this, so likely a reaction w/ the gin). I wokeup the next day, still short of breath and with a cough sensation near my trachea, like a constant tickle. Since that day I've been from doctor to doctor. I've had an EKG, lung workup, Chest X-Ray, blood tests, an barium swallow test, an endoscopy, a laryngoscopy, a naturopathic assessment, acupuncture, and homeopathic treatment, Everything came up negative, and the alternative medicine is giving me ideas but they aren't curing me. Let me make it clear that, no, I do not have the new fallacious title of "GERD", that is a condition created by the pharmaceutical company that basically means "acid indigestion". I was thoroughly tested for it as I tried Aciphex, Zegerid, Protonix, Zantac, Pepcid AC, Prilosec, and tons of OTC and home remedies for "heartburn", but what I have is not heartburn, as it was unresponsive to all of these things. Also, the endoscopy showed no inflammation or irritation, and the laryngoscopy showed nothing as well. The symptoms are an extremely intense throat tickle that is persistent throughout the day, regardless of what I eat, when I eat, or how I eat. It does not hurt to swallow at all. Often times the cough will subside and turn into a heat that goes around the neck, even to the back of the neck and shoulders that spreads to my arm at times. At this point, my doctors are pinning it on psychological factors, however, I have no history of having psychological symptoms. This just happened overnight, and I'm open to the idea that I may be "manifesting my own symptoms", but I feel that it is physical. I've became severely depressed, feel like my life is ruined, and get nostalgic for when I didn't have to deal with this. I feel like a completely different person because my well-being has been torn away by this mysterious intense tickle/burning that never ceases and has no explanation whatsoever aside from "gin" possibly bringing it on. I have tried the spiritual route, people telling me that I have to "let something out" or "accept it", that's BS, I tried that and it didn't work. I changed my diet, stopped drinking, etc. it's still here. The only 2 other things that my doctor(s) can think of is a thyroid problem or allergies. I've never had allergies to anything ever, and the mostlikely possible allergy would be the birds in my house that aren't mine (staying temporarily, been here for 6 years). I'd like any help I could possibly get, I am losing my mind. My doctor (who is a very good doctor and an expensive one) has basically told me she's seen cancer patients with less mysterious/odd symptoms and that my problem was beyond her expertise and likely psychological. It's stopping me from functioning, I had to leave college for the day twice because I got so anxious/nostalgic and didn't feel like myself. I even got scammed by a fake naturopath until I found a real one, that's how desperate I am. I 'd really like some advice...thanks. Hi Nataly, yes I've had a spirometer and flow meter test (hence, 'lung workup'..I saw a pulmonologist). As far as "acid reflux disease", the term "acid reflux" is a recently invented word. The term didn't exist that long ago. I am aware that some people get real bad indigestion, but I've researched the hell out of that problem as well, it's not a disease, it's a condition. It can be reversed by changing your body from an acidic state to an alkaline state. I do not have this problem though. Sorry if I offended you though, I know many people who suffer from indigestion and my mom by definition has "acid reflux". Please believe me when I say that it is not a "permanent disease". Google "Cureyourheartburn" if you want to find a way to reverse it. Anyway, I like helping people any time I can, looking for help myself though now ;) hehe.

Desperately Need Answers? This may be a bit long, but please hear me out, I'm thinking about ending my life over this (it may seem stupid but 'not knowing' is driving me insane) I'd like you guys to help me do the impossible and aid me in finding out what this problem is. It started on June 6th, 3 months ago. I went on a drinking binge and had 3 hard drinking sessions, one at night, one the next morning, then the next night I tried gin for the first time. After drinking about half a bottle of gin, I got short of breath, so I stopped (keep in mind I've drank more alcohol than this, so likely a reaction w/ the gin). I wokeup the next day, still short of breath and with a cough sensation near my trachea, like a constant tickle. Since that day I've been from doctor to doctor. I've had an EKG, lung workup, Chest X-Ray, blood tests, an barium swallow test, an endoscopy, a laryngoscopy, a naturopathic assessment, acupuncture, and homeopathic treatment, Everything came up negative, and the alternative medicine is giving me ideas but they aren't curing me. Let me make it clear that, no, I do not have the new fallacious title of "GERD", that is a condition created by the pharmaceutical company that basically means "acid indigestion". I was thoroughly tested for it as I tried Aciphex, Zegerid, Protonix, Zantac, Pepcid AC, Prilosec, and tons of OTC and home remedies for "heartburn", but what I have is not heartburn, as it was unresponsive to all of these things. Also, the endoscopy showed no inflammation or irritation, and the laryngoscopy showed nothing as well. The symptoms are an extremely intense throat tickle that is persistent throughout the day, regardless of what I eat, when I eat, or how I eat. It does not hurt to swallow at all. Often times the cough will subside and turn into a heat that goes around the neck, even to the back of the neck and shoulders that spreads to my arm at times. At this point, my doctors are pinning it on psychological factors, however, I have no history of having psychological symptoms. This just happened overnight, and I'm open to the idea that I may be "manifesting my own symptoms", but I feel that it is physical. I've became severely depressed, feel like my life is ruined, and get nostalgic for when I didn't have to deal with this. I feel like a completely different person because my well-being has been torn away by this mysterious intense tickle/burning that never ceases and has no explanation whatsoever aside from "gin" possibly bringing it on. I have tried the spiritual route, people telling me that I have to "let something out" or "accept it", that's BS, I tried that and it didn't work. I changed my diet, stopped drinking, etc. it's still here. The only 2 other things that my doctor(s) can think of is a thyroid problem or allergies. I've never had allergies to anything ever, and the mostlikely possible allergy would be the birds in my house that aren't mine (staying temporarily, been here for 6 years). I'd like any help I could possibly get, I am losing my mind. My doctor (who is a very good doctor and an expensive one) has basically told me she's seen cancer patients with less mysterious/odd symptoms and that my problem was beyond her expertise and likely psychological. It's stopping me from functioning, I had to leave college for the day twice because I got so anxious/nostalgic and didn't feel like myself. I even got scammed by a fake naturopath until I found a real one, that's how desperate I am. I 'd really like some advice...thanks.

What is a smart serve number? Eg. How many digits, letters etc. ? Checklists Module One: The Effects of Alcohol You must check each of the following items before you can proceed to the final test. Items Complete: 5 out of 5 Module Two-A: Legal Issues You must check each of the following items before you can proceed to the final test. Items Complete: 7 out of 7 Module Two-B: Civil Liability You must check each of the following items before you can proceed to the final test. Items Complete: 6 out of 6 Module Three: Maintaining a Safe and Enjoyable Atmosphere You must check each of the following items before you can proceed to the final test. Items Complete: 7 out of 7 Module Four: House Policies and Risk Assessment You must check each of the following items before you can proceed to the final test. Items Complete: 4 out of 4 I just took the test. Am curious.

What experience exactly can Sarah Palin offer our President on Oil Spills? INTRODUCTION TO THE EXXON VALDEZ LITIGATION On March 23, 1989, the supertanker EXXON VALDEZ pulled out of Valdez, Alaska, loaded with more than 56 million gallons of crude oil. Captain Joseph Hazelwood, the master of the vessel, had spent the day drinking with crew members. Bartenders testified that he had consumed at least eight vodka doubles, and Coast Guard tests showed his blood alcohol level stood at .241 -- more than six times the permissible level under Coast Guard regulations. Third Mate Gregory Cousins was on duty beyond the limits specified by federal fatigue laws. Hazelwood, Cousins and the rest of the crew faced a night voyage through ice in Prince William Sound. Hazelwood's intoxication was evident from the alcohol on his breath, his speech (captured on audiotape) and, most of all, his actions as his ship navigated the Sound. While passing through fishing grounds, Hazelwood took the EXXON VALDEZ outside established shipping lanes to avoid ice. He put the vessel on automatic pilot, accelerating directly at Bligh Reef. Hazelwood then left the bridge in violation of federal pilotage regulations. As he went below, Hazelwood gave vague instructions to the inexperienced and fatigued Cousins. Within minutes, the supertanker struck Bligh Reef, spilling 11 million gallons of oil, "the largest oil spill and greatest environmental disaster in American history." At trial the jury learned how Exxon's management of its shipping company made such a catastrophe inevitable. ["Exxon" refers to Exxon Corporation and its subsidiary (and former division) Exxon Shipping Company.] Exxon knew that the results of a major oil spill in the Sound would be as horrendous as they turned out to be, and it so stipulated at trial. Exxon also knew that Hazelwood had a history of alcoholism and poor judgment that made his command of the EXXON VALDEZ a recipe for disaster. After Hazelwood went through an alcohol rehabilitation program in 1985, Exxon made no provision for post-treatment evaluation, aftercare or monitoring. Instead, it immediately reassigned Hazelwood to command, fully understanding that a master "with an alcohol abuse problem was a potential for a disaster to the environment." Exxon senior management received repeated reports of Hazelwood's open drinking between 1985 and 1989, but did nothing about it. In 1989, Exxon's chairman admitted that putting Hazelwood in charge of a supertanker was a "gross error." At trial, an Exxon manager conceded that Exxon's "policies, knowing the risk to the public, of the catastrophic results of a supertanker accident, allow[ed] a relapsed alcoholic to command a supertanker," and that Exxon's attitude toward alcohol left him with "no policy to protect the safety of the public." The evidence also showed that Exxon regularly violated federal fatigue laws and that its loaded tankers regularly departed Valdez in dangerous night-time ice conditions, simply to save money. Exxon stipulated that its negligence caused this disaster. In Phase I of the trial, the jury found that Exxon and Hazelwood in fact had been reckless. And in Phase 111, the jury decided that the conduct of both Hazelwood and Exxon required assessment of punitive damages as a punishment and deterrent. In awarding $5 billion against Exxon, the jury considered Exxon's binding trial stipulation that its conduct had caused compensable harm of between $432 million and $768 million (not counting hundreds of millions in harm to tens of thousands of plaintiffs dismissed under the "Robins Dry Dock" doctrine). This award represented less than one-quarter of the increase in Exxon's value, measured by market capitalization, from the time of the spill to the time of trial. Throughout this complex litigation, Exxon and Hazelwood received extraordinary procedural and substantive protections. Punitive damages were assessed as a single sum for a mandatory class of all punitive damage claimants, guaranteeing that the defendants would face punitive damages only once. Through the bifurcation of punitive damage issues, Exxon had two opportunities to avoid any punitive damage liability. The court repeatedly told the jury that punitive damages were not favored. The Phase III punitive damage instructions endorsed nearly every mitigating factor asserted by Exxon. Further, most of Exxon's motions to exclude evidence were granted, and almost all of the evidence that it requested be excluded was excluded. http://www.jomiller.com/exxonvaldez/articles/intro.html @Ci Ci "she can offer her experience on control of oil, and oil overall." Are you fing kidding me. Do you really think that other than getting campaign funding, she has any knowledge of Oil operations? I fill my tank everyday, does that give me experience LOL @ Dastard My point exactly.

