Warwick Middle School and Warwick High School presented a free parent program, “Drugs 101: What Parents Need to Know,” on Thursday, February 26, 2015, from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Warwick Middle School auditorium.
The event was sponsored by a newly formed community organization, Action for Substance Abuse (ASAP), and presented by the Byrnes Health Education Center of York.
For parents only
The adults-only community program was designed to give parents factual information about various drugs and the peer pressure students face to use them. It presented current information on drugs, helped parents identify signs of substance abuse and aimed to empower them to talk with their children about the dangers.
The program focused on the signs, symptoms and current trends in the abuse of marijuana, heroin and prescription drugs, along with alcohol, tobacco and inhalants.
A mock bedroom
The backdrop for the two-hour presentation was a mock bedroom set up to resemble the room of a teenager who uses drugs. Parents were asked to spot drug and alcohol paraphernalia placed throughout the room.
More than 80 indicators were revealed during the program, showing how some adolescents hide substance use from their parents. Everyday objects such as hollowed-out markers, altered soda cans, air fresheners and eye drops can signal a problem, educators say.
Role-playing conversations
Throughout the evening, live role-playing demonstrations showed parents how to start conversations with their children and help them resist peer pressure.
Registration was not required. Questions were directed to the high school at 717-626-3700 or the middle school at 717-626-3701.
Why the program mattered
The program came as communities across Pennsylvania were grappling with a sharp rise in opioid addiction. Many people who became addicted to heroin first misused prescription painkillers, and public health officials urged parents to secure medications at home and dispose of unused prescriptions.
ASAP formed in the Warwick area to bring together parents, schools, law enforcement, health care providers and faith communities to address substance abuse. The group went on to host town hall meetings and education events in Lititz.
Byrnes Health Education Center
The Byrnes Health Education Center in York has provided health education programs for schools and community groups in south-central Pennsylvania for decades. Its “Drugs 101” presentation, built around the mock bedroom, has been offered to parents across the region.
Tips for parents
Experts generally recommend that parents:
- Talk early and often with children about drugs and alcohol, and listen to their concerns.
- Set clear expectations and consequences.
- Know their children’s friends and whereabouts.
- Watch for changes in mood, sleep, grades, friendships or appetite.
- Lock up prescription medications and dispose of unused pills at drop-off boxes, such as those at local police departments.
Pennsylvania’s Get Help Now hotline, 1-800-662-4357, offers confidential help finding treatment, 24 hours a day.
Talking with teens
Experts suggest parents talk early and often with their children about drugs and alcohol, listen without judgment, set clear expectations and stay aware of their friends and activities. Programs like this aim to give parents the knowledge and confidence to start those conversations. Many counties also offer resources, hotlines and support groups for families affected by substance use.
Community partners
Programs like Drugs 101 are often presented with help from police, counselors and health organizations who see the effects of substance use firsthand. Their combined experience helps parents understand current trends and the warning signs to watch for at home.
Parents left with practical knowledge they could use at home.
Organizers hoped the program would encourage more families to start honest conversations at home about drugs and alcohol.
This article was originally published in February 2015.