What Former Drug-Using Boomers Tell Their Kids About Drugs All the warning signs were there: the furtive phone calls, the vague explanations, the red eyes, and the unmistakable smell. John and Debby knew something was going on with their then 15-year-old son. They demanded to see what was inside his footlocker, which he had recently secured with a padlock. Grudgingly, he opened it. Both parents peered inside. Aha, they knew it. There, in a little box, was a baggie of pot, some rolling papers, and a pipe. Just as John was getting ready to unleash his patriarchal wrath, he took a closer look. Hmm, that pipe looked mighty familiar. Debby was thinking the same thing. They looked at each other. Oh man, how were they supposed to handle this? "I had had that pipe for over 20 years," John said. "It had been in my sock drawer or something, but I smoke so infrequently that I hadn't even noticed it was missing." [continues 3502 words]
The Housing Authority Says New Rules Are Designed To Boost Accountability. Critics Say They're Persecuting The Poor And Powerless They're tough new rules that demand accountability but will also improve the lives of some of the Queen City's poorest. Or they're draconian mandates handed down by an inefficient agency that's unfairly putting the screws to already disadvantaged people. That's the issue at hand ever since the Charlotte Housing Authority (CHA) recently proposed new rules and regulations for public housing residents. These new rules range from doubling the security deposits for new tenants and shortening the grace period for rent payments, to making the head of household responsible for the criminal conduct of any household members and guests on or off the property. One measure even bans residents from hanging clothes on balconies or porch railings.CHA spokespersons say these more stringent lease rules are needed because of ongoing problems within Charlotte's public housing, including drugs and crime, as well as residents skipping out on their rent or leaving the housing units trashed and in disarray when they move out. [continues 2125 words]
