Group discusses teen drug abuse
While adults drink fine wines and snack on hors d’oeuvres, teens are drinking beer and snacking on what Deputy Craig Chamberlin called “popcorn bowls full of pills.”
Teens’ sense of invincibility paired with their desire and need to self-medicate against the pain of teenage angst surpasses their knowledge of the dangers of prescription or over-the-counter medicine. Many teens strive for instant gratification without considering what could happen, Chamberlin said.
Teen drug abuse was the focus of a town hall meeting Tuesday evening at the Valley Community Center sponsored by the Greater Spokane Substance Abuse Council. The meeting topic was “How and Why Prescription Drugs are Harming our Kids.”
“It’s a multilayered, complex issue that affects everyone,” said Lisa Demke, who coordinated the GSSAC event
Craig Howard, GSSAC board president, mentioned the dangers of ignoring signs of substance abuse and told how only about 50 percent of parents talk with their teens about drugs.
“The fight against drugs needs to be a community-wide effort,” said Linda Thompson, GSSAC executive director.
Keynote speaker Ken Zigler shared the story of his teenage son, Tim, who died from a 10 mg dose of methadone.
After work, Tim had stopped by an acquaintance’s house to visit and, when Tim said he wasn’t feeling well, she offered him a quick fix with a “Here, take this, it will make you feel better.” Tim did not consider that the pill might be deadly and, trusting her, he took it. “I’m here so his death won’t be for nothing,” Ken Zigler said.
Spokane County Medical Examiner, Dr. Sally Aiken, said prescription drug abuse is “an ‘undrug’ problem, because it doesn’t feel risky.”
Other panel members included Christina Wiese, ASB president at Riverside High and an active member of Washington Drug Free Youth, a group that talks to middle- and high-school students about the dangers of drugs.
“We emphasize the effects of drugs. We let kids know that not everyone does it … it’s not the cool thing to do,” Wiese said.
More than 50 people attended the meeting and it was hard not to notice that Wiese was one of the only teenagers in the room. The audience consisted mostly of professionals and individuals already aware of the dangers of prescription drugs.
Still, Demke was happy with the turnout. “What’s really important is getting the word out and having ongoing conversations on the subject of drug abuse,” she said. Those who attended will hopefully pass on what they learned at the meeting to others.
While the illicit use of prescription drugs is a huge problem, so is their legal use. That topic will be addressed at a March 22 meeting from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Navy Operational Support Center, 5105 North Assembly St. titled “Driving Under the Influence of Prescription Drugs.” Drug recognition expert Trooper Troy Corkins, is organizing the event. “Educating others … it’s a start,” Corkins said.