ROCK BRIDGE FORUM ADDRESSES TEEN DRUG USE AND PREVENTION

In a roomful of valuable books at the Rock Bridge Media Center, the
information offered to parents about drug and alcohol abuse was
still considered priceless.

The school-sponsored forum "Be in the Know" educated parents about
drug and alcohol use in high schools on Wednesday. Columbia police
Officer Wendy Stokes informed parents that one of the more recent,
unexpected things to watch for are prescription drugs.

"Start watching your bottles," she said. "The big thing right now is
Robitussin gel caps."

Forum speaker Melissa Melahn agreed.

"Kids think that because they're legal and they're prescribed, that
they're safe," she said.

Stokes showed the parents drugs and the paraphernalia used to take
them in plastic containers. She said young people are finding
creative ways to get high and then hide drugs.

Stokes said parents should watch out for signs: burnt ends of
plastics pens used to smoke, missing prescription medicine and
continual use of Visine accompanied by red eyes that never seem to clear up.

School Counselor Diane Bruckerhoff told parents that although drug
use appears to be on the rise, they shouldn't assume every child is doing it.

"There are more students who are making good choices than there are
who aren't," Bruckerhoff said. She presented a confidential study
given to students that showed the problem isn't as bad as some
think, but can still be improved.

Answers to one question showed most senior high students do not
binge drink, attend unsupervised parties or use cocaine.

Bruckerhoff said parents should be more active in monitoring their
children's lives and ask themselves question like, "How much of an
investigative reporter am I going to be in my own home?" She said
although it may feel like spying, if there is a problem, it will be
worth the trouble.