1999 – 2000 Comprehensive Community Assessment
Drugs/Grade School
Youth
Warrick County
Review Team 1a
Transcript Review:
Grade School Youth
In attendance: Katy Kreml, Therese Baronowsky, Karen Barclay (written comments)
Summary of Stories:
Billy & Joey:
Brothers – elementary grades, parents divorced and dad is in jail. Mom remarried and is now divorced from their stepdad, with whom they spend every other weekend. They have a sister who is under age 10. Their mom smokes pot, cigarettes and drinks. Their ex-stepdad smokes pot. They stay with their grandma a lot because mom works. Their grandpa smokes cigarettes and “is gonna die if he doesn’t stop.” They said they can’t say anything to their mom about her drinking and drug use because she’ll get mad. She says “I’ll do what I want.” None of their friends (or friend’s parents) do it – peer pressure – can go both ways. Billy & Joey said their friends wouldn’t like them to smoke or don’t know friends who smoke. Billy had a negative personal experience with smoking – connects with negative ads to “no smoking”. Billy’s role model is Jeff Gordon (Nascar racer) and Joey’s is Michael Jordan (basketball player). Billy thinks adults often make bad choices in their lives because they pick too quickly. He would advise older peers and adults to “use their noodles.”
Mary:
Lives with mom & step dad, 2 sisters – both younger. Her parents divorced when she was very young. She’s never seen her dad and seems to long for a reunion of her birth family, if only for a visit. She sees older kids’ use drugs and alcohol and she “thinks it is stupid.” She likes to play soccer and says her role model is Mia Haam. Her supports seem to be her sport and her peers. Her mom seems to be watchful over her. Says she won’t be allowed to baby-sit until she’s 16 because of fear that something might happen that Mary could not handle.
Kent:
1 adolescent brother – parents divorced. Think kids whose parents drink & smoke are going to do it too! Older kids use – thinks it is stupid like Mary does. Says smoking “stinks.” Says challenge is riding the bus. Junior High kids try to influence younger kids. Bigger kids pick on the younger kids. Thinks schools should be equipped with metal detectors. Would like to spend a day with his parents fishing, but says that would be impossible because they are never home. Thinks his older brother is “not very smart” because he gets D’s and F’s in school and thinks his dad is not very smart because he smokes. Kent says his dad thinks smoking relaxes him, but it actually makes him more nervous.
Sam:
1 older sister . Sam likes to roller blade. Says a biggest challenge is video games – figuring them out. Seemed to possess knowledge of drugs and alcohol such as would be presented in school classroom. Learned that smoking, drinking and using drugs is bad for you.
Jessie:
Moved from out of state, lives with both parents and a sister, age five. Her dad is a professional, tells her about the disadvantages and health risks of smoking. Idolizes Mia Haam and likes to play soccer. Jessie seems to be a pretty normal kid with normal stresses in her life. She doesn’t see much of her dad, though as he works a lot.
Kim:
Lives with mom & dad and younger brother. Kim plays soccer too and her role model is Mia Haam, like Jessie and freaks her out when she sees stuff on the news about kids bringing guns to school and stuff. Says if she could change anything about adults, she would make them listen to kids.
· No big problems apparent – [what happens from elementary to middle school?];
· View older (Jr. Hi) kids as being “stupid” and “using”;
· Half had family members who use tobacco and/or drank;
· Seemed to know drugs, tobacco, alcohol would hurt people – Learning Had Occurred by 3rd grade;
· Peer pressure not as strong for 3,4,5 graders still have same sex peer group not as concerned about being cool, popular;
· Puberty – 6,7,8 graders, dating, sex differences, increased peer pressure to be popular and be cool;
· K-5 – safety (sense of) – One child noted they had the “best principal”;
· 6-8 – safety gone – fear – older kids act stupid.
1999 – 2000 Comprehensive Community Assessment
Drugs/Grade School
Youth
Warrick County
Review Team 1b
Transcript Review:
Grade School Youth
In attendance: Katy Kreml, Karen Barclay, Jack Osborne, Rev. Dr. Yvonne Adkins, Gina Berridge and Tom Stein (written comments), Therese Baronowsky.
Summary of Stories:
Sam:
Oldest of three children. Sam seems to be a pretty together kid. He’s busy with sports and after-school activities. He calls 7th and 8th graders who smoke “stupid” and wishes adults would catch them and stop them from their “stupid behavior.” He said people smoke because they are “stupid” or because they are mad at somebody or want to punish themselves or get over some anger. He said 7th and 8th grade boys talk a lot about smoking and said they want to be cool like Val Kilmer (movie star). He thinks young people drink to get attention and they want people to like them. He has no intentions of drinking or using drugs, but he fears someone might slip him a mickey sometime. He said he doesn’t feel safe at school and links violence with video games and television – thinks they’re a bad influence. His main challenge seems to be his personal fear that something bad is going to happen to him at school. He uses his teachers for support, saying he gets information about drugs and alcohol from them. Home is important in his life, too. He thinks parents should pay more attention to what their kids are in to, and that United Way should talk to adults about drinking and smoking too much.
