PROGRAM ON TEEN SUBSTANCE ABUSE PRESENTED

A panel presentation on teen drug use, smoking and alcohol use was given
during an assembly at Forestville High School.

The panel included James Subjack, Chautauqua County district attorney; Dr.
Kristopher Hartwig of Westfield Family Physicians; Leo Jones and
Investigator James Rensel of the Chautauqua County Sheriff's Department.

During the discussion, students asked questions of the panel. Following the
panel program, the participants met in smaller groups to continue
discussions. They gathered again in the school's gymnasium for a wrap up of
the program, followed by a social time, which included refreshments.

Todd Crandall, High School Principal, introduced the panel: "During ages 13
through 19, people are curious and sometimes feel invincible," Rensel said.
"By the time they are 25, they prefer to make healthy choices. The
challenge is to be healthy enough in the meantime to make it to that age.
Typically, if a person hasn't started smoking or drinking or doing drugs
before age 25, they won't want to do so then."

The panel members said drug use can lead to broken relationships, illness,
addiction and can be an expensive habit.

"A person develops physiological and psychological problems when they
become involved in drugs because the goal becomes 'getting the drugs'
regardless of the cost or need or even if you don't want to," Hartwig said.
"Seventy percent of the people who were evaluated don't think they have a
problem."

School Principal Todd Crandall said the school staff sees students more
than parents and can observe when negative lifestyles are causing changes
in behavior. He said school officials are willing to help and urged
students to choose someone they trust to talk to about the problem.

"When you take a drug, you lose control and give the drug control," Rensel
said. "Academics and sports achievements diminish. If your mood needs to
change, do it knowingly and with control."

Jones said there is no safe drug to use or experiment with as a teen-ager.
He also said marijuana and alcohol are "get away drugs," and crack cocaine
and heroine are among the worst habit-forming drugs.

Regarding smoking, long-term health effects are lethal, the panel members said.

Drinking alcohol affects various individuals differently. Some feel happy,
some are morose, sad, angry and violent. The students were told that 16,000
people die each year in alcohol-related mishaps.