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By STEVE BIGHAM

Published: Aug 11, 1999 12:00 am

Quick Words:

substance-abuse-workshop-

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with photo : Substance Abuse Awareness Workshop

B Y S TEVE B IGHAM

Newtown Middle School is urging parents of teenagers to mark Wednesday night

down on their calendar, saying it could very well make a difference in their

child's future.

On that night, the NMS Planning and Prevention Committee will present an

evening workshop on substance abuse awareness, featuring a panel of speakers

who will discuss the many aspects of drug involvement and how parents can help

keep it out of their child's life.

The program, which runs from 7-9 pm in the middle school cafeteria, is just

part of the school district's first-ever Drug Prevention Week at NMS March

25-29, which will include increased awareness and education about substance

abuse in the classroom and a "Stay Drug Free" dance next Friday. The dance,

put on by the student council, will require students to make a pledge to be

drug-free before being allowed in.

Surprisingly, studies indicate that parents are still the number one influence

on youngsters, according to Judy Blanchard, Newtown's substance abuse

consultant. Mrs Blanchard believes parents are the best tool in the struggle

to counteract peer pressure, who's influence runs a close second.

"I don't think parents realize the influence they have on their kids," Mrs

Blanchard explained. "They really can make a difference."

Mrs Blanchard said the program, open to all Newtown parents, will surely be an

eye-opening experience for some.

"In general, I think parents are naive. There's a lot out there that they may

not be aware of," she noted.

The panel of speakers will include Officers Joe Rios and Mike Kehoe of the

Newtown Police Department, who will bring in various drugs and drug

paraphernalia for parents to view; John Hamilton, a drug and family therapist

who will discuss current designer drugs and drug vocabulary; and Alyson Haley,

a Newtown High School substance abuse counselor, who will point out to parents

the warning signs and behaviors of drug involvement.

Susan Costa, Newtown Youth Services' assistant director, will offer tips for

parents on how to communicate with their kids about drug use and how to create

an environment where children feel comfortable talking to them.

Mrs Costa said many teenagers say their parents aren't listening to them in a

supportive way when it comes to the issue of drugs. She's found that teenagers

are more apt to talk about drugs if their parents are informed. She said most

kids avoid deceiving their parents when mom and dad know what's going on in

their lives.

"Drugs are being used more and more at a younger age," she said. "The more

knowledge that parents have, the better they'll be able to talk about it."

Also speaking will be a prominent Newtown resident whose daughter recently

struggled with substance abuse.

NMS Principal Les Weintraub formed the drug prevention committee made up of

parents and teachers last year in response to the alarming results of a drug

and alcohol survey of Newtown's middle school students. Above all else, the

survey indicated that more and more students are using drugs at a young age.

"Prevention Week" is just one of many programs aimed at reducing teen drug and

alcohol use.

"It think it gives two messages," said Mrs Blanchard. "One, it raises

awareness in the school and the community and two, it shows kids that we do

care about them and what they do."

Mrs Blanchard said the community took strong action two years ago after

hearing the results of a previous drug survey. However, she's seen awareness

dip in recent years as the immediate shock has since worn off. She hopes

Wednesday's program increases local concern.

"What I wonder about is if I was a parent who suspected there was a problem,

would I come or be too scared to show up for fear of what I'd hear," she said.

"I think they'll be really surprised at what they'll learn.

There will be an opportunity for questions and answers and tables will be set

up by community resources groups, like the Family Life Center and Newtown

Youth Services, to provide additional information.

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The editorial took no position on the budget going up or down so you're reading things into the editorial that simply aren't there. The turnout is tied to the lack of passage, in that people who came out to vote last time did not this time, indicating a lack of support on their part. Perhaps it wasn't spelled out clearly enough, but that's what the editorial was driving at, people showing lack of support by not casting a vote. The editorial did address likely concerns among voters that may have led to lack of support and lack of turnout. This lower turnout also follows increasing turnout over the past four referendums in three years (meaning it is an aberration from that), and increased turnout is something that I do push for regularly in editorials. Any disappointment you might be seeing is at the break in that trend, not at whether the budget passed or not. I'd rather see more people come out and vote "no" then not vote at all.

