2009.10.21
'Be a Prepared Parent' Event held Monday, Oct. 19 at CSMS
The Prevention Council of Roanoke County and Cave Spring Middle and High School PTA's invited parents and students to attend a Panel Discussion about Prevention on Monday, Oct. 19 at 7 p.m. in the auditorium at Cave Spring Middle School.
Parents that attended the event learned how to break down the communication barriers with their children, hot to help children avoid risky behavior, and make healthy choices.
Speakers for the night included, The Honorable Phillip Trompeter, Marian Kelley, Chief Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney for Roanoke County, the Prevention Council of Roanoke County, Officer Dan Walters from Cave Spring Middle Schoo, Caroline Overfelt, e-Learning Coordinator, Student Assistance Program Coordinator's amd Middle and High School youth.
Foodies provided refreshments.
Statistics from the event (Prevention Council said that numbers were relatively equivalent to HVMS and HVHS):
CSMS CSHS
13.8% 20.3% of students report sending intimidating or threatening text messages.
22.1% 28.1% of students receive intimidating or threatening text messages.
29.2% 25.6% of students said their parents would be nervous to learn what they do on the Internet.
21.2% 62.8% of students have tried alcohol.
10.4% 38.0% of students drank alcohol in the past 30 days.
50.9% 26.7% of students have obtained alcohol from home.
46.2% 79.4% of students say alcohol is easy to obtain.
13.8% 16.3% of students have used inhalants to get high.
4.8% 18.8% of students have taken prescription drugs to get high.
9.5% 34.8% have used marijuana one or more times.
8.6% of CSHS students have used cocaine in the past 30 days.
9.5% of CSHS students have ever tried heroine.
The Prevention Council of Roanoke County said that it will take an entire community to change these statistics in Roanoke County and that parents are the first line of defence.
They encouraged parents to engage in their child's life and be role models.
Parents must talk and communication with their children, set rules and expect them to be followed, monitor and know their friends and their friend's parents, maintain rituals like family dinners, incorporate a faith life, know resources in the community and engage the community to keep the environment safe and healthy.
