Counseling program helps Bamberg
community combat drug use by teens
By Rick Emert, Bamberg
bureau
Some signs of possible
drug use ...Some signs that might indicate a teen-ager
has a drug or substance abuse problem:
- Significant weight gain or loss.
- Change in sleeping patterns.
- Excessive use of breath fresheners.
- Constant, persistent cough.
- Smells of alcohol or marijuana.
- Change in eating habits.
- Drop in grades.
- Loss of interest in extracurricular
activities.
- Change in peer groups.
- Difficulty following instructions or
poor memory.
- Frequent illnesses.
From
staff reports |
BAMBERG, Germany — In a colorful, comfortable office on the second floor of
Bamberg American Middle/High School, Louise Kelly spends every school day talking to
children about drugs.
As Bamberg’s Adolescent Substance Abuse Counseling Services counselor, Kelly meets
with students in seventh through 12th grades.
"When I was a kid, we took risks like trying cigarettes or alcohol, but we did it
at 18 or 19 years old," Kelly said. "Now, kids are trying those things in eighth
grade or even younger."
Bamberg initiated the program in the early 1990s, and the program, run by Science
Applications International Corp. and contracted by the U.S. Army, exists in Department of
Defense Dependents Schools throughout Europe.
Unfortunately, it’s not well-known.
"It scares me how many people don’t know about this program," Kelly
said. "There are parents sitting at home saying: ‘What can I do about my
kids?’ I try to get out into the community as much as possible and let parents know
that we have the solution."
Although she’s been in Bamberg for only a year, Kelly has made herself known. She
meets with students in the classrooms and regularly meets with the post commander and post
command sergeant major, as well as others in the community.
"I market the program, not because I think I’m charming, but because this
program can improve a family’s quality of life," she said. "I meet with
community organizations that are potentially seeing the kids we’re worried
about."
Teachers say it’s vital to their school’s success.
"This is a resource I use, because students in junior high school and high school
are making life choices all the time," said Theresa Jones, business and Cooperative
Work Experience teacher for Bamberg American Middle/High School. The program continues
where the elementary school-level Drug Abuse Resistance Education program ends.
"This is an essential follow-up to DARE," said Jan Osier, resource teacher.
"It provides education and takes at-risk students and gives them the extra they need
to stay away from drugs or alcohol."
Charles D. Brunelle, a social studies and physical education teacher, taught Bamberg
students before the program was adopted.
"It's been a good program for DODDS," he said. "It gives kids a
[contact] in the school who is an advocate for them and for their parents. If this
counseling weren’t available in this form, the students would be referred to a drug
clinic elsewhere and possibly be just another piece of sand slipping through the
cracks."
Sometimes, teachers get actively involved in the counseling process by referring
students to ASACS.
"If you know a student’s normal behavior, you’ll notice if there is a
big change in their behavior," Jones said.
Referrals also come from unit commanders, parents, neighbors and students’ peers,
Kelly said. Kelly does an assessment of the student to rule out domestic violence,
psychiatric problems or suicidal tendencies, among other things, she said.
Next, she talks with the student about alcohol and drug use and makes a determination
whether to place the student in outpatient treatment. Kelly conducts all of the counseling
herself, whether it be individual, family or group counseling.
"I don’t think it’s a pleasant experience for them to have someone
prying into their personal lives," Kelly said. "But, kids are more open, more
receptive than adults. They don’t have their defenses as strongly developed."
The key to success in counseling is listening, she adds.
"There’s no extended family [in Europe]," Kelly said. "They
don’t have their grandparents here. They don’t have their aunts and uncles here.
They need adults who will listen.
"They don’t talk to me because I’m old. They don’t talk to me
because I’m cool. They talk to me because I listen."
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