Glenbard Parent Series to host Community Conversation on Teen Drug Abuse April 4
The Glenbard Parent Series: Navigating Healthy Families will present a panel discussion titled "Never Enough: From Drug Addict to Neuroscientist" at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 4, at Glenbard East High School, 1014 S. Main St. in Lombard.
Panelists will include behavioral neuroscientist and recovered drug addict Judith Grisel, DuPage State's Attorney Robert Berlin, and former addict Tim Ryan.
Substance abuse is a major public health crisis that effects everyone and the teen years pose some of the most difficult challenges.
Teens may feel angry, anxious, or moody and test personal boundaries like trying potentially harmful substances due to a need to relieve stress, peer pressure, curiosity, trying to emulate adult behavior, because it feels good, or because it is easy to obtain.
It is difficult to know which teens will merely try alcohol ,marijuana, tobacco and other drugs and which teens may potentially develop a dependency.
Help lower the chances of putting your teen in potentially harmful situations by getting educated. The Glenbard Parent Series has gathered a distinguished panel who will provide accurate information to break through the awareness and communication gap. Learn how a parent's response can make all the difference in having a healthy or destructive relationship.
Substance abuse is a major public health crisis, and most people use drugs for the first time when they are teen-agers. According to recent data collected through the Illinois Youth Survey, in DuPage County, 36 percent of high school seniors report using alcohol in the past 30 days, 26 percent report using marijuana in the past 30 days and 28 percent report using a vaping device in the past 30 days.
According to the National Institute of Drug Abuse, one in 16 high school seniors report daily use of marijuana.
Vaping was reported by 37.3 percent of high school seniors, 32.3 percent of sophomores, and 17.6 percent of eighth-graders.
Grisel understands the science of drug addiction and why drugs like cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, nicotine, alcohol, marijuana, and ecstasy are so hard to kick.
Grisel's extensive brain research, her own journey to recovery, and her commitment to awaken a more compassionate response to the epidemic led to her book, "Never Enough: The Neuroscience and Experience of Addiction."
Robert Berlin serves as the chief law enforcement officer for DuPage County. He has earned numerous awards and accolades throughout his career including the Illinois State Crime Commission's State's Attorney of the Year Award.
Ryan is known as "The Hope Dealer" for his ability to inspire change in those dealing with addiction. He speaks to solutions in the opioid epidemic and works to bring lasting change to every group touched by addiction. He is the author of "From Dope to Hope: A Man in Recovery."
Continuing professional development units are available.
GPS is generously sponsored by the Cebrin Goodman Center, Cooperative Association for Special Education (CASE), College of DuPage, DuPage Medical Group, Emmy Gaffey Foundation and Trust Company of Illinois.
For further information, visit www.glenbardgps.org or contact Gilda Ross, Glenbard District 87 student and community projects coordinator, at (630) 942-7668 or gilda_ross@glenbard.org.