What penalties could my husband face for drugs when complying with dcfs? My husband got into trouble recently and made a dumb mistake by getting into the wrong crowd. Someone gave him meth, and he had to go to the hospital. Police came with DCFS after he got out of the hospital and searched our home for drugs. They found under 5 grams of meth (supposedly, they claimed to have used a field sobriety test, a small amount of marijuana, and some drug paraph. He was arrested, but got bailed out by a friend. From what I learned, he had had a little trouble in the past before I met him with drugs, but NO FELONIES. DCFS has intervened and my husband has been completely in compliance with them, and he has had clean drug drops so far. He was instructed to go to substance abuse classes for help, which he admitted he wanted to for his mistake. He was also kicked out of our home and wont be aloud back until his drug assessment, which is soon. He is doing all he can to get our lives back to normal. I am not the one in trouble here, although I feel as though I am being punished as well. I do not do drugs, smoke, or drink alcohol, which is why I am not in trouble with DCFS, so no reason to take me to juvenile court to take my children, unless I violate their safety plan. My problem is now that in my husband's preliminary hearing, things did not go well. The judge is talking 2 to 5 years in prison. If that happens, my entire life will have to be changed. I will have to relocate where my family is which is miles of here. I have 2 kids in this, and one of them is very small. What good is sentencing my husband to prison, when he is complying with DCFS, trying everything he can to make up for his terrible choices? Alot of people don't even bother caring to comply. What good will prison do for him?? He can't get treatment in there! What are his chances of not being sent? I would appreciate all responses that could assist me in this tough time, but please no rude comments. I am not the bad person in this. I am just trying to take care of my children and live my life. So if you have nothing nice to say, please don't respond. I just would like to hear some advice, good or bad, but not rude comments.

Mom won't allow me to learn from mistakes, and i see all her negative impact affect me now (16 Years Old)? So basically the past few years (currently 16, and male) I haven't been doing too good at school, although it is partly to do with me, I think (based on what I have learnt from my studies at school) how mom brought me up plays a big part in it. During the past few years, if i failed a test, mom would contact the school asking why and often blaming the teacher for my grades, even though it was really my fault. Recently (this year) I have seen the effects of this, since i have no initiative to solve the problems my self, and recently i have become very nervous in social situations, especially around adults, and often need mom to help start a conversation (although a lot of the conversations are focusing on negative aspects of me.) It does hurt me to see myself behind in intelligence, due to my lack of independence to solve things, and only recently i developed goal-driven behaviour, in which I aimed to improve my grades, in hope that my mom would stop harassing teachers (in some cases teachers have enjoyed my company, until my mom bombards them with emails.) However the following didn't happen, and has angered me, just before a major assessment and I feel that my old habits are coming back, and my hatred towards mom has increased. Also to note, is that I am not self-confident at all, this is partly due to mom putting me down all the time.. Since she believes that this will prevent me from being up myself, however this has back-fired on her since, now i feel very self-aware and I feel that i am useless and have no future. The following two aspects have been a major impact on my life, as fellow class mates have nicknamed me a dunce or a retard. Although i can handle it, sometimes it will get to me. Also to note is that they thought i had cheated with my exam results. Another big thing that led me to fail school was my moms idea of punishment makes you work harder. This was first enforced at an early age (around 4 years old), as my mom would force me to do extra math sheets during the weekend, and if not i would be smacked.. In fact one of my earliest memories is when mom through a book at me and locked me in a room till i finished the maths page, instead though i kept slamming my head on the wall and procrastinating. Today I procrastinate a lot still when it comes to work, and last year I partook in anti-social behaviour (I smoked weed every second week. And i occasionally used Oxycotin and abused my medication for ADD) just to piss off my mom (I never had the guts to tell her though, but it was definitely done as an act of rebellion.) Recently I have stopped doing drugs (including alcohol and i recently quit smoking) to prevent going down a dangerous path.. Also my mom doesn’t share things such as the tv, however expects me and my sister to share our stuff. And is very stubborn, always thinking that she is right or did the good thing (for example If we stand on something of hers on the floor, it is our fault and we should of watched where we are stepping, whilst if she breaks something on the floor that is ours it is our fault because we left it on the floor.) My final point is my mom is very loud, and doesn’t know when she says things inappropriate to my teachers about me, and sometimes my friends and their parents.. A lot of the time things she says to them are too personal/ or I don’t want people to know. For example, I am applying a job, and she mentioned that I was crying after getting a C+ for an essay, I deserved. I can say this now, since I’m anonymous, however to her friends she will mention my name.. Also she tends to reveal personal secrets of her clients to her friends Well anyway back to the question, I was wondering how can I get rid of the stigma of being a retard (As i am sick of feeling like I naturally dumb, and behind everyone else in maturity, motivation, initiative and intelligence), and live a normal healthy lifestyle, instead of my current wacky state of mind. Also is there any alternative education which allows me to make my own choices and leave my mom, since she really affects my schooling and my independence? Finally is there anyway I can go about explaining my issues to my mom (whom is stubborn, and will think I’m stupid), since I see my sister (still very young) being brought up the same way? I am not keen on telling her since, I know she will joke about it with her friends. Sorry if this was a too long question, but it needs to be solved desperately, as I don’t want to do re-live the past.. Also please don't reply with hate, as I know a lot of the stuff she does is to help me have a better future, however her state of mind doesn't fit the modern society and education system. Thanks Taylor, I could list all issues caused by myself, but the question would be a lot longer.. I have also been trying to fix up problems I have cause, yet a lot of it has recently been undone.. But honestly, I haven't blamed my mom for half the bad stuff I have done.. I just hope, to find away for her to get not so involved with my life since it has impacted my schooling.. Although peer pressure, friendship groups and myself have also affected my schooling in the past. Recently none of them (excluding myself) have really limited me to succeed.

Do I have Narcissistic Personality Disorder? I was diagnosed with Aspergers, ADHD, Conduct Disorder and told I have psychopathic tendencies at 15. My mum used to be an alcoholic and heavy smoker whilst pregnant with me and I was born three months early. She used to drink herself unconscious in front of me at 3 years old but I was fine in nursery. As soon as I got to 5 I started attacking teachers and pupils and generally misbehaving. My behaviour continued throughout my childhood and kept geting worse including scratching my headteacher's car, beating up my brothers, getting into loads of fights, stealing, lying, taking drugs and alcohol, smoking, killing small animals and attacking the pets at home, bullying people, breaking things, being racist, carrying a knife after I got beaten up and looking for the boy to kill him, robbing a boy then punching him to the floor, running away from school a lot when there, never feeling remorse or guilt in my life, never doing my homework, finding boredom as mental torture, being arrested and when I messed about with my twin in a swimming pool when we were 13 I thought it would be funny to hold him under and I held him under too long and he came up bleeding from the mouth and nose, I pretended to be concerned but was laughing about it later. My dad, when I was 8 through to the age of about 11 used to punch me in the face and kick me when I was on the floor crying and I've been bullied all my life. I also took an empathy test and only scored 3 out of 80. My current behaviour includes carrying a knife sometimes, taking weed when I can, lying, not taking my medication, I attacked my grandad the other day and laughed about it, I steal money off my nan, I hate people in general (hate and anger are my two strongest emotions), I hit people and animals when I can get away with it, I had a drink problem earlier this year, I'm still racist and bully people, I smoke regularly and I don't care about anyone else. Before I was diagnosed and read about Conduct Disorder it never occured to me that I didn't feel remorse or guilt or that there was even anything wrong with me, why was this? And what would my current diagnosis be if I underwent a mental health assessment bearing in mind the Aspergers? I also use people and often think of killing them. I'm 19 now. I think I'm better than everyone else, I look in the mirror every day, I brag and I get accused of being arrogant and selfish all the time. Thanks for your answers.

Do I have a Narcissistic Personality Disorder? I was diagnosed with Aspergers, ADHD, Conduct Disorder and told I have psychopathic tendencies at 15. My mum used to be an alcoholic and heavy smoker whilst pregnant with me and I was born three months early. She used to drink herself unconscious in front of me at 3 years old but I was fine in nursery. As soon as I got to 5 I started attacking teachers and pupils and generally misbehaving. My behaviour continued throughout my childhood and kept geting worse including scratching my headteacher's car, beating up my brothers, getting into loads of fights, stealing, lying, taking drugs and alcohol, smoking, killing small animals and attacking the pets at home, bullying people, breaking things, being racist, carrying a knife after I got beaten up and looking for the boy to kill him, robbing a boy then punching him to the floor, running away from school a lot when there, never feeling remorse or guilt in my life, never doing my homework, finding boredom as mental torture, being arrested and when I messed about with my twin in a swimming pool when we were 13 I thought it would be funny to hold him under and I held him under too long and he came up bleeding from the mouth and nose, I pretended to be concerned but was laughing about it later. My dad, when I was 8 through to the age of about 11 used to punch me in the face and kick me when I was on the floor crying and I've been bullied all my life. I also took an empathy test and only scored 3 out of 80. My current behaviour includes carrying a knife sometimes, taking weed when I can, lying, not taking my medication, I attacked my grandad the other day and laughed about it, I steal money off my nan, I hate people in general (hate and anger are my two strongest emotions), I hit people and animals when I can get away with it, I had a drink problem earlier this year, I'm still racist and bully people, I smoke regularly and I don't care about anyone else. Before I was diagnosed and read about Conduct Disorder it never occured to me that I didn't feel remorse or guilt or that there was even anything wrong with me, why was this? And what would my current diagnosis be if I underwent a mental health assessment bearing in mind the Aspergers? I also use people and often think of killing them. I'm 19 now. I think I'm better than everyone else, I look in the mirror every day, I brag and I get accused of being arrogant and selfish all the time. I don't feel love, guilt, remorse, shame, sympathy, empathy but I DO get embarrassed and when I do I react with violence.

About how often will my color be called for probation drug testing? I've been on probation for six months now, half of my probation sentence for a dui, and I'm just wondering how often my color will be called for random screening, and how to go about getting my probation mitigated. The reason I'm asking is not because I'm worried about passing the tests, but because it costs me a lot of lost time at work to take them. And I'm the sole provider for my son, so every hour counts. I started the probation six months ago, and I had to do drug and alcohol counseling, as well as an assessment to determine my addiction level. When the assessment came back with the results saying that I needed no further treatment, my P.O. got pissed, and decided to assign me a color for random testing. This woman has not liked me from the moment I set foot in her office. She threatened to lock me up for V.O.P. when she found out I was taking cough syrup, for a cold, and I wasn't sure if it contained alcohol. I've never been in any trouble with the law before, so if I don't understand what she's talking about and ask her a question, I get bitched at and threatened some more. I have all my fines paid off, I've satisfied everything the court has asked of me, except the last six months of this probation. That is why I'm curious how to go about mitigating it. I did NOT violate my probation in any way. She just threatened to lock me up for the remainder of my probation because I was UNSURE if the cough syrup contained alcohol.

