Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 baneofelves Mar 05, 2009 22:59:49	NO. This is not a rant thread, which you will likely find to be odd to begin with. Here's what I'm talking about though. This one girl that goes to my ceramics class was acting....strange today. She showed up outside, and wandered around for like, 5 minutes before coming inside. When inside, she could not stand up straight, and even when leaning over, it looked like she was about to topple over. Her reactions and responses were considerably slower than normal, and I noticed some scabs on her arms. She seemes to have a hard time speaking (and one on her face) Last week and all the weeks before, she was normal. I'm not sure, but I think she may be on drugs. Opinions?
#2 pigknight Mar 05, 2009 23:01:31	I'd call the cops. (Not going to explain why.)
#3 crossroads_wanderer Mar 05, 2009 23:02:02	What did the scabs look like?
#4 baneofelves Mar 05, 2009 23:03:37	I don't want to make any rash decisions: she might have insulin problems, which would account for her reaction times and lack of desire to speak. It seems more likely that she's on meth, but I'm not sure. The scabs looked like they were picked at a lot.
#5 crossroads_wanderer Mar 05, 2009 23:05:51	What I meant was, do they look like they could have been from needles, or were they too large/oddly shaped?
#6 baneofelves Mar 05, 2009 23:26:40	I didn't get a good enough view, but here goes. They did NOT look like they came from needles, they looked like she had been scratching and picking at the spot till they bled, and later became scabs. As for the actual size, define "large" to help me out here. I can't quite remember the size, but they looked like they were about the size of the nail on the thumb. Another student whispered to me that she thought that she was high when I handed him some clay. So we have at least two people that think this, but I need a bit more confirmation before I do anything. I barely know this girl - even though she seems normal, she may have some kind of sickness or something that I do not know about.
#7 crossroads_wanderer Mar 05, 2009 23:30:52	Any scab you pick at long enough can become larger, so I guess it doesn't matter quite as much. I'm not sure if the scab on her face would be from shooting up, either. It's possible that she was coming down with some strange illness, though I don't think she would be in school if she was. So, it could be from drug use, or from neglecting to get proper medical treatment.
#8 baneofelves Mar 05, 2009 23:35:38	Yeah. I'm just worried - even though I don't really know her, she's a good person and shouldn't go down that path. I guess I could discreetly ask around about her and try to find out more, or just stay out of it. I'm really not sure what to do. If I tried to find out more, people may think I'm some kind of creepy stalker, and I don't like prying, but I'm not sure if I can just leave this alone. I think I'll sit on it for a bit.
#9 crossroads_wanderer Mar 05, 2009 23:42:50	Do you know her well? You may want to talk to her directly if you know her well enough to ask what's wrong. If she appears the same way next time you see her, it could be a serious problem. Whatever it is, it isn't good for her health, so something should be done about it.
#10 baneofelves Mar 05, 2009 23:48:59	I only know her well enough to know she's a cool person, but I haven't really talked to her that much. No common interests, so I figured the conversation would be akward. I'm pretty sure that it's not my place to go asking that, but I'm also an empathic person and tend to worry about others a lot when I think something is going wrong. One of my crazy bits of my personality - I want everything to be perfect and everyone to be happy, even though I know it's impossible. Damn my odd brain. I still don't get why I worry about near-strangers like this.
#11 dirtyfrank Mar 05, 2009 23:50:25	If she's on drugs then she wont take any help unless she asks for it first. She has to want to quit in order to be able to quit. If this is the case then there is nothing you can do for her. If the problem is not drugs then there may be something you can do for her.
#12 crossroads_wanderer Mar 05, 2009 23:54:59	Well, then if you're friends with any of her friends I would try talking to them. Even if she is on drugs, she would be better off without them, and even if it might make you unpopular if it gets around that you're concerned about someone being on drugs, it is ultimately better for her health if she quits now.
#13 baneofelves Mar 05, 2009 23:57:03	I know - you can't change a person, they have to want the change. Unfortunately, we have no common friends. (I get along with most people in my class, but no "friends" per se. All my friends are in their 30's. At least my RL ones. Dunno about all you guys) Honestly, I don't give a **** about my popularity. It is unimportant. I think I'm just gonna wait and see how it unfolds a little bit more and try to gather information so if the time comes when I DO need to make a decision, it will be an informed one.
#14 Idolis Mar 06, 2009 0:02:17	Dude, it could just be poison ivy or something mixed with something she is taking for pain. I would suggest you not jump to any conclusions. Just wait and see. Was today the first day of this "bizarre behavior"? If it was just see what she is like tomorrow. You said this was at school. Just go to the guidance counselor or principal. They will call her parents and they may have an explaination.
#15 dirtyfrank Mar 06, 2009 0:04:41	it is ultimately better for her health if she quits now. Yes, it's better for her health but if she's on drugs she will never be able to quit unless she truly wants to quit. There is nothing that bane, or anybody else, could do to make her quit, or want to quit. A person on drugs, is for the most part, unhelpable until they decide that they have a problem and that they want to get off the drugs.
#16 baneofelves Mar 06, 2009 0:05:01	The class is weekly. It's not like a public school (we're all home-schooled) so I don't think I would have a counselor to talk to. And remember, I did say I was going to wait and see, and if this kind of stuff continued, I would discreetly investigate a bit.
#17 Idolis Mar 06, 2009 0:13:17	In that case, have your parents call the teacher. She will probably have her parents' number. She will call her parents and again they may have an explaination. This is not an insult so don't take it as such. You're a kid. Dealing with drugs is a parent's job not a student's. You shouldn't take responsibility for her behavior. An adult is better prepared both mentally and emotionally to deal with the issue. I know deep down you want to be a hero. When I was your age, I wanted to save the world too. Still do to a certain extent. Just relax and stay a kid. Don't try to grow up too fast. You'll miss alot. I am not lecturing you. I am telling you this as your friend.
#18 mplindustries Mar 06, 2009 0:13:40	Yes, it does seem odd to me that you go to ceramics class. :P
#19 baneofelves Mar 06, 2009 0:18:33	@ Idolis: I don't want to be a 'hero'. I just help out where I can, if I can. (which is why I analyze the situation and get more opinions, like I am doing now, before acting.) As for growing up too fast, you're a lil bit too late for that. Everyone tells me that I'm more mature than others my age, and they also think I grew up too fast (I turn off the reasonable part of my brain when I log on the net.) @ mp: It's better than the crappy online classes I took! And I need to learn how to hide bombs in a ceramic mug so I can kill peoplez!!
#20 crossroads_wanderer Mar 06, 2009 0:22:16	I think that ultimately, the best thing to do right now is exactly what you are planning to do: wait and see.
#21 dirtyfrank Mar 06, 2009 0:24:56	I would say that she is non of your business and you have no responsibility nor obligation to help her out unless she seeks you out for help. I'd say just drop the whole thing because worrying about her will get you nowhere. There is no point in losing sleep over something that you have no control over.
#22 Idolis Mar 06, 2009 0:24:56	My point is that it is not your job to intervene. Do the logical thing and tell an adult. Hell, you're asking for advice from people some of whom happen to be adults. You are concerned and rightfully so. We don't have the tools to help this girl. Her parents do. If the girl is in trouble they should know. And again, they may have an explaination for her behavior and you would be able to put your mind at ease.
#23 zombie_babies Mar 06, 2009 8:47:38	I don't want to make any rash decisions ... Sorry. Scab ... rash decision ... it's just too ... perfect! And I'm in a mood today. Look out, beatches! ;)
#24 Hocus-Smokus Mar 06, 2009 13:08:55	Could be that she's a closet meth-head. I've ran across many of those. Meth can manifest as sores and scabs, accompanied by sluggishness, balance issues, lack of attention, etc.
#25 baneofelves Mar 06, 2009 13:11:01	Could be that she's a closet meth-head. I've ran across many of those. Meth can manifest as sores and scabs, accompanied by sluggishness, balance issues, lack of attention, etc. Yeah, she had all those issues. @ ZB:
#26 toastedamphibian Mar 06, 2009 13:17:13	Hey, here is a thought! Something seems strange about someone, right? You would like to know more and see if mabey they need help, right? So ****ing ask her and stop wasteing time asking other people who also don't know. Don't waste time gossiping about her. Don't ask around and spread rumors. Don't be a clown. Walk up, say "Hey, you dont look too well, is everything alright?" Don't play dumb games. If she gets ****** at you, no loss, you wernt friends anyways. If she tells you something terrible happened, mabey you can help, or convince her to talk to someone who can help. If she says nothing is wrong, and your still worried, talk to a school guidance counselor or something. Don't spend your time worrying about it and doing nothing. Thats just a useless and non enjoyable waste.
#27 baneofelves Mar 06, 2009 13:24:47	1) I might try that. But I'm still gonna use my 'wait and see' approach for a lil while. 2) I'm not gossiping. Or spreading rumors. I will be discreet about finding about this. 3) I am trying to get more opinions on the subject, I figured that there may be people who would have some experience w/ closet drug users, and they could possibly confirm my suspicions or tell me "nah, it ain't that" But I don't think just saying "Hey are you OK?" is gonna work. Is she REALLY just gonna come out and say, "No, I feel like crap because I did too much meth today"? No. She'd prolly want to keep her habit (if she has one) a SECRET. I think that subtlety is needed in this situation.
#28 toastedamphibian Mar 06, 2009 13:37:33	2) I'm not gossiping. Or spreading rumors. I will be discreet about finding about this. Yes you are. Mabey you dont think you are, but you are. At the very least, you would be facillitating the rumor mill and giving creedence to whatever rumors might already be common. 1) I might try that. But I'm still gonna use my 'wait and see' approach for a lil while. So you can watch her kill herself or for whatever bad situation she might be in to get worse? If you are worried, offer assistance or forget about it. Don't procrastonate and talk about your good intentions. If your going to help, your first step should be to talk to the person you might help. If your not going to help, don't go around being nosey about things that don't concern you. But I don't think just saying "Hey are you OK?" is gonna work. Is she REALLY just gonna come out and say, "No, I feel like crap because I did too much meth today"? No. She'd prolly want to keep her habit (if she has one) a SECRET. I think that subtlety is needed in this situation. You won't know untill you ask, will you? I don't think going up to her in 3 weeks and saying "Hey, I confered with every kid in school and the common consensus is that your probably a meth head, people on the internet agree, and I think you should stop" has a signifigantly higher likleyhood of success.
#29 baneofelves Mar 06, 2009 13:48:16	Yes you are. Mabey you dont think you are, but you are. At the very least, you would be facillitating the rumor mill and giving creedence to whatever rumors might already be common. So you can watch her kill herself or for whatever bad situation she might be in to get worse? If you are worried, offer assistance or forget about it. Don't procrastonate and talk about your good intentions. If your going to help, your first step should be to talk to the person you might help. If your not going to help, don't go around being nosey about things that don't concern you. You won't know untill you ask, will you? I don't think going up to her in 3 weeks and saying "Hey, I confered with every kid in school and the common consensus is that your probably a meth head, people on the internet agree, and I think you should stop" has a signifigantly higher likleyhood of success. I'm not going to approach it like that. *sigh* At the moment, I'm not really sure what to do. I've been considering sending an email to my teacher, voicing my opinion, and alerting him to it. (he may not have noticed, he has tons of people to keep track of) He would then keep a bit more of an eye on her, and probably have a talk with her parents. He would probably know how to handle this sitation better than I would.
#30 Hocus-Smokus Mar 06, 2009 13:51:38	You won't know untill you ask, will you? I don't think going up to her in 3 weeks and saying "Hey, I confered with every kid in school and the common consensus is that your probably a meth head, people on the internet agree, and I think you should stop" has a signifigantly higher likleyhood of success. I guess I'm just an a-hole, then, 'cuz I'd wait till she was dead and say, "See! I told ya she was on meth!" But seriously...talk to her. If this is the first time you've seen her acting like this, then she's probably never gotten this F'd up before...or it might have absolutely zero to do with drugs. Speculation is very dangerous when it comes to dealing directly with people.
#31 toastedamphibian Mar 06, 2009 13:52:18	Ask her. Worst that could happen is she no longer likes you. Sense you don't even know her, no loss. Give her a chance to be open about it on her own. Then talk to the teacher. If you convince her to talk to the teacher herself, then he has more leeway to act.
#32 baneofelves Mar 06, 2009 13:53:51	That's a good idea. I think I'll try that.
#33 toastedamphibian Mar 06, 2009 13:53:53	I guess I'm just an a-hole, then, 'cuz I'd wait till she was dead and say, "See! I told ya she was on meth!" But seriously...talk to her. If this is the first time you've seen her acting like this, then she's probably never gotten this F'd up before...or it might have absolutely zero to do with drugs. Speculation is very dangerous when it comes to dealing directly with people. Well, your agreeing wiht me about something. Your "Probably an A-hole" metric has just increased.
#34 saintkeeleon Mar 09, 2009 9:04:16	You must remember that if it is meth or some other drug, that it was her choice to get into. I suppose it's less noble to just walk away but with all the indoctrination against drugs this day and age, it's not like she didn't know what she was getting into. Watching a person destroy themselves isn't a wonderful experience, but it is a learning one. Take what you can from it and move on.
#35 Cpt_Micha Mar 09, 2009 9:07:34	Do what you can, and then move on. If you do the best you can do to help someone, that's all you can be expected to do.
#36 baneofelves Mar 09, 2009 14:35:28	Yah. I figure she'll prolly tell me to go **** myself, but whatever. At least I'm gonna make the effort.
#37 zombie_babies Mar 09, 2009 14:39:37	Yep. And then you can go **** yourself, too. Bonus! ;)
#38 dirtyfrank Mar 10, 2009 0:59:06	Yah. I figure she'll prolly tell me to go **** myself The real question is where will she go tell you to go **** yourself at. ;)
#39 baneofelves Mar 10, 2009 14:11:12
#40 pigknight Mar 10, 2009 21:17:10	BTW get a suit of really shinny armor when you tell her.
#41 baneofelves Mar 10, 2009 21:19:02	I'm not trying to win her heart or anything: she's not my type.
#42 pigknight Mar 10, 2009 21:21:18	Also get a big ass teddy bear and chocolate box.
#43 baneofelves Mar 10, 2009 21:22:45	why?
#44 pigknight Mar 10, 2009 21:24:38	And flowers. Kicks 'n giggles.
#45 baneofelves Mar 10, 2009 21:26:34	um, yeah. I'd look like a douche if I tried that. No. Just a simple "Hey, you OK? You looked a bit funny last week." and then continue or drop it, depending.
#46 dirtyfrank Mar 10, 2009 21:39:20	Then after you say that you can whip it out. And by it I mean the stuffed bear, chocolates, and flowers. ;)
#47 baneofelves Mar 10, 2009 21:47:46	it's not like I'm asking her to go on a date...I'm just saying, hey, are you OK?
#48 dirtyfrank Mar 10, 2009 21:48:43	it's not like I'm asking her to go on a date...I'm just saying, hey, are you OK? That's practically like asking her out on one, for it shows that you care and girls like that sort of thing. ;)
#49 warweaver Mar 11, 2009 1:31:25	Then after you say that you can whip it out. And by it I mean the stuffed bear, chocolates, and flowers. ;) Be sure to put it in a box on the front of your pants, first.
#50 Reg06 Mar 11, 2009 2:48:00	Since you seem to be new to this sort of thing, here's some valuable advice from JT (a ladies man if there ever was one) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WhwbxEfy7fg
#51 baneofelves Mar 11, 2009 12:18:04	UGH. I AM NOT TRYING TO GET ANY LADIES. *sigh* I give up. You can all think whatever you want to.
