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