I just came back from a Western Cruise and had the most horrible situation occur. My son of 17years got caught on the 10 deck smoking pot with another boy. I was just completely stuned it appears that some of the kids come on board with pot to share. He claims that meeting a boy from California he was given a chance to share pot since he claims they could not drink and have fun. Boy what a mistake that was it appears his buddy had run out having brought along a very limited amount that it was his desire to please his new found friend. At Cozumel he stray for a little while and it appears these merchants sell pipes packed with smoke that these young kids fall easily for. First thing is that he was very lucky that a Mexican Police did not catch him buying this stuff. He could have been in prison in Mexico causing much greater problems for us thus having to stay to address this problem. I fear what it would have been like had, he got caught there. But is was bad with just having been caught on ship. I must command Disney Security they acted very nicely and caring of the grief my wife and I had to share. This Officer Macolm was a very understanding person and explained to us that he has not been the first caught and surely won't be the last that these kids think above reason. Since both parents like myself and the other boys parents care it was easy on us. Custom was informed about this issue and had us report before disbarkation to Off Beat where the agent explained clearly to us that once caught with this substance it does not matter what amount it is. That this is considered Drug traffic and could be fined up to $5,000.00 dollars. You could be believe how stun it was for me to hear this, I was certain that the curtain had fallen on my son. He went on to explain that it was subject to how the parents seem to care and thusly both I and the other boys showed much caring and he could set the fine right there had he felt us being non caring. Beside getting a record with the Federal Goverment for this sort of problem. I must say that we had God on our side since the agent felt that he would let this pass and warned the boys about this sort of stuff and how it could lead to other problems. He felt that we the parents would impose a punishment that would be correct for this act. I have already stopped his present company of friends since during the ships interegation it was learn he had been doing this at home with certain friends before this occurances. I will take a stronger effort to help him with making a appointment to meet with group of users that speak openly about this problem. I have with my company counseling that I will seek to have him attend and hope that this issue is dead and gone. I hope that other parents speak to thier kids about this problem if they are caught with a large amount like a bag of this junk they could face stiff and harsh problems. Cerainly having such a small amount was part of what save them both from being punished with Federal punishment but a large amount would have been certain death to any hope of compassion from Customs as the agent explained. They should not have any thing of this sort with them on board and shy away from kids that do bring it on board. I wish I had seen this sort of Thread to help me make a matter of fact with the boy. I could happen to anyone it, has no color or religious borders its just a problem thats present and these kids think is cool. Speak to your children whom are Teens they get together as groups and find the one with it and then weather pear pressure or just thinking about how it would be they fall victims. My son was no victim he was already partaking of this and would have made another boy or girl a victim. I am only glad that he did not in this case bring this to another whom just would have been a victim. Now is my turn to help my son and my family over this horrible thing and hope and pray none of you have to deal with this.
Make sure with the company they keep on board check there whereabouts on ship make sure they tell you where they expect to be hanging out. Check them every so often this helps keep them from acting on this situation they would be scared to do it if they felt you was checking them out. I don't feel you should be around them everyone min but just walk around see how they are doing your near presence helps. Mr Macolm suggeted this as a form of keeping them in check.
Make sure with the company they keep on board check there whereabouts on ship make sure they tell you where they expect to be hanging out. Check them every so often this helps keep them from acting on this situation they would be scared to do it if they felt you was checking them out. I don't feel you should be around them everyone min but just walk around see how they are doing your near presence helps. Mr Macolm suggeted this as a form of keeping them in check.
