COMMUNICATION KEY TO COMBATING SUBSTANCE ABUSE

Keeping the doors of communication open in the face of substance abuse is
crucial to understanding and tackling the affliction.

That was the message guest speaker Kim Kitchen brought to Wellington
Heights Secondary School last Wednesday evening at a special session
entitled "Parenting Support and Strategies to Assist with Substance Abuse
Issues."

The main thrust of the evening was to offer practical strategies and
suggestions of support for parents, and to increase awareness that a large
number of area high school students are alcohol and drug users.

"I've been alarmed at the breadth of acceptance of this use and abuse,"
WHSS Principal Rick Goodbrand said in his opening address, "and abuse at
increasingly younger ages."

Mr. Goodbrand said WHSS is interested in effecting positive change, and
that Wellington Heights is a school interested in its students. Students
are not isolated, he said, and are part of their family, their school
community and their larger town community as well.

He said it was encouraging to see parents in attendance interested in
making a positive difference in young people's lives in the community.

Mr. Kitchen opened by saying young people can get involved with drugs and
alcohol for a number of reasons; such as curiosity, peer pressure,
escapism, rebellion and personal pleasure.

He said it is important to realize children are growing up today in a
different world from their parents; a world of cell phones, DVDs and
electronic gadgets. Adults must be able to identify with teen life on their
level to communicate.

"Don't shy away from talking with your kids about drugs and alcohol," he
said. "We need to start communicating right from day one." Mr. Kitchen said
the drug scene is constantly changing, and today's drugs are more available
and accessible to youth, and narcotic potency is much higher today as well.

It is important to learn as much as you can about drugs and substance
abuse, to educate yourself and show your children you are concerned. It is
also crucial to avoid the "blame game" and understand the issues facing
young people today.

"Each case is different what a parent can do, but the best tool to combat a
problem is communication with your child, as well as other parents."

It is easy for parents to feel "handicapped" by abuse problems, or shut out
by children due to parent ignorance. Increased knowledge is the best weapon
a parent can have against addiction.

"Make yourself available to your children," said Mr. Kitchen. "There is an
awful lot that goes by in life, and you never get a chance to go back."

Early intervention, especially if a child is using drugs at an early age,
is of great importance. The earlier a child experiments with drugs and
alcohol, the earlier addiction can become a reality, and a problem.

Mr. Kitchen stressed there is no shame in having someone in your family
with an addiction. The real shame is in doing nothing to help that person.
Use is not necessarily abuse, but it is important to make a difference,
because you care.

Addicts have difficulty identifying abuse problems, especially younger
teens, and the goal for adults should be to work with youth, deal with
their problems, and orchestrate positive change.

WHSS guidance counselor Gillian Stephens said parents should seek support
wherever they can find it, and the high school in Mount Forest offers
connections and programs to help arrive at a solution.

For students, there are clubs, athletic programs and extracurricular
activities in place. Students can find support in the guidance office, and
positive role models in teachers, peer mentors and a full-time OPP presence
at Wellington Heights.

Programs are further being developed to help younger students with conflict
resolution, self esteem and body image issues.

"It is never too soon to begin talking about drugs with your child," said
Mrs. Stevens. "There is nothing bad about teens. They are all special,
every one of them. Kids want to be included, and are struggling for
attention from us."

Principal Goodbrand wrapped up the meeting by stressing how interested WHSS
is in working together with the community, and keeping lines of
communication open. He said parents are always welcome to call the school
with any concerns they might have.

"My vision as a principal is to see the school focus on its strengths and
positives, not focus on negatives," said Mr. Goodbrand.