Lower Turnout Results In Two Budget Defeats

Clearly, property owners no longer want to bear the burden of expenses while the state does not meet it’s responsibilities. Rising costs must be addressed by actions that do not include yearly increases of property owners’ taxes. The state of CT must meet its share of the educational costs, and other costs.

Town And School Budgets Fail At Referendum

This feels like an oddly misleading headline and narrative, particularly coming from the Editorial Board. The headline "Lower Turnout Results in Two Budget Defeats" pushes a misleading narrative regarding voter turnout, and then seeks to tie the outcome of the referendum to that misleading narrative. Sure, voter turn out for this year's referendum, 18%, was lower than last year's. However, last year's turnout, 25.4%, represented the highest turnout in the most recent 10 budget referendums. If you take the time to examine turnout percentages between 2017 and 2026 (2017: 19.9, 2018: 15.7, 2019: 17, 2020: 0, 2021: 8.98, 2022: 7.7, 2023: 8.8, 2024: 15.1/17.49, 2025: 25.4, 2026: 18), this year's turnout was actually the third highest in the past 10 cycles. Perhaps the headline of this article should say "Lower Voter Turnout Than Last Year", which is more accurate, rather than creating an impression that this year's turnout is some type of aberration - a narrative that the turnout numbers, in all their binary glory, simply do not support. Further, the headline of this article appears to tie the "lower turnout" to the defeated budgets. Sure, that could be true. But, perhaps, its more likely that Newtown residents are feeling the squeeze of multiple economic influences. In Newtown, we've experienced property revaluations and increased municipal spending. Eversource continues to raise rates. The state legislature gives PURA the authority to impose Public Benefit charges that benefit a tiny percentage of the public (and subsequently burdening the rest of us). At the national level, inflation has run rampant for years and many of those costs remain high to this day. In short, the data tells a far less dramatic—and far more honest—story than the headline suggests. This wasn’t an electorate vanishing in apathy; it was a fairly typical turnout delivering an verdict that, perhaps, some at the Editorial Board didn't like. At some point, it’s worth considering that residents aren’t confused, disengaged, or misled by turnout; they’re simply doing math at their kitchen tables and concluding that “no” is the only responsible answer left.

Enjoyed the forum which only confirmed my support for Brandon Moore as the Democratic candidate to run for the state representative position. Brandon Moore did not waiver about his duty to all the people, if elected, when an issue presents itself that requires that he voice a difference of opinion for the wellbeing of Newtown residents. If Michelle Ku’s 16 years have led to her loyalty being to other elected officials, as she implied, then Newtown is going to continue to witness actions that do not protect its residents. She could not unseat republican, Mitch Bolinsky, during a Blue Wave, and once again, will not do it now. Winning that seat is critical for all. That explains why her previous campaign committee now campaigns for Brandon Moore. It explains all the endorsements he has received from local elected democratic officials. It’s why we need Brandon Moore to be the democratic candidate to run for state representative.

Second Newtown DTC, League Of Women Voters Candidates Event Planned

Appreciated the opportunity to hear from both candidates as we were present for the College Dems forum but only heard from Brandon Moore. It was an opportunity to see who can unseat the Republican incumbent and there is no doubt that Brandon Moore should be the Democratic candidate. One concerned parent posed a question about discrimination unaddressed by the school district and interestingly enough, Michelle Ku, who proudly speaks of her Board membership years, said little, while Brandon Moore passionately addressed the issue along with his experience as an Apache Helicopter Commander. This family is supporting Brandon Moore. We need change and someone who is not afraid to disagree, especially about the rising costs of living in Newtown.

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