By Shauna Scott Rhone
The Cincinnati Enquirer

When it comes to drug, alcohol and tobacco use, today's teenagers must decide between two popular slogans: "Just say no" and "Just do it."

ABOUT THIS SERIES

What do teens say about issues many parents may be reluctant to talk to them about? Today is the second in a series on what teens think parents should know about sex, drugs, self-esteem, violence and stress: • Monday: SEX

Their confusion is reflected in countless news stories and studies: Alcohol is a contributing factor in up to half of all traffic accidents involving teens.

A recent survey by the Coalition for a Drug-Free Greater Cincinnati shows drug use among teens declining. Cigarette smoking declined 28 percent, drinking declined 24 percent and marijuana use fell 13 percent among 7-12th-graders who participated in the survey. However, the average age for first exposure to drugs is now 12 and the survey reports a slight increase, from 2 to 3 percent, of area teens who have used the drug called ecstasy.

"I don't think our parents really realize what has become the norm for us," says Gretchen Bloomstrom, 16, of Montgomery, "as far as other people in school and what's going on, what people do. Because I don't think that was normal for (parents) when they were growing up."

SIGNS OF DRUG USE

Does your child seem to be changing? Is she or he: • More irritable? •Less affectionate? • Secretive? • Unpredictable? • Depressed? • Uncooperative? • Apathetic? • Withdrawn? • Oversensitive?   Many of these traits are typical of teenagers. But if you are able to say yes to three or more of these behaviors, it may be time talk to a counselor at your school or community.   Source: PRIDE survey

Ms. Bloomstrom, among a group of students who agreed to talk to the Enquirer for this series, gives the example of studies showing the average age of youngsters when they take their first alcoholic drink.

"Obviously, it's a lot different than it used to be," she says. "It used to be upper high school age. Now our generation is already finished with the first step in sixth grade, and we're moving on to (more) by the time we're in junior high and high school."

Underage involvement with alcohol, smoking and other drugs is not a surprise for the students involved with the Northeast Community Challenge's Youth Coalition (NECC). Ms. Bloomstrom and other students from Sycamore and Moeller high schools and Cincinnati Hills Christian and Ursuline academies participate in the coalition's programs of peer education on drug abuse.

Their experiences as NECC ambassadors have made them keenly aware of how drugs pervade youth culture.

"Yeah, I think we all do know someone who uses drugs," says Sycamore student Chase Jones, 17, of Symmes Township.

"It's harder to know people who don't," agrees 18-year-old Stacy Tolos of Montgomery.

Drugs easy to get

"And they're so easy to get," says Nate Kennedy, 15, of Montgomery. Availability is just huge."

"I would say," says Brittany Bagent, 17, of Symmes Township, "there's probably two or three parties or, like, big groups of people who do use drugs in a weekend who are really, really involved, and they get wasted. You hear on Monday, so many stories about everyone getting drunk, everyone getting wasted. It's such a huge problem.

I mean, I don't think parents realize how much gets used, how many kids get alcohol poisoning. There are such problems with it."

"We're not even surprised when we hear those stories," says Ms. Tolos. "We're like, it's another weekend."

"It's more impressive to hear about people who have never drank or never used pot," says Ms. Bloomstrom. "It's more surprising to hear about people who don't."

"And the thing is," says Ms. Tolos, "it's happening in the homes of parents who don't think their kids use it at all. It's going on in these communities.

"There are kids who have great parents, who are there for them, but they don't know how to address the problem. They don't really deal with them as children. They just expect them not to do it, but they don't really know what's going on. I mean, all these parties happen at the home."

Even if parents have suspicions about what goes on at parties, they may be hesitant to challenge the trust they've put in their teens.

"I think some parents know what's going on," says Ms. Bloomstrom, "but they don't know how to deal with the issues. I think that with more education and with more support on how to do it, and how to really support teenagers, I think it will be really beneficial for the community."

"I don't think a lot of parents know how to approach the subject," says Sacha Appatova, 15, of Blue Ash. "You don't want to come to your kids and say, don't do drugs, but at the same time, I don't think they realize how big of an issue it is."

It is a big issue, says Dr. Russ Radenhausen, director of Substance Abuse Services at NorthKey community care in Covington.

"Moms used to be home all day," says Dr. Radenhausen. "Now that both parents work, nobody's at home when the kids are there. Parents have to deal with that. If there's nobody watching them, it's easier for kids to use alcohol and drugs. It doesn't mean they won't do it if their parents are home. They're just more apt to do less of it. Parents need to be aware of what they're doing."

He says parents also have to be aware that all children watch what their parents do. If they see parents resolving stress issues (by) mixing social events with drugs, cigarettes or alcohol, they'll want to emulate those same actions.

"Some parents who aren't going to fool around with drugs, their kids won't do it either. If they use alcohol and drugs, they feel they've lost control and the authority to tell their kids not to do it.

"Parents have the most powerful influence on their kid's lives," says Dr. Radenhausen. "If they don't have that communication with their children, they're missing the most important thing in their lives. Teachers are only around for a year; parents are with them always. Parents have to teach their kids that making the right choices will be a pain in the butt, but it's the right thing to do."

He also cautions parents to be aware of risk factors that might run in the family.

"They know people in their own family who have abused alcohol or drugs. Chances are their kids are at high risk because of it. That means they should do a couple of things: Watch what their kids do. If they say, `I want to go to Bobby's house,' ask yourself if you know who his parents are. If not, they shouldn't let them go to a house where they don't know the adults. Teens need to know they're being supervised where they go. Say, `let's go talk to their parents and you can go visit Bobby next time.' "

Watch for signs

He also suggests parents watch for emotional and physical changes.

Teens who are abusing drugs, he says, might suddenly stop completing school assignments, become more disagreeable or get caught in lies. They may withdraw from friends or start running with an unknown crowd. They may have problems with short-term memory.

Physical changes include slurred speech, bloodshot eyes, dilated pupils and weight loss.

If parents observe any of these signs, "the sirens should go off," Dr. Radenhausen says.

"Sometimes drugs are the cause. Let it be a warning sign to get more involved in your teen's life. When teens know they have their parents' support, it becomes easier for them when they have to decide whether to stay drug-free."

Wednesday's topic: Self-esteem

E-mail srhone@enquirer.com