By SARAH DOOLITTLE, Four Points News

Over 40 parents attended the Keeping Your Child Safe: Substance Abuse Prevention Conference at Vandegrift High School a couple of weeks ago. Led by Mary Ann Kluga, RN LCDC, Leander ISD’s Substance Abuse Prevention Coordinator, the two hour event on Nov. 19 offered information for parents about substance and addiction issues facing students.

Mary Ann Kluga informs parents about the latest drug trends, including prescription drugs, opiates, anti-anxiety and over-the-counter medications.
Photo by Sarah Doolittle

LISD Superintendent Bret Champion was also in attendance and introduced Klulga by saying, “We want to provide as much information as we can to parents to make sure that there’s a wealth of good information for our students because we’re all in this together.”

While most parents at the talk seemed aware of the common use and risks of alcohol, tobacco and prescription drugs, newer drugs and methods of administration came as a shock to many. Parents learned of current trends including: the use of electronic cigarettes to smoke hashish oil, prescription parties where students take unknown prescription and over-the-counter medications, and alcohol administered anally or vaginally.

Parents from various LISD schools learn more about substance abuse and prevention as part of the LISD Wellness Series.
Photo by Sarah Doolittle

The point of the conference, however, was not to shock parents but to educate them. By lifting the veil on these risky and secretive behaviors, Kluga and LISD hope to better equip parents to speak frankly with their children about the dangers of substance use and abuse.

The teenage brain differs from the adult brain in its malleability. Because neural pathways and the brain’s judgement centers are still developing, a teenage brain “learns” addiction much faster than an adult. Moreover, a teen will not have the ability to predict or understand the consequences of his or her actions.

So what might be “just a few” beers or cigarettes to an adult can become a cascade of neural messages in a teen brain, creating cognitive deficits that last considerably longer than in adults.

For Kluga, it’s important for kids and parents to understand these processes–which are the very foundation of addiction–because they define the difference between choice and compulsion. And the earlier a child tries an addictive substance, the higher the likelihood of an addiction developing.

To that end, Kluga offered parents simple yet highly useful tools to combat the use of addictive substances. Some suggestions, based on research not only in substance abuse but also on what kids want from their parents, include:

• Know the facts and talk to your kids openly about alcohol, tobacco and drugs (illicit and prescription). Make sure they understand your attitudes and expectations.

• Listen, listen, listen. Learn what is important to your child and your child’s friends.

• Be the example. What is your child learning about drug and alcohol use from you and other adults? Show your kids how to have fun without stimulants.

• Reward honesty. If you do learn of substance use or abuse, provide consequences instead of punishment.

• Be a positive and encouraging presence in your child’s life. Focus on strengths more than deficits.

As Kluga explained, “(Your kids) want you, even if you are having a rocky time. Research has shown that kids want to know that they’re safe and secure and you’re going to be there for them, that you’re going to take care of them and you’re going to have consequences. You’re going to stick by your word. And they can believe what you say. That’s what they want.”

Parents and students can view Kluga’s entire presentation in three parts as well as accompanying slides on the Leanderisd.org website. To contact Kluga directly for more information about LISD’s Substance Abuse Prevention Program, call (512) 570-0315 or email maryann.kluga@leanderisd.org.