News Release
For Immediate Release:
Contact Person: Diane Lee, Public Information Officer, 301-334-7730
‘Test drive' workshop designed to
reduce risk of teenage alcohol and drug use
In a workshop series called Guiding Good Choices® parents will learn how to strengthen family bonds and reduce the risk that their children will use alcohol or drugs. The five-session program is being offered by the Garrett County Health Department on Mondays beginning June 9 and running through July 7, 2008. Participants will meet in the health department conference rooms in Oakland. Each session will begin with a complementary family dinner at 5:30, followed by workshops for parents and activities for youth 3 through 14 years. Participants are welcome to ‘test drive' the first session without commitment to continue the series of workshops.
Guiding Good Choices is an interactive program for anyone raising children ages nine through 14 years. In a lively and open atmosphere, parents and guardians will learn specific strategies to help their children avoid drug use and other adolescent problem behaviors, and grow to become healthy adults. Parents will learn to set clear family guidelines on drugs, as well as learn and practice skills to strengthen family bonds, help their children develop healthy behaviors, and increase children's involvement in the family.
“Children are particularly at risk during transition periods in their lives, making this a great workshop for anyone raising a child who will be entering middle school in the fall,” shared Kendra Todd, Director of Health Education. In the 2004 Maryland Adolescent Survey conducted by the Maryland State Department of Education, 14.6% of 6 th grade students in Garrett County responded ‘yes' when asked if they had ever used any form of alcohol. Eight percent reported having used any drug other than alcohol or tobacco. Alarmingly, eighth grade student statistics for the same categories are more than double.
Studies of Guiding Good Choices have shown that the program is effective in strengthening parent-child bonds and preventing children and teenagers from starting to use alcohol and other drugs both now and in the future. Research has shown that when children are bonded to their parents, school and non-drug-using peers, they are less likely to get involved in drug use or other behavior problems.
The workshop series is sponsored by the Maryland Children's Cabinet and by the Garrett County Partnership for Children and Families / Local Management Board, Inc. There is no cost to attend the series of workshops. Parents completing the program will receive a framed family portrait in celebration of their commitment to family. Participant space in the workshop is limited and pre-registration is required. Please call Venessa Stacy at 301-334-7730 or 301-895-3111 for more information and to register.