Tina:
Moved here from a larger city and feels safer here. She said drug use is not as open here as in the larger city. Has two younger brothers, about whom she has fears. She worries that they will be violent or use alcohol or drugs when they get older. Her life is hectic, as she’s very involved in school and sports and music. Her peer group does not use alcohol and drugs. She has a good sense of right and wrong. Her grandfather smokes and has had heart trouble. She is convinced that smoking is bad for the heart and said she would rat on a friend to protect them. She is aware that people smoke and drink because they are upset. She fears being tricked into ingesting a drug and then perhaps dying from it. She relates violence and killing with drugs. She sees school violence issue as very real and has much fear regarding potential at her own school. Her main challenge seems to be fear and excessive activity – her main support seems to be her home. She listens to her family!
Leah:
Middle child with three siblings. She is very fearful of the future and that something bad is going to happen in her school. Her hope for the future is that people won’t use alcohol, tobacco and drugs. Her plan to prevent kids from starting up, is that parents watch their kids closer and talk to them more about not smoking and drinking. She holds her mom in high regard, and relates some stories her mom has shared with her about the dangers of alcohol and tobacco. Her mom has kind of scared her with the stories of death due to drinking and drugging. Leah wants nothing to do with violence, drugs, etc. She’s fearful about her three-year-old sisters’ violent behavior. Her main challenge is fear and her main support seems to be her mother.
· All say they watch very closely other people’s behavior and what other people do;
· Want someone (an adult) to take charge and stop the craziness;
· Want to feel safe;
· Want boundaries;
· Think TV/Video games are negative influence;
· Worry and are frightened of potential violence;
· View junior high school “users” as “stupid”;
· The first group was 5th graders and they seemed to have selected role models from sports;
· The second group was a little younger, and they seemed to look to their families and teachers.
1999 – 2000 Comprehensive Community Assessment
Drugs/Junior High
Students
Warrick County
Review Team 2a
Transcript Review: Junior High Students
In attendance: Alvin Holder, Ms. Lee King, Patti Callaghan, Tanya Hachmeister, Tiffany Corne (written comments), Therese Baronowsky.
Summary of Stories:
Kelly:
Lives with mom & grandma, 2 younger brothers. No father in home. Does her homework, thinks life is boring. Thinks being 12 is “bad”, difficult. Her supports are her older friends who are into high school stuff. She likes roller skating and line skating and would like to be able to do more of it. She likes going to the mall. She doesn’t want to do drugs – she strives to be “perfect in every way”. It is obvious from her description of her life that drugs are available to her, and that peer pressure to use will be inevitable.
Jack:
Just moved here from out of state, lives with mom, has 2 older sisters who live out of state. He’s new in town, moving here after his parents divorced. His mom works full-time and his father lives out of state. He hangs out at library where he does his homework and plays video games after school. He is on his own after school. His mom drinks and he seems knowledgeable about drugs and alcohol noting that Jose Cuervo and vodka are both in his house and he refers to marijuana as a Butterfinger (joint). He talks about his older sister who refused an offer to buy a “butterfinger.” He supports her reaction and says he doesn’t smoke or drink because he doesn’t like it. Might be kind of lonely – talks about his cat and goldfish. Critical element seems to be his adjustment to the recent move to town with his single, working mom. He doesn’t talk about having any friends.
Karen:
Lives with mom & dad, older brother & sister, who picks on her. Role model would be her older sister – (has a job and is smart). Pretty bad to be youngest in family. “Goody-Goody, don’t drink”, her friends - preps – recognized peer pressure to drink and smoke but she’s chosen different peers (who don’t drink and smoke). Thinks there is pressure to be in “gangs” in school – shoe goes home and does homework, watches TV w/cat – she dances. Drug officers check lockers monthly, she felt that gave kids some more support. Defended adult decisions to drink.
Larry:
Lives with mom and step dad and 3 older brothers. Seems to be kind of lonely – but real hip and cool acting. Probably spends lots of time alone – uses humor as a support (carrot top is his role model). Knowledgeable about booze talking about his mom drinking White Russians to relax. He says alcohol is “very available”. Comes across as a leader – could get his hands on about anything he wanted – “every house has a bottle” he says.