I am going to be representing someone in court? How do I do this. Read the details for more information? My friends parents asked me to represent her in court. She is going to court to be considered for expulsion. Apparently a teacher saw her take a pill of Vicatin (or however you spell it), but failed to report it to the office or administration until about 4 hours later. She also says that there are witnesses that see her smoking outside of school and getting high, but she doesn't do drugs of that nature. She was tested for drugs and was clean, and also had an assessment done with a lady to talk to her about drugs and alcohol and the assessor said that the girl has nothing wrong with her, and nothing to worry about. I have a pretty good defense in saying that there is no footage of the alleged incidents, and also that what the "witnesses" are saying could also be lies to get her expelled because the "witnesses" are not friends of this girl they hate her. Also, teachers are mandated reporters, so they would be required to report the incident immediately without delay. What else could I use, what am I missing? ITS A SCHOOL BOARD HEARING

New York State DMV & Auto Insurance Question? I live in upstate New York and had a 4-wheeler accident (due to an equipment failure) and received some fractures and a punctured lung. In the hospital the doctors wouldn't give me pain meds or medical attention until officer stopped questioning me. I was semi-conscious and he asked me (I learned after the fact) to take a chemical test for alcohol. I thought he meant breath-alizer as I was unaware there was such a thing as a chemical test. (Sorry I never paid attention to this kind of stuff) I even heard my doctor in the background saying to the effect of my cat scan showed I had a punctured lung and couldn't breath into the test. I declared to the officer that I would not talk with him until I received adequate medical attention and if he had a problem with that he could contact my attorney. This scene was taken by the state (unjustly imo) as a refusal and I had a DMV license revocation hearing where the judge agreed with the officer that I was cognizant and revoked my license for a year. Then Criminal court gave me a plea of DUAI and impact panel, alcohol evaluation, $500 fine with $250 tacked on for I forget what. THEN the DMV sent me a driver responsibility assessment fee of another $750 or $250/ year over 3 years on top. Questions. I am married. I have the option to get a conditional license, but I wanted to do the revocation for a year without the conditional and have my wife drive me once a day to work. The insurance company says because my license was revoked and I didn't surrender it willingly that my wife's insurance will be the same as if I was still a driver on the road even though I declined the conditional and surrender my license. This is unfair as is life from time to time to my wife. Is there a low cost solution? Is there a company that will charge my wife according to her actions and not rob from her because of mine? The other question is the NY state driver responsibility assessment. This is a bunch of bunk and should be outlawed. It says on the form that ones license and or ones privilege of obtaining a license will be suspended if one fails to pay. My license is already revoked. What happens if I do not pay. Is there a statute of limitations on how many years one can go without a license and without paying before getting another license? For me the privilege to drive is not worth any of this expense. Any solutions? Thank you

Im going to juvenile hall. :(? A while back, (over 1 years ago) I was placed on probation for being at a party with alcohol and drugs, and not giving the police or the judge any imformation about the people who where there and who was doing drugs and stuff.. (they drug tested me and I was clean) Anyways, I ended up going to Juvenile Detention for two weeks, then right after that they send to me to a 55 day program called Observation and Assessment, then right after that they sent me to a 60 day program called YWEC. (they took me not snitching WAY out of proportion and gave me too harsh of a punishment for doing nothing) I was 14 when I first got locked up... Now I am 15 and I just got another Probation Violation because I ditched 3 classes at school (which is somthing I never do, i am usually a good above average student) And I was caught by the school, playing the piano in the Auditorium. (i was having a bad day) And I am going to Juvenile detention for 40 days on the 22nd! Im so scared I really dont want to go, what should I do?

Im going to Juvenile Detention :(? A while back, (over 1 years ago) I was placed on probation for being at a party with alcohol and drugs, and not giving the police or the judge any imformation about the people who where there and who was doing drugs and stuff.. (they drug tested me and I was clean) Anyways, I ended up going to Juvenile Detention for two weeks, then right after that they send to me to a 55 day program called Observation and Assessment, then right after that they sent me to a 60 day program called YWEC. (they took me not snitching WAY out of proportion and gave me too harsh of a punishment for doing nothing) I was 14 when I first got locked up... Now I am 15 and I just got another Probation Violation because I ditched 3 classes at school (which is somthing I never do, i am usually a good above average student) And I was caught by the school, playing the piano in the Auditorium. (i was having a bad day) And I am going to Juvenile detention for 40 days on the 22nd! Im so scared I really dont want to go, what should I do?

I have searched my textbook up and down and cant find the answers :S? A __________ is a direct measure of an individual's behavior designed to describe characteristics indicative of personality. A. Rorschach B. MMPI-2 C. behavioral assessment D. Thematic Apperception Test According to humanistic theory, an attitude of acceptance and respect on the part of an observer, no matter what a person says or does, is called __________. A. unconditional positive regard B. self-esteem C. self-actualization D. conditional positive regard Throughout human history, abnormal behavior was linked to: A. Chemical imbalance and hormones B. the use of drugs and alcohol C. superstition and witchcraft D. poor upbringing Standards of test performance that permit the comparison of one person's score on a test with the scores of others who have taken the same test are called __________. A. validity B. norms C. standard deviation D. reliability __________ stressors cause minor irritations but may have long-term ill effects. A. Personal B. Catastrophic C. Cataclysimic D. Background The scientific study of how people's thoughts, feelings, and actions are affected by others is called __________ psychology. A. humanistic B. behavioral C. psychodynamic D. social In this type of coping, people try to manage their emotions by changing the way they feel about or perceive a problem. A. Problem-focused coping B. Emotion-focused coping C. Avoidant coping D. Learned helplessness A mutual network of caring, interested others is known as __________ support. A. Social B. Moral C. Collective D. Group

