Around 80 to 100 teens and their parents attended the activity. The event was held in response to the results of a recent Prevention Needs Assessment survey, which indicated that rates for alcohol abuse and binge drinking among Pelham teens surpassed the national average.

Characters in the documentary “American Teen” included a jock, beauty queen, geek, rebel, and heartthrob, and deals with the pressures that today’s American teens face, including alcohol and drug abuse, sexting, and bullying.

While the documentary was being shown, teens were give a questionnaire and encouraged to text their comments.

Daragh Murphy, JLP president, shared: “We did get lots of texts… I think it was a great way to communicate with the audience, certainly with a group of this age. They seemed to be all engaged in the interaction.” Murphy shared further that some of the text messages they received indicated that the teens felt that the movie was similar to life in Pelham.

After the screening, a question and answer session was held with PGC director Cheryl Bobe. The high school group “Kids Helping Kids” then performed a scene from their anti-bullying play. Bobe shared: “This was our first time doing something like this and we had tremendous participation from the kids… “I think they learned that they’re in a similar situation. They learned about what each other felt.”

Findings from Kelly’s program called “Drug Use Trends in Charlevoix County” have shown that more high school students are engaging in marijuana use than cigarettes smoking. Partly due to medical marijuana laws, kids’ perception on the dangers of marijuana has decreased. In 2008, Michigan approved its medical marijuana program and is now one of the 16 states which have adopted such policy.

Another contributing factor to the increase in prescription drug abuse and marijuana use is the availability of such substances online. Prescribed medications and synthetic cannabinoids such as K2 and Spice are readily available for purchase online.

“We had a kid come in, saying he could buy some ‘stuff’ online for $50, and then ‘flip’ it for $700,” Kelly recalled. “Synthetics create all kinds of legal, political and health issues.”

The program, which was initiated by the BASES executive director, aimed to help parents and concerned citizens understand the trends that kids get into as far as prescription drugs and marijuana abuse are concerned. They were also taught about the dangers of addiction that could lead to psychological problems and the treatments that can help those who become victims of abuse.

Kelly, who is one of the co-founders of BASES, also suffered from alcohol addiction during his college years. He has remained sober since 1984 after enlisting in an alcoholism treatment program. Today, he is one of the resource persons of their program and is currently working on his master’s degree in counseling. He also works as a relapse prevention specialist and as an advanced addiction counselor for their organization.

As of Tuesday, there were 134 respondents to the survey which can be accessed at www.powaytownhall.com yielding results that suggest the need for the implementation of random drug testing among athletes, more effective crackdown on “party buses” which transport teens, and transparency on drug-related issues in school campuses.

According to Steve Vaus who initiated the community forum, respondents were given the following choices in answering questions to the online survey: absolutely, possibly, undecided, and no way. Comments were also welcomed along with their answers.

It was no surprise that 90% of those who took the survey favored drug testing for school athletes, 67% saying “absolutely” and 23% said “possibly.”

There were also 86% who said that they wanted to be informed about drug or alcohol offenses on campus, 75% saying “absolutely” and 11% choosing “possibly.”

With regards to “party buses,” 82% said they wanted to have a total ban on such vehicles that transport teens to events which often carry drugs and liquor too.

Interesting comments gathered from the online survey include one participant stating parents should stop allowing their kids to use their credit cards to reserve party buses. Others also added that they have not heard of reports of student arrests or anything about substance abuse from campuses.

Comments like “when kids get caught, don’t sweep it under the rug,” and “withhold names, but publish everything about arrests and anything/everything that has to do with substance abuse,” and “how about parents stop letting their kids use their credit cards to reserve party buses. Parents, step up and get tough,” only prove that people are concerned about issues affecting the youth.

Recent studies, though, are suggesting that kids who are bolder, adventurous and risk-takers are more susceptible to substance abuse. This condition may be explained by the findings that prove both risk-taking activities and drug abuse greatly affect a teen’s system of rewards in the brain.