Dan:
Lives with mom and step dad and 2 younger siblings. He spends time with his father in a bigger city during the summer in his home “near the projects.” He spends a lot of time on the internet as he is alone at his dad’s from 3 p.m. to 3 a.m. while his dad is at work. Neighborhood is full of drugs and theft. He sees adults who like to drink and has been drunk himself several times. He talks about throwing up in a friend’s car after drinking Jim Beam and Coke. He likes Rum. Made distinction between alcohol & “drugs”, saying alcohol is not nearly as bad because it’s legal. He said you would get in more trouble if you were caught with illegal drugs. Goes to lot of parties – all his friends have big houses – parties when parents go out of town. He thinks it’s cool to drink – but wants to maintain enough control to have fun – be cool. Desires attention but seems to be on his own a lot. He doesn’t appear to be involved in many school-related activities. His supports seem to be his sense of humor and his father.
Seth:
Lives with mom and stepdad, 2 older sisters, 2 older brothers. Has been drunk. His rationale is that “parents are supposed to be our role models – they did it, so we tried it.” Challenges appear to be peer pressure. He says kids will only be offered drugs and alcohol by older peers if they are “trustworthy.” He talks about his older brother’s “aftershock” (a strong liquor) and said his dad has let him try wine. He said he can get all he wants from his brothers and their friends and he talks kind of tough about being connected with gang influences (wanna be?). He really likes to drink Daiquiri mixes with no alcohol, he said. His critical issue seems to be the influence of his older siblings. Says he would like to be a professional football player or a Marine.
Jim:
Lives with mom, stepdad and a younger sister. He likes to drink wine coolers and goes to
lots of parties at people’s houses. He
talked a lot about how kids can fake out parents, by impersonating house
parents on the phone when other kids’ parents call to check up on them at these
“parties.
Jim’s dad lets him drink champagne on New Year’s Eve. Jim said he drinks about once a month. He likes to ride dirt bikes and says there is nothing to do in
the winter. Thinks it would be nice to
have a mall nearby to go to. He seems
to have adequate self esteem, maybe because he’s good at something (dirt
biking.)
Common Issues:
· Peer pressure;
· Availability of alcohol;
· Kids all sound lonely;
· Bored – not enough to do;
· Knowledgeable about drugs and alcohol;
· Not a lot of parental influence;
· Talk more about alcohol than cigarettes/drugs;
· Weren’t involved in sports – not much to do after school;
· No mention of church, God;
· Lack of significant consequences for inappropriate behavior;
· Go to school, but sense of belonging not apparent;
· Don’t seem to have much pride in their school (school spirit).
1999 – 2000 Comprehensive Community Assessment
Drugs/Junior High
Students
Warrick County
Review Team 2b
Transcript
Review: Junior High Students
In attendance: Alvin Holder, Dori Branson, Linda Ringle, Ms. Lee King, Patti Callaghan, Therese Baronowsky.
Summary of Stories:
Lisa:
Eldest of four kids, lives with parents (parents are actually her aunt & uncle), but they are positive role models and her support system. Lisa attends private school. Seemed to have good concept of progression with drugs – from cigarettes to drugs. Her friends’ parents smoked and drank. She an independent thinker and listens to her parents. Other supports are her friends. School she attends is very small, can’t hide much. Adults should listen, try to understand teen’s world today. Kids need adults to talk to, non-judgmental, and strong family structures.
Amy:
Middle child, has an older brother and a younger brother both who live at home. Pressure to smoke/drink. Friends’ parents buy them cigarettes/beer because they want ids to be their friends. (Aware of adults breaking the law.) If parents smoked, they think it’s okay for kids to smoke ---- kids think it looks cool and grown-up to smoke – mimicking adults. High school kids role models are college kids and older adults. Amy thinks alcohol is not as bad as cigarettes – easy to get – from friends, they sneak it from their parents. Smoking makes teeth yellow and stinks; plus, she does not plan to use at 18 (views change from one question to the next). Thinks parents, teachers don’t really care, as long as kids don’t get in trouble. She worries about violence in school from kids who don’t fit in. Problem groups get bigger as age groups advance in school. Very knowledgeable – knows it all – adults don’t really care as long as kids do okay in school. Materialism – more money. Parents not real involved (not necessarily hers) but in general. Role models are older high school kids. They have cars and stuff. There is pressure to have sex, parents need to be more involved with kids. Needs some (adult) to talk to and trust who won’t tell parents. Needs group for discussions about problems, etc.