Is this the cure for Autism? Thanks everyone for responding to my question. I saw the lady again and she swears that her grandson was cured by this Dr Leong guy. Here is the info from the net that i collected on Dr Leong Tole Center. What do you all think about this? AUTISM, AUTISTIC, ADHD, ADD, Coma Brain Damage, Special Autistic Kids Treatment Cure By our Master Tole . These Autism , Epilepsy, coma, brain damage etc has been on our research and treatment top list from 1984 . Master Tole practices the complete Ancient Chinese Way of THE TOLE'S WAY OF MEDICATIONS in the modern Autism Treatment Cure -since 1984 for Autism. Each Autistic kids are not the same, different in a few or more conditions and also recovery condition , also lever and rate of recovery. (8)Autistic Kids. 1. Autistic Kids Disorder Autistic Kids symptoms: (A) total of six (or more) items from (1), (2), and (3), with at least two from (1), and one each from (2) and (3): 1. Autism Autistic Kids qualitative impairment in social interaction, as manifested by at least two of the following: (a) Impairment in the use of multiple non-verbal behaviors such as eye-to-eye gaze, facial expression, body postures, and gestures to regulate social interaction (b) failure to developed relationships appropriate to developmental level (c) a lack of spontaneous seeking to share enjoyment, interests, or achievements with other people (e.g., by a lack of showing, bringing, or pointing out objects of interest) (d) lack of social or emotional response 2. Autism qualitative impairments in communication as manifested by at least one of the following: (a) delay in, or total lack of, the development of spoken language (not accompanied by an attempt to compensate through alternative modes of communication such as gestures or mime) (b) without adequate speech, marked impairment by in the ability to initiate or sustain a conversation with others (c) repetitive use of language or words or phases (d) lack of varied, spontaneous make-believe play or social imitative play appropriate to developmental level 3. Autism restricted repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behavior, interests, and activities, as manifested by at least one of the following: (a) autism encompassing preoccupation with one or more stereotyped patterns of interest that is abnormal either in intensity or focus (b) autism apparently inflexible adherence to specific, nonfunctional routines or rituals (c) stereotyped and repetitive motor mannerisms (e.g., hand or finger flapping or twisting, or complex whole-body movements or with an object) (d) autism persistent of liking an object, movements with sound. (B) Delays or abnormal functioning in at least one of the following areas, with onset around 2 and half of age to 3 and half years old: (1) social interaction, (2) language as used in social communication, or (3) symbolic or imaginative play (playing or talking some form of outer space words or cartoon's words or play). Symptoms of Asperser's include: impaired ability to utilize social cues such as body language, irony, or other subtext of communication; restricted eye contact and socialization; limited range of encyclopedic interests; preservative, odd behaviors; didactic, verbose, monotone, droning voice; concrete thinking; over-sensitivity to certain stimuli; and unusual movements. All these are the symptom of autism and we have the treatment for all these problem. You have to spend enough time for the intensive treatment in order to get good result, it varies from 1 month to 6 months or more for intensive treatment (remedies, remedy). Some of the Autistic kids that is difficult to get near to 100 % cure is that they started late on themselves more then 11 years old for some, and others are too stubborn, but we still gets major improvement about 80-90% or so until they can get easy living in their life. We have long distance friends that cannot come over for intensive treatment with us yet just with our THE TOLE'S SPECIAL herbal medicine powder and our advise of do's and don'ts gets tremendous improvement!!! So not to worry, we can get you your kid a special do's and dont's and other special advise on to how to treats them from stage to stage of improvement. We will be in contact with the e-mail and phone during your kids treatment. The True Story From Korea Joe is 8 years old an Autistic Kid from Korea. Even though Korea recognized acupuncture and Joe's grand father is the top acupuncture physician there, he can't help. Others specialist can not do much for remedy. Being a father of an autistic kid, his father has a lot of pressure and looking for answer desperately. There finally came to see our MASTER LEONG through high recommendation from a friend. When he first came into our centre everyone in the premise had a shock from his 'super-hyper active behavior'.Jumping and screaming all over the place and zero communication and eyes contact. He is in his own world, very scared and frustrated, until he hits himself on the head continuous for about 10 mins to 30 mins. Master Leong applied Qi Qong and acupuncture treatment to calmed him down. According to Master Leong it is his brain's Qi is not moving smoothly . He calm down after 30 minutes ,then had another session of Qi Qong and acupuncture after one hour. 3 days of treatment went by and they can see that Joe can respond to instruction from his father and has some eyes contact. They went back to Korea because his father has only 3 days of lift from work, but he book for the second visit that is after six months. He took 6 months of herbal medication ( 168 TOLE'S SPECIAL BRAIN'S POWDER )home and a list of do's and done's . After 6 months they came for 30 days of treatment. We saw a lot of different from 6 months back when they first visit us. The father is so happy and told us he have finally found the right place for his son Joe. He said all his relative in Korea said he has improved a lot since he took our treatment and special brain's powder. For the 30 days here everyday he has 2 session of treatment, that is 60 treatments in total. We can see him improving everyday and in the end of the treatment he was about 80% !!! recovered. They have to go home now and promise to come in 12 months time. This time he took 12 months of medication (Tole's Brain's powder) with him. The 3rd visit comes, he was almost 100% recovered!!! when we see him. Still we give him the same treatment for 30 days. In the end of this trip he is quit confident and normal in most of his activities. They went home with a HAPPY HEART !!! NO MORE MEDICINE, WORRY, STRESS, FRUSTRATION, SLEEPLESS NIGHT. This article is written by Miss S.Y. Chong our top student 1995, her practical 3 years assignment in our medical centre. Words from our top student, Miss Chong S.Y. I hope all the special kids can get well and live a normal life. Best wishes. Case 2- True Story Name : Zi Ran Sex : Male Age : 4 Complain : Doctor has been authenticating that he has autistic since 1 year old. His families already tried all kinds of treatment and therapies to get him out from autism. Others specialist cannot do much for remedy. Being parents of an autistic kid, their parents have a lot of pressure and looking for treatment desperately. They say that their son has no eye-to-eye gaze, facial expression, body postures and gestures to regulate social interaction. He cannot share his interest and enjoyment with anybody even his sister and his parents. He cannot make a conversation with others and only make a noise sound, not even a single word from him. He is totally in his own world and don't care about anything that happen around him. Sometimes he will repeat his behavior or interest. He cannot focus on one thing and always scream and throw tantrum if he didn't get what he want or when things does not happen the usual way. Finally one of their friends has known about Master Leong from one of his colleague and he also heard that Master Leong is a successful traditional Master , being the Master in acupuncture and the Top Chinese Physician in this part of the world. Has been treating many autistic kids ,The friend said during his own treatment in the medical center he saw many autistic kids improved. They agreed to meet Master Leong and ask him to do Neuro Acupuncture and THE TOLE'S herbal medicine treatment to their son. After making an appointment they meet Master Leong at The Tole Acupuncture & Herbal Medical Centre Sdn. Bhd. They told everything about Zi Ran. Master Leong has treated many autistic kids before and he knows what Zi Ran condition. Acupuncture: Master Leong applied THE TOLE'S NEURO QI GONG AND ACUPUNCTURE to calmed him down. Master Leong told them that Qi energy in Zi Ran brain not moving smoothly. Master Leong will let the energy move smoothly and keep it balancing back to normal. He calm down after 30 minutes treatment and continue it until one hour for first session. He cannot stay in one place, he also disturb every kids who play their toy and he screams if they didn't let him play. Even when the parents try to stop him it was difficult. They try biting him really hard but it did not work he still wants to have his way and disturb others. He still continues doing acupuncture and after 3 days of acupuncture he shows a great improvement. His eyes contact has improve and he can see his mother eyes more than 10 seconds. He responds to his father when his father calls his name. Conclusion: He still continuing doing acupuncture and take medication (The Tole's Brain Powder). After a few months doing THE TOLE'S NEURO Acupuncture, all people around him keep saying that he has been improving everyday and now time he was 80% recovered. Now his eyes contact are perfect, he can make facial expression and his body posture and gestures are improve. No un-meaningful screaming from his mouth anymore and he can SPEAK like normal kids. That was impressed anybody (all the regular patients) who see him. They were surprised for him because he started with "0" communication "0" eyes contact in his own world and always scream whenever he cannot get his own way and severe Autism but now can communicate and answer the question back and play normally very charming all the time with others. He also can share interest and enjoyment with other people. His super hyperactive behavior also change and now he is smarter and love to study. He is excellent in Mathematics and love to do his school homework. He can focus in whatever he does now and he is not in his world anymore. He is almost 100% recovered! When we see him. He still continue the same treatment to build up his confident to begin a normal life like other kids. Finally their parents found the miracle touch from Master Leong, traditional doctors and physician. They are very happy on what have he done and their son life totally change after they met Master Leong. His families and other people were happy with her improvement and condition right now. They were very happy with new reborn of Zi Ran. And give the whole family joy and happiness that could not be found with Zi Ran's old self. Autistic Case 3 - True Story Name : Zhong Yu of KL . Cannot talk, no eye contact, cannot stop running around, very bad behavior , Hyper active, cannot accept NO for an answer and many others , but love music very much must buy CD's of a few singers and hold them in his hands all the time and at times he will give you a few rhythm of the sound he likes, never understand a thing of this world or instructions or happenings but only his few CD's. After 3 months of treatment he could talk and react to his name and calls, after 9 months more he could go to a normal school . Autism Cure Case 4- True Story Name : Wlison of KL ,Age 5 . Seriously Heavy Autism- No speech, cannot go out of his home otherwise the parent has to carry him tide for hours even, very scare of all things, very hyperactive at home ,very aggressive behavior, no eye contact, jumping up and down all the time, don't understand any things or words in this world, all in his own Autism world. It took a long time to get him all out of his own Autism world, 12 months . Daily with our Autism Neuro Acupuncture and Herbal Brain Powder. Now his mother call up and said he has got the best performance awarded in his school, sharing her joy with us all, and really out of Autism. Autism Cure Case 5- True Story Name : Kai Zhee of Johor. total cured. No eye contact, very hyperactive, don't understand a thing in this world, no reaction to very loud sound or very dangerous situations, he ran towards fast driving cars from opposite direction many time, parents and relatives think he was blind and deaf, one of the very bad case. After 6 months of treatment now he can take his younger brother to school in public transport ( school bus) and has a perfect life and good school results and take care of his brothers homework (teaching). The parents calls now and again, and also brings in new autistic kids to our centre. Case 6- True Story Name : Many More to be written from our past history patients, soon Many has 3 in one conditions which is Autism, Epilepsy and Brain Damage also possible to get recovery. There are many research on Autism but none of them has much result, We can ensure them about inheritation- NO. There is no link in inheritation and Autism, and we have done a lot of research on it. We will hold a INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON AUTISM SOON, about THE TOLE'S WAY OF TREATMENT FOR AUTISM. Autism kids do not just need training or only medicine they need THE TOLE'S WAY to get them out of Autism. Over the recent years we have seen more than many cases, off cause some of them did not complete their treatment. All of them improved from the day they came, we open up their door and a-line them to come out off the enclosed world of their own. There is NO point training them without getting them OUT OF THEIR ENCLOSED WORLD. Let us help you to bring your kid into our real world. Even though it may be timely and effort consuming, we have to do it once and for all - for their whole life. The younger they start the faster and better change of getting better recovery. Now we are catering for intensive course for all autistic kids with 4 weeks to 3 months or 6 months periods. 4 weeks treatments will have to come back every 6 months until near good recovery hopefully. 1 month stay will have to come once a year for a few treatments. 