This means that kids who are often on the extreme side of things could be craving for anything that could trigger neural activities which make them feel good about themselves and their whole being. This is where substance abuse may come in as this habit also offers the same feeling of euphoria even for just a short time.

The study does not generalize risk-taking teens as substance abusers or addicts. While preliminary studies may show the relationship between extreme physical and mental activities and drug or alcohol susceptibility, the findings are not yet solid enough to be considered as conclusive. This is why more researches are being done to be able to uncover more possible contributing factors of teen substance abuse.

It is advised that parents do their roles in keeping their kids safe and healthy at all times no matter what kind of personality their children may have. For those with kids who have the potential to become high-risk takers, they could find other channels for their kids to put on the extra energy. Parents can even be with their children in doing extreme activities to be able to guide kids properly. Teaching kids about proper rewards system may also help in the right development of a child’s mentality.

It may not be known to many but black-tar heroin has been in demand for the last five years, which was also the time when prescription drug abuse surged and became the most alarming type of drug abuse not only in Charlotte but in the whole nation as well.

According to US Drug Enforcement Administration group supervisor and team leader for the High Intensity Drug Task Force Jeffrey W. Ferris, young people from middle to high income families comprise the market of black-tar heroin.

The Charlotte area has become the place to be when looking for heroin. Every day, people drive into the region to get their supply of the illicit drug to distribute among buyers within a week.

Ferris admits that the task in catching drug dealers and consumers of black-tar heroin is not easy. This is why they are enlisting the aid of school authorities, civic groups and other concerned volunteers in the proper information dissemination and education of parents, young adults, and kids on the said drug. “We want to use awareness and education in an attempt to dry up demand. We want to talk to Parent-Teacher Associations, faculties, as well as students.”

Black-tar heroin is sourced from crudely refining poppy plants in Latin America particularly in Mexico. Manufacturers use plastic grocery bags cut in squares and tied like balloons to package the drugs. These packages cost from $10 to $12 a piece and are color coded with white and yellow pertaining to cocaine and red for heroin.

It has become an alternative to pricey prescription drugs that could fetch up to $80 dollars a pill. This is why its demand is on the rise among teens and young adults.

Black-tar heroin, like any other type of opiates, is highly addictive physically and psychologically and getting out of an addiction may prove to be a challenge for any individual.

Previous studies made on the same subject have presented figures of substance abuse among elders. In 2005, there were 184,400 individuals aged 50 and above placed under drug rehabilitation programs. Earlier in 2001, there were 143,000, which means an increase of roughly 8% in just a few years.

Below are some facts on elderly substance abuse we need to be familiar about:

1. Interventions are considered more of a necessity for elderly substance abuse cases. Senior citizens don’t often admit to having problems as they are afraid of what other people might say about them. This is why intervention should be done as early as possible for such cases.

2. The most common type of substance abuse at this level is alcohol abuse. Yet at present, the trend is increasing towards prescription drug abuse in this age group.

3. The bright side of it all is that when senior citizens are placed under rehab, they usually are more successful compared to other age groups. They are highly motivated to finish the program and they can easily adapt especially when the treatment program is designed for them.

4. Other types of drug abuse such as heroin or cocaine use seldom happens for senior citizens.

It is very important that elderly addicts be separated from their younger counterparts. There is a big difference between a younger addict and an elderly addict. Unlike younger people with substance abuse problems, senior citizens don’t behave as extreme as those of other age groups. They even prefer to be on a treatment program which gives them more time to be on their own rather than interacting with others on the same situation.

Debbie Boniface, principal at Sandburg High, says that teens don’t usually listen to warnings. Enlisting the help of parents is very important in their fight against drug abuse.

“It’s very important for parents, community members and kids to know that the point is not to get someone in trouble, but to get them help and support,” the principal said. “This is about making healthy and appropriate choices, and whatever we can do to ensure that is important.”

The letter, which was sent by Superintendent James Gay, appealed to parents to talk to their kids about drug abuse. Also contained in the letter are useful information sites and which could help parents with the task.

