FAIR TEACHES FAMILIES ABOUT DRUG ABUSE

Most parents are at least somewhat familiar with the statistics regarding
teens and drug and alcohol abuse. But there is a difference between parents
knowing the facts and believing those facts could apply to their own children.

"Nobody wants to believe their child is on drugs or that their drinking is
a problem," said Tina Wedding, education committee chairwoman for Community
Solutions for Substance Abuse.

Saturday afternoon, Community Solutions held its first "Family Awareness
Fair" at Mount St. Joseph, to help educate residents about substance abuse
and connect them with treatment and support services.

Dr. William Wooten, of Mulberry Center, an Evansville substance abuse
treatment center, said teens may exhibit many signs of drug or alcohol
addiction. The signs, Wooten said, can include a decline in school work,
mood changes, the loss of old friends, legal problems and dishonesty.
Wooten said, if parents suspect a teen is using drugs or alcohol, they
should act quickly.

"Do something," Wooten said. "Even if it doesn't work, do something."
Wooten said it is not normal for a parent to suspect a child has a
substance abuse problem, and said, if the suspicion exists, the parent
should consider getting the opinion of a professional who works with
substance abusers.

To prevent children from experimenting with drugs, parents should begin
actively communicating with their kids by the time a child is 8 years old,
Wooten said. Parents who have good communication with their children can
reduce the chances a child will experiment with alcohol or drugs by 40
percent, he said.

Wooten said it is important to be a good role model for teens, and to set
acceptable limits for them. "Kids want freedom, but they need certain
limits," he said. Punishments should also be strictly enforced if a teen is
caught using drugs or alcohol.

"If you don't follow through, what's the message? That you're really not
that concerned," he said.

Lisa Sief, who also works with Mulberry Center, said people recovering from
alcoholism need a form of spirituality. But spirituality, Sief said, does
not necessarily mean following an organized religion.

"Religion pretty much tells you what you have to believe," Sief said.
"Spirituality is coming to believe in your (higher) power.

"(Spirituality is) having the willingness to believe there is some power
greater than yourself that will help you with your malady," she said.

The event also included other speakers, as well as displays and exhibits by
area treatment centers, law enforcement agencies and social service
providers. Wedding said more events will be scheduled in the coming months
for other parts of the county.

Wedding said she hopes families of substance abusers at Saturday's event
learned "that they did not cause the substance abuse, and that there is
prevention ... and treatment right here in Owensboro."