Pubdate: Wed, 23 Mar 2005
Source: Metrowest Daily News (MA)
Copyright: 2005 MetroWest Daily News
Contact:  http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/619
Author: Peter Reuell
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?135 (Drug Education)

SOME FIRSTHAND ADVICE FROM EX-DRUG ABUSERS

BOSTON -- By the age of 14, Jessica Valenti was an experienced drug user.

Beginning as young as 12, the Framingham native began experimenting with 
drugs like marijuana and Ecstasy, and often skipped school and partied into 
the wee hours of the morning.

These days, however, Jessica, 18, is drug free, an early graduate of 
Framingham High School, and is attending classes at the Blaine Beauty School.

With her mother, Robin, by her side, the teen last night told the story of 
how she managed to turn her life around.

As part of a town-hall-style meeting, Jessica and her mother told their 
story to well over 100 teens, parents and community leaders from around the 
state.

The forum was taped as part of a joint effort by Comcast Cable and "Court 
TV," and will be shown on Comcast cable stations.

With drugs like OxyContin and other prescription drugs gaining in 
popularity, and the use of drugs like heroin on the rise, it is more 
important than ever for parents to talk about drugs with their children, 
Stephen Passierb, president of the Partnership for a Drug Free America, 
said last night.

More and more parents, though, are not.

Recent studies have found that a growing number of parents who came of age 
in the late 1970s, and now are parents of middle-school-aged children, have 
never addressed the issue.

One recent study found the number of parents who had never discussed drugs 
with their children had doubled in the last decade, from 6 percent to 12 
percent, he said.

"They're not talking to their kids about drugs," he said. "Most kids don't 
do drugs but, more importantly, most kids don't want to do drugs."

Without the efforts of parents like Robin Valenti, though, that could change.

It was largely through her mother's constant efforts, Jessica said, she was 
able to stop using drugs and turn her life around.

Just as she was entering middle school, Jessica explained, her grandmother 
- - who had been a virtual second mother to her - passed away. At the same 
time, the then 12-year-old fell in with a group of friends who began 
experimenting with marijuana, and eventually Ecstasy.

Two years later, Robin Valenti was diagnosed with breast cancer. In the 
midst of her battle with the disease, she was approached by Bill Phillips, 
president of New Beginnings, a Framingham-based agency working on drug 
awareness.

With Phillips' encouragement, Robin confronted her daughter about her drug 
use, and over time was able to get the message through.

"(At first) the more she yelled, the more I did (drugs)," Jessica said. 
"But the more they talked, the more I saw what was going on."

Among those who applauded the efforts of parents like Valenti last night 
was Lt. Gov. Kerry Healey.

"(We need to) allow people with the firsthand experience about what needs 
to be done to speak out," she said. "We can't know how to help you...unless 
you tell us."

Simply having government officials admonish people not to use drugs just 
does not make sense, Healey said.

"That's not how we make good policy," she said. "This seems like an 
opportunity, if we can get the discussion going, maybe we can take a 
different approach."

Ultimately, though, the solution to the problem will come down to parents 
and teens talking across dinner tables or in living rooms.

"It surprises me when parents ask what should I say to my kids," Phillips said.

"They're your kids -- you love them. It shouldn't be that hard."
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom