Renamed office has children as its focus

The Albany Diocesan Drug Education Ministry (ADDEM) has been renamed the Office of Prevention Services (OPS). Along with the name change comes a change in focus. While ADDEM provided schools with curricula and programs to help children resist drugs and find alternatives to violence, OPS will be rooted in counseling, parenting skills and conflict resolution.

"We're bringing a different professional experience since we're all licensed social workers," said Cathy Golas, director of OPS. "ADDEM had a different approach since they were educators."

Filling a need

"More and more, as the superintendent listened to the principals about what their needs were, they wanted a referral source," said Mrs. Golas. Other requests include parenting supports, conflict resolution and assistance in developing crisis plans. "Since the creation of ADDEM, the issues have changed or amplified."

Children of the 21st century have pressures other generations have not. "They have a lot on their shoulders," said Diane Murray-Fleck, prevention coordinator. "They're savvy to media; there's violence. Just look at all of the things happening at schools."

Maryann Strauss, prevention coordinator, agreed, saying: "We underestimate the pressure children are under. Children have more pressures and time constraints. They're under a lot of stress."

School central

In addition to school commitments, children are involved in many organized activities, such as sports, music and dance. This involvement in activities comes from the good intentions of parents who are trying to provide the best for their children.

"Parents are under a tremendous amount of strain," Ms. Murray-Fleck said. "They feel they must compete."

The result is that families are constantly running to practices, games and lessons -- and family members who are exhausted.

Balanced life

"Sometimes, they like to experiment," Mrs. Golas said. "Childhood is a time for experiments. You need to read the cues they are giving. They may be trying to tell you they're on overload. We need to teach kids to balance pressure."

The same is true for parents, Ms. Strauss said. They may take on activities that they think will be good for the family and later find them burdensome. "Parents need to know that they can have lives of their own," she said. "It's okay not to be the coach of the team or on the PTA. It's okay not to have something every night of the week."

Ms. Murray-Fleck added, "A good lesson we can teach our children is that it's okay to be alone and to occupy their time. I call it cruise director syndrome: Parents are always trying to entertain. We can have quiet time."

Drugs enter

According to Mrs. Golas, Catholic schools provide an atmosphere that is conducive to developing these skills. She said factors aiding resiliency include normative beliefs, adults who model and express non-drug use, refusal and decision-making skills, stress management skills, self-esteem, and an understanding of consequences.

"We have that basis in Catholic schools," she said. "The people around our kids model and express non-drug use. We push the value of each child. We stress consequences of use. Catholic schools support the child in not using illegal substances by the nature of how they deal with the child. We foster skills of resiliency."

(The Office of Prevention Services is funded through the federal Safe and Drug Free Schools Act, and the New York State Office of Alcohol and Substance Abuse Services. Call OPS at 453-6771.)

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