PARENTS LEARN HOW TO KEEP KIDS SAFE

In 2005, more than 11 percent of Washoe County high school students
said they experimented with marijuana by the time they were 13,
according to a recent Youth Risk Behavior Survey published by the
county. This statistic was up 3 percent from 2003 when only 9
percent of 13-year-olds said that had tried marijuana.

"This is a reason for concern, if not alarm - which is why we are
here tonight," said Steven Boyd, a drug and alcohol counselor with
Bristlecone Family Resources to parents who had gathered at the IHS
theater Wednesday night for a drug awareness presentation.

The presentation, organized by Incline public school counselors, was
designed to inform parents about the signs and symptoms of drug use,
drug trends, prevention strategies and intervention and treatment
options.

"I, along with the other counselors, decided it was good class to
offer because drug and alcohol use are a problem for adolescents and
teenagers in all communities," said elementary school counselor
Stephanie Kane.

Alanna Brown, Incline High School counselor, said she knows there are
drug and alcohol problems at IHS because students have come into her
office to discuss abuse issues.

"Students from the leadership class approached me and asked me to
speak with them about drugs and alcohol and I went and it was hard to
make eye contact with anyone in that room," Brown said. "I felt like
kids were looking at me like "please help - we're scared."

During his presentation Boyd gave an overview of what drugs are
popular today, what drug paraphernalia looks like, what kinds of
behavior may indicate drug abuse and what parents can do to encourage
kids to stay off drugs.

In preventing drug abuse behavior Boyd focuses on three helpful
policies: Limiting gateway substances (such as sugar and caffeine)
when kids are young, teaching children to delay gratification from an
early age (i.e.. not giving into tantrums), and knowing your kids
behavior and friends when they are older.

"Know about your kids, know their friends, hug them when they walk in
the door, smell them and look in their eyes," Boyd said.

Boyd's message was emphasize by Washoe County Sheriff sergeant, Bill
Devine.

"If you know who your kids are and what they are doing - you are
going to be better prepared to keep your kids away from drugs and
alcohol," Devine said.

Devine said he has broken up several parties in Incline involving
high school students where he knew alcohol and marijuana were involved.

"Don't ever give up on your kids," Devine said. "And do not be afraid
to confront them - I can't tell you how many times we get calls by
parents who want us to do something about their kids, but don't want
their kids to know they called (the sheriffs)," Devine said.

"With my kid - I want to do whatever it takes... can you say that as
a parent?" Boyd asked the crowd before closing.

Signs and symptoms of drug use:

Poor physical appearance

Changes in Friends

Changes in sleep patterns (excessive or very little)

Change in eating habits

Differences in moods

Finding strange things in their room/ backpacks/ cars

Difficulty focusing

Decreased performance at school

Evidence of drug paraphernalia (such as pipes or rolling
papers)

Increased secrecy about possessions or activities

Missing prescription drugs (especially narcotics and mood
stabilizers)

*source: Steven Boyd