Sean:
An only child. Has concerns regarding guns/violence. Dad smokes and it has affected his eyesight and taste. Challenge – too much to do. Peer pressure to use alcohol and cigarettes; he knows kids using harder drugs than alcohol and marijuana. Wants adults to understand that what teen’s experience is new to them, concern for unknown. His support is an uncle who’s a mentor (he travels a lot and goes to nice places). Says it’s easy to get alcohol. Challenge – peer pressure.
Julie:
The youngest of three children – 2 older brothers, who live out-of-state. Independent stage of growth, but striving for her own identity. Both her parents smoke. Nobody, but nobody influences Julie but her peers. Considers people who smoke as misfits, and they only smoke to look better, and they might become friends with some people. Pressure to try pot (approached at mall). These people want to fit in. New people who come in find it easier to get in to “using crowd”. Some kids use because they’re told not to!! Teen rebellion. Says it’s fun to get your parents annoyed. Wants to rebel, says lots of kids in school use, but keep it secret. She doesn’t want to be scorned but wants support without the lecture. Supports – her siblings. Challenge – peer pressure. Parents don’t seem real involved.
John:
One brother , lives at home. John plays sports and says it seems pretty safe there. His friends don’t drink or smoke. He has 2 uncles who chew tobacco and he doesn’t like it. Says kids in sports are busy and don’t have a lot of idle time to get in trouble. No mentor to speak of. Supports: peer group. Challenge: too much homework.
Joe:
Two younger brothers. Has peer pressure from social and academic. Looks up to high school kids and then they do drugs or something and then you don’t look up to them any more. His parents smoke and they talk to him about how hard it is to stop once you start. Influences are parents, relatives, friends and neighbors. He knows he’s the role mode for his younger siblings and will tell them to do what he says, not what he does. No put downs, nobody making fun, no pressure, says his parents don’t have pressures kids have today. Shouldn’t judge by appearance, really look at a person.
Nikki:
One older sister who doesn’t live at home. She is pressured to use drugs by friends who use. She’d tell somebody new in town to not hang with druggies. Says drug friends are always tired. It’s easy to talk to sisters and brothers, because they don’t yell at ya! Challenges are homework, peer pressure from friends to use drugs and stuff, and family. Parents used to smoke, dad still does. Says kids look up to actors/singers.
Marie:
One older brother, lives at home. Wants to stay out of people’s way. Looks up to her aunt as she can weld and stuff. She might get picked on a lot, but tries to ignore drugs and stuff and tries to do right things, she is very passive.
· Kids want discipline/boundaries & freedom;
· 50% parents smoke;
· Don’t want condemnation/want understanding;
· Want adults they can talk to;
· Parents not involved in kids’ lives;
· Parents unaware of kids’ drug use;
· Struggling for independence and own identity;
· Peer pressure;
· Academic pressure – homework;
· No mention of God/Church;
· Want to fit in – be accepted;
· Lack of teacher support.
1999 – 2000 Comprehensive Community Assessment
Drugs/High School
Youth
Warrick County
Review Team 3a
Transcript Review:
High School Youth
In attendance: Rev. William Gorton, Sherrie Hocker, Todd Corne, Tom O’Connor, Therese Baronowsky.
Summary of Stories:
Bill:
Lives with parents and a younger sister. Attends a private high school. Seems kind of lonely, but has a generally positive attitude. Seems to have ok relationship with parents and younger sister. Said he doesn’t go to parties. Not very talkative but did say he thinks kids need more places to go & have fun such as a teen club. He seems to have adequate self-esteem and says adults can most help kids by staying calm and cool to keep communications with kids. Thinks adults should listen more and judge less.
Greg:
Has brothers, lives with parents. Mumbles a lot and seems to have low self-esteem. Greg is pretty in touch with reality of drug scene in school – “not everywhere, but you can get it”. Hasn’t got caught yet, but he has smoked pot. He thinks marijuana is not as bad for people’s health as cigarettes and that if you are discreet, then it’s alright to smoke pot if you don’t get caught. He made a strong distinction between popular and unpopular kids, pointing out that the in crowd does not mingle with the out crowd – it’s the rule – and the kids have set these rules down, not adults.
Joan:
Has 2 older brothers – lives with both parents. Joan seems pretty streetwise and her strongest supports seem to come from her peers. Her friends kind of pressured her to quit using pot a couple of years ago, she said. Her friends got worried about her as she was isolated and depressed. She still smokes tobacco, started 3 years ago. She tells her parents that she quit . Peer pressure – feeling pressure – says friends’ parents supply cigs & liquor – parties regularly – older brother cautions her to not make same mistakes he did. He dropped out – she makes good grades, plays softball – looks up to parents – denial of any dependence other than cigs. Lack of parental supervision – curfew 2 or 3 a.m.?? Has been arrested? Doesn’t appear to have organized group in her life – just hangs out at motel parties, people’s houses.
