Readers Offer Thoughts, Solutions To Runaway Teens

Two weeks ago, Deborah Robison picked her 15-year-old daughter up from a dental appointment, told her how much she loved her and drove her to Coeur d’Alene where she’s now confined in an $800-a-day treatment program.

Robison shared the story in response to a “Bagpipes” item on Tuesday about Washington state legislative proposals to restore parents’ authority over runaway children.

Counseling hadn’t helped the Robisons’ daughter, a recurrent runaway, and the police couldn’t.

Professionals recommended going out of state.

Donna Scheidt shared a story, too.

“Confused, lacking self-worth and filled with inner despair,” she ran away from a good home 22 years ago, only to find a worse situation than she had left.

“My family welcomed me back with open arms, and finally I began to see the love which was there all the time,” she said.

“What about the kids whose home life is worse than anything they could experience outside on their own?

“Sending them home against their will won’t change things for these kids. It might be a safe haven as we know it, but not in their minds.

“A friend, an ear, some direction is what’s needed, and it’s not an overnight solution.”

Other comments on runaways:

Mary Counts Simpson: “When the children were given their `rights’ 20 years ago, all they really were given was a license to destroy themselves and make life hell for their parents and the authorities.”

Betty Smith: “When they run away from home, they should be put in Juvenile. Then if there are any problems at home, they will talk to the parents and see if there’s abuse; then they can put them somewhere else.”

Landlords have bills, too

Margie Wagstaff, a rental property owner, offered this view on the landlord-tenant conflict:

“Our insurance has gone up, our taxes have gone up, our city utilities have gone up and the price of upkeep on these homes has gone up.

“The people have made a decision to move into this property which we hold as very valuable, and when they trash it, it just costs us money, and therefore, the rent has to go up.”

“Bagpipes” marches on

Watch “Bagpipes” on Tuesday and be ready to share your thoughts on a fresh selection of issues.