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Event designed to address teen alcohol, drug use
By Chris Roark, croark@starlocalnews.com
It’s often been said that Southlake can at times be its own bubble.
But many community leaders say within that bubble lies a growing trend of teen drug and alcohol use.
A community-wide meeting next month aims to bring that issue to the forefront.
The meeting will include coaches, principals, counselors and community leaders in an open discussion for the community.
SPARK is the brainchild of former Southlake Mayor Andy Wambsganss and former Councilwoman Laura Hill. About five years ago, residents approached them about problems they were seeing with their children and their abuse of alcohol and drugs.
SPARK was formed as a way to get the community involved in not only that problem but other issues facing teens today.
“We wanted to have an organization that would change with the problems,” Hill said. “We’ve had meetings about many other issues, including texting while driving, eating disorders and sex and the Internet, which drew 400 people.”
Next month, the focus is back on alcohol and drug use among teens.
“We have a large group of parents with children at the middle school age,” Hill said. “And we have a new police chief. He’s been talking to people about what some of the problems in the community are, and overwhelmingly they’ve been saying it is children’s access to drugs and alcohol. It’s progressively getting worse because children are getting access to them at an early age, and the drugs are getting stronger.”
Hill said the drug problem involves both drugs on the street and prescription drugs.
She said the community’s first step is acknowledging that there is a problem.
“Let’s stop pretending like we live in a bubble,” Hill said. “We have to let people know that we need to watch out for this. The problem is everywhere, but we don’t like to think about it.”
The SPARK event will begin with a question-and-answer period, as well as a time to share stories. Police Chief Stephen Mylett, Carroll ISD Superintendent David Faltys and CISD Athletic Director Kevin Ozee will carry a microphone to audience members who want to speak at the event.
Later, residents can visit tables where they receive information on several aspects of drug and alcohol use. The topics will take on the theme of “engage, educate and enforce.” Principals, counselors, teen court judges, mental health practitioners and representatives from hospitals and the faith community will be on hand to answer questions.
“You never know how you will reach someone, so we wanted to have a variety of options,” Hill said.
For information, go to www.sparknow.org.
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