Barbara Hansen is our ESD counselor for students who are using alcohol, tobacco and other drugs, or are affected by another person's use. 
This is an article she wanted parents to be able to read:

  Prevention News

STUDY FINDS TEENS WHO FREQUENTLY HAVE FAMILY DINNERS LESS LIKELY TO DRINK, SMOKE, OR USE DRUGS
o    The more often teens have dinners with their families, the less likely they are to use alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs, according to a recent national telephone survey of teens. For example, 32% of teens who have dinner with their family five or more times a week report that they have tried alcohol and 7% report that they get drunk at least once a month, compared to 48% and 18%, respectively, of teens who have less than three family dinners a week.
o    This relationship can be largely explained by the fact that parents who frequently eat with their children are very involved in their kids’ lives. According to the survey, parents who have frequent family dinners are more likely to say they know the parents of their teen’s closest friends, know the names of their teen’s teachers, believe they have a good relationship with their teen.
    Overall, 58% of teens report having dinner with their family at least five times a week. The top three reasons given for not having more frequent dinners were that parents work late, being too busy, and having conflicting schedules.
SOURCE:  Adapted by CESAR from the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University (CASA), The Importance of Family Dinners III, September 2006.



And more...............................

Risk Factors for Alcohol, Tobacco, and other Drugs:

Barbara presented these as community and school risk factors that contribute to drug, tobacco and alcohol use with our students:
Laws and norms favorable to drug use
Perceived availability of drugs and alcohol and tobacco
Anti-social behavior among familiar adults
Academic failure
Early initiation of drug use
Favorable attitudes towards anti-social behavior
Intentions to use drugs
Low perceived risk of drugs
Friends who use drugs

______________________________________________________________________

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF TEENAGE SUBSTANCE USE

Since mood swings and unpredictable behavior are frequent occurrences for preteens and teenagers, parents may find it difficult to spot signs of alcohol and or other drug use.  If your child exhibits one or more of these signs, drug use may be at the heart of the problem.

• withdrawn, depressed, tired and careless about personal grooming
• hostile and uncooperative; frequently breaking curfews
• relationships with family members has deteriorated
• hangs around with a new group of friends
• grades are dropping, school attendance is irregular
• lost interest in hobbies, sports, and other favorite activities
• eating or sleeping patterns changed
• have a hard time concentrating; exhibits memory loss
• eyes are red-rimmed and or nose is runny in the absence of a cold
• household money is disappearing
• presence of paraphrenalia (pipes, rolling papers, eye drops, lighters)
• weight loss
• noticeable interest in the drug culture ( magazine High Times, drawing of drug symbols, talks about 420, weed, pot, bongs; being buzzed, raves or other similar conversations)

The more sever the need for alcohol and/or other drugs, obviously, the greater the problem demonstrated by your child in the family atmosphere.  The more the drug pulls him or her away from everything they used to care about, the harder it is to get them help, because their initial reaction will be denial, and if that doesn't work, they will begin to bargain, promising to change their behavior if you will only trust them.  At this point, if you believe your child is using alcohol and/or other drugs, and their behavior indicates they are continuing to use after being confronted by you, the next step is a professional assessment to determine the level of treatment intervention necessary. 

For parents: Al-Anon meeting are held Friday night at 7:00 at the Port Hadlock Methodist Church especially for parents who are affected by their child's addiction or alcholism

For teens:  The Alano club in Port Townsend has an Ala-Teen meeting.  Ask Marilyn or Barbara about it.  You would attend if you are affected by someone's drug or alcohol use.