The Teens Using Drugs: What to Know and What to Do series will begin its twentieth year as a free community resource
The Teens Using Drugs: What to Know and What to Do series will begin its twentieth year as a free community resource in October 2018. “Teens”” is an ongoing, two-part series designed to help participants learn to understand, identify and respond helpfully with young people who may be involved with alcohol/other drugs.
WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT NEWS: Young people who become harmfully involved with alcohol or other drugs commonly begin using in middle school, when their developing brains are highly vulnerable to the effects of substance use. Substance use is strongly tied to the leading causes of adolescent mortality: overdose, accidents, suicide, and homicide. Less visible are the links to truancy, school failure, family discord, consequences of unplanned/unprotected sex, crime, regrettable decisions and derailed futures when hopes, dreams and aspirations become displaced in importance. No one decides to start using substances in hopes of becoming an addict, but for some addiction is the path that results from initial “experimentation.” Whether substance use progresses to addiction or remains a choice, the choice to use can have significant negative consequences. Substance-involved young people need help, and helpers need the right knowledge and tools. The good news is that early identification and intervention can often prevent serious, potentially irreversible consequences. This unique program provides a starting point, and has been making a difference to families struggling with teen alcohol/other drug problems since its inception in 1999.
WHO IS IT FOR: The series is inclusive of parents/caretakers of teens/young adults, teens, other family members, people who work with teens/families, and anyone interested for any reason. Parents and teens often attend together. Part two of the series includes separate break-out sessions for adults to learn ways to effectively help when adolescent alcohol/other drug use is suspected, and for teens to explore the personal effects of substance use.
WHO IS IT BY: The series is organized by Dawn Farm and is presented by Dawn Farm Youth and Family Services therapists. The program is co-sponsored by the Ann Arbor Public Schools, St. Joseph Mercy Greenbrook Recovery Center, and the WISD/LESA Health Educators’ Learning Network (supporting and advocating for Whole School, Whole Community, and the Whole Child Approach-WSCC.)
WHEN: The 2018/2019 series will start on October 2, 2018 (part one) and October 9, 2018 (part two) and repeat on the first (part one) and second (part two) Tuesdays of October, November and January through June 2019; from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm (exception: one week later in January 2019 due to New Year’s.)
WHERE: Saint Joseph Mercy Hospital Education Center, Exhibition Room, 5305 Elliot Drive, Ypsilanti Michigan 48197.
FURTHER DETAILS: All presentations are FREE and open to the public. No registration is required. A certificate of attendance can be provided. Free literature will be available. People can contact 734-485-8725 or info@dawnfarm.org for information or see http://dawnfarm.org/programs/teens-using-drugs/.
