Pubdate: Mon, 14 Apr 2014
Source: Denver Post (CO)
Copyright: 2014 The Denver Post Corp
Contact:  http://www.denverpost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/122
Author: Megan Mitchell, YourHub

HELP FOR HIGH-RISK MARIJUANA USERS

CU Pilot Program Aids Students in Commerce City.

Commerce city - A handful of high school students in Commerce City 
identified as high-risk marijuana users can avoid traditional 
punishment by enrolling in a pilot, school based treatment program 
created by substance-abuse researchers from the University of 
Colorado School of Medicine.

The cognitive behavioral therapy model is called Encompass. Paula 
Riggs, a psychology professor and director of CU's division of 
substance dependence, developed the 16-week program during 20 years 
of research.

At Adams City High School, a condensed, eight week program has been 
implemented to treat about 15 students who were caught intoxicated or 
using marijuana at school.

"It's a layered approach to discipline and treatment," said Anthony 
Smith, executive director of school turnaround and principal of Adams 
City High School. "If we (suspend) these kids and they don't have a 
parental support system at home, we're just giving them a license to 
go and use more."

The grant-funded program combines substance abuse treatment with 
mental health diagnostics and therapy. Riggs said it's the first dual 
model of its kind to be integrated into a school system.

"Only 10 percent of kids who could benefit from substance-abuse 
treatment actually receive it," Riggs said. "It was clear that that 
90 percent of adolescents who could benefit from this program are in 
high schools. The key to prevention is early intervention."

The program begins with voluntary enrollment and a comprehensive 
psychiatric evaluation. Riggs said that a majority of kids who 
develop substance-abuse problems also have at least one mental 
disorder like depression or attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.

"Integrating mental health and substance-abuse treatment for 
adolescents is essential, because if you've got one, you've got the 
other," Riggs said. "Almost every single one of these students is 
dependent on cannabis as a coping mechanism."

On average, Riggs said marijuana-addicted teenagers use 1 or 2 grams 
of pot per day. On the weekends, many admit to using up to 7 or 8 grams.

"It's quite remarkable, but the great thing about these students is 
that they all agreed to be in the program - it wasn't mandated," 
Riggs said. "They're forthright about how(marijuana use) affects 
their schoolwork and motivation, and they're willing to get help."

Each student chooses an hour-long block in their school day to meet 
with a therapist during treatment. They take a urine test at the 
beginning of each session and spend the rest of the time talking 
about their triggers and temptations through the week. There are nine 
sessions over eight weeks.

About three Adams City students have completed the Encompass program already.

"Based on preliminary outcomes, we're getting significant reduction 
in substance abuse, and many are achieving abstinence early on," Riggs said.

One female upperclassman whose identity is confidential said 
Encompass taught her that there is a relationship between her 
feelings, thoughts and marijuana use. She said it's a triangle - one 
that she's in control of.

"It's a beautiful thing when they realize that it is under their 
control," Riggs said. "It was very gratifying to see the students 
benefitting and changing because of this program."
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom