New school year in King George offers new focus on teen drug prevention, mental health

It's official ? the 2016-2017 school year has started in King George County. 'Back-to-school' is always an exciting time, facilitating many new experiences for kids, as well as parents and educators. These can include the transition to middle or high school, new academic goals, extracurricular activities, different social expectations, pressure from peers, and, increasingly, offers to do drug and alcohol. As was reported in February in The Journal Press, drug overdoses are on the rise in King George. A story that is playing out across communities around the country ? this is an issue that warrants much attention and our every consideration. A special Prevention Awareness Night has been scheduled for Thursday, September 15, 2016, from 5:30-8:00 at King George High School. The evening will focus on the mental and physical health of King George youth and residents. Child care and food will be provided. The night will include a keynote speaker from the VA Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental Services, a number of information tables and breakout sessions for children and parents. These will include representatives from: the King George County Sheriff's Office, the Rappahannock Area Office on Youth, the Rappahannock Area Community Services Board, Empower House, the King George Health Department and other community agencies. They will engage families in discussion alongside members of The PACT, a new, one-of-a-kind family focused teen drug prevention program. One of the hands-on sessions being offered is Hands-Only CPR. With CPR more than doubling a person's chance of survival in the wake of a collapse, Hands-Only CPR will show individuals the technique of pushing hard and fast in the center of the chest while beating to the classic disco song, "Stayin' Alive." Representatives from The PACT will discuss their 'real world' prevention tool, ThePACT.com that actively helps teens resist the pressure to do drugs. Designed as an online 'contract' between parents and children (with an important support role for schools, places of worship and other institutions), The PACT offers a four-step Connect + Pledge + Test + Reward process. Program tools involve age-specific conversation guides, role-play videos, and other resources for parents; recurring hair drug testing; and monetary incentives for kids who make positive choices. Recognizing the power of peer pressure, influences from social media and pop culture, difficulties at home and other factors, The PACT gives kids an 'out' and a convincing reason to say "no" to drugs, while allowing them to feel like they still fit in. The PACT facilitates candid and ongoing conversation, factual knowledge and accountability, all enhancing trust within the family. Says Robin Mitchell, Director of School Counseling at King George High School, "Approaching this critical issue from both sides ? family and school ? should yield the most positive, healthy behaviors among our teens. In this instance, we want our kids to understand that they can have fun without resorting to drugs." Adds Diana King, LCSW, a school social worker at King George High School, "What I like about The PACT is the emphasis on upfront, transparent and ongoing communication. Data shows that having regular conversations with children about the dangers of drugs and alcohol can reduce their chances of use by 42%." (The Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse, 2015) Having been founded by a New Orleans businessman and entrepreneur who witnessed firsthand the physical, emotional and financial toll of teen drug use through the experience of a close family friend when a teenager himself, followed by the drug overdose of his daughter's eighth-grade classmate, The PACT is personal. "I didn't want other families to struggle the way I did," says Jim Huger. "I've been using The PACT with my two daughters since eighth-grade, and they're now in college ? flourishing and drug-free." "With its entirely novel approach to conquering the 'epidemic' of teen drug use, our kids, schools and neighborhoods can prosper," adds Mitchell. As a recent national study shows that 47% of middle and high school students report having used illicit drugs (Monitoring the Future, University of Michigan, 2015) ? the issue needs to be addressed head on. Says Mitchell, "We encourage families, youth and community advocates, and concerned citizens of King George to come out for this important prevention awareness evening."For more information about the September 15 event, contact Diana King at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 540/775-3535, #3207 or Robin Mitchell at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or at 540/775-3535, #3206.