In Reno two parents pleaded guilty for neglecting their children to play video games like "Dungeons & Dragons” and play on the Internet. Parents: Michael and Iana Straw have two children. One is a boy who is 22 months and a girl only 11 months. Both children were very malnourished and near death.

Parents, Michael Straw, 25, and Iana Straw, 23, pleaded guilty Friday to two counts each of child neglect. Each one can face a maximum 12-year prison sentence.

Local police said that the hospital staff had to shave the head of the girl because her hair was matted with cat urine. The 10-pound girl also had a mouth infection, dry skin and severe dehydration.

Her brother had to be treated for starvation and a genital infection. His lack of muscle development caused him difficulty in walking, investigators said.

Patrick Killen, spokesman for Nevada Child Abuse Prevention, said video game addiction's correlation to child abuse is "a new spin on an old problem."

"As we become more technologically advanced, there are more distractions," Killen said. "It's easy for someone to get addicted to something and neglect their children. Whether it's video games or meth, it's a serious issue, and (we) need to become more aware of it."

I can't even believe this!

research is showing that smokers are less likely to be addicted to cocaine. this is because of gene mutation that protects people from class a drugs. i had never heard this before. but dont people who use coke smoke cigarettes??

I was on a website and they said these were the 5 steps to someone using and drug and becoming addicted. It’s from the Delta County Independent.

“Stage 1: They’re curious about drug use; they may ask questions or ask to join those using drugs. They willingly listen to stories about the effects of drugs. They watch others obtaining drugs or using them.

Stage 2: They experiment with drugs and discover the effects. This is usually social, recreational use carried out as part of a group, usually on weekends. The peer pressure of the group use is enough reason for many people to continue to use drugs.

Stage 3: Now the drug user has discovered the “benefits” of using drugs. Perhaps they alleviate boredom or anxiety. Problems and stresses may seem to disappear. Girls or women may use stimulants for weight loss and males may use steroids for appearance enhancement. When the positive effects outweigh the risks or any negative effects, these individuals may become regular users. They acquire a supply of drugs and drug paraphernalia. They have regular contacts they can rely on for more supplies. They may use drugs more frequently, no longer restricting their use to weekends. Their behavior and activities begin to change. School, work or family affairs may seem less important. They may change their friends to associate with others who use drugs. Legal complications may appear.

Stage 4: They now become preoccupied with drug use. Behavior changes become more pronounced and obvious. The user may be found to lie frequently and may begin stealing or dealing drugs to support drug use. As drug tolerance increases, the user may start using stronger drugs to get the same effect. More neglect of school, work or family affairs will show up. The user will become secretive, hard to reach and is likely to neglect former interests completely. Legal and financial complications often worsen.

Stage 5: At this point, the user is dependent on their drug of choice. He or she can’t face daily life without drugs and uses them just to function or feel “normal.” They deny the problem and present a completely false face to their family and environment. Physical problems worsen. Financial and legal complications are often severe. They may sever ties with family and former friends. They are now addicted. There are only three possible outcomes to addiction: early death, prison or sobriety.”