December 13th -"Let's Get Real About Drugs and Alcohol at South"
December 13, 2007
Parent Education Series Minutes
“Let’s Get Real About Drugs and Alcohol at South”
Notetaker: Margaret Moore
Panel made up of Carl Peterson, Independent psychologist, John Hyland, Vice Principal, Laurene Larson, Head Counselor, 5 ASAP Peer Educator Students, Stefan Zeltvay, School Resource Officer, Rip Sawyer, Alcohol and Drug Rehabilitation Counselor.
ASAP- Aids and Substance Abuse Prevention Program
• Juniors and seniors who go into classes to talk to sophomore and freshmen about peer pressure and provide student on student education about drugs and alcohol use.
Parent Question (PQ): Do you think there’s a problem at South?
PQ: How are things being monitored at school?
Randy Bernstein, Principal, presented results of last year’s survey of juniors on drug and alcohol use. Some findings:
• 5% of South students have used drugs on campus
• 2003-88 citations issued on campus
• 2006-23 citations issues on campus
• 2007- 7 citations issued so far
Panel Response (PR):
• It is getting better.
• ASAP is teaching kids about drug and alcohol use.
• However, administration finds alcohol cans in the bathroom and stress to students to come forward when something is happening.
• Patrols of the campus are done daily by 5 staff members, so they rely on the community to help bring users to their attention. When they are aware of use, they deal with it. They act upon reasonable suspicion and tell the student that bad choices are serious and use it as a teaching tool.
PQ: What do you think are the root causes?
• PR: Carl Peterson, Psychologist. Was a teacher, South counselor and is a private practice counselor now. Even though marijuana use is down, pharmaceutical drug use is up. They are on different kind of drug that “we” may have used when we were in high school. Reasons for substance abuse could be curiosity or it makes them feel better, which can create chronic use. When parents come across this they usually become frantic, ground the student and controlling parents drive the children to the wall. Relationally responsive parenting suggests that you relate to them as a human being and deal with it. We’re not talking just about kids doing drugs; adults are doing drugs, too. Chances are those parents who aren’t doing something about their student using aren’t likely to be here tonight. Most kids start on binge type use and if you think your “kid” has a problem with drugs and alcohol they probably do.
PQ: What is making drug and alcohol abuse ok?
PR: (Student) Friends are doing it from peer pressure. Wanting to be included. Not many kids drink alone. Many kids do it out of boredom and that kids aren’t being challenged in school. Maybe there’s something that can be happening. Starts at parties and on weekends.
PQ: Where are the parents when students are partying?
PR: (Student) Parents who don’t care are there or maybe on a business trip. No supervision at parks and many parties are associated with UO students. Parents and teachers often use scare tactics.
PQ: How can we warn students about the dangers?
PR: (Students) This is what ASAP does and it is being addressed in the classroom, like in Nancy Meyer’s Psychology class.
PQ: What happens when a student gets an MIP (Minor in Possession?)
PR: (Officer Z.) Physically possessing alcohol or having it in their system, having consumed it. Offenders are sent through the juvenile court system. Notice of the MIP will request that students receive a drug and alcohol assessment. If they follow through on this their record will be expunged when they turn 18. If they do not, they may lose ability to get or keep driver’s license.
PQ: What happens when student athletes sign a contract not to abuse drugs or alcohol and then they abuse it? When this happens, what is the coach’s role?
PR: (John Wayland) It’s about education, not punishment. We want students to learn from this.
PQ: If I listen with empathy am I giving a green light to use?
• PR: (Carl Peterson) No, I am suggesting that you be real with them. If you did ecstasy, you can say you are concerned and you can guide them.
• (Student) Your role is as a parent not as our friend. Your child may not always be happy with you? We’re not saying it is ok to get drunk or high, but offer to give us a ride any time anywhere if we have been using. (One parent suggested pre-paying 4343-Prepay Taxi service so his child and their friends arrive home safely). You want to encourage your kids to come to you by the way you respond. Ask yourself is you are caring enough to ask the tough and important questions about drug and alcohol use. You want your kids to trust you.
• (Laurene Larson) Communicate with other parents. If you come home unannounced and there is a group of kids drinking or smoking pot, call the other parents to let them know. She and her fellow South counselors are there as a resource for parents, too.