#52 dirtyfrank Mar 11, 2009 12:20:59	Don't forget to complement her. Say her hair looks nice or something. Girls like it when you complement them.
#53 baneofelves Mar 11, 2009 12:23:56	I think everyone is mistaking my concern for her as a desire to get into her pants......why are you all trying to give me advice on picking up girls? I'm not trying to get a date.
#54 zombie_babies Mar 11, 2009 12:26:47	If you really want to get into her pants, bring her some meth. :P
#55 baneofelves Mar 11, 2009 12:28:31	I'll be ignoring that now, Rant.
#56 zombie_babies Mar 11, 2009 12:30:04	I'll be ignoring that now, Rant. Awww. Why? It's some good advice! :P
#57 baneofelves Mar 11, 2009 12:32:51	Look, Rant, it's too early to deal with you. I only got four hours of sleep last night, and I have a killer headache. You can try bugging me again in an hour. Just not now. Please?
#58 zombie_babies Mar 11, 2009 12:50:54	Early? It's nearly 2pm here. Jeebus ...
#59 baneofelves Mar 11, 2009 12:52:55	It's 10:52 where I am. I just woke up. I did not get much sleep, and didn't eat lunch or dinner yesterday, so my brain is f-ed up. And I'm ****ing hungry.
#60 zombie_babies Mar 11, 2009 12:56:02	Dude. 11am is late. Late!
#61 baneofelves Mar 11, 2009 12:59:48	I know. Normally I'm up at 9, do some homework after breakfast, and then hop on the forums and do stuff on the internet, and work out after that, then hop back online. BUT LAST NIGHT I DID NOT GET TO SLEEP TILL 6. (ish) I usually need 8 hours of sleep. I am not used to only having four. And I want to cook my annoying, yapping dog, but my dad won't let me. So I suppose I will haveto find something else to eat. Like fried cat. I think I can get away with that.
#62 baneofelves Mar 31, 2009 17:40:34	Hey guys. So, it turns out that the girl IS a drug addict (I talked to my teacher before everyone else showed up) and now she is being watched by her teachers/parents and such, who are trying to get her clean now. I thought an indirect approach would be better than talking to her about it.
#63 pigknight Mar 31, 2009 17:46:17	Now's the time to do the bear/flowers/chocolate thing. ....Kidding.
#64 baneofelves Mar 31, 2009 17:47:30
#65 KillerGM Mar 31, 2009 17:48:30	I'm glad to hear she's getting help.
#66 baneofelves Mar 31, 2009 17:51:17	So am I. I just figured I'd tell everyone that this story has the potential for a good ending. Hopefully.
#67 dirtyfrank Mar 31, 2009 17:53:26	and here a lot of people were sayin' it was probably a lack of insulin that was the problem. :P
#68 baneofelves Mar 31, 2009 17:55:35	Heh. And what was it that someone said? Don't try to be a hero? Or something like that? Maybe it isn't drugs? HAH! IN YOUR FACE(S)! MY HALF ASSED IDEA WITH NO REAL PROOF WAS CORRECT! :evillaugh EDIT: DAMN! I guess I'm no longer chaotic evil.
#69 pigknight Mar 31, 2009 17:55:56	I was about to say a really, really bad joke....
#70 baneofelves Mar 31, 2009 17:56:50	Do it. DO EET!
#71 stealthmarmot Mar 31, 2009 19:31:21	You showed compassion and concern for another human being. Its like I dont know you anymore. HOW COULD YOU? Go and kick a puppy right now! Or drink some orphan blood! And it BETTER be an orphan cause you killed the parents!
#72 baneofelves Mar 31, 2009 20:02:18	You showed compassion and concern for another human being. Its like I dont know you anymore. HOW COULD YOU? Go and kick a puppy right now! Or drink some orphan blood! And it BETTER be an orphan cause you killed the parents!
#73 zombie_babies Apr 01, 2009 9:05:02	So you're "saving" this poor young gal by teaching her how to quit. Wonderful. Give up and all your problems will be solved, eh? Nice.