3 to 6 months will be targeting for best result and can then takes herbal medicine and all our advise over the net after the treatment. Many Kids that have come form US, London, Pakistan, Korea, Singapore, UK, Africa, India, Bangladesh, Malicious Island, Denmark etc, etc all over the world If kids cannot come in soon enough, then we will prescript some herbal brain powder first until they can come for the treatment, and also many do gets improved from just the brain herbal powder. A lot of the kids improved so much that they decided to just continue with the herbs a lone. All Associations and society are welcome to be affiliated with us. We can provide information's and seminar and short term intensive treatment to all at our convenience. We will continue to write those that we have treated with good result - history , soon when we have enough time and man power to do so, which is encourage by many of our enquiries and existing patients. Please visit our site in future for more update of true stories. As at now , 2003 we have been sending to many Autistic kids all over the world for our THE TOLE'S Brain Powder and it has shown very good result, before they come over for their intensive treatment. We will keep you all update on the true story. Please let your friends know about us they may need our help desperately, Thanks. . Ask Master's Assistant Usually after 3 days treatment the kids will be able to adapt to the treatment even if they are hyperactive. So parents not to worry about their treatment problems, most of the parents worry that can my kid take the treatment or will he/ she runs away? No, it usually takes only 3 days treatment then they will be use to lt. Well many says that when they goes for a hair cut it may takes 2 adult to hold them for the cause but when they come to take Neuro Acupuncture from our Master they are able to cupe just after a few days treatment . AUTISM Isolated in worlds of their own, people with autism appear indifferent and remote and are unable to form emotional bonds with others. Although people with this baffling brain disorder can display a wide range of symptoms and disability, many are incapable of understanding other people's thoughts, feelings, and needs. Often, language and intelligence fail to develop fully, making communication and social relationships difficult. Many people with autism engage in repetitive activities, like rocking or banging their heads, or rigidly following familiar patterns in their everyday routines. Some are painfully sensitive to sound, touch, sight, or smell. Children with autism do not follow the typical patterns of child development. In some children, hints of future problems may be apparent from birth. In most cases, the problems become more noticeable as the child slips farther behind other children the same age. Other children start off well enough. But between 18 and 36 months old, they suddenly reject people, act strangely, and lose language and social skills they had already acquired. As a parent, teacher, or caregiver you may know the frustration of trying to communicate and connect with children or adults who have autism. You may feel ignored as they engage in endlessly repetitive behaviors. You may despair at the bizarre ways they express their inner needs. And you may feel sorrow that your hopes and dreams for them may never materialize. But there is help-and hope. Gone are the days when people with autism were isolated, typically sent away to institutions. Today, many youngsters can be helped to attend school with other children. Methods are available to help improve their social, language, and academic skills. Autism is found in every country and region of the world, and in families of all racial, ethnic, religious, and economic backgrounds. Emerging in childhood, it affects about 3 or 4 people in every thousand and is three to four times more common in boys than girls. Girls with the disorder, however, tend to have more severe symptoms and lower intelligence. THE TOLE is dedicated to understanding the workings and inter-relationships of the various regions of the brain, and to developing preventive measures and new treatments for disorders like autism that handicap people in school, work, and social relationships and brain damage or vegetable. Up-to-date information on autism and treatment result for autistic is the role of THE TOLE in identifying underlying causes and effective treatments are available in our Autism Herbs Treatment Cure- The Tole Main Page.: Also described are symptoms and diagnostic procedures, treatment options, strategies for coping, and sources of information and support. THE TOLE' WAY OF MEDICATION HAVE GOOD EFFECTIVENESS FOR IMPROVEMENT ON AUTISTIC KIDS and very high result for brain problems and complications. Some autistic kids is now living a normal life some with extra ordinary IQ and special talent, all these parents did not expect their kids tope as normal as they are now, they were trying to improve them in their daily living, so now all are very happy!!!!!. What is ADHD? ADHD often prevents children from learning and socializing well. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and attention deficit disorder (ADD) refer to a range of problem behaviors associated with poor attention span. These may include impulsiveness, restlessness and hyperactivity, as well as inattentiveness, and often prevent children from learning and socializing well. ADHD is sometimes referred to as hyper kinetic disorder. What are the symptoms of ADHD Attention difficulties A child must have exhibited at least six of the following symptoms for at least six months to an extent that is unusual for their age and level of intelligence. Fails to pay close attention to detail or makes careless errors during work or play. Fails to finish tasks or sustain attention in play activities. Seems not to listen to what is said to him or her. Fails to follow through instructions or to finish homework or chores (not because of confrontational behavior or failure to understand instructions). Disorganized about tasks and activities. Avoids tasks like homework that require sustained mental effort. Loses things necessary for certain tasks or activities, such as pencils, books or toys. Easily distracted. Forgetful in the course of daily activities. Hyperactivity A child must have exhibited at least three of the following symptoms for at least six months to an extent that is unusual for their age and level of intelligence. Runs around or excessively climbs over things Unduly noisy in playing, or has difficulty in engaging in quiet leisure activities. Leaves seat in classroom or in other situations where remaining seated is expected. Fidgets with hands or feet or squirms on seat. Impulsivity At least one of the following symptoms must have persisted at least for six months to an extent that is unusual for their age and level of intelligence. Blurts out answers before the questions have been completed. Fails to wait in lines or await turns in games or group situations. Interrupts or intrudes on others, e.g. jump into others conversations or games. Talks excessively without appropriate response to social restraint. Pervasiveness of attention difficulties and hyperactivity For a diagnosis or description of ADHD a child would be expected to show the above difficulties in more than one setting, e.g. at school and at home. Problems are not shown 'at home' but are very evident when a child goes to a hospital department. This can happen when parents do not realize that their child's behavior is out of the normal range (perhaps because they have no other children, or they have other children who behave similarly). It may also be because the problems are mild, or because the family has handled the attention lack at home in such a way that it is not evident there is a major problem, or because the child is very young. In those cases it is quite reasonable for parents not to consider that their child has an attention deficit problem. These conditions has a good chance to be treated, it will take time and effort to do it. The Tole's way of remedies for them is not easy and tedious, the good part is it works with many of them. Some adults that just have AD should be able to recovers too with our Remedies. The Tole's Brain Powder Autism ADHD Treatment for all special kids Treatment. The Tole's Neuro Brain Powder is effective for regenerating the brain's cells (neurons) to get connected to each other so that the brain cells can function normally to get them OUT OF THEIR OWN WORLD. It is to help in their eye contact , hyper activeness, awareness of the surrounding, behavior and attention etc, etc . The herbal brain is to be taken for 2 to 3 times a day with liquid. There are many that have improved just using our brain powder. There are quite a few different types of Brain powder so please let us know your kids conditions and fill in our form for the correct Brain Powder. WE HAVE BEEN TREATING MORE THEN MANY OF THE AUTISTIC KIDS JUST LIKE YOUR KID. Please act fast for kids nearly 7 , because after the age of 7 it will be slower in their improvement and after 11 it will be even slower, so if you cannot come over immediately then you should let your kids starts by taking our brain powder first and then arrange to come over for the intensive treatment. First you have to let us know your kids conditions in details and then we can send you the correct brain powder. autism ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) and ADD (attention deficit disorder) Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and attention deficit disorder (ADD) refer to a range of problem behaviors associated with poor attention span. These may include impulsiveness, restlessness and hyperactivity, as well as inattentiveness, and often prevent children from learning and socializing well. ADHD is sometimes referred to as hyper kinetic disorder. Symptoms of autism ADHD Attention difficulties : A child must have exhibited at least six of the following symptoms for at least three months to an extent that is unusual for their age and level of intelligence: Fails to pay close attention to detail or makes careless errors during work or play. Fails to finish tasks or sustain attention in play activities. Seems not to listen to what is said to him or her. Fails to follow through instructions or to finish homework (not because of confrontational behavior or failure to understand instructions). Disorganized about tasks and activities. Avoids tasks like homework that require sustained mental effort. Loses things necessary for certain tasks or activities, such as pencils, books or toys. Easily distracted. Forgetful in the course of daily activities. autism- Hyperactivity A child must have exhibited at least three of the following symptoms for at least three months to an extent that is unusual for their age and level of intelligence. Runs around or excessively climbs over things. (In adolescents or adults only feelings of restlessness may occur.) Unduly noisy in playing, or has difficulty in engaging in quiet leisure activities. Leaves seat in classroom or in other situations where remaining seated is expected. Fidgets with hands or feet or squirms on seat. autism ADHD Impulsivity At least one of the following symptoms must have persisted at least for three months to an extent that is unusual for their age and level of intelligence: Blurts out answers before the questions have been completed. Fails to wait in lines or await turns in games or group situations. Interrupts or intrudes on others, likes to jump into others conversations or games. Talks excessively without appropriate response to social restraint. ADHD or Others causes Epileptic seizures can cause a child to become drowsy, impairing their attention. Epilepsy can also cause unusual behavior and lead to abnormal perceptions. Hearing problems such as deafness or glue ear can make it hard for a child to follow instructions and make them appear inattentive. Reading problems, making it hard to complete tasks or follow instructions. Obsessive compulsive disorder leads to people following strange rituals that preoccupy their thoughts and distract their attention. Tourette's syndrome involves repetitive, involuntary jerking movements of the body and sudden outbursts of noise or swearing. Autism and Asperger's syndrome often lead to difficulties in understanding and using language. Prolonged periods of insufficient sleep, causing poor concentration. Some children may be very active or be easily distracted or have difficulty concentrating. If these behaviours are relatively mild, they should not be considered a disorder. Others difficulties that occurs alongside Autism ADHD ADHD often occurs alongside other difficulties and is not the sole cause of problem behavior. Children may exhibit temper tantrums, sleep disorders, and be clumsy. Other behavioral problems that occur with ADHD include: confrontational defiant behavior, which occurs in most of these kids. The child loses their temper, argues and refuses to comply with adults and deliberately annoys others. conduct disorders occur in at least 25 per cent of children. The child may be destructive or show deceitful behavior such as lying, breaking rules and stealing. specific learning difficulties, including dyslexia, occur in 25-30 per cent of children. severe clinical depression occurs in about 30 per cent of children. anxiety disorders occur in 30 per cent of children. What causes ADHD? Biological Temperamental, as this contributes to their attitude and personality. Twins suggest a genetic link to ADHD. In 80-90 per cent of identical twins where one has ADHD so does the other. Recent research also suggests there is a greater chance of inheriting the condition from male relatives such as grandfathers and uncles. Brain injuries due to birth trauma or pre-birth problems. The brain structures believed to be linked to the development of ADHD are vulnerable to hypoxic damage during birth. The damage is caused by inadequate oxygen (QI flow) reaching parts of the brain while blood flow is reduced. Environmental conditions: Family stress. Educational difficulties. ADHD diagnosis Observations to the assessment of a child with possible ADHD. There is no single diagnostic test for ADHD so different sorts of information needs to be gathered, such as the following: History of symptoms The precise nature of the difficulties, when they were first noticed, in what situations they occur, factors that exacerbate or relieve them. Medical history Risk factors that could predispose the child to ADHD include difficulties and risks in pregnancy and during birth, for example if the mother was in poor health, very young or drank alcohol or smoked or had an extended or complicated labor. Several medical conditions are known to be associated with ADHD. These include fragile-X syndrome, fetal alcohol syndrome, G6PD deficiency, phenylketonuria and generalized resistance to thyroid hormone. Accidents, operations and chronic medical conditions such as epilepsy, asthma and heart, liver and kidney disorders all need to be taken in to account. Also of possible relevance is any medication the child is taking, as well as any adverse reactions they have had to medication in the past. Past psychiatric history: Enquiring about any mental health problems the child has had can help rule out depression or anxiety being behind the symptoms. Educational history: This means the level of their ability and what specific difficulties they have, how they function within their peer group and get on with teachers, and any behavior difficulties such as suspensions or exclusions. Family history: The mental and physical health of the child's parents and other family members can be relevant, particularly regarding the incidence of ADHD or depression. Less then 1% ahs the family history but this is one of the research data base. Social assessment: The family's social circumstances, such as housing, poverty, and social support may all have an impact on the child's behavior. Less then 4 % has this problem but it should be taken into consideration. What treatment is available for ADHD? There is NO straight treatment in the western way excepts general guidelines to manage a child's problematic behavior, THE TOLE has developed a NEURO treatment for these special kids. It is with THE TOLE'S NEURO Acupuncture and Special Neuro Herbal Powder. During the treatment we will guild the parents in what to do and what not. It will help to re-align your kid and get them out of their own world of autism. Getting it done once and for all time for them .You can start by taking our special brain powder first if you cannot come immediately and then when you decided to come then we can help you to arrange for your accommodations and others. Please book for your appointment in advance because there are many kids here doing their intensive treatment from all over the world. The below picture was the famous NEWS in most News Paper during November 1987 until 1988, its about a boy name Richard who has a rare disease that makes him jump , walk and act like a robot. Being hospitalize in 3 major hospital in Malaysia then cured by our WORLD FIRST CLASS PHYSICIAN MASTER TOLE. Life demonstrating Neuro Acupuncture done by our Master in front of the major news reporters. Being one in a million case of Slow , rare developing cerebral plasy, brain damage of the Qi flow in the brain .Obstruction of the Qi flow could then be revitalize by our THE TOLE'S Neuro Qi Qong Acupuncture done by our Master. THE TOLE'S LIST OF LINK Main Page -Autism Treatment- ADHD Malaysia.: Autism Treatment- ADHD Malaysia.: Autism Treatment- Aspergers Syndrome.: Autism Treatment Kuala Lumpur. : Autism Treatment- Autism Centre.: Autism Treatment- Autism Cure.: Autism Treatment- Autism Diet: Autism Healings Treatment.: Autism Herbal Medicine Treatment.: Autism Herbal Treatment.: Autism Herbs Treatment.: Autism Hyperlexia Treatment.: Autism Treatment Program.: Autism Behavior Treatment Research.: Autism Behavior Sleep Behavior Treatment. : Autism Behavior Treatment.: Autism Behavior The Tole Institute.: Autism Behavior The Tole Main Page.: http://www.geocities.com/autistickidscure/

