<p>I didn’t realize heroin had made such a comeback. That’s really sad.</p>
<p>Where are those drink servers? I’ve been told today that there will be NO college talk until he visits the schools. April 17-18th for one visit and the 21st for the other. Seriously??? </p>
<p>That is just awful. I lost my best friend from college, years later, to complications from longtime heroin abuse. It sucks.
S2 received an email from the Oxy football coach today, asking him to send film for consideration for a walk-on spot on the team. He is still all about Tulane, but it was nice to get the invitation, and be courted, especially after having a difficult senior year with football in HS, with new coaches.</p>
<p>Heroin is rampant in my area of So Cal, with maybe 10 deaths that I know of in the past 2 years. As others have pointed out, these are young people with a lot going for them and definitely not what you would expect a heroin addict to look like.</p>
<p>The police in my area acknowledge the problem and have responded by forming a special task force targeting docs who over-prescribe the pain medications that get the users hooked in the first place. </p>
<p>I think parents need to be aware of the need to get rid of extra prescription pain meds with opiate bases such as vicodin, oxycontin, hydrocodone, and demerol. Don’t leave them around in the medicine cabinet. Young people can and do take them for use or resale. The going rate for each pill around here is about $20. Which is why it’s cheaper to use heroin.</p>
<p>I didn’t realize heroine was so popular either until I did a google search. I found dozens of articles about the prevalence of heroine in high schools and on college campuses. There is an informative article in The Crimson White (UA newspaper) discussing the rise in heroine use among students:</p>
<p><a href=“Discovering Alabama series wins Emmy award - The Crimson White”>Discovering Alabama series wins Emmy award - The Crimson White;
<p>Sadly, it appears that there have been several heroine related deaths on campuses across the country in the past year. Another reason to hug our kids. </p>
<p>pageturner – welcome! As a proud Smith alum, here’s my plug for your sister: Go. To. Smith. Years ago, I got into Cornell, William and Mary, and Smith. I chose Smith and am so glad I did – great education that prepared me for many different careers and gave me a confidence and compassion I don’t know I would have gotten everywhere.</p>
<p>eyemamom – yikes! I’d heard that too – heroin is on the rise. How awful. When you realize Philip Seymour Hoffman described himself as a heroin addict, this drug affects so many people.</p>
<p>Still waiting for 2 more schools. Boy they like dragging it out. </p>
<p>Good morning, parents of our soon-to-be 2014 grads.</p>
<p>I’m not a regular poster in this group but popped in to see how everyone is doing now that most application decisions are out. I saw the news about @Apollo6’s son. If you are out there, @Apollo6, please know you are in my thoughts and prayers. I’m so sorry. </p>
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<p>Good morning everyone! What time does the USS Indecision sail today, Captain@Avondad? Spygirl received word that she’s been accepted to the honors college at Gonzaga which means another $1K in merit per year. But she still has a soft spot for Oxy, so we are boarding the ship!</p>
<p>On a more serious note, the rise in heroin use is alarming. A childhood friend’s sister was an addict and it ruined her life and devastated the entire family. She lost custody of her daughter, she stole and pawned all of her mother’s jewelry, every last heirloom and countless thousands of dollars. She spent years in prison for theft, credit card fraud, and various other offenses. All to buy drugs. Sadly her life ended under suspicious circumstances, tied to heroin use and some very scary people. </p>
<p>^ I also know people whose lives have been ruined (or nearly so) by heroin and/or other opiate addiction. In many cases these were extremely bright, creative young people with loads of promise. It is unbearably sad and scary.</p>
<p>So it’s April 1st and my daughter haven’t decided yet. She’s choosing between UCLA and Cornell. She’ll visit both for an overnight hosting in mid-April. I guess, we’ll be aboard USS Indecision until the very end.</p>
<p>Save a cabin on the USS Indecision for us! D has been very fortunate: I think we’re down to deciding between Carleton, Harvard, Haverford, and Pomona, though we’re holding a waitlist spot at Swarthmore as well. Had an overnight at Haverford last year and a couple days at Pomona this winter; visits to Carleton and Harvard during accepted student days and to regional Pomona and Harvard events are all ahead. Not sure how this process is supposed to converge on a single choice?!? For now, I’ll settle for a margarita, rocks, salt. No, better make it a pitcher.</p>
<p>I’m hosting a pre-prom party and doing a mashed potato bar, using martini glasses and margarita glasses. I’m happy to use all those glasses for some of my killer sour apple martini’s and peach or strawberry margarita’s. I also serve bloody mary’s “maryland” style - a little old bay on the rim. I’ll be set up on the aft deck overlooking the skeet shooting of redirection letters.</p>
<p>@2018dad, Wow…great coast to coast options…what weather does your family prefer ;)</p>
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<p>@onlyonemom - Love that!! You are very much needed, mom!</p>
<p>@jasmineRose - Thanks again for the recipe! Went to the store last night and picked up all the ingredients! :)</p>
<p>@AsleepAtTheWheel - Wow, so good to hear how your son’s health did a turnaround since he started hs and that he is thriving physically now! Sounds like someone who just met him as an incoming freshman wouldn’t even recognize him today! Congrats to him on his SAT - very impressive! And on all his acceptances and merit offers!</p>
<p>@PetraElise - It’s wonderful that your D’s BF is so supportive!</p>
<p>Just a note in case if you haven’t thought about it, the college tuition has been rising at about 3.3% year over year and R&B about 1% or so. The scholarship amount doesn’t change unless pegged to the tuition, that cumulative 3.3% increase can add up. For example, if the tuition is 40K and scholarship is 20K, the difference is 20K out of pocket. By senior year, the tuition rises up to 44K leaving the family contribution to 24K + R&B. </p>
<p>You may have already figured this out, I am just catching up. Now, I added a column to the spreadsheet to show senior year COA . The higher the tuition, the higher the difference between freshman year and senior year. I do not like what I see though. </p>
<p>1dilecon – what was that? You have a stroke or something :)</p>
<p>Quick! Get @1dilecon a margarita and help with boarding! The stress of this process has become too much! :)) </p>
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We are from SoCal so, yes, weather is a big consideration/factor for her.</p>
<p>:D Lol. @Classof2015 and @Maryjay60 - I know, it sure looks like it! I was just trying to catch up on everything. When I change pages on my iPad, the last couple lines of the comments I’m drafting get deleted, so was just trying to build in a buffer and somehow pushed “Post Comment”! 
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<p>Went to visit UCLA yesterday. What a great campus! Parents were very impressed, kid still seems to have eye on Berkeley. We’ll tour Berkeley on Friday to make a better comparison. As much as I’d love my only kid to stay 30 minutes from home, I feel like 6 hours may be healthier for him. Any similar geography experience/thoughts? </p>
<p>What types of transportation are available for that 6 hour distance? For us, Chicago is about 5 hours (6 in bad traffic) and I was thinking S could take the Amtrak from Chicago to Detroit pretty easily. If I had to drive it, it would mean an overnight- I’m not doing that drive in one day with a short turn around time. My D is about 9 hours away and it’s a flight most of the time. I’ve driven out there three times and my ex husband has driven out there once. It’s a hassle, but she loves it. </p>
<p>The idea of S being 40 minutes or 2 hours away is really nice. Very doable in one day to go get him. </p>