NCEA speaker shares realities of teen substance abuse

ATLANTA, Ga. -- Every teenager faces pressure to consume alcohol and drugs, and educators need to actively support youths in making the right choice for their personal and physical growth and being completely chemical-free throughout high school.

Every Catholic high school has a problem with alcohol and drug abuse, two speakers said at an April 20 workshop that was part of the National Catholic Educational Association's annual convention in Atlanta. Jeff Ferguson, associate dean of students at Totino-Grace High School in Fridley, Minn., and Totino-Grace religion teacher Bill Vance shared statistics from a 2004 report by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism that showed three-fourths of high school seniors and two-thirds of 10th-graders report having consumed alcohol. In addition, young people ages 12-17 who do drink have an average of four to five drinks per occasion. The institute also reported that drinkers under 15 are four times as likely to develop alcohol dependency as adults at some point. Ferguson believes chemical abuse must be addressed head-on and continually since the problem of underage drinking is an ever-present issue for youths. "They need to be challenged to be chemical-free more than once, all the time. Students are expected to be chemical-free, but are not really supported much in doing it," he said. Ferguson said many teens who may only consume an occasional beer at a party are "good kids" and faithful Catholics, but asserted that they cannot be leaders if they go with the flow and even take one sip of alcohol, which involves some form of law-breaking. "We emphasize the importance of the simple fact that all we're doing is upholding the law and developing positive leadership skills. You can't call yourself a leader if you have an occasional beer and break the law," he said. "We're trying to promote self-respect and integrity." He described the Positive Peer Leadership Program he established at his school and encouraged attendees to consider what more they can do to help kids say no to temptation and yes to their future as they build their self-respect and self-esteem. "My opinion is that having chemical-free behavior lifestyle has to be a non-negotiable to be in a leadership group. That has to be foundational," he said. "I think all Catholic schools have to continue to research and look for ways to help students avoid using chemicals in a proactive way rather than being reactive. We have to help them." Teens in Catholic high schools are much less likely to consume illegal substances, though there can be an increase in other risky behaviors, Ferguson said. But the pressure and temptation they face is not much different from those in public schools, he said. "Kids can be actively involved in campus ministry and still want to party and have an occasional beer. They are two separate things." He saw one too many students showing up intoxicated for a school game or with marijuana in their pocket, which led him to begin the leadership program. At his school, the yearly alcohol prevention lecture wasn't enough. He's observed there are the "weekend warriors," experimenters and occasional partiers in schools, as well as the nondrinkers and the large middle group of people who are not users but can be swayed into becoming users out of a desire to have fun, be accepted or feel cool. Ferguson began by inviting student leaders from various school sports and academic groups whom teachers identified as being or having the potential to be chemical-free, to join the group. All 30 accepted the invitation to join. "Kids really want high expectations, and all they want is support for those high expectations," he said. The program now involves several teachers willing to give talks and help lead about 170 "strong" students -- out of 1,000 students in the high school -- who pledge to remain chemical-free throughout high school and who attend Friday morning meetings before school. Ferguson said it has helped change the culture of the school. "If students make the commitment, they have to be chemical-free in high school and can't attend illegal events with chemicals and have to strive to be positive role models and leaders," he said.

Start the New Year with Prayer | Light your Free Virtual Prayer Candle

---

Copyright (c) 2007 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops