Troubled Teens Resources

There has been controversy over a new intervention policy adopted by some schools in the New jersey school system.
While parents and school officials are relieved to have new tools in the war against teenage alcohol and drug abuse,
some voice concerns that such crisis intervention programs posed legitimate civil rights issues and constituted a threat to parental authority.

“Randomly selected students in Pequannock Township last month began undergoing a screening that can detect whether they drank alcohol up to 80 hours before
[…]
The test detects ethyl glucuronide (EtG), an indicator of alcohol exposure that is found in urine. It is the most recent addition to the alcohol and drug screens increasingly being used in school systems around the USA. The trend is alarming some civil libertarians who say there are better ways to discourage teen substance abuse.”
(Source)

Such is the extent of today’s teen substance abuse problems that many states and cities have adopted or created teen drug intervention programs to be implemented by school districts and municipalities. Some seek to provide intervention alternatives, some focus on educating elementary school age children, such as the highly regarded Shied Program, an acronym for Student Heroes in Everyday Living Decisions.

“Sneed teaches the five-week program to fifth-grade students in Sallisaw Schools. He said the program has been in existence since 1997, and averages between 145 and 152 students per year. Sneed estimates he has taught between 1,400 and 1,500 students over the years.

“And the program is not nailed down just to the fifth grade,” Sneed said. “I can tone it down to teach kindergarten students about drugs, or make it more detailed if I’m going to talk to community or civic groups about the program.”

In Oakland, the Power to Choose teen intervention program has met with success.

“The Power to Choose is a court-based intervention program that helps youths charged with multiple drug offenses to overcome their addictions and change their behavior. The 61st and 62nd participants since the program’s inception in 2001 graduated this week at a small court ceremony in Pontiac.

“I’m so proud of these kids because their lives are changing for the better,” Sosnick said. “This program is important because it tries to improve the relationships of the entire family, and gets young people to lead productive lives.”

Corene Munro, a juvenile drug court coordinator, said the program has a 16% recidivism rate, which is far less than the 70% rate for kids who go through standard probation.”

There are many options available for the parent who is seeking intervention in their at-risks teens flirtation or involvement with drugs and alcohol. Check with your school or your juvenile justice system to see what programs are available for you and your teenager.