Pubdate: Sun, 09 Mar 2003
Source: Messenger-Inquirer (KY)
Copyright: 2003 Messenger-Inquirer
Contact:  http://www.messenger-inquirer.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1285
Author: James Mayse

FAIR TEACHES FAMILIES ABOUT DRUG ABUSE

Most parents are at least somewhat familiar with the statistics regarding 
teens and drug and alcohol abuse. But there is a difference between parents 
knowing the facts and believing those facts could apply to their own children.

"Nobody wants to believe their child is on drugs or that their drinking is 
a problem," said Tina Wedding, education committee chairwoman for Community 
Solutions for Substance Abuse.

Saturday afternoon, Community Solutions held its first "Family Awareness 
Fair" at Mount St. Joseph, to help educate residents about substance abuse 
and connect them with treatment and support services.

Dr. William Wooten, of Mulberry Center, an Evansville substance abuse 
treatment center, said teens may exhibit many signs of drug or alcohol 
addiction. The signs, Wooten said, can include a decline in school work, 
mood changes, the loss of old friends, legal problems and dishonesty. 
Wooten said, if parents suspect a teen is using drugs or alcohol, they 
should act quickly.

"Do something," Wooten said. "Even if it doesn't work, do something." 
Wooten said it is not normal for a parent to suspect a child has a 
substance abuse problem, and said, if the suspicion exists, the parent 
should consider getting the opinion of a professional who works with 
substance abusers.

To prevent children from experimenting with drugs, parents should begin 
actively communicating with their kids by the time a child is 8 years old, 
Wooten said. Parents who have good communication with their children can 
reduce the chances a child will experiment with alcohol or drugs by 40 
percent, he said.

Wooten said it is important to be a good role model for teens, and to set 
acceptable limits for them. "Kids want freedom, but they need certain 
limits," he said. Punishments should also be strictly enforced if a teen is 
caught using drugs or alcohol.

"If you don't follow through, what's the message? That you're really not 
that concerned," he said.

Lisa Sief, who also works with Mulberry Center, said people recovering from 
alcoholism need a form of spirituality. But spirituality, Sief said, does 
not necessarily mean following an organized religion.

"Religion pretty much tells you what you have to believe," Sief said. 
"Spirituality is coming to believe in your (higher) power.

"(Spirituality is) having the willingness to believe there is some power 
greater than yourself that will help you with your malady," she said.

The event also included other speakers, as well as displays and exhibits by 
area treatment centers, law enforcement agencies and social service 
providers. Wedding said more events will be scheduled in the coming months 
for other parts of the county.

Wedding said she hopes families of substance abusers at Saturday's event 
learned "that they did not cause the substance abuse, and that there is 
prevention ... and treatment right here in Owensboro."
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