Parent Education Series Minutes
“Let’s Get Real About Drugs and Alcohol at South”
Notetaker: Margaret Moore
Panel made up of Carl Peterson, Independent psychologist, John Hyland, Vice Principal, Laurene Larson, Head Counselor, 5 ASAP Peer Educator Students, Stefan Zeltvay, School Resource Officer, Rip Sawyer, Alcohol and Drug Rehabilitation Counselor.
ASAP- Aids and Substance Abuse Prevention Program
• Juniors and seniors who go into classes to talk to sophomore and freshmen about peer pressure and provide student on student education about drugs and alcohol use.
Parent Question (PQ): Do you think there’s a problem at South?
PQ: How are things being monitored at school?
Randy Bernstein, Principal, presented results of last year’s survey of juniors on drug and alcohol use. Some findings:
• 5% of South students have used drugs on campus
• 2003-88 citations issued on campus
• 2006-23 citations issues on campus
• 2007- 7 citations issued so far
Panel Response (PR):
• It is getting better.
• ASAP is teaching kids about drug and alcohol use.
• However, administration finds alcohol cans in the bathroom and stress to students to come forward when something is happening.
• Patrols of the campus are done daily by 5 staff members, so they rely on the community to help bring users to their attention. When they are aware of use, they deal with it. They act upon reasonable suspicion and tell the student that bad choices are serious and use it as a teaching tool.
PQ: What do you think are the root causes?
• PR: Carl Peterson, Psychologist. Was a teacher, South counselor and is a private practice counselor now. Even though marijuana use is down, pharmaceutical drug use is up. They are on different kind of drug that “we” may have used when we were in high school. Reasons for substance abuse could be curiosity or it makes them feel better, which can create chronic use. When parents come across this they usually become frantic, ground the student and controlling parents drive the children to the wall. Relationally responsive parenting suggests that you relate to them as a human being and deal with it. We’re not talking just about kids doing drugs; adults are doing drugs, too. Chances are those parents who aren’t doing something about their student using aren’t likely to be here tonight. Most kids start on binge type use and if you think your “kid” has a problem with drugs and alcohol they probably do.
PQ: What is making drug and alcohol abuse ok?
PR: (Student) Friends are doing it from peer pressure. Wanting to be included. Not many kids drink alone. Many kids do it out of boredom and that kids aren’t being challenged in school. Maybe there’s something that can be happening. Starts at parties and on weekends.
PQ: Where are the parents when students are partying?
PR: (Student) Parents who don’t care are there or maybe on a business trip. No supervision at parks and many parties are associated with UO students. Parents and teachers often use scare tactics.
PQ: How can we warn students about the dangers?
PR: (Students) This is what ASAP does and it is being addressed in the classroom, like in Nancy Meyer’s Psychology class.
PQ: What happens when a student gets an MIP (Minor in Possession?)
PR: (Officer Z.) Physically possessing alcohol or having it in their system, having consumed it. Offenders are sent through the juvenile court system. Notice of the MIP will request that students receive a drug and alcohol assessment. If they follow through on this their record will be expunged when they turn 18. If they do not, they may lose ability to get or keep driver’s license.
PQ: What happens when student athletes sign a contract not to abuse drugs or alcohol and then they abuse it? When this happens, what is the coach’s role?
PR: (John Wayland) It’s about education, not punishment. We want students to learn from this.
PQ: If I listen with empathy am I giving a green light to use?
• PR: (Carl Peterson) No, I am suggesting that you be real with them. If you did ecstasy, you can say you are concerned and you can guide them.
• (Student) Your role is as a parent not as our friend. Your child may not always be happy with you? We’re not saying it is ok to get drunk or high, but offer to give us a ride any time anywhere if we have been using. (One parent suggested pre-paying 4343-Prepay Taxi service so his child and their friends arrive home safely). You want to encourage your kids to come to you by the way you respond. Ask yourself is you are caring enough to ask the tough and important questions about drug and alcohol use. You want your kids to trust you.
• (Laurene Larson) Communicate with other parents. If you come home unannounced and there is a group of kids drinking or smoking pot, call the other parents to let them know. She and her fellow South counselors are there as a resource for parents, too.
posted by Parent Council @ 12:52 AM
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