Betsy:
3 young brothers – step and half-siblings – lives with stepdad & mom. Drugs no problem – says she smoked weed – has drank. She mentions two support systems she’s involved in -- a youth group (church?) & high school band. She keeps very busy – plays softball. Curiosity viewed as motivation to use – not out looking for it, but if it’s in her face will likely try it! Her 17-year-old cousin who is pregnant is who she looks up to. She said it’s ok to use if you don’t get addicted or get caught. Some misinformation heard in statement – peer rules becoming apparent. She is fearful of her stepdad and not very trustful of adults in general.
Jane:
1 older brother, lives with parents. No drug use – “goody goody”, looks up to older brother. He’s told her not to get into things – but she says she doesn’t listen – thinks people should experience things themselves. Desire to learn from experience – try things yourself – adults think drug use more prevalent than it is. Says girls smoke so older guys will like them. Thinks adults don’t trust kids – thinks place to go would help with adult trust – dance club – laser tag – needs teen club. Bored, decision to use or not use is your own. (Trouble talking with adults/parents, trust issue, trust peers).
Bart:
Has one younger sister, goes to private high school. Likes to party & drink – no drugs – weekend partier – private school friend with Bill. Notes peer pressure is part of teen’s life. Not real talkative, but seemed self-assured enough. Talked about getting alcohol from adults – swiping liquor from friends’ parents homes. Probably in popular crowd.
Jim:
Goes to alternative school, lives with mom and step dad, and 2 younger brothers. Jim is a cigarette smoker. Mom and step dad married on Jim’s 9th birthday. He resents that today, but it did not bother him at age 9. Older sister lives with dad. Seems to have ok relationship with mom – thinks adults need to communicate/listen and not yell at kids – (violence in home?). Will “beat up brothers” if they do the kind of things he did. Thinks adults don’t trust kids and that they automatically equate the word party with drugs/alcohol. He indicates there is some level of violence in his home – he just leaves. He has not curfew and there appears to be some lack of parental involvement and concern.
· Fun = playing near edge;
· Lack of communication between
1. Kids & adults
2. Adults & kids
3. One group of kids & another group of kids
· Lack of urgency in any opposition to drugs – drug use;
· Activities/supports = ego strength;
· More to do;
· Need for more activities – dances, laser tag;
· Supports/Activities = participation in alcohol, cigs, drug use;
· Think adults would get farther with kids if they don’t yell, judge, and if they really listen to kids;
· Kids want adults to be “sounding boards”;
· Lack of fear of consequences of drug use;
· Important to go along with the crowd “peer rules”;
· Lack of curfew (or very liberal ones);
· Adults not seen as positive influence on youth.
1999 – 2000 Comprehensive Community Assessment
Drugs/High School
Youth
Warrick County
Review Team 3b
Transcript Review:
High School Youth
In attendance: Rev. William Gorton, Sherrie Hocker, Tom O’Connor, Therese Baronowsky.
Summary of Stories:
Kathy:
High School senior, quiet, has an older brother who is engaged and is already a father. She never has used drugs or smoked, may have drank alcohol, but not as a habit or to excess. She and Joni are friends (again) after having a falling out a couple of years ago due to Joni’s choice in friends. Kathy did not want to sit around and watch Joni and her friends “use.” Kathy has stayed away from the druggie crowd, but she notes that kids seem to judge and be judged by “what they wear.” (The first group did not talk about this – they seemed to be more the “in crowd.”) She was very aware of how ridicule and rejection could trigger school violence. (First group did not mention this either). She notes that six graders are smoking (Is sixth grade the critical year?). Bored, nothing to do, but not as vocal about this as the first group. Says it is “Cool to have used drugs and quit. It’s not cool to have never tried them, nor to use them today.” Challenges include school work overload, peer pressure and desire to seek thrills. Appears parties at homes where parents are out-of-town are the norm. Says older friends and siblings are the ones providing alcohol and tobacco, not parents. Thinks sex is more of a problem than drug use. Supports include her family. She thinks adults in power positions need to know how much pressure is put on kids today in school with the combination of academic and social pressures.
