RIBBONS JUST PART OF DRUG PREVENTION

While teens and adults throughout Calaveras County donned red ribbons
this week -- part of an annual effort to raise awareness about the
dangers of drug and alcohol abuse among youth -- several county health
officials and educators say more must be done to combat teen substance
abuse.

"It takes the engagement of all sectors of the community, from
families, to schools, to government to private nonprofits," said
Jeanne Boyce, the county's director of health services.

Statewide, the number of teens using drugs and alcohol dropped this
year, a sign that prevention and treatment efforts, if continued
year-round, can reduce substance abuse, said Boyce.

Though wearing red ribbons may not eliminate addiction, health
officials said the symbolic gesture and other prevention efforts can
lead to concrete results.

Public Health Director Colleen Tracy compared such efforts to
California's strong stand against tobacco use, a stand which has made
smoking far less acceptable. Societal attitudes on many activities --
from smoking to spitting on sidewalks -- have changed through
concerted community efforts, Tracy added.

Currently, the county joins with student groups at both Calaveras High
School and the Valley Springs Youth Center to spread drug prevention
messages.

The Calaveras High School group -- a chapter of the national Friday
Night Live drug prevention organization -- distributed red ribbons
this week along with fliers about dangers of drug and alcohol use
among youth, said Principal Mark Campbell.

Timothy Randall, a math teacher and coach at Bret Harte High School
for 17 years, said teachers and school counselors can play a large
part in keeping students off drugs. However, he added, such help does
not prevent teens from getting drugs or alcohol if they really want
it.

"If they want to find it, they'll find it," said Randall. Though he
could not estimate how many students at his school suffer from
addiction, he said one addict is too many.

Randall's daughter and a Bret Harte sophomore, Tessa, said efforts
like Red Ribbon Week are important. But she added that many students
"roll their eyes" when they hear about such programs.

"In our hearts we know it's really important to be aware but,
basically, we're just tired of the cliches," she said.

Still, health officials said they hope such causes will, over time,
make drug and alcohol use less acceptable and less common among teens.

Yet, officials know treatment is also a significant part of the
equation.

Changing Echoes in San Andreas, a private treatment facility for
adults, offers the county's only inpatient program. Though the county
offers an outpatient substance abuse program for all ages, Boyce said
the demand for additional programs is high.

"There's a woeful lack of intensive residential treatment for youth,"
she said.

While just how many teens in the county suffer from addiction is
unknown, Boyce said he's sure there are more than the county can care
for.

There are no plans for new treatment centers in the county. But
supervisors will vote Monday on whether to approve $200,000 worth of
residential placement services at two drug and alcohol treatment
center in San Joaquin and Placer counties.

Supervisor Tom Tryon said he doubts Calaveras County suffers from teen
drug and alcohol abuse any more than similar-sized counties. And while
many residents consider addiction a family issue, he noted there are
services for those who seek them.

Tryon said he did not know whether more treatment centers are
necessary.

"You're not going to drive it to zero," he said of substance abuse.
"You have to do the best you can but people basically have to 'say
no'."

Along with educating residents about alcohol and drug abuse, Boyce
said efforts like Red Ribbon Week work to break down stigmas attached
to addiction. Though some still refuse to discuss it, she said
addiction is an issue that has "come out of the closet."

"For some families it's shameful to admit that there is a problem with
alcohol or drugs," she said. "We try to break through that and let
them know help is available."