PROGRAM IS DRUGS 101 FOR PARENTS

Across Mid County, students are studying the effects of drugs as they
participate in the annual Red Ribbon campaign. But this year, parents are
getting the education, too.

As students celebrate a drugfree lifestyle, some local parents now have an
idea of what to look for in drug-using kids after attending one of three
courses aimed at teaching them how to detect if their children are using drugs.

Teresa Burnett, nurse at Woodcrest Elementary in Port Neches and a
co-coordinator for the event, said "Drugs 101: What Parents Need to Know"
provides basic information to educate adults about signs, symptoms and
current trends associated with drug and alcohol abuse among teenagers.

The program free and was schedule to be presented as part of the events
planned for Red Ribbon Week, and was set up at the Performing Arts Center
at Nederland High School Monday and at Port Neches-Groves High School
yesterday.

"We want to get the people talking about this," said Brad Burnett, Justice
of the Peace for Precinct 7. "If they see the same things and hear the same
things and get them talking about it, we can get others involved. We're
starting in Mid County and would like to see it spread throughout Southeast
Texas."

The program featured a mock bedroom of a teenage drug user and around 70
items or indicators were placed throughout it. Parents had the opportunity
to walk through and try to identify possible signs of drug use.

In addition the Department of Public Safety provided a teenage drug user's
car exhibit out in front of the high schools so parents could also find
possible signs there too.

Professionals including school and drug counselors, representatives from
treatment centers and doctors were available to parents after the seminars
who had questions.

"Our goal is that hopefully a parent will see something during the event
and a voice inside their head will be screaming to them that something is
not right. Even if we just reach one parent, that could be one teen that we
save," Teresa Burnett said.

Gregory Flores, of Port Arthur, admitted he has always had little knowledge
as to what drugs are out there, but feels he is not alone.

"It's alarming. I knew kids were doing some of this. After seeing all the
ways that they can hide what they are doing shows that they are smart, but
we need to get them focused on being smart in school," he said. "Parents
also need to educate themselves so that they can see what is really going on."

Ann Hoffpauir, of Orange, also came to Nederland on Monday to find out what
parents need to know.

"There were quite a few indicators, but I wasn't sure about some of the
items like the toys," she said. "It's amazing because it looks like a
normal teenager's room. I'm glad I got to see what some of these things
really are."

Items such as a squeezed, empty soft drink can and an used up bathroom
tissue roll displayed looked harmless enough, but Sandy Elstrodt and
Clarence Watson from the Susan P. Byrnes Health Education Center in
Pennsylvania, said the can actually be used to smoke marijuana and the
tissue roll can be used to cover up the odor.

Both Elsrtodt and Watson presented the two hour seminar discussing with
parents signs, symptoms and current trends of tobacco, alcohol, marijuana,
inhalants, cocaine, heroin, ecstasy, methamphetamines and prescription
drugs will be presented as well.

Watson said according to the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department,
prescription drugs are currently the most abused drug by teens in this area.

Warning signs of a kid using drugs includes acting paranoid or confused,
with drawl from family and friends, unusual need for money, hostility in
discussing drugs, drug related magazines and clothing and odor of drugs or
cover up scents.

Elstrodt and Watson recommended tips for parents to combat the use of drugs
by kids such as establishing and maintaining communication, getting
involved in their child's life, being a positive role model, making clear
rules and enforcing them and teaching them to choose their friends wisely.

The program is provided through the Susan P. Byrnes Health Education
Center, an organization based in Pennsylvania that promotes healthy
lifestyles and instills an appreciation of the human body and gives people
tools they need to make healthy choices.