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Page 3 · column 3 of 4 · from the scan, no model involved
By Gerald Ochs
■ Rappahannock News Writer
Author's note: Vince and Eddie Tracy are not names that you 'll find in the local phone book, but the essence of the story is factual and is unfolding. The identity of the subject family and any other individuals in this series have been disguised to protect their privacy and security.
Vince Tracy has a problem. His son has begun to sample, too frequently, the drug ecstasy.
Eddie Tracy is sixteen, and he attends Rappahannock County High School.
Vince Tracy did not think that it was too bad an idea to permit his son to smoke marijuana on occasion, "as long as he did it at home." He rationalized that he himself had smoked when he was in college back in the Seventies, and it had done him no lasting harm. Vince thought that, anyway, marijuana was better than alcohol, and if he let Eddie smoke a little, Eddie would not sneak off and do the "really dangerous drugs" like heroin and cocaine.
Eddie and his friends did take advantage of the elder Tracy's offer, and spent some evenings and weekend time at home smoking a little marijuana, watching movies, and playing videos. An occasional joint wasn't the end of it though, despite the promises that Eddie had made to his father. .. but the marijuana was the only drug that Eddie first admitted using.
Vince was uncomfortable with the idea of his son using any drugs, but he was confident that by permitting the use of marijuana Eddie would avoid taking another step. He didn't know that the other step had already been taken.
Vince did not know either that there are
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