Joni:
Friend of Kathy, younger brother. She is still experiencing the emotional ups and downs of addiction and seems to be victim of arrested social development as the result of her addiction to cocaine. Her first drug was tobacco. She resents her parents having put her in “rehab” but is obviously happy that she and Kathy are friends again! Joni wants to become a veterinarian and hopes she hasn’t screwed up her chances for that through her drug use. She thinks recovered alcoholics and addicts need to talk to high school kids about the consequences of using drugs. She wants adults and older peers involved in prevention efforts. She is a thrill seeker and wants to experience life. She’s very dramatic and talkative – like she’s “trying on” different personas. Thinks sex is more of a pressure than drug use. But she said, drugs can ruin a person a lot quicker than sex. Friends’ parents have provided her with alcohol and drugs (pot). Jonie thinks a solution is “more respect” all around – parents respect their roles and responsibilities by setting and enforcing boundaries, and kids respect those.
Phil:
An only child and plays in the band. He has his own classification system to organize his world – view that he’s had and been to parties without alcohol, tobacco or drugs. Much to most adult’s surprise, likely, seems mature for his age. He can intellectualize away from trouble. There is real pressure for him to do well in school, plus social pressures. Says its “like you’re leading 2 lives”. Says he remembers in 6th grade, kids had started using. Believes peers are more influential as role models than big sports/movie stars. Drugs have been around. Kids he has been friends with his whole life are now getting in deep trouble due to drugs. Notes rebellion is a real issue – blames lack of supervision by parents as cause of kids getting in trouble. Phil fears parental retribution if he walks over the edge! His career goal is in the medical field. Feels there are different role models for different things in life. Supports band, choice of friends and challenges. Sees a lack of respect for others in general in school. Sees progression of character/behavior development is based on decisions as building blocks. Good decision build toward good decision; bad decision precipitate bad choices. Can connect behavior and consequences – knows difference between jail & prison. He can look beneath surface and resents lack of that ability in adults.
· Want solutions;
· Escapist behavior;
· Pressure – in school & outside school (grades, social pressures, sex, use drugs, be cool, be a nerd);
· Thrill seekers;
· Verbalize solutions;
· Band involvement;
· Kids know what the right choices are;
· Caste system.
· Group 1 – nothing to do, seemed more shallow;
· Group 2 – Seemed to have plenty to do. (Band) More Parental support – extended family. Kids knew right behavior versus wrong behavior.
1999 – 2000 Comprehensive Community Assessment
Drugs/Recovered
Adults
Warrick County
Review Team 4a
Transcript
Review: Recovered Adults
In attendance: Darla Reinbrecht, Diana Hamilton, Kathie Payne, Nancy Susott, Robin Greenlee (written comments), Therese Baronowsky
Summary of Stories:
Phil:
Around age 20, in early recovery. His parents are divorced. He began drinking in junior high. Parents were partiers. Phil’s been arrested nine times and up until the last time, someone always bailed him out. The last time no one bailed him out and it drove him into a recovery program. He believes it is important to stop enabling the user, if he or she is to get help and straighten out. Phil said he drank to “fit in”, and to gain social status. Plus, he said there was not much else to do in a small town for a 10-year-old who needed to fit in.
Carol:
Over age 40, two-parent home, upper middle class, fairly religious home, large family. She started drinking at 15, and has been in recovery for 13 ½ years. She was “functional,” she said, as she managed to keep jobs and she didn’t lose “everything”. She said age 15 was kind of “the expected age” to start drinking. She did not have a lot of parental guidance growing up. She hit bottom at age 28 when she awoke from black-out in jail in another city, horrified to realize that she could have hit and killed someone and not even known it. The courts ordered her to counseling and treatment. She has attended AA and is an Alateen sponsor. She feels more parents should guide children instead of telling them to “just say no”. She thinks community should focus on more family activities, especially ones involving nature.
Lisa:
Parents divorced, began drinking in high school, used drugs more than alcohol, has 1 daughter with addiction problems. Started drinking at age 15 – switched to drugs as alcohol made her sick – no drinking in her home(s) [parents divorced]. Friends drank and drugged at age 15 too, but Lisa was the only one among them to become an alcoholic. Her peer group later in life were all alcoholics and drug addicts. In fact, it was them entering treatment that made her notice her own need. Thought something was medically wrong with her – as she needed pills or booze to be comfortable around people (physical addiction). She experienced a lot of shame and guilt over her alcoholism. She thinks society is too accepting of violence today and that teaching coping skills would help. She suggests the government take alcohol tax and use it to fund treatment. She thinks schools should teach students healthy coping skills as a way to build self esteem & self awareness. People learn faulty coping skills in families that have passed on unhealthy approaches to life from generation to generation.
