IMAGINE RECOVERY MONTH WITHOUT YOUTH

NAPLES -- September is Recovery Month.

President Bush signed a proclamation to acknowledge the thousands of
people who battle with addiction and seek professional help. It is
commendable for our nation to support those who struggle with drug
addiction.

It is also necessary, however, to ask whether Collier County is doing
everything possible to prevent juvenile substance abuse in our
community. Considering recent national and local data, the youth of
Collier County mirror youth across America as it pertains to
substance abuse.

According to a recent report by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health
Administration, juvenile use of cocaine and methamphetamine is down,
but binge drinking, marijuana use and prescription-drug abuse are on
the rise. These trends should concern everyone in Collier County.

Parents play a major role in prevention. We know that when parents
are involved in all aspects of their children's lives, provide clear
rules, talk to their children about the dangers of drugs and alcohol
and provide opportunities for their children to trust their own
judgment, it is less likely that children will indulge in drugs and
alcohol.

Good parenting is not the only aspect in preventing juvenile
substance abuse. As a researcher, I have reviewed resiliency studies
of youth who live in dire social-economic environments and who still
resist drugs and alcohol.

What promotes resiliency? Concerned adults -- teachers, friends,
relatives, pastors, older siblings, neighbors or neighborhoods that
take an interest in the youth. Children need to know that we care.
Although adults might think that their words fall on deaf ears,
children hear and perceive their concern loud and clear.

Drugs and alcohol are everywhere in Collier County. The average age
at which children try alcohol is 12.9 years old. Alcohol, marijuana
and prescription drugs are sometimes considered gateway drugs which
may lead to addiction or stronger drugs. We know that keeping youth
drug- and alcohol-free until 21 greatly reduces the possibility of
them becoming addicted.

How is Collier County going to keep its youth drug- and alcohol-free?
It takes work, but it is possible. It involves caring about the
approximately 40,000 students in Collier County Public Schools.
Caring means taking a pro-active approach about those who sell
alcohol to minors, those who provide alcohol to youth during home
parties and asking adults to keep their alcohol "off limits" to their
children and to their children's friends.

Alcohol is not a rite of passage. Some adults do not understand that
providing alcohol or making it available to minors is not only
against the law, it is playing roulette with the mental health of our
most precious resource -- the children of our community.

The legalization of marijuana is also a hot topic. As a 501(c)
federally funded organization, Drug Free Collier cannot lobby against
such legislation. It is, however, concerned that legalizing marijuana
will make it more accessible to our youth. As we have seen with
alcohol, the easier the access, the more likely youth will use it.
There are so many uncertainties about the short- and long-term
effects of smoking marijuana. Why legalize a drug that can cause
brain damage and possible chromosomal defects in future
generations?

Finally, prescription drugs are good and necessary when we are in
pain and treacherous when they are accessible to youth. If you want
to know who sells prescription drugs, ask the kids. They will tell
you that they know who sells tranquilizers, amphetamines, pain
medication and similar substances. They might also tell you that
these kids got them from an adult's medicine cabinet. Prescription
drugs are just as addictive as cocaine and methamphetamine.

Drug Free Collier offers an easy way to dispose of unused controlled
substances and all other unused medication. Operation Medicine
Cabinet is a collaborative effort with Collier County's Sheriff's
Office and the local pharmacies.

For additional information regarding the safe and legal way of
disposing of unused medication, call 377-0535 or go online to
DrugfreeCollier.org.

You may read this commentary and say that your children, or
grandchildren don't drink or do drugs. While that might be true, as
long as there are youth at risk of substance abuse, your children and
your community are at risk. Get involved with your children and your
community. Imagine a Recovery Month that does not include Collier
County's youth because we have done everything possible to prevent
juvenile substance abuse in our community.