Substance abuse the topic at daylong meeting

~ The question-and-answer style program covered changes and concerns in the area's youth drug abuse rate.

The topic of the 18th annual Community Caring Conference, held at Glenn Auditorium on the Southeast campus, was alcohol and substance abuse awareness. The daylong conference, attended by 181 people, was presented in a question-and-answer format.

The keynote speaker, Dr. Tim Crowley, a motivational speaker, psychotherapist and consultant, has been involved with drug and alcohol prevention efforts for more than 20 years at the junior high, high school and college levels. He gave two presentations: "What Should You Know?" and "Where Do We Go From Here?"

Other presentations included "Youth With Vision," about how unintentional messages are sent to teens, "Community Response," a presentation of the resources available to help with alcohol and substance abuse and "Painting the Community Picture."

Alcohol, meth and crack

"Painting the Community Picture" panelists included Brenda Butler, a registered nurse at Southeast Missouri Hospital Emergency Services, Brenda Cone and Mike Alford of SEMO Drug Task Force, Randy Rhodes of the Cape Girardeau County Juvenile Office and Jack Koester of the Cape Girardeau County Prosecuting Attorney's Office.

The group identified and analyzed local problems. Alford and Cone reported their concerns. They said there is good news about methamphetamine -- production of the drug in meth labs is down by about 50 percent due to the pseudoephedrine crackdown. Use of the drug, now imported, is still a major concern, as is crack cocaine.

Prescription drug abuse, on the other hand, has exploded. "With legitimate scripts hard to control, these drugs are being highly abused -- and at younger and younger ages," Alford said.

Koester reported a dramatic increase in prosecution of minors in possession of alcohol cases due to a change in the law in 2005. "Prior to 2005, minors had to be in physical possession of alcohol or they couldn't be prosecuted," he said. The volume of MIP cases from 2002 to 2004 was 75 per year. In 2006 that number doubled to 152 cases annually.

Changes in the law have made these cases easier to prosecute. If a minor appears intoxicated and a breathalyzer test shows a blood alcohol content of at least 0.02, the minor can be prosecuted as a minor in possession.

"The odd twist is that it doesn't cover minors who may be under drug influence. Two children, one drinking, another smoking marijuana, can be given the breathalyzer-- the one smoking slips under the radar," Koester said.

Another change in the law includes ramifications to driving privileges when a minor is in possession of alcohol while driving. The law is stiffer when driving. The minor's license can be revoked and the collateral consequences include a significant increase in insurance rates.

The view from the ER

Butler, an emergency room nurse for 23 years, said about 100 to 140 patients are seen daily at Southeast's ER. "About a third to one half of them are affected by alcohol and/or drugs. We treat every patient as if they were under the influence until we know otherwise. It changes how we evaluate every patient. The effects are seen on every socioeconomic level."

Often patients are kept at the hospital because those under the influence can't be properly diagnosed. "We can't get a straight answer from them and we don't have the ability to know they're not hurt. If they've been drinking they feel no pain."

Rhodes, who drug tests every juvenile brought to the holding facility, found that compared to urban areas, the rate of drug or alcohol use is lower here.

Caucasians' use rate is higher than that blacks and girls are more polysubstance abusers than boys. Polysubstance dependence refers to a type of substance dependence disorder in which an individual uses at least three different classes of substances indiscriminately and does not have a favorite drug that qualifies for dependence on its own.

"When we first started testing in 1997, it was done without parental permission. They were given notification of the test but results would only be released if they called me. I expected to do nothing but drug and alcohol assessments as a result, but instead I was surprised that only two parents out of 250 called for the results."

Rhodes, Alford, Cone, Butler and Koester agree that many children who walk through their doors seem to be raising themselves.

Role models needed

Butler said, "It's commonplace for 14-year-olds to be dropped off at the emergency room. They seem to be raising themselves."

Koester said, "In court, when 18- or 19-year-olds are being prosecuted for a significant amount of prison time, it has always struck me when they have no support. No mother, brother, father ... It's sad. It doesn't appear anyone cares."

"What's sad is when you say I'd be doing it too if I were in the same situation. Abused children are treating their own pain," Rhodes said,

The audience wanted to know what the community could do to make a difference.

The SEMO Drug Task Force believed parental accountability and the responsibility of being positive role models was of utmost importance.

"It takes a village, but if parents don't care, the village doesn't care. You've got to know where your children are at all times," Alford said.

Rhodes was in support of early childhood programs like Parents as Teachers and church teen programs that make an impact "before we get them at 12, 14, 15."

Crowley, who came from a family of six brothers and six sisters raised by a single mom, said, "Half of my brothers ended up in prison. Something different happened in my life. My bus driver let me know that I counted. I had men in my community who stood for me and knew that I mattered. And a fifth-grade teacher, too." Crowley explained that as citizens, parents and neighbors, we should never miss an opportunity to mentor to children.

Rhodes also supported drug court and keeping teens in high school and graduating.

Low recidivism

Alford, who didn't always support it, agreed that drug court works. "Some fake it to make it by telling the treatment people all the right things. But those that it helps -- [they] stop us in the post office or mall and thank us. They even give us a hug. That's weird for us."

Cone cited that the recidivism rate is low in drug court. "The rewards are the people that say, 'I wouldn't have been around today if you hadn't arrested me.'"

"Everybody wants a quick fix. We don't want to be depressed or hurt. Everybody wants you to give them a pill to make you feel better," Butler said.

The speakers concluded that there is not one single cause for the problem for alcohol and substance abuse. The community must continue to provide options for prevention, treatment and enforcement of laws.

cpagano@semissourian.com

335-6611, extenson 133