John:
Around age 20, parents divorced, moved around, had a lot of stepdads. He began drinking at age 10 and has been in recovery for 3 months. No stable male in his life growing up. Anger and shame was part of his early life and at 10 he felt he did not fit in. Suffered from social embarrassment, but found his identity when he started drinking – felt “status had increased”. Drugs and alcohol easy to get (no matter age). John thought other kids looked up to those who used – not to those who made good grades. IQ not a factor, he’s smart as he was in gifted classes. He began drinking to gain friends, get high identity. No thoughts of consequences – Later -- lost friends; unplanned intoxiccation and lost identity, lost morals, has regrets, felt trapped, fearful, then used to escape those problems. (Delusional thinking) Thinks parents/teachers need to be more aware of their kids behavior and call them on it – not punish – but not let them go unnoticed – should confront drug use in school and classroom. Teachers need skills to relate to the kids and believes that smaller schools provide for more personal relationships with kids.
Brad:
Early 20’s, alcoholic, and has a son. Raised in a two-parent home with responsible parents. Brad’s family has a history of alcoholism. He started drinking in high school with no really bad consequences. He was a binge drinker who progressed to alcoholism in college (Is he really in recovery? Says he has been for two months!) Thinks it is a normal rite of passage for kids to get drunk. He said the best thing his family did, was to quit enabling him.
Andy:
Over age 30, his mom died at when he was 8 and he never knew his dad. Andy was raised by his grandma who was generally clueless as to what he was up to. He began drinking and using drugs at very young age and has been in recovery 9 ½ years. Went to parochial school. Had his first drink in 6th grade and then began smoking cigarettes. His first drug use was inhaling PAM cooking spray. He had a bad experience with PAM, but he began hanging with crowd to get alcohol. Alcohol made him tough! . He had grandiose ideas when using alcohol. Had to learn the hard way, he said. He describes entering a treatment program some 9 years ago, having hit rock bottom. He was suicidal and curled into a fetal position for six days! He had no possessions, no family, no friends, no awareness as all social contacts lost when he went into treatment. He believes alcoholism is a disease. He said it was easy to get alcohol when he was a kid and recommends adults plant seeds as early as you can. Those in recovery should speak to kids as soon as they first use. He also believes pot is addictive.
Bill:
From an alcoholic home, started drinking and smoking pot at 9 years old. His dad left when Bill was very young and he had lots of stepdads. Bill believes alcoholism is a disease. If you’ve got it, you’ve got it. He believes being raised in split family “fueled the fire” but did not cause alcoholism. His heroes were always adults who drank. He was able to get what he wanted from them, he could “thieve” them and manipulate them. He exhibited a lack of respect for authority and trust of adults. In the 80’s he was sober, then he relapsed. He drank while taking antabuse. He’s been sober for the past seven years. Hit his last bottom when his mom overdosed. (Environment, no male role model, addicted female role model) He talked a lot about spirituality as important and that kids need to be loved unconditionally. He believes young children need education about drugs & alcohol and that adults need to draw limits and help kids learn discipline. He said adults should never accept unacceptable behavior.
· Enabling is bad;
· No stable male role model growing up;
· Peer pressure to drink;
· Drinking to gain friends/identity;
· Bigger than life – 7 foot tall and bullet proof;
· Started drinking/using very early:
1. 50/50 – drinking homes
2. 100% - drinking friends
· Money needed for treatment;
· Schools teach coping skills & confront kids usage in order to help them;
· Drugs easier to get than alcohol;
· Can get what they were looking for.
1999 – 2000 Comprehensive Community Assessment
Drugs/Recovered
Adults
Warrick County
Review Team 4b
Transcript Review: Recovered Adults
In attendance: Darla Reinbrecht, Diana Hamilton (written comments), Kathie Payne, Therese Baronowsky
Summary of Stories:
Ross:
Over age 30, still using, active addiction, in and out of prison/jail, from alcoholic parents, abused sexually, violent. Dad gave him whiskey in baby bottle at the age of three and it messed him up for 1 ½ days and he never forgot first taste of whiskey. Would fake being drunk before actualizing it, to get attention to “fit in”. Stole first bottle of booze at age 10 while he was in a foster home and hid it in the barn. By 7th/8th grade, he was carrying booze to school with him. Ran away at 14 and was a full-blown crank user by 16. Did heroin at age 12 and spent 20 years in prison starting at age 10. He’s not at peace with his past and his present state. Says he’s not fit to have kids. His dad & brothers (uncles) were his role models. They were always drunk and anybody who drank or used was his friend. (Sue & Ross are blackout drinkers – say they have “allergy” to alcohol). Ross had bad DT’s last treatment - .27 on blood alcohol test. Thinks kids should be put through a mandatory drug program at an early age to deter them from starting up use. Prison is not a deterrent, you just come out “more callused” he said.
