Pubdate: Sat, 20 Jan 2007 Source: Tribune Chronicle, The (OH) Copyright: 2007 Tribune Chronicle Contact: http://www.tribune-chronicle.com Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1436 Author: Jennifer Kovacs, staff writer Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?225 (Students - United States) GIRARD OFFERS HELP WITH DRUG PROBLEMS GIRARD -- About 15 students asked a speaker for help with their substance abuse problems Thursday and now the district has stepped up to put programs into place to do just that. Mike Kolic, a former Girard student now of Arizona, spoke with students and parents in programs to address issues including recent underage drinking problems in the city as well as the drug-related death of a 16-year-old girl last year. Kolic was once a drug addict himself and now speaks on abuse and runs prevention workshops. Kolic said that in followup discussion groups with students, about 15 came forward about their problems with drugs like OxyContin and cocaine, and were interested in seeking help in turning things around. Superintendent Joseph Jeswald said that all of the students who needed help were spoken with Friday and that programs have been initiated to deal with their specific issues. ''We feel very comfortable with the programs we have in place,'' Jeswald said. Kolic, however, was outraged Friday, saying that he had intended to assist administrators in offering support to the students but was told when he arrived in the morning that the district would handle it alone. Kolic said he promised the students who asked for help that he would be at the high school to help them talk with their parents and seek counseling. Audibly choked up, Kolic said he didn't want the kids to think he let them down. ''How can we do this to these kids? They were expecting me to be there. I promised these kids that I would stand by them. I was crying,'' Kolic said. Jeswald said Kolic was hired only to speak to the students and that the district is going to provide assistance through licensed, professional counselors. ''We have a plan in place now,'' Jeswald said. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin