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New group
fights kids'
alcohol,
drug abuse
By SHARON KILPATRICK
Rappahannock News Staff Writer
A new group has been formed with one goal being to set up a network of parents who agree to hold chaperoned alcohol-free social events for teenagers in their homes. That way parents will know when their children ask to attend parties whether parents will be at home and that alcohol will not be available.
There was a small turnout for the first-meeting of the Community Coalition Working for Health Youth . (CCWHY) in Washington Tuesday night, but the organizers hope the group will grow.
The group got started with the help of a drug-free schools grant from the federal government. So far a team of five have attended a fourday workshop on organizing. They have also trained 20 facilitators.
The group also administered the PRIDE survey on drug use to sixththrough-twelfth graders. That survey showed that alcohol and drug use is as widespread among teens in Rappahannock as it is nationwide.
CCWHY organizer Judy Tole said the group next wants to increase community awareness and coordinate available resources.
“There is a lot of denial here,” she said. “The impetus for change seems to fall on the school system. That is where the greatest impact is felt, but the schools didn’t create this. They need the help of the community.”
Gary Raffia, mental health counselor with the Rappahannock-Rapidan Community Services Board, talked with the group about handling stress.
He said some stress is needed for growth, and children normally handle stress well. He added that excessive stress can show up as insomnia or sleeping too much, frequent illness (especially on Mondays), headaches, nausea, nightmares and appetite disturbance.
Mr. Raffia said children have the greatest difficulty with stress when they are not supported at home, particularly when the stress is coming from the home, such as alcohol abuse at home or parental discord.
CCWHY will try to hold monthly meetings.
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