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Uploaded: Monday, November 9, 2009, 4:31 PM
Updated: Monday, November 9, 2009, 9:42 PM

'Breaking the stigma' of teen substance abuse  

Posted by Concerned Parent, a resident of Another Palo Alto neighborhood, on Nov 9, 2009 at 6:47 pm

I am delighted that that a panel is going to be dealing directly with a topic that is often overlooked. This topic can also benefit parents who might also be suffering from diseases of addiction and not even know it or are not willing to admit it. Unfortunately, denial is a huge factor in addicts and often prevents them from looking squarely at the problem and finding solutions. I looks at this as an opportunity for a whole new dialogue to open about diseases of addiction (substances as well as many other behavioral addictions ie texting 24/7, gambling, overeating, porn viewing, playing video games and the list goes on). I look forward to having Jay as the moderator of this panel as he is always insightful and honest.

Posted by Chris Gaither, a resident of Another Palo Alto neighborhood, on Nov 10, 2009 at 10:27 am

Sounds like a much, much needed discussion, as "some" students have come forward to say that substance abuse and use is part of their on-going challenges. I was at CVS the other day in Town and Country, and saw some rather "young" girls purchasing jugs of alcohol for a party. They were obviously high school students. How they continue to purchase this stuff, I will never know given the supposed I.D. system required to purchase alcohol. Of course, "part" of the problems stem from family environments where drinking is encouraged,and prescription medications are available, and not monitored.

Nonetheless, these "addictive" challenges are pervasive in our society at large. Having managed a property housed by the elderly, one sees that substance addictions can become life long challenges. I witnessed first hand many seniors who battle not only alcohol, and gambling addictions, but prescription medication abuse - that is a big one. As we saw in the Michael Jackson situation, this is the biggest addiction oriented problem of our day. People share prescription medications (and any health care provider would tell you that is a no-no), and people can get their prescription med fixes from the street all too easily. No wonder students have extra addiction burdens - adults who have prescription medication needs make access all too easy - as well as the medical establishment, and the drug manufacturers who give away unlimited samples to physicians. Anyone know why we are bombarded with so many drug commercials? - Western medicine is simply another name for "drug pusher" - no better than what we saw glorified in movies during the '70's about the "street" drug pushers.

The best way to stop the addictions, is to help people see, they don't need this stuff to cope with life. And, there are better ways to manage physical and emotional pain than from a pill bottle, or a bottle filled with alcohol.

Chris Gaither