DCF Protecting Children or Legalized Kidnapping? After spending 3 years fighting to get back my 2 children, which started with my son from birth, they have taken them from me, what i don'tunderstand is how they can sit there and take them from us and say all kinds of things that make parents look bad when in fact they don't have any proof to back up the words they use, now if you look at this, its really bad, kinda like reading the cover of the book and judging from that instead of reading it,my son was taken from us before he even came home from the hospital, but that was about after 2 months due to his severe medical needs, he has a genetic disorderr called otopalatodigital syndrome, but the first thing that was done by the case worker when she came out to the house to see us was to set up placement for him, then start asking questions, anyways then there is this comprehensive assessment this is a report on family history and to lines of past experiences, when we had one done, they asked me about my education and my childhood, Which i dropped out in the 7th grade, but to counter this i have taken IQ tests online and some offline, the highest i have got on one test is 132, this test was about 500 questions and ranged from Problem solving to sequences, mathematicsand english, and among others, now from this test, my highest two was sequences and problem solving, and the lowest was by far english, now when they sent me downn for a physiologicalevaluation they gave me based on sequences and Definitions (english), so sure it would average out to be average score based on those two, and my childhood, well went from house to house, parent to parent like a ping pong ball, which means school to school, new friends to finding more friends, and all this leading to basically being alone as i knew that as soon as i got friends that i would be back to my other parent just to do it over again so i just ended up staying to myself, but anyways when this was told to the DCF worker doing this report, it was said that i was only looking for sympathy, when really i could give a rats *** on what they think of it, but now if you look at it, why cant it be that i see problems in this and that i realize its not the best thing for any child to go from place to place, but yet they take anything anyone says the wrong way, they will take anything, twist it and turn it to make the simple little things look so terrible, anyways back to the facts, this all continued to go on when my daughter was born, right at that time we was in the process of getting an apartment which ended up falling out, but moved in with my mother, anyways the caseworker called me on the cell phoneand said that they weren'tgoing to take her from us, but a week later they did just that, with reasons of not having a place to live, that and our son was in the system, which was BS, now in these 10 days that we had her, she was feed, clothed, changed and taken care of, i remember going to the store a few days after she was born and buying diapers, clothes, toys gasicon drops, as she had gas, also bought those bottles with the plastic linens in to to help eliminate the air that was being swallowedd to help control the gas better, even after telling the investigator this they still took her from us, now that is really saying a lotof DCF when that was told to them and they still take the child away from the parents, but now they have won the trial, basically saying that we wouldn'tbe able to take her to appointments, now lets looks at this some as well, now i know there are some problems here, im not trying to sound like i'vebeen all that perfect in this, in fact show me someone who has, we missed a few appointments, will say about a total of 50% of them but i have worked mostly graveyard shifts since this started, one job being 5pm to finish, at times it was 8 or 9am when we got off, and most of the time it was about 4am when we finished, now do the math on that that would leave 13 hrs to sleep.eat,shower and ever thing else, which after all that only left about 4 to 5 hrs, now with me i cant go to sleep wake up to do something then go back to sleep, so for me it was getting to be really hard to do this, especially when there were doctors appointments and visitations and personal things that had to be done, now if we had her back it would have been different then this as appointments wouldn'thave been around 12 noon, but more closer to 3pm as i would be able to get some sleep and do the other things that would have to be done, but yet they held it all against us, saying that we couldn't do it, yeah i doubt anyone could, without completely driving them to the brink of insanity, with among other things this is the major one that was said in court, the other problems that they claim were problems are just minor, which im sure 75% of the parents are doing or have done at some point, im not saying i would have been the best parent, but i know it wouldn't have stopped me from trying, and i know i would have done better then my parents have done, and i don't mean anything bad there, as they both have changed their ways since then, and i'm glad they have, i wont go into details on that, Now what's this i here about this Adoption thing going on, there are some states the get money from the government for each adoption they do, DCF from what i read gets 4,000 for each child adopted out, and 2,000 more on top of that if the child is Medically needed (hint: my son), also for those who watch the tv, might recall of a story in Kentucky when a caseworker was fired when she went to the news about it, two children were about to be adopted out to a convicted felon when she went up to her supervisor, and she was told to be quiet and to get the adoption finalized, hint that's why she got fired cause she didn't do it, but anyways from further reading on this it seems Florida has led every other state in Adoptions for the past 3 years, now something doesn't seem right about this, they get 4,000 per child that is adopted, guess what they get when a child is reunified with the parents (hint: $0), now with that said just how many kids are in adoption now, i don't believe there has ever been enough to lead every other state in adoptions for three consecutive years, i could see one but not three, unless they are taken children away from deserving parents who pose no threat to the children, in fact looks at the latest news on neglected and abused children, who has done it, Foster parents, adoptive parents, and i heard of at least one of these being a caseworker, and one i heard that a caseworker was driving under the influence of alcohol with a child in the car on a major highway, but most of the recent story on this has been done by the DCF employees and adoptive parents, now foster parents are working for DCF though they are volunteers they still are paid for taking the children in so in a way they work for DCF, now when our son was taken from us, to which we signed over, they were saying that we wouldn't take him to medical appointments and didn't understand what it took to take care of his needs, but from what i have heard, he has been in the hospital 3 times since he was removed from the foster parent and from what i know hasn't been to his appointments, all of this being done by the parents that are adopting him, if that's the case then why wouldn't they give him to us, the adoptive parents are doing the same thing that they said we would do, but you don't see DCF jumping into this and doing something about it, im not trying to change anything about what has happened, well i am but im also trying to stop it from continuing, this legalized kidnapping has to stop, they do it and are paid for it as well If anyone has other story to tell please post them

Is this any good? Lorena, I opened my eyes and looked around me. Something was wrong. My head split in pain as the world spun. Each individual rectangle that covered the walls was doubled on top of itself in my blurred vision. Rectangles. I tried to force myself to focus on an individual rectangle, begging the room to stay still. But the room continued to spin, spiraling into unconscious darkness. … Why can I never finish a stupid Sudoku? I mean, it should have been simple enough, the numbers one through nine in every row, column, and box with no repeats. But it wasn’t simple enough. Nothing ever was in calculus. Especially when you were a junior at sixteen, but that’s what I got for being “smart”. But this had nothing to do with calculus, so why was Mrs. Brassington making us do it? Her distaste for me was almost tangible as she looked down for an awkward moment over my shoulder. Then, in sudden realization of an error unapparent to me, her lips curled into a smile. “You have two three’s in this column.” She coughed, placing a gnarled finger on my paper. Did she ever clip her nails? Her voice was filled with triumph over my failure. Is it legal for a teacher to want you to fail? Ouch. My head was throbbing as I tried to fight my way through the maze of boxes and columns. Finally, the bell rang and released me from my numbered prison. Whoever thought that first period calculus was an ok thing was defiantly on something. I reached into my bag and grabbed an aspirin. It had become a daily post-calculus ritual. I never did think that they did anything, but it was the only help the doctor offered for my headaches. Actually, that trip to the doctor had been the first responsible thing that my dad had done for me sense my moving in with him three weeks ago. He wasn’t the most responsible of men, especially seeing as how he left when I was seven. That was the thing, it hurt bad enough when your dad just up and left, but it was even worse when you could remember the day that he was simply gone. It was one of those things that was hard to forget. What made it even worse was that as much as I loved my mom, I couldn’t stand that she wouldn’t divorce him afterward. She said that she loved him, that she knew he would come back. Well she was right, he did. Not that she was alive to see the day. So there I was, stuck on the outskirts of Denver with first period calculus, a killer headache, and prescription aspirin that did squat. “Lorena?” I cringed. Yet another reason I wasn’t my dad’s biggest fan. Who came up with a name like Lorena? If he was going to go with something long and stuffy that should have died with the corset, couldn’t he have picked something more regal? Like Victoria or Elizabeth? Not that I wanted to be an English queen or anything, but still… Lorena? When I was eleven, I vowed to myself that I would change my name the moment I turned eighteen. But I couldn’t now, Mom had loved it. She said it made me sound intelligent, classy, and confident. I always thought it made me sound like a saint come back from the dead. “Uh, it’s Lorie.” I said, realizing what an awkward pause I had taken while contemplating my passionate dislike for my name. I swallowed the two aspirin dry, put the half-empty bottle back in my bag, and turned around to see who the voice belonged to. Immediately I wished I hadn’t. It was Roman, Roman… well I didn’t know his last name. However, I did know that this was not good and I desperately wanted to walk away. The poor guy had been hitting on me since my first day. Not that he wasn’t cute or anything, I just didn’t like him. He was just too… happy. He always had this goofy smile on his face. Even after first period calculus. Who smiles after first period calculus? On top of that, I think he actually showered in Old Spice. You could smell him from five feet away. I had always thought that Old Spice smelled like the air freshener in the grocery store bathroom in back in Rhode Island. That part of it made me miss my mom and our old apartment even more than I already did. The rest of it just made me nauseous. “I know I know, but I like Lorena. It’s pretty.” His face split open into his ridiculously annoying smile. He pushed his florescent blonde hair out of his face, forcing me to look into his sincere green eyes. Was I missing something? He seemed especially ecstatic today… if that was even possible. “Oh, hey Roman.” Tried to match his excitement and failed pathetically. “What’s up?” and he sounded like he was actually interested. I was so distracted by that smile it took me longer than it should have to respond. He probably thought I was impaired or something. “My head hurts.” Why did I say that? I should have just said fine. It was curt and to the point with little room for comment. I had to suffocate this conversation before it happened. “I know, Mrs. Brassington is killer.” Too late. “Yup.” There, that reply was a lot better than the last one. Hopefully if I stuck with one-word sentences from here on out, he would run out of things to say soon. “So I was wondering,” My whole body tensed at his phrase. Roman couldn’t be asking me out could he? I couldn’t bare the thought of being the one who broke the happy kid. I couldn’t shoot down that innocent face. But there was no way I could last an entire evening with this guy either. I squirmed, an evening with Roman; the thought was painful. What was I going to say? Would he buy it if I to pretended to pass out right here? Wait, then everyone would think that I passed out because I couldn’t believe that he had asked me. I would rather have gone on the date than have every body think that. My mind flashed through images of us having diner, going to a movie movie, bowling… maybe passing out was a good plan. I looked up at Roman ready to hear the unthinkable question. For some reason he looked weird. I starred at his face in confusion. Why did he look so odd? I started to scan from top to bottom, trying to find an abnormality. Finally, I realized that I couldn’t see his teeth and his smile had faded into a grin. That was a first. But why wasn’t he smiling anymore? Then suddenly it dawned on me that he was searching my face, waiting for me to say something. He had already asked me and I didn’t hear him in my plan for escape. “Oh. Um, I’m really sorry Roman but I’m busy that night. I’m gonna have to pass.” I really hoped that he hadn’t said ‘tonight’ or ‘sometime’ because then my reply would have sounded really awkward. I looked into his eyes trying to see if I should have been more harsh instead of making him think that he even had a chance. But he just looked confused. Not hurt confused, but like he really didn’t understand. What an ego. Could he not see that I just wasn’t interested? After a moment of him staring at me, waiting for me to explain or take it back he finally said, “Um… That’s ok. I can just get the notes from Kelsey then. But thanks.” He flashed his pearly whites one more time then walked away. Wait. Notes? Oh no. Had Roman had been absent the day before? I couldn’t remember. I didn’t remember him sitting next to me. But I would usually purposely avoid him. I stood, staring at the place where Roman had been. Why had I been so convinced he was asking me out? Maybe he hadn’t been hitting on me. Maybe he was just nice. Nobody was that nice just to be nice were they? It was strangely quiet. Looking around myself I realized the hall was empty. Had the bell rang? I had been ready to throw myself to the floor to avoid a date I wasn’t even being asked on, when I could have just said I needed to get to class. For a long moment I just let it sink in what a perpetual idiot I was. “Where are you supposed to be?” The voice made me jump, looking toward it’s source there was a teacher standing next to me. Well, I had never seen him before, so I guess I couldn’t have really known he was a teacher. But de didn’t look like a traffic cop so teacher was a safe assumption. “Oh, Mr. Poland’s English. I looked at my watch to see that it was five minutes into the period. “Well, would love to just send you off,” Oh no. Was this guy actually going to do something? Jerk. “but we have rules here, and you are expected to be in class when the bell rings. So as much as I hate to do so, I’m goanna have to have to send you to the DAC.” Oh, the Disciplinary Assessment Center. Great. My first trip to the DAC was going to be for being late because I was dazed by not being asked out by a guy I didn’t like. I’d been hoping for something a little more cavalier. “Ok then.” I laced the words with extra distaste and mal-contempt. I turned and began to walk away, not even sure of where I was going. “Jerk.” “Excuse me?” Was that one out loud? Oops. “I didn’t say anything.” It sounded like a lie, even to me. But I couldn’t look at his face to see if he bought it. Then I suddenly remembered something about not making eye contact giving away that you’re a liar. I immediately looked into his eyes. They were a surprisingly bright hazel. If he wasn’t a teacher, (and a mean one at that) I might have thought he was pretty. “Oh I heard you.” He broke my concentration. I was immediately embarrassed with myself for thinking this man had pretty potential. What was he like thirty? No, he didn’t look that old, but he was a teacher so he couldn’t have been that young. Why did I care? I could already tell that today was going to be a series of perpetually idiotic events. “I guess I’ll be accompanying you on your trip to the DAC.” For some reason I was relieved that I wouldn’t have to ask for directions. Why couldn’t this have happened before calculus? I was missing English, one class I actually liked. I was supposed to give my speech on moral and ethical issues of today’s modern literature. Wait, why couldn’t this have just not happened? Yeah, that was a better wish to be making. Not that it mattered. The DAC was highly misnamed. It was in no way a ‘Center’ of any kind. It was a couple teachers behind a big desk and three folding chairs against the wall. There were also some of those desks with the big walls surrounding them. They always made me feel like I had leprosy or something to deserve that level of quarantine. Mr. … well, he had never said his name now had he? I decided that until I knew, he would be Mr. Hazel. (For Obvious reasons.) Mr. Hazel held out his hand, gesturing for me to go first. Inside the room there were two boys sitting in the folding chairs covered in black board chalk. They both had proud grins on their faces, and I was sure there was a really good story that accompanied them. “Well hello.” Said one of the teachers behind the gargantuan metal desk; she so tiny the thing nearly swallowed her whole. She had seemed really nice until she greeted Mr. Hazel. Her words were too bright and cheery for the situation at hand. It was like she was ridiculously pleased that he had come in with new blood. “Hello Mrs. Hart” Mr. Hazel’s reply was equally as cheery. Was I misunderstanding what DAC stood for? “So what have we here young lady?” She spoke the words as casually as if I come asking for help with my homework. Mr. Hazel told her of our short encounter in the hall, his voice no longer cherry, he sounded really mad actually. I wasn’t that rude was I? I realized that I had called the man a jerk, but I was still taken aback by his aggressive tone. “I see.” Mrs. Hart’s tone was nearly as scary as Mr. Hazel’s. So maybe I didn’t have the meaning of DAC confused. “Well, have a seat and I’ll call you up in a moment to decide what we should do about this.” “Thank you.” Mr. Hazel’s words were curt, and he was out of the room before I could even turn around. I walked over to the folding chairs and took the last empty seat. The chalk-covered boy sitting next to me sent a quick glance in my direction then turned to his friend and whispered. Quiet sinkers followed. “Tony, Michel, here are your passes.” The second teacher held up two pink slips of paper. The two boys looked at each other, took the passes, and were gone. I felt like I was five years old; sitting in chair by myself, waiting to be punished. After a few moments of numbly staring at the floor, my mind began to wander to what my father would say. This was not exactly going to bode well with him. The thought of him being angry with me, acting all parent-like made my blood boil. He can’t suddenly act all responsible, like he had any right at this point. He had missed his chance to be my dad; he didn’t get to start over just because Mom was gone. My eyes began to fill with tears as the rage began to boil over. “All right, come on up.” Mrs. Hart’s voice came from across the room. I stood up and began to walk, but suddenly I was on the floor. I was dazed with confusion and my entire left arm was screaming with the pain of an intense rug-burn. There was something on my legs. When I turned to see what it was, I found that I had taken the folding chair to the ground with me. I sat for a moment in utter shock, what happened? Mrs. Hart was at my side in a flash; her voice filled with appropriate concern. “Honey, are you ok? What happened?” She lifted the chair off of me and held my arm to help me up. “I’m fine.” My voice wasn’t as reassuring and fine as I had wanted it to be. “I guess I just tripped.” Ouch. Now my arm and my head hurt. “Are you sure? … Oh! are you crying?” Oh no. My tears had spilled over. But I was almost relieved that now I had a perfectly good excuse for them, so I played along. “Yeah, I’m sorry. It’s just my arm, but I’ll be ok.” I wiped my face with my good hand. She turned to look at my arm and her face twisted into an expression that had me concerned. “Oh you’re bleeding!” I twisted the back of my arm toward me to get a better look. The rug-burn had broken just enough skin to draw blood from my shoulder to my elbow. It did look kind of gruesome. Looking at the floor at where I had fallen, I could see a long, thin stain from the blood. I held back a chuckle as I thought how badly that stain would scare any first-time DAC’ers in the future. “Let’s get you to the nurse.” Mrs. Hart’s voice had a slight twinge of panic as she led me out into the hall. It was really awkward having a teacher escorting me. Were there always this many people walking around with hall passes? How embarrassing. I could feel my face turn red as we walked into the nurse’s office. I halted in the doorway; Mrs. Hart looked at me with confused eyes, and then pulled me all the way in. Not only was I bleeding allover myself and the floor, and being escorted by a teacher half my size, but who else would be having a chat with the school nurse then Mr. Hazel. He was holding a briefcase and a large coat like he was on his way out. He turned around to see who had entered and his face twisted awkwardly as he tried to hold back an amused smile. An amused smile that would have been far too cruel for the situation. “Gosh Betty, I didn’t want you to beat the poor girl.” His eyes flashed to mine and his smile broke loose. Jerk. “I know, I couldn’t help it.” Mrs. Hart commented sarcastically, she obviously wasn’t nearly as amused as he was. Suddenly my arm twitched under a new wave of pain. Looking to see what has caused it, I found myself staring into Nurse Hamilton’s eyes as she smiled apologetically and motioned for me to follow her into a nearby chair. She grabbed my right hand and placed it up against the toilet paper she had placed over my arm to keep me from bleeding allover her floor and walked across the room to grab some supplies. As I watched her search for whatever it was she wanted, I realized the room was oddly quiet. Mrs. Hart and Mr. Hazel were both staring at me. Mrs. Hart’s eyes were filled with concern as she watched, probably waiting to see my continued tears. I would have cried for her, to convince her that my tears were because of my arm, but no way would I give Mr. Hazel the satisfaction. Looking at him, his eyes were less than concerned, he seemed sickly amused with the irony. I could tell he wasn’t leaving any time soon. I mean, why would he want to miss this? Did I mention this guy was a jerk? Nurse Hamilton returned with a bundle of bandages and a bottle of rubbing alcohol. Wait, rubbing alcohol? Maybe I would cry. She pulled away the toilet paper and poured some of the rubbing alcohol onto a large cotton square that she had pulled out of her pile of bandages. She hesitated for a moment, looking at my face. I couldn’t look back, I didn’t want to see her do it. “This is going to sting a little.” A little? That was a cruel understatement. I turned away and closed my eyes. My entire arm contracted painfully as she rubbed the drenched square against the raw skin. It felt like my arm was on fire as she wiped away the blood and grabbed a new square after the first one became soiled. It took her five cotton squares to sufficiently clean the wound. My arm kept slowly oozing blood as she placed a large, thick piece of gauze over my arm and taped over and around it to seal it and secure it to my arm. By the time she was done, my entire upper arm was wrapped in medical tape. The entire time, Mr. Hazel and Mrs. Hart continued to watch in awed silence. When she finished, Nurse Hamilton said goodbye to me and Mrs. Hart and continued her conversation with Mr. Hazel. She never said his name. We got back to the DAC and I followed Mrs. Hart to the giant desk. “Well anyway,” She looked around her desk and tried to regain her disciplinary composure. “I’m goanna assign you three after school detentions to be served whenever you are available over the next two weeks, one Saturday detention which must be served this Saturday from nine to eleven, and thirty demerits. Wow, that seemed like an awful lot for being late to class and calling a teacher a jerk when he deserved it. Didn’t that little trip to the nurse’s office buy me anything? She gave me a slip to give for a “legal guardian” to sign, and a pass to English. All that and I hadn’t even missed an entire class period. I could tell it would be a long day. I walked into Mr. Poland’s room and all eyes were on me including Andréa’s, which was embarrassing because she was standing at the front of the room with a stack of index cards in her hands. Oh no, I had interrupted her speech. I handed my pass to Mr. Poland and made my way to my seat. I had though my embarrassment was over until I heard Mr. Poland’s booming brassy voice behind me. “Oh, someone’s been to the DAC this morning.” A simultaneous oooo filled the room. How annoying. Andréa finished her speech just as the bell rang and I nearly ran to my next class. I figured that with no pass or annoying teacher, no one would know