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SUBSTANCE ABUSE

Clergy and youths back drug prevention

Believe it or not, kids often do listen in church. Not only that, sometimes they even spread the message themselves, even on such delicate issues as drug and alcohol abuse. 

T.J. Kemp, a student at Lansingburgh High School, belongs to the Fifth Avenue AME Zion Church in Troy, a Protestant church. He said that lessons from his congregation and values from his religion have helped him make smart decisions regarding drugs and other temptations facing teenagers.

"By being involved in the church, it helps me with my morals," he said. "I can learn about life and become a better person through the lessons."

Numerous studies have found religion to be a deterrent to alcohol or drug abuse among children. Conversely, teens who do not consider religious beliefs important are three times as likely to drink, binge drink and smoke, four times as likely to use marijuana and seven times as likely to use illicit drugs.

With this in mind, on Sept. 14 the Diocese and other religious groups joined with the Northeastern New York Prevention Cooperative Prevention to announce an initiative to cooperate on prevention efforts. 

"What we're trying to do is enhance the local community and make them more aware of this problem," said Judy Ekman, executive director of the Alcohol and Substance Prevention Council of Saratoga County and spokesman for the NENYPC. 

"We want the clergy to speak in churches, be aware of all the faith communities and say something about substance abuse."

Parish part 
Speaking at the kick-off, Bishop Howard Hubbard said churches and their young members could help reduce or prevent alcohol and substance abuse, and other risky behaviors, among other youths. 

"Today is a call to action to area congregations," he said. "Faith and religious values are a foundation for making right choices. We need to use our strength as people of faith to help spread the message of substance abuse."

The coalition includes the treatment and various county agencies as well as the Catholic Schools Office and Catholic Charities offices in Columbia, Greene, Fulton and Montgomery counties. 

While recruiting clergy and church youth leaders to help, teenagers have also stepped up to spread the message.

"I think it's really important," said Katie Minahan, a senior at Chatham High School and parishioner at St. James Church in Chatham. "There have been a lot of drunk-driving accidents in my school. Hopefully people will realize it's a serious issue."

Katie is active in both her church and school, taking part in many clubs and groups. While the issue of drugs and alcohol is an important message for her to deliver, it also has a personal effect on Katie.

Painful lesson
When she was in seventh grade, a friend of Katie's older sister died in a drunk-driving accident. Now, Katie hopes she can spread the message to prevent somebody else go through what her sister went through.

"I don't want to see that happen to anyone else," she said.

Her pastor, Rev. Gary Gelfenbein, who attended the kickoff and pledged his support, has already addressed the topic from the pulpit. According to Katie's mother, Mary Minahan,

"We've had a few tragedies in Chatham involving teenagers and substance abuse, so Father Gelfenbein has had occasions to talk about it."

Sister Mary Jane Herb, IHM, superintendent of Catholic schools, said she shared the same hopes as Katie.

"I hope it can bring [awareness]," she said. "I hope it can bring the churches and schools together and we can bring up the issue and work together to prevent it."

Mrs. Ekman predicted that by teaming up with both church groups and faith-centered teens, the prevention mission will be more successful.

"We believe that by working together on projects, we will be able to be more effective in bringing the message to prevent substance and alcohol abuse."

(09/17/09) [[In-content Ad]]

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