Pubdate: Mon, 06 Nov 2006
Source: Tribune Review (Pittsburgh, PA)
Copyright: 2006 Tribune-Review Publishing Co.
Contact:  http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/tribune-review/trib/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/460
Author: Chris Foreman

PROGRAM TRAINS KIDS TO STAY DRUG-FREE

Janine Pacelli doesn't want teenagers to view her as  another Mr. 
Mackey, the little-respected "South Park"  counselor who repeats a 
"drugs are bad" mantra without  thoroughly explaining the consequences.

But she's not seeking to use scare tactics, either, to  persuade 
teens to ponder the dangers of drug use,  underage drinking and smoking.

As a treatment specialist for the Fayette County Drug  and Alcohol 
Commission, Pacelli says she's confronted  by teens growing up in 
communities where a prevailing  feeling exists that alcohol, tobacco 
and marijuana use  is an accepted way of fitting in.

In organizing a new monthly prevention program,  Pacelli, 27, strives 
to connect with teens who might be  unwilling to talk with their 
parents about the peer  pressure and other influences that could lead 
to  substance abuse.

"There's no real support system out there for  adolescents who are 
looking for help," Pacelli said

This season, the commission unveiled the Underage  Curriculum for 
Adolescent Needs, a free, five-evening  program to train kids how to 
live a substance-free  lifestyle.

The prevention program was spawned from similar  programs the 
commission managed that weren't regularly  scheduled. The second 
small-group program of the fall  concluded Sunday night.

The goal is to have a group of between eight and 10  children that 
meet every month.

Referrals come from magistrates, school officials,  physicians or 
parents who have identified a child as an  underage drinker or drug 
user or believe the child may  be at risk to use. The program is for 
people 21 and  younger.

Unlike most of the referrals, a student can't avoid the  program if a 
district judge makes the recommendation.

Some judges, including Robert W. Breakiron, of Bullskin  Township, 
might use the program as a substitute for the  $300 fine a student 
would face upon pleading guilty to  an underage drinking citation.

"It puts a little salt in their oats, so to speak, to  get them to 
go," Breakiron said. "It's an awareness  program, and I think these 
young people need to be  aware of the problems that drinking and drugs cause."

"It could save a life down the road, too," he said.

Although Underage Curriculum for Adolescent Needs isn't  designed as 
an inpatient program, the commission  performs a complete psychiatric 
assessment and studies  a client's medical history to determine if 
there are  any greater needs.

During the five evenings, Pacelli describes the effects  that drugs 
and alcohol have on the body, relates the  family issues that can 
arise from substance abuse and  explores the link between substance 
abuse and sexual  activity.

The fourth day is a family session in which a relative  attends and 
participates.

"My goal is to enlighten them and their families that  it could be a 
problem," Pacelli said. "Maybe it's not  now, but it could be, and 
you're taking a risk."

As an offshoot of the prevention program, the  commission's 
prevention specialists are getting into  Fayette County's elementary 
schools to talk with  younger students.

"Our teachers are really excited that people are coming  in with the 
resources and the know-how," said Ed  Zelich, principal of Hatfield 
Elementary School in the  Laurel Highlands School District.

The commission hopes its prevention programs help  children with 
their daily choices, said Joseph  Augustine, of the prevention unit.

"It's something that you should want to take advantage  of," he said. 
"The help is here, you just have to be  willing to take the next step."
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MAP posted-by: Elaine