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04-17-2005, 11:17 AM
Involved parents can help curb drug abuse
By Jessica Stephens, The Herald-Sun
April 16, 2005 5:37 pm
Through my internship at the Chapel Hill Police Department Crisis Unit, I have been exposed to a myriad of issues that significantly impact our community. One of the issues that I find to be most troubling is that of adolescent substance abuse. I have seen many instances involving children as young as 15 years old who somehow managed to get their hands on some alcohol and then found themselves in trouble with the police, their parents or both.
This type of activity is not abnormal for teenagers. In fact, research studies support that most people have their first drink of alcohol before they are in 12th grade: according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, 76.8 percent of seniors have tried alcohol.
As for other drugs, marijuana runs closely behind alcohol with a staggering 45.7 percent of high school seniors having tried it. Other drugs for families and educators to be aware of include DXM, which is found in popular cold medicines and cough syrups and produces a hallucinogenic state after a large consumption; club drugs including Ecstasy, GHB, Ketamine and Rohypnol; mushrooms; cocaine; heroin; methamphetamines; and prescription medications including pain pills and ADD medication.
The implications for drug use and its link to individual, familial and societal problems are numerous. Studies have consistently linked alcohol intoxication as one of the most significant factors in violent behavior.
In addition, teenagers who begin to use substances before their 15th birthday are 40 percent more likely to become addicted to drugs and/or alcohol then those who do not. This percentage drops by 14 percent with each increasing year of age of not drinking or using drugs.
Also, marijuana, which is often deemed as a "safe" drug, is often linked to use of other drugs that are more addictive and have dangerous long-term consequences.
The costs of drug use and addiction to society are also enormous. Each year, the government spends billions of dollars on controlling drugs and treating those who are addicted. In 2000, illegal drug use cost America $160 billion.
Sixty-six percent of alcohol-related costs are due to lost productivity from the workforce and from alcohol-related illness or death, while more than 50 percent of drug-related costs are due to crime, lost productivity in the workforce and incarceration of drug users.
Our high schools and middle schools have plenty to be concerned about when it comes to drugs and alcohol. Last year more than 20 high school students were charged with drug offenses on campus. The Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools have partnered with the Chapel Hill Police Department in efforts to combat this problem in a number of ways.
Our police department takes a comprehensive approach to dealing with this community problem through enforcement, education and community development. The department works to educate parents, schools and other involved community members about the pervasive problem of drug abuse by teenagers.
Officer Allison Finch has been assigned to serve as the department alcohol law enforcement liaison. In this role she works with owners of establishments that serve and sell alcohol to ensure that the state alcohol laws are being followed.
Another departmental program, Project Turnaround, contains a component that targets youthful offenders who have substance use or abuse involvement associated with their offenses. Participants in Project Turnaround participate in counseling and educational groups. Case managers monitor the participants through regular contacts and random drug screens. Successful completion of the program results in a modified court judgment or outcome.
Police crisis counselors are available to work with families experiencing problems in this area and assist them assessing the problems and connecting to appropriate community resources.
There are many things that community members can do to help combat this problem. Many risk factors that contribute to adolescent substance abuse can be found where it is least expected: the family.
Communicating with your children, setting clear boundaries of acceptable behavior and modeling responsible behavior are all ways that can have a positive impact on your teenagers. Family involvement in school is another protective factor against substance abuse.
Also, be aware that your adolescent's peers become even more influential than their families as they move into their teenage years. Knowing who their friends are and being involved with their friends' parents can deter alcohol and drug use.
For more information about ways you can get involved, contact the Chapel Hill Police Department at 968-2760 or the Police Crisis Unit at 968-2806.
Jessica Stephens is a Police Crisis Unit intern from the UNC School of Social Work.
URL for this article: http://www.herald-sun.com/orange/10-597940.html
By Jessica Stephens, The Herald-Sun
April 16, 2005 5:37 pm
Through my internship at the Chapel Hill Police Department Crisis Unit, I have been exposed to a myriad of issues that significantly impact our community. One of the issues that I find to be most troubling is that of adolescent substance abuse. I have seen many instances involving children as young as 15 years old who somehow managed to get their hands on some alcohol and then found themselves in trouble with the police, their parents or both.
This type of activity is not abnormal for teenagers. In fact, research studies support that most people have their first drink of alcohol before they are in 12th grade: according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, 76.8 percent of seniors have tried alcohol.
As for other drugs, marijuana runs closely behind alcohol with a staggering 45.7 percent of high school seniors having tried it. Other drugs for families and educators to be aware of include DXM, which is found in popular cold medicines and cough syrups and produces a hallucinogenic state after a large consumption; club drugs including Ecstasy, GHB, Ketamine and Rohypnol; mushrooms; cocaine; heroin; methamphetamines; and prescription medications including pain pills and ADD medication.
The implications for drug use and its link to individual, familial and societal problems are numerous. Studies have consistently linked alcohol intoxication as one of the most significant factors in violent behavior.
In addition, teenagers who begin to use substances before their 15th birthday are 40 percent more likely to become addicted to drugs and/or alcohol then those who do not. This percentage drops by 14 percent with each increasing year of age of not drinking or using drugs.
Also, marijuana, which is often deemed as a "safe" drug, is often linked to use of other drugs that are more addictive and have dangerous long-term consequences.
The costs of drug use and addiction to society are also enormous. Each year, the government spends billions of dollars on controlling drugs and treating those who are addicted. In 2000, illegal drug use cost America $160 billion.
Sixty-six percent of alcohol-related costs are due to lost productivity from the workforce and from alcohol-related illness or death, while more than 50 percent of drug-related costs are due to crime, lost productivity in the workforce and incarceration of drug users.
Our high schools and middle schools have plenty to be concerned about when it comes to drugs and alcohol. Last year more than 20 high school students were charged with drug offenses on campus. The Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools have partnered with the Chapel Hill Police Department in efforts to combat this problem in a number of ways.
Our police department takes a comprehensive approach to dealing with this community problem through enforcement, education and community development. The department works to educate parents, schools and other involved community members about the pervasive problem of drug abuse by teenagers.
Officer Allison Finch has been assigned to serve as the department alcohol law enforcement liaison. In this role she works with owners of establishments that serve and sell alcohol to ensure that the state alcohol laws are being followed.
Another departmental program, Project Turnaround, contains a component that targets youthful offenders who have substance use or abuse involvement associated with their offenses. Participants in Project Turnaround participate in counseling and educational groups. Case managers monitor the participants through regular contacts and random drug screens. Successful completion of the program results in a modified court judgment or outcome.
Police crisis counselors are available to work with families experiencing problems in this area and assist them assessing the problems and connecting to appropriate community resources.
There are many things that community members can do to help combat this problem. Many risk factors that contribute to adolescent substance abuse can be found where it is least expected: the family.
Communicating with your children, setting clear boundaries of acceptable behavior and modeling responsible behavior are all ways that can have a positive impact on your teenagers. Family involvement in school is another protective factor against substance abuse.
Also, be aware that your adolescent's peers become even more influential than their families as they move into their teenage years. Knowing who their friends are and being involved with their friends' parents can deter alcohol and drug use.
For more information about ways you can get involved, contact the Chapel Hill Police Department at 968-2760 or the Police Crisis Unit at 968-2806.
Jessica Stephens is a Police Crisis Unit intern from the UNC School of Social Work.
URL for this article: http://www.herald-sun.com/orange/10-597940.html