Pubdate: Wed, 09 Oct 2002
Source: Watauga Democrat (NC)
Copyright: 2002 Appalachian Technologies, Inc.
Contact:  http://www.wataugademocrat.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2322
Author: Scott Nicholson

CAMPAIGN TO COMBAT DRUG ABUSE BEGINS

A large cross-section of the community came together for a kickoff 
breakfast for a problem that will take an entire community effort to combat.

The Watauga Alcohol and Drug Council kicked off its annual Red Ribbon 
campaign on Tuesday in preparation for Red Ribbon Week coming up Oct. 20th 
through Oct. 27.

Bert Wood was the main speaker for the event. Wood has a long career in 
prevention and treatment services and is knowledgeable about trends in drug 
and alcohol use.

Wood said that, across the state, Watauga County and Boone were well known 
for their leadership on drug and alcohol prevention, citing the late David 
Edmisten, who previously spearheaded underage drinking awareness programs 
locally.

Wood referred to the "it takes a village" concept, saying, "Clearly, this 
will take the entire community to reduce the problems and prevent them from 
developing."

He attributed several factors to the reason why alcohol and drug abuse were 
often overlooked or tolerated in silence. He said that shame, guilt, denial 
and anonymity limit discussion of problems and that a stigma clouded 
prevention efforts.

Referring to alcohol use among teenagers, Wood said the good news was that 
the rates of use and abuse had stayed the same, but the bad news was that 
they were too high.

Fifty-two percent of the nation's high school seniors report having had at 
least five drinks at one sitting. Wood said that early prevention is the 
best way to stave off lifetime problems, and that efforts should try to 
postpone the age at which teens try alcohol or drugs for the first time.

He said that 40 percent of those who tried alcohol for the first time while 
under the age of 15 later developed a clinically diagnosed dependence on 
alcohol.

"It's not a school problem," he said. "It's not a government problem, or a 
government solution. This is a solution that will happen in our homes."

"I don't have any solutions for you," Wood said, though he offered several 
ideas in an attempt to get the community talking about the problems.

He said that the community, pastors, educators, law enforcement, parents 
and local leaders all had to look for ways to raise awareness of the problems.

He encouraged focus on the color red during the official awareness week, 
saying it "forces the discussion." "Make it a rallying moment for all of us 
to say 'Enough is enough,'" Wood said.

He also cited a Partnership for a Drug-Free America study that showed 74 
percent of teens wanted their parents to talk to them about drugs.

Wood has been the President and CEO of STEP ONE, Inc. since 1989. The 
nonprofit agency has 95 staff members providing alcohol and other drug 
prevention and treatment services in Northwest N.C. He currently is 
Vice-Chair of the NC Governor's Commission on Substance Abuse Prevention 
and Treatment and the Chair of the Substance Abuse Advisory Council of the 
NC Department of Correction.

ASU Chancellor Frank Borkowski opened the event by saying he had no more 
difficult task than calling parents to let them know their child had died 
in an alcohol or drug related incident.

Borkowski said even with continuous awareness efforts, "Virtually every 
year, we lose someone."

He said that it was important to be creative about raising awareness as 
well as making it a year-round effort. Watauga County Commission Chair 
Jimmy Hodges read a draft of a proclamation recognizing Red Ribbon 
Awareness Week.

Kerri Kennedy accepted a plaque honoring her husband, the late Maj. Bob 
Kennedy of the Boone Police Department, for his dedication to anti-drug 
efforts.

Red Ribbon Celebration is a national alcohol, tobacco and other drug 
awareness and prevention campaign designed to involve people in making 
their communities safe, healthy and drug-free.

The original campaign started in the late 1980's as a way to honor a Drug 
Enforcement Agent who was slain while conducting undercover work in South 
America.

This year's theme is "United We Stand For A Drug-Free Land." Alcohol, 
tobacco and other drugs cause more deaths, illness and disabilities than 
any other preventable health condition.

All segments of society are disrupted by substance abuse and it affects 
family life, workplace productivity, public safety and a host of other 
social and economic problems.

A host of support services are available locally through the Alcohol/Drug 
Council at 262-5051 and other area agencies.
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