Sue:
In her late 30’s to middle 40’s and has been divorced three times. She has one adolescent son that is in boy’s school. One daughter in foster care at this time. Long history of sobriety (21 years) but with two significant – one quite recent – during which she would up in jail. First husband sexually abused son. Second husband couldn’t stay sober, he relapsed at sometime, and she went into treatment after she had relapsed three weeks after their daughter was born. She said prescribed Demerol and codeine in hospital during labor and delivery set off her relapse. She divorced her second husband, and married again. Her third husband was dealing drugs and stealing money from work. She got jailed on armed robbery. She says it was domestic abuse, which occurred in the context of her discovering what he was up to. She’s recently gotten an ADHD diagnosis, but is afraid to take prescribed medication. Has no role model to speak of. Her family all alcoholics and druggies. Aunts and grandmother who showed her unconditional love and a girlfriend whose house felt safe & normal were her supports. Mom’s family all drunks. Remembers smoking and drinking at age 4 or 5 at family get togethers. Mom depressed a lot. Sue was caretaker – dad alcoholic and abusive. Drinking was “comfortable” – soothing. She went into treatment first after 4-day binge, thought she was crazy, tried “controlled drinking” and couldn’t pass that test – so she entered treatment.
Craig:
Early 30’s and adopted. Has been in treatment 36 times in nine years, has been sober 1 year (13 months, 2 days). Angry about his upbringing, which he said included “no alcohol, no abuse, just lots of money.” He’s been in jail 7 times, the mental ward 3 times. Hostility toward parents because he received money instead of love. He married and then cheated on his wife. Drinking was all he knew to kill the pain until it quit working for him. Has no role models, says his adoptive parents are liars, and he doesn’t trust anybody. Went to Christian school and talked about the “people who raised him” - not his family. Felt let down by natural parents. Trust issues. Trying to be a role model for his young kids. Believes more education for younger kids is needed about drugs and alcohol. In private school, Craig was blinded to real world for 12 years. Busted for manufacturing crank meth lab, which is how he got into treatment the last time 13 months ago!
Brian:
Around 40, professional has been sober 2 ½ years, has moved around a lot. Started drinking at 14, smoking pot. Got his girlfriend pregnant at 15. Sold drugs and was injecting drugs at 16. Started his profession at 23, slowed down on drugs, and for social acceptability he drank more and smoked pot and then used cocaine. He was busted for manufacturing crank in his own meth lab, which is how he got to treatment in ’97. Has been off cigarettes 5 days. Had a good family that had faith in him. Dad drank, mom didn’t. All friends’ dads drank, so they thought they would when they grew up. Drank 5 nights a week by age 14-15, daily drinker. Drinking was acceptable in the 70’s. Turned to drugs to help him slow down on drinking. Feels recovered adults should educate kids on consequences for themselves and their families. Kids emulate older siblings and adults. Get troubled kids/adults directly from jail into rehab. Says waiting on court made him forget real fast, and he went back to using. Said drunk driving classes tried to teach consumption monitoring.
Sally:
Sober 18 months, divorced, 2 adolescent kids. Did not drink until she was 24, but did drugs from age 13. Was in professional occupation – put down pot (due to drug-testing practice) picked up liquor – drank for 9 years – 20 years drinking/drugs. Goes to AA every day. Parents were very unhappy people – died unhappy. Family all drank, smoked and did drugs. No strong role model – took a little bit here – a little bit there. Her 15 year old daughter selected as “most likely not to use drugs” – because she’s seen all her mom went through. Says doctors don’t understand addiction – that it’s an allergy. She said one way a kid can tell if they have the allergy for alcoholism, is if they like drinking “way too much.” Her supports include her children, AA and NA. She thinks recovered adults can share a lot with kids to help prevent them from going down the same path.
Andy:
White male, sober three years – started drinking at 13, Andy is now in his early 40’s. He describes his drug use in recreational terms, He “tried it all.” For 28 years he used booze, which was his drug of choice. His employer sent him to detox once – he dried out and then five months later he was back to booze. He thinks AA is good alternative to $225/hr aftercare and that going to prison is an act of admission of defeat and failure. He’s glad sport figures are getting caught on their drug use and abuse. He has no problem with drinking and drugs in moderation, but not after someone crossed the line and is out of control. Then, he believes, they must be stopped. Says an alcoholic is one who likes it way too much, and then grows to hate it (alcohol.) He says, “You know it will kill you, but if you don’t drink, you will die.”
· AA/NA helps;
· Recovered alcoholics/addicts can help educate young people to consequences of drugs/booze;
· Drank to fit in;
· Drug/Drink took over - loss of control;
· Started young – 13 and under;
· Family history of drug/alcohol use;
· Jail/prison;
· Self medicating to kill the pain.