While most San Clemente youth make the choice to not use alcohol or illegal substances, there is problematic substance use among youth and adults in San Clemente. Of course, the substance abuse epidemic is not unique to San Clemente but we should all be aware that our community is not immune.
Families and community members can be a part of the solution. There are several important steps we can all take in our homes to prevent unhealthy activities:
Lock up your meds: Prescription and over the counter drug abuse is the now the No. 1 killer of youth ages 16-24 in Orange County. More than 3 in 5 teens say prescription pain relievers are easy to get from a parents, grandparents, friends or relatives’ medicine cabinet.
So, even if you do not have children in your home, this is an extremely important issue for our community’s safety.
The most commonly abused medications are Oxycontin, Vicodin, Xanax, Valium, Fentanyl, Opana, Concerta, Adderall, Ritalin, Prozac and cough or cold medications. Any medication can be dangerous if used incorrectly.
Please also dispose of medications safely: Medications should never be flushed down a toilet or thrown away. There is a drug disposal box at San Clemente Police Services, 100 Avenida Presidio. It’s available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. No appointment needed, no questions asked.
Keep an open and honest dialogue about substance abuse in your home: Children in the fourth grade have heard about drug use and I have known teens who started smoking marijuana and drinking as young as 8 years old.
Parents should be reinforcing the positive messages children are getting from school, sports, activities and the media. Children and youth want guidance and clear rules from their parents.
Parent’s actions send messages to children—children notice what you say and do. When you use a designated driver kids get a clear message that you value safety and responsibility.
As your child gets older, dispel wrong beliefs such as, “everybody drinks” and “marijuana is medicine, so it is safe.” Learn the facts about the harmful effects of drugs so you are ready for any argument your teen throws your way.
Talk to your child about being safe and give them many ways to say no: “I can’t—my parents drug test me.” “No, I want to be healthy for my sports team (dance, orchestra, surfing).”
One of the best tools is the voluntary random drug-screening program at San Clemente High School.
These forms can be found in the high school registration packet that you or your student will be picking up this week. By agreeing to be part of this program, your teen can use his participation as a reason when faced with a difficult decision. Several times a year California Youth Services randomly chooses students whose parents have agreed to the service to screen for alcohol and illegal drugs.
The results of these screens are sent to the parent listed on the permission form and the school does not know who tested positive. All families are strongly urged to participate in this program as a prevention tool.
Susan Parmelee is a social worker who works during the week at San Clemente High School in the Wellness & Prevention Center and at Western Youth Services.