A part of the letter reads:  “…disturbing stories about dangerous and sometimes deadly behavior in which teens in the south suburbs have been engaging. News reports include underage drinking and law enforcement concerns over the increase in availability of drugs, particularly heroin.”

Boniface added that breaks in school can be factor in promoting dangerous habits of students. It possible for kids to take advantage of these periods when nobody in authority is around them. Even during long school breaks, kids often succumb to drug-related activities.

“When kids are away from school for a while, their guard is let down,” she said. “They don’t have to be somewhere the next day, don’t have to get homework done. Sometimes bad things happen.”

The event was originally scheduled last December 6, but an unfortunate turn of events took place the day before the workshop which prompted the organizers to move the event this February.

According to Jennifer Weigle, a guidance intern and Student Assistance Program counselor for the school, it was on the 5th of December last year that five teens from the New Oxford High School were killed in a car crash, which is why the event was immediately rescheduled.

The workshop will keep its original format on preventing and identifying teen drug and alcohol abuse which will be very valuable for parents in the area.

A local detective will be talking to parents on how to detect teen drug abuse as well as of the latest trends in drug and alcohol abuse among the youth. Resource speakers will also be at hand to give tips on how parents can talk to their children about drugs and alcohol as these are important steps to ensure kids remain safe and healthy.

Weigle said that there is a need for parents to be correctly informed about drugs and alcohol use or abuse. “To me, knowledge is power. And even if you think your child isn’t using and their friends aren’t using, just to have the information and be aware can be very helpful to parents and students. We want to reach parents before there’s a problem.”

The workshop will be open to all parents from Hanover and Adams County areas and they will be assisted by child care if they bring along kids 14 years old and younger. Snacks will also be served during the event.

Dr. Nora Volkow, who heads the National Institute on Drug Abuse, said that the decline in tobacco use among teens is welcome news. Yet the rate of its decline goes slower and slower over the years, and this could still be a concern for everybody. “This highlights the urgency of maintaining strong prevention efforts against teen smoking and of targeting other tobacco products,” Volkow said.

Survey results also confirmed that marijuana use among high school students has reached 25% in the past year compared to about 21% in 2007. The most troubling reality uncovered by the survey is the fact that daily marijuana use among senior high school students is at 7%. This percentage is by far the highest since 1981.

The rise in marijuana use could be due to the fact that mortality rates linked to marijuana use is by far much lower than reported tobacco fatalities. Smoking marijuana is perceived as much safer than cigarettes therefore more individuals are getting into the habit of pot smoking instead of cigarettes. What teens might be disregarding is that daily marijuana use leads to addiction which in turn could mean more serious conditions.

Alcohol use among teens is also on the decline. Reports regarding fatal cases on driving under the influence, higher risks for addiction and overdose, and violent reactions related to alcohol use have discouraged teens from alcohol abuse.

Study author Gene Brody said that after two years of offering the program to parents and their kids, a new study conducted on participants showed that there has been a decrease in the number of drugs and alcohol abuse and in behavioral problems in the targeted population.

“During the high school years is when kids often begin to use drugs and escalate their use of drugs, so it’s really an important time to introduce some prevention programs,” Brody said.

The program is specifically designed for African-American families. Parents and kids are given the opportunity to attend sessions on improving academic performance, resisting peer pressure, dealing with discrimination or racism, and effectively implementing household rules.

As African-American kids aged 16 and their parents go through the program, which consists of five two-hour sessions, they are supported and assisted by caregivers who provide them with tips on good parenting practices and setting rules on alcohol and drug abuse. Teens are taught about self-control and are guided to achieve improved academic standings.

The participants came from rural areas. While it may be true that kids in rural areas have lower drug and alcohol abuse cases compared to their urban counterparts, recent studies have shown that risks are increasing.

Brody confirms that their program is warmly received by their target population. “There was great excitement around the program. These parents realize, there’s not a lot of opportunity to help them or to help their youth develop in a way that’s going to put them on a path to success.”

He is hopeful, despite some financial obstacles encountered, that they could share the program to more parents and kids in other key areas.