Pubdate: Tue, 06 Sep 2005
Source: Pacific Daily News (US GU)
Copyright: 2005 Pacific Daily News
Contact: http://www.guampdn.com/customerservice/contactus.html
Website: http://www.guampdn.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1122
Author: Tammy Anderson
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

CONFERENCE AGAINST DRUGS

When Carla San Nicolas learned that fourth-graders use marijuana, she
said her jaw "almost dropped to the floor."

The 37-year-old Chalan Pago resident and mother of five attended
workshops at the Ninth Annual Too Cool to do Drugs "Breakin' in da
Truth" conference yesterday at the Guam Hilton Resort & Spa in Tumon.
The event was coordinated by Sanctuary Inc. and the Pacific Daily
News' "Cool Just as I Am" community outreach program.

San Nicolas and other participants learned a variety of things -- from
surprising drug facts and statistics to ways to deal with peer pressure.

"It is scary to know that anywhere they go, someone can offer them
drugs," she said, clutching her bag full of pamphlets from the event's
workshops and display tables.

But after participating in yesterday's event, she is among a group of
parents who can say they are more aware of the pressures and problems
Guam's youth are facing today.

San Nicolas said three of her daughters, who often attend Sanctuary
events, encouraged her to quit smoking and to get involved in parent
and youth anti-drug programs such as yesterday's conference.

"They said, 'Mom, Dad, please come. We want you to be there,'" San
Nicolas said, laughing, but she admitted that without her daughters'
persistence, she probably would not have attended.

More than 100 youth and 50 adults enjoyed their Labor Day in the
ballrooms dancing and keeping organizers and workshop leaders on their
toes.

Dawn Cruz, a substance abuse prevention specialist with Sanctuary,
said she was happy with the turnout and the positive feedback from
participants.

Some of the sessions were "Express yourself," "Talking to your kids
about their issues," and " Too cool to be pressured."

"Every year (the conference) is different," Cruz said, smiling, as
groups of youth scrambled around the room finding their seats for lunch.

Sitting together during the lunch break, Welen Albert, 37, and his two
children said that as a family, they never bring up the topic of
substance abuse. But attending the conference yesterday brought the
once-taboo topic to the forefront.

Albert said he began attending anger management and parenting skills
classes at Sanctuary 10 weeks ago. He said his drinking and smoking
habits have since changed, and his new focus on life is the main
reason he brought his adolescent children to the conference.

"This conference opens it up," he said. "If (Sanctuary) can provide
this more often, more people will know about it and more people will
come. Maybe it will stop them from using drugs." 
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