The Mail-Journal, Volume 20, Number 47, Milford, Kosciusko County, 7 December 1983 — Page 12

12

THE MAIL-JOURNAL — Wed., December 7,1983

School news

K I y a** v ■' :sj:r^ . • . z < flt v y v W -( - W - a '"" NUMBER ONE DRUG — Alcohol abuse is the biggest drug problem facing this country. David Robinson, a psychologist who works with the Lakeland School Corporation, has been involved with alcohol education programs for the past two decades. In this issue of The M-J, he offers his thoughts on some of the causes of alcohol abuse and what can be done to combat it.

Alcohol is biggest drug problem

By TOM CHARLES Staff Writer Drug abuse is a fact of life for Americans of all ages. The drugs range from heroin and cocaine to a variety of prescription drugs. But none poses a bigger problem to our society than alcohol. “Alcohol is by far our biggest drug problem in the world,” said David Robinson, a psychologist who works with the Lakeland Community School Corporation. “It is hard to imagine how you can compare the problems of alcohol with the problems of all other drugs virtually put together — mainly due to the availability of alcohol.” Robinson has been involved in the area of drug education programs for the past 30 years. He began to read, write and lecture on the subject of drug abuse during his tenure as dean at Emory University in Atlanta, Ga. During his time at Emory, and later at the University of Wisconsin, Robinson lectured to a large number of audiences concerning the effects of the five major categories of drugs — amphetamines, barbituates, opiates, psychodelics and alcohol. “In the sixties, my interest was primarily in lecturing to parents," he noted. “I talked heavily to the adult generation to let them realize what was being experienced in the so-called ‘youth culture’ of the time. So frequently, developing young adults have more answers than questions — they are not always a receptive audience.” Robinson's approach to alcohol education is to deliver facts, not lengthy discourses on the values or evils of alcohol. The decision to drink is personal. It is the educator’s job to provide the information with which a person can make an intelligent choice. “The consumption of alcohol is part of our culture,” he said. “I want the human being to have the greatest number of facts about the affect of alcohol on the body and the psychological patterning of the person. Given facts, I have to presume that the person will make a more discerning judgement about his involvement.”

’ 4 '*' * jflßk B* \.JMBL^JfR^T**aK * i * *T| -, <t "jfe ?< . ---jS * ~ — ’sW B - ■•"♦ rv < i/\’ * * at x rB - ; ft-'Xr |Sj fe *gi t|S| 1 4b WEBELOS AWARD — Members of the Syracuse Cub Scout Pack. Webelos, received awards at the November 21 meeting. In addition to Scout awards Ben Stewart, Adam Steele, Michael Walton, Shawn Hacker and Bobby Livermore received awards for top sales in the recent popcorn sale. Shown above are Webelos who received awards and their leaders. Kneeling in front are Andy Young, craftsman: Brian Taylor, craftsman and summertime award; and Andy Dunithan, one gold arrow, bear, craftsman and summertime award. Standing in the second row are Jesse Deaton, craftsman, summertime award; Michael Prescott, craftsman: Roy Messer, Jr., summertime, craftsman and two silver arrows; Ben Stewart, craftsman: and Kevin Leedy, summertime and craftsman. Standing in back are Jeremy Doerr, craftsman; Richard Taylor. Den leader: Bobby Livermore, most useful genius kit, summertime, sportsman and engineer awards; and John Livermore, Den leader. Not pictured Is Zach Waterson. craftsman award.

Perhaps the most important set of facts have to do with the way in which alcohol affects the body and the life of the person who consumes it. “Alcohol affects every part of your body and every part of your life," said Robinson. “There is no way to get around that.” However, despite the abundance of studies on the harmful effects of alcohol, people continue to drink. The reasons are varied and stretch for broad societal factors to the influence of family and friends. Aside from the obvious factors which contribute to its abuse — namely that it is an escape and it is readily available — alcohol consumption is related to the existence of nuclear weapons, according to Robinson. “1 have to give creedance to the nuclear issue,” said Robinson in his discussion of the causes of alcohol abuse. “The nuclear devise gives us a new orientation. It is catastrophe. There are no ‘days ahead’ after a nuclear bomb. It has given us a sense of the futility of the future." This sense of futility, Robinson explained, has led to an attitude of “cynical hedonism.” “People say, ‘Alcohol? Who cares if I drink? I won't live till I’m 50 anyway',” said Robinson. “It is a ‘live it up now’ sort of attitude.” The home environment is also an important element in the formation of drinking behavior. Research has identified some factors which have a direct bearing on the way one uses alcohol. “Homes where alcohol is not tolerated and there are long, profound pontifications by the mother and father about the evils of demon rum, produce just as many problem drinkers as the home of the alcoholic,” noted Robinson. . A stable home environment is the most important preventative in alcoholism. Homes in which there are stable and respected roles for all family members turn out few alcoholics. When these roles are combined with limited contact with alcohol and an intolerance for drunkenness the number of alcoholics is very small.

