Drug Awareness Program Draws Good Reviews From Parents

Date: Fri 29-Mar-1996

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

drug-awareness-parents

Full Text:

with photo : Drug Awareness Program Draws Good Reviews From Parents

BY STEVE BIGHAM

Parents showed up in force at Newtown Middle School Wednesday night for the

school's first ever Substance Abuse Awareness Night.

More than 150 people filed into the NMS cafeteria to hear substance abuse

experts talk about the dangers of drugs and alcohol and how they can keep

their child from heading down the wrong path.

Those in attendance appeared somewhat shocked at what the speakers had to say,

and many realized how unaware they were of what was going on in town.

One mother said she hoped the meeting would increase parents' awareness about

what has been going on unchecked beneath their noses. "I think many people in

Newtown refuse to believe that there is as much drug and alcohol abuse as the

facts show there is. They don't want to admit it," she said.

The turnout was a pleasant surprise to middle school administrators, who

listened in closely from the back of the room.

NMS Principal Les Weintraub, who admitted he expected about 10 or 20 to show

up, felt parents coming together for information and support is the key to

success in the battle against drugs.

"This has to be a collective approach between the school and the community,"

explained Mr Weintraub. "By this showing, it's clear that the parents here

understand that they're a significant part of the cure."

"I think with what they've seen, it will increase parents' awareness of what

they need to look for with their kids," Assistant Principal Alton Cashman

added.

Newtown Police Officers Mike Kehoe and Joe Rios discussed the various drugs

out on the streets and gave parents the opportunity to view different drugs

and drug paraphernalia.

They told parents about the realities and pressures on today's teenagers and

warned them to take action if they believe a drug problem has stricken their

child.

"I'm not going to tell you to go search through you children's drawers when

they're not at home, but if you suspect drug use, you should feel you have to

pull out all the stops," Mr Rios explained.

The officers brought along several items used by kids to ingest drugs,

including bongs, bowls, roach clips and even a World War II gas mask.

Both officers confirmed that Newtown is a place where people from other towns

come to buy drugs.

The officers pointed out that a growing number of students are using illegal

hallucinogens like LSD, but others are getting high by sniffing easily

accessible products like spray paint and white out.

Two Newtown teenagers, as the police pointed out, have lost their lives to

hallucinogenic drugs this past year and another died from a heroine overdose.

"What's a mushroom," asked one parent.

"It's a psychedelic mushroom," Officer Rios replied. "It looks like a real

mushroom, only you can't buy it at Super Stop & Shop or the Grand Union."

"Oh, it's not a pill?," another parent asked.

One young woman said she was amazed out how naive parents were.

I never felt so ignorant in my entire life and I thought I was kind of hip,"

offered a mother. "I thought it was a fabulous, informative, eye-opening

meeting."

John Hamilton, a drug and family therapist, talked to parents about what drugs

are currently available to teenagers. He also opened parents' ears to the

extensive drug vocabulary or lingo that is being used today and explained how

drug users can "beat" a urine test for drugs.

Also speaking was Newtown High School substance abuse counselor Alyson Haley,

who demonstrated to parents the various warning signs of drug involvement and

behaviors of concern.

A key sign to look for, she said, is when teenagers flip or turnaround the

blame when being questioned by an adult.

Susan Costa, the assistant director of Newtown Youth Services, offered tips

for talking to youngsters about drug use and how to create an environment

where children feel comfortable talking to parents.

A highlight of the workshop came at the conclusion when Newtown parent Cindy

Curtis personalized the evening by telling the story of her own daughter and

how she strayed down the path of drug abuse. Ms Curtis underscored the

importance of parents' involvement and awareness by admitting she misread many

of the signs of her daughter's drug use, which further complicated the

situation.

Mr Weintraub hopes Wednesday's program will be a model for other school

districts in the state to follow.

"I think we're on to something here," he said.