Panel to educate parents on substance abuse

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jessica Lockoski
  • 35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan --  In a venue never before offered on base, parents who want to keep or get their kids off drugs will have an opportunity to get "the home team advantage" in one of the most competitive battles a family can face, during a panel discussion at Sollars' Elementary School multi-purpose room, Oct. 27 from noon to 1 p.m.

In observance of Red Ribbon Week, the oldest and largest drug prevention campaign in the United States, Adolescence Substance Abuse Counseling Service, Drug Demand Reduction Program, Family Advocacy and 35th Security Forces Squadron experts will host the discussion to better educate parents about what their kids are up against and how to help them overcome the threats.

"Parents should be aware of drug and alcohol substance issues here," said Jennifer Gurski," ASACS counselor at Edgren High School. Among the many substances on the market, Ms. Gurski said she repeatedly sees cases where students smoke cigarettes, or abuse cough syrups, cold medicines and alcoholic beverages.

Misawa's DDRP manager, Sherri Light, labels these abused drugs primarily as "legal" to purchase, if of age, because they are found over the counter and are common in many households. But measures are taken on base to keep these substances out of children and teenager hands.

"We've put a huge effort into helping prevent access," Mrs. Light said. "At Army Air Force Exchange Service establishments, customers who buy cough and cold medicine are carded, must be at least 18 years old and cannot purchase more than two of the items at once."

The best prevention method for parents to follow comes in the form of having a strong, open relationship with their children, she recommended.

"The number-one way to keep your kids in a safe environment is to have dinner with them every night," said Mrs. Light. "Sit down and know your kids - know their favorite teacher, color, what they do beside go to school and come home, who their friends and their parents are, and where they hang out."

Also, parents should not be naive to the signs and symptoms of young drug abuse, a topic that will be covered during the panel discussion.

'Many times, we think drugs don't affect our kids," she added. "Any child is susceptible to being drawn into the drug world, and the discussion panel is a way to say, 'these are some extra steps you can take to prevent your child from using drugs.' "Once kids are at school - they are at school, she added. There, it's not about what mom and dad say, it's about what they and their peers say."

At the base high school, students may find Ms. Gurski's open-door policy and comfortable office atmosphere as an opportunity to share their opinions, feelings and explanations of the subject.

"Youth often complain they are bored," said Ms. Gurski. "It's a small, remote base, and they can't drive off base even if they are 16 years old and have a driver's license."
To compensate for the perceived lack of activities, they sometimes engage in risky behaviors, to include underage drinking and experimenting and abusing drugs."

Family issues can also be reasons for children and teens to abuse drugs, she added.

"When a parent is deployed, extra pressures fall on other members of the family, especially an older child taking care of younger siblings. Sometimes they feel like they didn't ask to be in that situation, so they turn to substances as a means of escape."

Of the approximately 30 students to walk into Ms. Gurski's office since March, the counselor is pleased to note most are self-referrals and only a few are ordered by school administration or the security forces squadron. Self-referring students age 15 and older do not need parental consent or acknowledgement to seek counseling, which means parents may not know there is a problem with their child.

"Parents are always surprised to find out," Ms. Gurski said. "'I never thought my kid would do this,' is something commonly heard, or parents are wrapped up with other issues and may take attention off of a child." Ms. Gurski said she always encourages parent involvement.

"I try to prepare the student to invite their parents in so they are active in the treatment, and can deal with their behavior and mend the communication behavior," said Ms. Gurski.

According to Mrs. Light, the opportunity to communicate couldn't come at a better time.

"Red Ribbon Week is a great reason to talk your children because of the emphasis and information provided to them in school," said Mrs. Light.

If parent don't know how to talk to or approach their children, Mrs. Lights said she encourages attending the discussion panel to learn ways.

"There is no amount of prevention that is too much," she added. "Talking to your kids too much isn't going to hurt them."