Teens learn ways to help substance abusers

Seth Donnan, 16, sees classmates struggling with alcohol and drug abuse every school day at Hampton Bays High. Amanda Armstrong, 19, has watched a family member suffer from addiction.

Friday, the teenagers learned how to recognize the signs and offer help.

Donnan and Armstrong were among the 250 students and parents from Nassau and Suffolk counties who participated in the 2012 World Cafe Youth Forum at Outreach House in Brentwood, which offers a substance abuse program for children between 12 and 18.

Forum participants met with the home's clients in focus groups that discussed prevention methods and ways to get help for those who need it.

"It's interesting to hear other people's input and where they go for help," said Armstrong, a freshman majoring in sign language at Suffolk County Community College's Ammerman campus. "After seeing it firsthand, it really makes me think about everything."

Alexis Gadsden, vice president of Special Projects at Outreach House, said the forum was designed to bring together "young people, parents, providers and stakeholders to talk about some of the issues . . . that affect access to care."

The event was sponsored by Suffolk County Communities of Solution and also included several treatment facilities, school board members, and youth groups.

Mary Silberstein, chairwoman of Communities of Solution, said the four-hour forum was organized after parents said they did not know where to get help for their children.

"Here I am as a provider; why don't they know how to access help?" Silberstein said.

Communities of Solution has provided Suffolk police precincts with information on treatment centers for parents dealing with drug-addicted children.

John Venza, vice president of Adolescent Residential Services at Outreach House, said his main concern has been the increase of children who use prescription drugs.

"They're accessing it pretty easily," Venza said. "That stigma about coming into contact with a dealer is gone. It is generally kids who they know at school."

As teachers, parents and children worked together to figure out ways to help others Friday, Venza said he hoped to learn a lot from the forum.

"I think it's important to hear the kids' perspective," he said. "You learn something new every day from these guys, and that's the beauty of working with adolescents."

Donnan, a junior at Hampton Bays, said the forum gave him new tools for addressing a serious issue.

"I see there are problems with alcohol and drug abuse," he said. "Now, I can find different ways to help."