Matawan and Aberdeen Parents Unite for Drug & Alcohol Awareness

High school is a challenging time for teenagers, and perhaps an even more challenging time for parents.

Parents must find a balance between allowing teens explore their individual identities and protecting them from harmful or life changing mistakes.

About 20% of eighth graders report having consumed alcohol within the last thirty days compared to 35% of tenth graders and 50% of twelfth graders, according to statistics from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.

If it is so common, a parent may feel that if they take all the car keys and allow teens to drink on their property they are ensuring a safe environment.

But what are the health risks? What happens if a teen gets alcohol poisoning? If a teen calls 911 for another teen, will they get in trouble? What happens if a teen walks to a convenience store after the adults have gone to sleep and is struck by a car? What are the legal consequences and financial risks of teens drinking on your property? How can you talk to teens about drugs and alcohol and get them to listen?

The Matawan Aberdeen Regional School district hopes to help answer some of these questions with an informal panel discussion on Tuesday, May 15 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Media Center at .

The presenters will be:

• Steve Lazar, YMCA Director of Outpatient Services
  Lazar will discuss the current trends, signs and symptoms of alcohol and drug use in adolescents. He will also discuss what actions to take if your child is using.
• Aberdeen and Matawan Police Departments
  The police departments will discuss 911 Life Legislation, what is happening around town - parties, drugs, alcohol - and the legal consequences of use for children and their parents.
• Matawan Parent - "It Takes a Village"
  Parents Unite: Parenting tips, family protective factors and ways in which parents can stand together as a united front.
• Marie Caprio-Hitchman, Student Assistance Coordinator
  Caprio-Hitchman will discuss the summer of change and experimentation for upcoming freshman. She will also discuss school and community resources, drug testing and issues of confidentiality.

All parents of eighth through twelfth grade students are invited to attend.