The family can also be a strong source of support and help for a child who may become involved in drugs. However, in order for this to happen parents must understand the signs of drug abuse and must be willing to intervene in their child’s life. “There are definite indentifiable behaviors that people go through as they become heavily involved with drugs — one of which is alcohol,” said Robinson. The most common of these behaviors are unexplained rebellion, suspicion, paranoia and withdrawal. “The key word here is unexplained.’ All teenagers are rebellious at some point. When it cannot be explained rationally it should send out a vibration that the parents should catch and say Let’s look a little further at this,”’ Robinson said. This means that parents must be willing to be active in the raising of their children. Robinson believes that this is not always done in today’s environment where parents can mistake knowledge for maturity. “If the adult generation has goofed at all in the raising of children, it is because they have confused sophistication with maturity,” he said, adding that today’s children still need “love and support and the beautiful word ‘no.’” Currently there is no formal alcohol education conducted in the Lakeland Schools. Robinson commented that the health teachers and guidance counselors do a good job of informing students on the issue. “The parents and adult leadership don’t seem to want an alcohol education program,” he noted. “Until a person says ‘1 want education' there is nothing you can do to give it to them.” “The bottom line is education,” he concluded. “That is the only salvation I can anticipate. If (the problem of alcohol abuse) can be solved, it can only be done through education. So, we must try to create the best possible environment in which one would be interested and willing to learn.”

Guide to hospital careers distributed to local schools

Consumer expectations and demands on hospitals have opened up a wide variety of new career opportunities for young people, and health care professionals are hoping a new book recently released by the Indiana Hospital Association will help bring local hospitals, like Kosciusko Community Hospital in Warsaw, and schools systems together in promoting health care careers. “A Guide to 200 Hospital Careers” has been distributed to hospitals and junior, middle and senior high schools throughout the state, providing counselors and hospitals detailed information on health care careers — in-. formation they can pass on to students in the Kosciusko County area. Working as an advisor on technical advice and coordination on the book was Beverly Ann Thallemer, APS, personnel director at Kosciusko Community Hospital. The book contains many insights into health careers that may come as a surprise to many students. For example, employment is offered in Indiana hospitals as a communications specialist — in marketing, public relations, or health education.

▼- 'V «-. M y" g f 1 RECEIVE AWARDS — Brad Koser and Todd Martz received the Cub Scout Summertime Award at the Syracuse Cub Scout Pack meeting and awards night on Monday, Nov. 21. Both Koser and Martz are members of Den One. Also receiving the summertime award, but not pictured, are Chris Crow and Craig Martindale. . t ’ A ■• , ■ 1 < . ,' ■ -:• fc 3k a ■V \ • — x ' / Ju-- ■ ’ \ t™ A A Z 1 g g g g DEN FOUR AWARDS - Those members in Syracuse Cub Scout Pack, Den Four, receiving awards at the Cub Scout Pack meeting on Monday, Nov. 21, are shown above with their den leader. Shown in front are Joel C. Wahl, Bobcat award; and Adam Steele, Bobcat awards and most imaginative genius kit. Standing in back is Chris Osburn, den leader. Not shown are Carter Yager, Chris Barrentine, and Aaron Tatman. all receiving the Bobcat award. Syracuse And Milford! We Went To Be Your Travel Agent Call Us At 457-5818 .m* MENNO TRAVEL SERVICE OF INDIANA I ' 310 S. MAIN . ‘ GOSHEN

Other career possibilities include computers — systems analyst or programmer, accounting, purchasing or payroll, dietician, personnel director, medical secretary or housekeeper. Traditional health career choices include opportunities as a physical therapist, medical lab technician, nurse and physician, biomedical engineer, radiologic technologist, or medical records clerk. In addition to information on hospital career opportunities, the book contains tips on financial aid, and a reference list. Area schools which have been sent copies of the careers book include Tippecanoe Valley High School, Milford Junior High School. Syracuse Junior High School, Wawasee High School, .North Webster Junior High School, Lakeland Christian Academy. Warsaw Freshman High School, Warsaw Middle School, Warsaw High School, Manchester Junior High School and Manchester High School. The personnel department at Kosciusko Community Hospital also has a copy of the book available for review by students considering careers in health related fields.

I fl M fl. ■u Ak mM ** r--DEN TWO AW ARD RECIPIENTS - Members of the Syracuse Cub Scout Pack received awards on Monday evening. Nov. 21, at the pack meeting. Shown above are members of Den Two who received awards, and their leader. In front are Frank Hoover, summertime award and one silver arrow point: Dustin Stahley, Bobcat award: David Killian, most unusual genius kit: and Shawn Hacker. Bobcat award. Standing in back is Den leader Paul Hacker. Not present for the photo was Chad Carty. DEN THREE AWARDS - Members of the Syracuse Cub Scout Pack. Den Three, received awards at the Cub Scout Pack meeting. November 21. The Den received the Honor Den Award for the month. Those individuals who received awards are shown above. Cub Scouts shown are Tim McFarren, Bobcat award and best model genius kit: Ron Church. Jr.. Bobcat award: Jason Patton. Bobcat award; and Michael Walton. Bobcat award. Standing in back is Deborah Lovellette. Den leader. Not shown is Michael Keim. Bobcat award, best workmanship genius kit.

MJHS music groups set concert Band, choir and orchestra members from Milford Junior High School will combine their efforts for “The Two Sides of Christmas” program scheduled for Monday, Dec. 12, at 7 p.m. in the school gymnasium. Both secular and sacred selections will be presented by all groups with Lisa Kaiser and Mark Ray presenting sacred readings between selections. Audience participation will also be part of the program, noted R. David Sand, band and choir director. Jeff Hatfield will direct the orchestra and Donna Pollen will be piano accompanist. All parents and interested community residents are invited to attend the program.

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