North County : Teens, Parents to Talk at Anti-Drug Program

In 1940, talking in class, chewing gum and running in the halls were among the top discipline problems in public schools. In 1982, drug abuse, pregnancy and vandalism were some of the substitutes to the 1940 list, according to Communities Against Substance Abuse.

On Tuesday, the group will sponsor a program featuring recovering teens who will talk about their drug use and parents who will speak on how their children’s drug use affected their families.

“Drug and Alcohol Use Among Our Youth--a Family Affair” will run from 7 to 9 p.m. at Parks Junior High School in Fullerton and is open to all parents, teachers, community members and high school students.

According to a study conducted by the University of Michigan, which surveyed 16,000 high school seniors, cocaine use is increasing and is now the third most frequently used drug. It has been tried by 17% of the seniors surveyed.

More than half of the teen-agers tried marijuana at least once, and 61% have tried an illicit drug at some time in their lives, according to the study. Five percent of the students are daily drinkers, and 20% are daily smokers, the study revealed.