Parents Are Key to Drug Prevention is Message at Student Advisory Meeting

Representatives from three different organizations came together Wednesday night to present Fenton parents with tips on how to identify, prevent and get help for substance abuse and addiction.

“We're starting with the parents,” said Fenton High School principal Mark Suchowski to a crowd of about 30 people.

Members of the Flint Area Narcotics Group passed around sealed samples of heroin, crack cocaine, marijuana and paraphernalia.

“Some things to look for are plastic bags with the corners torn off, folded up foil or lottery tickets, spoons with burns,” advised trooper Chuck Barker.

“Trust your intuition,” said Vick Russell, a high school counselor who talks to freshmen about the physiological effect of drugs and alcohol on the brain of young people.

Herbert Winfrey, program manager for the Hope Network-Connexions said change of dress, friends or behavior to the list of things to look for.

“It's easier to manage kids before they're doing something wrong. Research says parents are the strongest tools," he said.

Lisa Coleman, a Genesee County substance abuse prevention manager, echoed the sentiment.

“Parents are powerful. Kids look to their parents, watch their behavior. It's the biggest predictor we have,” she said.

Barker lists marijuana, heroin and prescription drugs among the most popular trends, while alcohol is still the biggest problem among teenagers.

In the case of prescription drugs, limiting access can help. Locking medicine cabinets as well as getting rid of old or unused prescriptions in the home are a few ways to minimize access to those drugs.

Chief Rick Aro, responding to a question about identifying paraphernalia, offered his support.

“Bring the stuff to me and I'll tell you if it's something you need to worry about,” Aro stated. “I'm here to help you help your kid, not make an arrest.”

If a parent does discover their child has a drug problem, there is help out there.

The Genesee County Community Mental Health funds treatment for those without insurance and while there can be waiting lists for the inpatient treatments, outpatient treatments are available immediately, with services available for adolescents.

“Treatment does work but it takes a lot of work on the person's part,” said Kristie Schmiege, director for Genesee County Community Mental Health.

is doing its part, too.

“We've done a lot to build a relationship with students to help them make good choices,” said Suchowski.

The school also has strict rules about which prescription drugs can be brought and administered on the premises and is working on bringing , a sobering presentation about drug addiction and put on by the Genesee County Sheriff's office and Community Parent, to the school.

 Schmiege warns that drug use and addiction doesn't discriminate.

“Your kids are just as susceptible as those in the inner city and dealers are smart and know to target kids who are affluent,” said Schmiege. “Talk to your kids.”

Winfrey ended on a hopeful note.

“It's good to remember that the majority of kids are not using.”

Additional resources for parents:

www.prevention-smart.org, which offers a free ten chapter course

www.drugs.com/imprints.php , which identifies unknown pills