Ordeal Of Boy's Violent Behavior Finally Ends

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In July 2001, Debbie Jeffries of Rocklin faced that nightmare of every parent raising a child with severe behavioral problems: Child Protective Services wanted to place her son in an institution. The reason: Her 7-year-old son, Jeffrey, had attention deficit disorder and an array of related maladies that she was treating with marijuana.

The marijuana was the first thing that had aided Jeffrey's condition. She had tried all manner of therapy and 19 powerful drugs prescribed by a parade of doctors to alleviate his agony. He had been diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, bipolar disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Eventually, the judge ruled in Jeffries' favor, and today, Jeffrey has just finished sixth grade on the honor roll at his public school in Rocklin. He no longer uses marijuana, but the intervening years have been anything but smooth for the family.


Pubdate: Fri, 10 Jun 2005
Source: Sacramento Bee (CA)
Copyright: 2005 The Sacramento Bee
Contact: opinion@sacbee.com
Website: http://www.sacbee.com/