about this morning and I could move on. I walked into economics and took my seat in the back right-hand corner of the room. “What happened to you?” Tyler sat down next to me was staring at my whale of a bandage. Oh yeah, there was that. “Oh. Imaginary date, evil teacher, DAC, and a rug-burn. Long story.” “A Flying-Star kind of day?” My whole body tingled at the thought. “Defiantly.” A bad day was always better after going to Flying-Star, a little café a short walk into town. Whenever either of us was having a major bad day, we would walk down to the Flying-Star, get caramel lattés and a poppy seed bagels, and talk about it. Whoever lost the “my day was the worst ever” bet, had to pay. Unless we were there to celebrate. If that was the case then we would both buy a hot chocolate with extra marshmallows and we would split a piece of key-lime pie. “Wow, it must be pretty bad if you’re already that desperate by third period.” Tyler smiled sympathetically, I was feeling better already. Tyler had been my best friend ever sense my first day when I dropped my books in the hall after calculus. Not only did he pick them up for me like a true gentleman, he also managed to get Roman to go away when he came over to see if I was ok and he walked me to all of my classes for the rest of the day and gave me a place to sit at lunch. He did all of this without parading me around like the new girl that I was. Nothing was ever awkward around him, and that first day of school was the first day that he took me to Flying-Star. He was tall enough that he made me feel like a girl when I stood next to him. Normally, I would tower over most everybody else at 5’10”. But he was about 6’2”, making him the perfect height in my book. His hair dark brown like mine, but his was much darker. So much darker that it was commonly mistaken for black, but I liked it how it was because it made his bright blue eyes shine like flood lights. “You don’t even know.” I sighed. He smiled again and I felt like the rest of the day could actually get better. Maybe it had just been a bad morning, that didn’t mean that the entire day had to be bad did it? Mrs. Derik walked in and placed her large grade book on the desk at the front of the room. The book seemed so huge when she was carrying it. The poor woman was only 5’6” in heels, combined her little voice and wild red hair she looked like a nymph. “Ok. Take everything off your desks so we can get started on the test.” The warm feelings Tyler had instilled into me hit the floor and shattered. I had no idea that there was a test today. “When did she say we had a test?!” I whispered in sheer panic to Tyler. “Yesterday at the beginning of class. Why did you think we spent the whole period reviewing?” He was looking at me like I was crazy, but in his voice I could tell he was equally panicked for me. He knew my grade in this class had been taking a nose dive the pass couple of weeks. “I was in the bathroom at the beginning of class! Why didn’t you tell me?” “I honestly thought you knew. Sorry. But hey, you were here for the review yesterday. You should do fine, calm down. Just do your best.” Wow. What an original statement. Besides, had I known that the review was for a test today, I might have paid a lot more attention. “No talking please the test is out.” I turned to face the front and found that the test was already sitting on my desk. I stared at the packet for a few moments, trying to remember what the test was even on. So maybe the whole day would be bad, I mean why would it stop with a trip to the nurse and unjust detention? Well, maybe I deserved the detention, but it was still a major down side. Was there an upside? I tried to think of anything good that had happened that morning; anything good that was going to happen. That just made me even more depressed. Suddenly, my desk shook. I jumped to see that Tyler had kicked the front leg of the desk to get me to start on the test. Oh, the test. I opened the booklet and read the first question… That was the hardest test I had ever taken in my entire life. By the time I finished, my head felt like it was being repeatedly bashed with a baseball bat, a baseball bat that was on fire. Tyler walked me out of the room never once taking his eyes off my face. When I finally looked back at him he looked concerned, that helped to know that he at least actually cared. The entire walk to Physics he never said a word. It was like he was in my head and could tell that the last thing I wanted was to talk right now. He just held the strap of the book bag draped over my shoulder and pulled my through the hall. He plowed through the crowds of talking teens with ease and followed the speed walkers who blazed their own trail through the mess. We walked into physics and looking at the front of the room and Tyler leaned over and whispered in my ear. “Sub today.” I was so glad that he had whispered the phrase; it was like he could see the pain that my head was in by the look on my face. At that thought I realized that he probably could. I consciously relaxed my face muscles which I then realized had been clenched into an uncomfortable frown. Tyler took me to my seat and sat down next to me. That wasn’t his usual seat, but no one ever sat in their normal seat when there was a substitute. I was grateful that Mrs. Wormington was out, because when she was gone she would usually just tell the sub to show us a movie, or give us busywork. Well, I was grateful until the sub started talking. “QUIET DOWN!” Why was the man yelling? Each word he shouted at the class brought my scull that much closer to shattering. “I’M MR. LEE. MRS. WORMINGTON HAS ASKED ME TO SHOW YOU A SHORT FILM AND THEN DISCUSS IT WITH YOU.” Tyler glanced at my and smiled wickedly. Was he laughing? How could he go from being so sweet to being so cruel? I wanted to be irritated but I could see why he would think it was funny. Plus, being irritated hurt my head too much. I reached into my bag and grabbed an aspirin. Tyler rolled his eyes as he watched my swallow the pills. He knew there was no point, but I still had to try. “I’M PASSING OUT A WORKSHEET TO FILL OUT AS YOU WATCH THE FILM. THIS WORKSHEET WILL BE GRADED SO DON’T JUST WRITE WHATEVER.” I think he was talking so loud so that he could hear himself. The guy was pretty old, and I could see that he had hearing aids in both ears. He put the tape into the VCR and I was relived that I wouldn’t have to listen to him yelling anymore. But it turned out that he wanted to hear the movie to. Ouch. The rest of the day was just as bad as the morning had been. After Physics, I managed to trip over myself in the hallway, I had forgotten my lunch and my French homework, I nearly killed a poor kid in my study hall when Mrs. Garrison asked me to pass her the dictionary and I dropped it on his head, and I accidentally sprayed my pants when I stopped at the water fountain. I had spent the last three periods of the day looking like I had peed in my pants. Tyler and I went to Flying-Star and of course, they were out of caramel flavoring and I had to get a vanilla latte. A vanilla latte that Tyler paid for. We talked for about an hour and a half, Tyler made it a little better but I was still raw from the long day. On top of that, my dad wasn’t nearly as good at reading me as Tyler was. He walked me home and I went in through the front door that led into a small family room which was connected to an even smaller kitchen. The kitchen was connected to the living room, which was also connected to the family room. I dropped my bag on the floor even though I knew I had a ridiculous amount of homework. I just needed a little more time to relax off the long day. As I stepped into the living room, I could hear my dad coming down the stairs on the opposite side of the kitchen. “Lorena?” Ugh. I was completely convinced that at this point he was only calling me that to bother me. He knew I hated my name. “Dad. Please call me Lorie.” He walked into the living room and stopped in front of me. He looked like he was surprised to see me. Why would he be surprised to see me? It’s not like anyone else ever came around. “I know. I know. Lorie.” he rolled his eyes as if the sound of the word disgusted him. I walked into the kitchen and sat down. “What time are you leaving for work?” I laid my head on the table and let the cold of the wood seep into my hot, flustered cheek. I had never thought that a table could feel so nice, I wasn’t sure that I would ever be able to move from that spot. “In about an hour.” He just stared at me. Couldn’t he tell that I wanted him to go away? How annoying. He was just standing over me, staring down at me. Apparently, he wanted me to say more. “Uh, what’s for dinner?” He frowned as if the question offended him. Well, what did he want? He wanted me to keep talking and I wanted to know what was for dinner. Everybody wins. He sighed and massaged his forehead as if he had forgotten all about dinner. Wow. My dad, who was responsible for taking care of me, for making sure I was ok and fed and stuff, had forgotten about dinner. I blinked a couple of times in bewildered amazement of how completely melodramatic that thought had been. I really needed some sleep. Now. Maybe I would just skip the dinner that dad had forgotten about and just go to bed. Yeah. That though sounded way better than any food would have been. “Uh, you can order some pizza.” Really? Cause after a long, terrible day I really could have gone for some comforting soup. But how could he have known that? Wait, but didn’t I just decide to veto dinner all together? Yep. Sleep was crucial. He rubbed his hands together and blew like he was cold. Was he just being spastic? Cause it was like sixty degrees outside. I mean it was hardly beach going weather but still, in no way hand rubbing temperature. There was a thud upstairs. I looked up instinctively. Everything went still and I looked back to Dad. His eyes were filled with panic, but he kept going as if he had never heard it. “Or, maybe some Chinese if you want.” How could he not have heard that? It sounded like a… did he say Chinese? Egg drop soup, crab rangoon, orange chicken, the thought made my mouth water. “Sure.” I said trying to sound as indifferent as humanly possible. Forget going straight to bed, I was going to have me some Asian cuisine. Now all I needed was my fluffy fleece pajama pants, my orange feather pillow, and the Princess Bride. (Because we all know that it is the movie of every occasion.) I stood up, brushed off my pants, and turned to the stairs on the other side of the kitchen. “What are doing?” He said it so fast it made me jump. “I’m goanna go change.” Since hen did he care? I stared at him for a moment and watched him think of a response. What exactly was his problem today? “Why?” Why? Did my dad just ask me why I was going to change after school? Didn’t I change every day after school? I finally decided that there was defiantly something wrong with him today. “Because I always change after school Dad. What is your problem?” He automatically stood taller like it was an authoritative reflex. It was almost like he wanted to argue with me. This startled me. He was normally so passive. “You’re the one with the problem Lorena. I just wanted to know what you were doing. I don’t think that that’s too much to ask.” He said the words as if he had the right to know everything that I ever did; Like he could just demand anything of me at anytime just because he was my father. I could feel the tears of rage filling my eyes again. “Well I think that you should just back off. I was just going upstairs. It’s not like you’ve ever cared about what I did before.” I laced the words with suggestion. Judging by the look on his face, he could tell that I meant more than just going upstairs. He knew that I was talking about the fact that he left me. That I had spent the last nine years living perfectly fine without him. He slouched slightly; I hadn’t thought that it would hurt him that much. There was another thud at the top of the stairs. The sound made Dad jump and the panic refilled his eyes. Looking toward the sound, there was a figure at the top of the stairs. The figure froze momentarily, and then moved slowly down the stairs. As it stepped into the light, I found myself staring at Mr. Hazel. David, A wave of guilt swept over me. I shouldn’t have knocked her out like that. I stared at her in remorse. She was so beautiful. This was all my fault. The tears rose in my eyes as I softly whispered “I’m sorry.” I finally tore my eyes away and slammed the large metal door. I had to finish this. I bounded down the hall toward the one who started this. I couldn’t let him get away. I didn’t know what I would do when I caught him, but I ran after him anyway. … “Have a good day.” I called after her as she ran out the door to catch the bus. I didn’t think that she had heard me, but it felt good to know that I had at least tried. I stood in silence as I watched her get on the bus. She looked so much like Emma. I took a long breath as the sadness hit. Emma… I missed her more than anything. I watched the bus disappear around the corner and turned toward the kitchen. I had so much to do today, but none of it seemed to matter anymore, I just wanted to stay home. I wanted Lorena to get back from school. I knew that she hated me, not that she didn’t have the right, but it still felt nice to have her around. She was so much like her mom it was uncanny, and I really wanted to make it right with her. I owed her that much. The phone rang and I jumped, suddenly ripped from my day dream. I crossed the kitchen and picked up the receiver. “Hello.” My voice cracked. “David?” The other voice didn’t sound familiar at all, but he obviously knew who I was so I played along. “Hey.” “It’s been too long my friend. I know your daughter Katrina was moving in with you and everything but I didn’t know that you were disappearing all together.” “Lorena.” I said it more sharply than I meant to. “What?” The guy on the other end seemed put out. “My daughter’s name is Lorena.” I was more friendly this time. “Oh yeah. Sorry Dave. Well listen,” The gears in my head finally clicked. Only one person ever called me Dave. It was Trevor McLean. I was instantly relieved that I wouldn’t have to ask who I was talking to and I was automatically more interested in what he was saying. “We’ve kind of got a problem. Do you think I could come over?” A problem? We? “Sure. I’m not doing anything today so come whenever.” “Thanks. I’ll be there in like two hours ok?” He sounded worried. That didn’t help. “K. Later.” The other line went dead and I put down the receiver. I stood in the kitchen in silence for longer than I thought possible for me to stand still. What to do now? A problem? I hadn’t talked to Trevor since Lorena had moved in, but still, I had thought everything was fine. What bothered me the most was that he said “we” like it was my problem to. No, it had only been because he wanted me to help him like he had done so many times for me. Like when Emma died, had and I needed money. Emma died. The thought hurt. It was hard to think that she was gone, I had made myself believe that she was off somewhere else like she had always been. That I was only missing her like I always had when she was still around. But denial did nothing for anyone now. What made it even worse was that she didn’t even care to leave me anything. Not that I was that selfish, wanting to benefit from her demise. It was just that she hadn’t even bothered to write a will, she didn’t even bother to make sure that Lorena would be ok. It was like she was punishing me from beyond the grave, like she wanted me to pay for what had done. If only she knew how badly I wanted to hold her all those years. If only it would have mattered if she did. The door bell rand and I jumped. Hadn’t he said he would be coming in two hours? I looked at the clock to see it was almost ten o’clock. So much for getting anything done. “Come on in Trev!” I shouted unmoving. The door opened and a cold gust of air blew through the house. I heard the door slam and the sound of Trevor’s clunky boots echoed through the hall. “Dave?” He walked into the kitchen and looked at me in surprise. “Why are you just sitting there?” I didn’t even know myself. “Oh, um nothing. What’s going on?” He walked around to the other side of the table and sat, laying his briefcase on the floor next to him. He took off his coat and look at me with a frantic expression. “Ok. You remember that money I lent you when Lorena moved in?” Of course I remembered, I needed it so badly and he just gave it to me no problem. “Sure I do. What about it?” Trevor’s face twisted uncomfortably. This worried me more than anything; Trevor was rarely uncomfortable telling me things. “Well, I…” He paused, as if he didn’t want to finish his sentence. He took a deep breath and forced himself to continue. “I need it back.” What? Since when is it ok to ask for a gift back? This was not Trevor. My head throbbed in confusion as I tried to make sense of his request. Looking back at him I could see he was nervously awaiting my response. Maybe he knew how obtuse it sounded. “Why?” Was all I could manage. He frowned uncomfortably and was curt. “I just need it Dave! How hard is that to understand? It’s my money, and I need it!” I was shocked by his sudden outburst. I stared at him. After a few moments the stare melted into a glare. “You know I don’t have it.” His eyes widened in panic, then suddenly narrowed in rage. “What do you mean you don’t have it?!” “What I mean is that I didn’t ask you for money so I could stick it in a jar for a while. It’s gone. Besides, I thought we agreed that I could pay you back in a year.” He sighed, all the rage had faded. He placed his elbows on the table and held his head in his hands. After a minute of watching him shake his head in dismay, I couldn’t stand the confusion any more. “What’s going on Trev?” I tried to sound understanding, but the words sounded as frustrated as I felt. He let his head fall back, then sat up and looked at me. “That wasn’t my money Dave.” My stomach lurched. I swallowed hard, trying to force it back down. Trevor wouldn’t give me money that wasn’t his. Never. This had to be a dream. A nightmare. I took a breath and decided not to freak out and just get some answers. “What are you talking about Trevor?” His face twisted painfully as he tried to think of a way to explain. “I just need the money back.” No way was he going to as me to come up with $12,000 that he gave me in good confidence without giving me an explanation. “K. I’m goanna need you to elaborate.”