Talking with teenagers about the subjects of drug use and peer pressure can often be an uncomfortable time for both parents and child.
Recognizing this problem, the non-profit Bethlehem Opportunities Unlimited will be sponsoring a discussion for parents with local officials called “Talking with your Teen” Thursday, Nov. 13, at 7 p.m. at Bethlehem Central Middle School. In its second year, the event is meant to provide education about local drug trends, statistics, communication tips and how to seek out additional resources.
“Last year we focused on the middle school and that age group, and we talked about communication. This year, we decided with what’s going on around the region with drug trends, we should deal with the high school and try to educate parents,” said BOU President Jayne Deane-White.
Although this is the second teen talk event, the BOU partnered with the district to hold a panel discussion in 2011 after methadone was found being sold at the high school, and several students overdosed. Methadone is an opioid most commonly used to treat patients withdrawing from an opiate dependency, such as a heroin addiction. All students were required to attend the panel discussion during school hours, and a second event was held for parents at night.
It was shortly after this that BOE opted to go back to its main mission of sponsoring events to promote education to “prevent drug and alcohol use and other risky behaviors among young people residing in the Town of Bethlehem or attending school in the Bethlehem Central School District.” Member and district Health Supervisor Fred Powers said the events weren’t connected, but the organization wanted to focus a little less on fundraising.
Nearly 80 people attended last year’s event in the middle school media center, and the organization was pleased with the amount of participation. This year’s event will be held in the middle school auditorium and will feature presentations from Bethlehem Town Justice Ryan Donovan, Dr. Alexander Brand from Delmar Pediatrics, Sgt. Douglas Paquette from the New York State Police and Ed Corless, Director of Outpatient Programs from The Addictions Care Center of Albany.
Donovan said he was happy when asked if he would take part in the event because in the last eight years he’s been on the bench, there has been a significant increase in heroin arrests.
“This is something very concerning to me as a judge, a parent and a resident,” said Donovan. “I’m advocating it whenever I get a chance to speak, for people to look for the warning signs. This is a health epidemic that is destroying lives and knows no economic barriers. I’ve seen dozens of families ruined by heroin.”
Under the law, the judge is not allowed to talk about specific numbers of arrests or cases, but hopes some families would come forward willingly to share their stories for the benefit of others.
“Heroin is everywhere,” said Donovan. “I live in Bethlehem. I’m a lifelong resident. This idea (of) ‘it can’t happen to our town’ is ridiculous, and that’s what I’m trying to debunk.”
Since heroin use often begins through the abuse of opioid pills, Donovan often tells families to go through their medicine chests and throw away expired pills or those they no longer take. That way, teens are less enticed to take them.
“Don’t save pills because you might need them in the future,” said Donovan. “You can always go back to the doctor for another prescription.”
Powers said he is also worried that parents no longer look down upon the use of marijuana as they once did, and new studies have linked its use in earlier stages of life with poor brain development.
“Parents don’t realize the strains out now are more potent than they were in the ‘70s,” said Powers. “I feel like there is no longer an associated stigma, and that isn’t always a good thing.”
Deane-White said they want parents to understand even if their kids don’t do drugs, they will be exposed to them and probably impacted in some way.
“We don’t want parents to be alarmed, but educate themselves on the statistics and signs,” said Deane-White. “A lot of these students will also be going to college soon, and they will no longer be in a structured living environment.”
The event is recommended for parents, guardians, or anyone who works with teens on a regular basis.
