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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 11, 2012)
vernonia prevention coalition september11 2012 15 The content on this page is provided by the Vernonia Prevention Coalition Be a Piece of the Puzzle Under the Influence: A Parents Responsibility By DeAnna Pearl Ever get the feeling that some- times, as a parent, you are the last to know but are held responsible when it all goes south? In the busy life of a par- ent it is easy to feel we are the last to know about policies that affect our chil- dren in school, after school, at sports and during summer activities. Most educa- tional and programmatic facilities strive to be due diligent when it comes to your child’s safety, but when the rubber meets the road, it is a parents ultimate respon- sibility to understand them. Parents are often at a loss on how best to care for their children be- tween the end of school and when they come home and beyond. In Vernonia, over 87% of working parents commute a minimum of 40 minutes. Programs like sports, theatre, music, church groups, scouts and other youth oriented activities are offered to encourage our children to be involved in their community while staying out of trouble. FYI: According to 83-88% of 6th, 8th and 11th graders in VSD 47J, there are lots of chances for students to get involved in sports, clubs, na vs 76% of 11th graders. Parents need to talk to their kids about their beliefs on Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs th th Great News!! 83-95% of 6 and 8 (ATOD) use and abuse over and over graders state “one of my parents knows again. A good place to start is to update where I am and whom I am with.” your knowledge of current trends and (OHKS, 2012) Parents know where dangers of today’s drug and use trends. their kids are, but do they know who or An even greater contributing what is influencing them? According to factor is a consistent, safe, and positive Prevention News, chil- volunteer and or men- dren whom participate Parents know where tor who support pro- in after school activi- their kids are, but do gram policy during the ties are 80% less likely they know who or what times our children are to abuse alcohol and participating in func- is influencing them? drugs, smoke, or partic- tions. How do we help ipate in other unhealthy assure that the people habits that cause harm. whom our children come into contact Unfortunately, in Vernonia only have their best interest at heart? We 55% of 6th, 8th and 11th graders stated ask. Further, ask how the program lead- that their parents have talked to them ers enforce the policies it lists for both about the dangers of alcohol, tobacco youth and adults participating in what- and other drugs including prescription ever capacity. drugs. Interestingly, while 94% of 6th Start by asking “Under what graders have never tried marijuana in umbrella the activity is sponsored?” Is it their lifetime, over 56% of 11th graders a school sanctioned event? Is it a com- have and they report it is very easy to munity volunteer program? Does it fall get it. On the other hand, 97% of 6th under OSAA (Oregon Student Athletic graders say their parents would feel it is Association) rules? Depending on the wrong or very wrong to smoke marijua- sponsorship of the activity, the rules, policies and procedures in which the staff and volunteers follow are differ- ent. The Vernonia School District has all of their policies on line at http:// policy.osba.org/vernonia/. If the pro- gram is not sponsored by the school, ask for the programs policies and pro- cedures. Asking a simple question such as, “How does a program recruit their volunteers?” or “Does the program re- quire background checks?” should be a routine questions all parents ask. While these are hard questions, they should be answered without reproach. Coaches, leaders, volunteer staff should be ex- and other activities outside of class. (Or- egon Healthy Kids Survey, 2012) pected to answer these easily. Let’s make it clear, we all want what is best for our children: schools, sports, community, etc. How do we as parent help ensure that? A way of being proactive, especially if you can’t be with your child, is to understanding the power of asking questions. Asking questions help agencies hold themselves account- able as well as holding parents account- able for their children. Educating our- selves on basic policies and procedures is a good place to start. Go ahead. Ask. It is what parents do best. Some on-line resources are www.the- antidrug.com and http://www.drugfree. org/Parent/. Both provide up-to-date information and services to help parents positively. If you need more information, contact, DeAnna Pearl, Vernonia Prevention Co- alition, @ DeAnna@vernonia-or.gov or (503) 369-7370. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK (8255) suicidepreventionlifeline.org Are you feeling desperate, alone or hopeless? Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline a free, 24-hour hotline available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. Your call will be routed to the nearest crisis center to you. Veterans Suicide Prevention Hotline 1-800-273-TALK (8255) Press 1
