Pubdate: Wed, 15 Mar 2006
Source: Idaho Mountain Express (ID)
Copyright: 2006 Express Publishing, Inc
Contact:  http://www.mtexpress.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2296
Author: Megan Thomas
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?135 (Drug Education)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/heroin.htm (Heroin)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

DRUG PREVENTION PROGRAM SLATED

Series Of Free Classes Offered For Parents And Teens

A new program will help teenagers and parents to confront
methamphetamine abuse and other problems with drugs in the Wood River
Valley.

"I thought there was a need expressed by the community," said Janene
Heldman, a Hailey-based therapist. She is also the founder and
president of Counseling Works Services, a nonprofit organization that
is actively campaigning against methamphetamine and other drug abuse
through education and support groups.

"The goal is to create a social network of people who will have a
similar attitude of refraining from drugs," Heldman said.

Counseling Works Services will hold a fund-raising event Friday, March
17, to benefit the Drugs and Our Youth: Drug Abuse Prevention Program.
The event aims to raise awareness of drug use in the Wood River Valley
and beyond.

"A lot of it is to expose people to the local issues," Heldman
said.

The presence of methamphetamine, a highly addictive and destructive
stimulant, is a significant issue. Heldman views the issue as a local
and national epidemic.

"My experience with kids has been very informative. There is a
problem," Heldman said.

The proceeds from the fund-raising event support Drugs and Our Youth
educational classes that begin in late-March. The program aims to
educate parents, teen and pre-teens of the risks associated with
recreational drug use, as well as available rehabilitative and
informational resources.

"We need to have these messages come from lots of different
sources--and consistent messages," Heldman said.

A series of five free classes will be offered for parents and teens
twice a week at the Community Campus in Hailey. The classes begin at
6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 28, and 4 p.m. Saturday, April 1. The
five-class series continues Tuesdays and is repeated on Saturdays
throughout the month. The program starts again in July and October.
The series includes a two-hour class for Spanish speakers April 21 at
Wood River High School in Hailey.

A team of professional counselors and educators employ interactive
teaching techniques that cover topics like methamphetamine, heroine,
cocaine, marijuana and prescription drugs. The final classes offer
information specific to parents and teenagers held in separate
sessions. Throughout the classes parents are separated from teens to
encourage participation.

Weekly support groups are available to parents and teens to support a
drug-free social network. Personal mentoring will also be available to
those requesting support.

Contact Heldman at 788-2081 for more information.
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MAP posted-by: Tom