Ask The Expert: Lynda Zott, BSW, CPC-M
Q: A friend of my son is in trouble with the law over drug use and has been sent to a youth diversion program in our community. What is this program?
A: Youth Assistance Services (YAS) offered by CARE (Community Assessment Referral and Education) has served the families in Grosse Pointe and Harper Woods since 1991. The Youth Assistance Program for males and females ages 9 to 16 years and the Young Adult Diversion Program for males and females ages 17 to 20 years acts as a diversion to help prevent juvenile delinquency and is designed to address status offenses such as curfew violations, retail fraud, minor in possession of alcohol or other drugs, destruction of property, etc. It offers those who have committed first time offenses an alternative to the Wayne County Juvenile Court.
Local police departments, families and courts refer young people to this program. Services are voluntary and confidential. There is a fee. Components of the programs include work service, mentoring, adolescent group interaction and parenting workshops. A comprehensive psychosocial assessment can be completed and referrals made to counselors and other local programs. There are stringent requirements before a client can be successfully discharged from the program. CARE is continually evaluating and enhancing present and future programs to better service the need of the Grosse Pointe and Harper Woods communities.
Q: What kinds of drug problems are you seeing in the young people who are referred to you?
A. When I ask teens to name the biggest problem facing young people today, drug use leads the list. Consistently, drug use is identified as being among the top problems confronting the nation's schools and communities. Many adults don't recognize the degree to which our own children, schools, and communities are at risk. One can easily see the correlation between concerns such as; school failure, pregnancy, violence, neglect, sexual abuse, depression, family and cultural issues, and suicidal ideations or completions.
According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, nearly 1 in 10 high school seniors admit to abusing powerful prescription painkillers. A shocking 40 percent of teens and an almost equal number of their parents think abusing prescription painkillers is safer than abusing "street" drugs. The National Institute of Drug Abuse Research Report classifies several medications that are commonly abused.
The most common medications are
1. opioids which are usually prescribed to treat pain,
2. central nervous system depressants used to treat anxiety and sleep disorders, and
3. stimulants which are used to treat sleep disorders and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.
The increasing purity of heroin makes snorting/inhaling a realistic alternative to injecting and may be contributing to reported increases in hospital emergency department visits. Also, the street value of heroin is significantly lower than the unlawful sale of prescription drugs.
CARE's programs are prevention oriented. With our diversion programs, teens have a much better chance of successfully completing their high school years and developing into strong, independent and healthy adults.
Lynda M. Zott is the Student Assistance Coordinator for CARE (Community Assessment Referral & Education) with a local office located at 21012 Mack Avenue in Grosse Ponte Woods. Lynda can be reached at 313-332-0972 or 586-218-5271 or lzott@careofmacomb.com.
SAVE THE DATE
Are Your Kids at Risk? Unexpected Dangers
Tuesday May 11, 2010 (7pm)
Presenters: Mark Menestrina MD, Gary Wilson and Randall Cain, Attorneys at Law and Lynda Zott, CARE Youth Assistance Program
St. Michael's Episcopal Church (20475 Sunningdale Park, Grosse Pointe Woods, next to Parcells School)
No fee. RSVP by May 4 at 313.432.3832
More info about the event...
The Family Center, a 501(c) 3, non-profit organization, serves as the community's centralized hub for information, resources and referral for families and professionals. To view more Ask The Experts articles, please visit our website www.familycenterweb.org.
Please email your questions to info@familycenterweb.org.
To volunteer or contribute, visit familycenterweb.org or call 313.432.3832.
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