Teen Substance Abuse
by Julie Rooney/Enterprise staff writer
Published: April 17, 2007
 
Drug and alcohol use among Davis youths is the topic of a community forum on Monday night, and parents of elementary and secondary students are invited.  Community Conference on the Health and Welfare of Our Kids 2007 is an honest look at the nature of the problem, how it begins, what the signs are and what can be done.
 
Some families say drug and alcohol use among youths is out of control in Davis; others say the problem has been blown out of proportion.  What’s the truth?
 
Eight guest speakers are prepared to share their knowledge on the topic.  Attendees will hear from school district officials, Davis police, psychologists and other experts.  Topics include:
 

• What’s going on in Davis;
• Communicating with your child about substance use;
• Signs of substance use and how to respond;
• How the schools and police respond;
• Counseling a child who isn’t using, but has friends who are; and
• Finding support.

 
For some Davis parents, a forum like this couldn’t come soon enough.
 
“I wish there were more resources when we were going through this,” said a local parent, who asked to remain anonymous.
 
It was five years ago when she first saw signs of trouble with her ninth-grade son.  Hiding out in his room and sleeping at odd hours were two clues that something wasn’t right.  It wasn’t until he was caught stealing alcohol that she was able to address the issue. 
 
“I’m a strong believer that education is the best tool we have,” she said.
 
So, she went to her child’s school.  While school officials were empathetic, they didn’t have any resources, she said.  She took matters into her own hands by learning about today’s drug and alcohol culture.
 
“I wanted to educate myself on the climate of what goes on,” she said.  “I thought being his ally was more helpful than punishing him.”
 
She noted that lately she has seen several local programs addressing teen drug and alcohol use.  From community forums, like Monday night’s meeting, to the recently launched Parent Project, the school district and local police are teaming up to offer a variety of resources and educational opportunities on the topic.
 
A student speaks
 
Who’s doing the partying?  A Davis High senior, who asked to remain anonymous, said drinking goes on, but it’s not everybody and it’s not all the time.
 
“There are groups that drink a lot, but there’s no denying that at every high school there are groups that drink a lot,” she said.  “I think people make it out to be more than it is.”
 
While drinking and drug use can start in junior high school, she found it wasn’t prevalent.  She noticed widespread drinking when students entered the high school as sophomores because they wanted to fit in and hang out with the older students who were hosting the parties.  A house where parents aren’t home or an apartment of a Davis High grad who invites friends over are common party scenarios.
 
It doesn’t matter how strict the parent is – if kids want to drink, they will find a way, she said.
 
She discovered firsthand that keeping teens from drinking isn’t easy.  Not long ago she hosted an alcohol-free party for about 35 people.  A couple of hours and 200 people later, the party was over when she turned on the lights and called it quits.  The rowdy crowd brought their own alcohol and the party got out of hand.
 
She thinks communication is the key.
 
“The ones who are more honest with their parents are a lot safer,” she said.  “If parents were more honest with their kids, I don’t think it would be as much of an issue.”
 
Monday night’s meeting begins at 7 p.m. at the high school’s Instructional Performing Arts Building.  It will involve both whole-group and break-out sessions with the speakers.  For more information, contact Susan Lovenburg at SLovenburg@sbcglobal.net or Kris Inouye at 756-3408.
 
--Reach Julie Rooney at jrooney@davisenterprise.net or 747-8051.