CARE to Offer a Presentation on Gateway Drugs

Marijuana is what is known as a gateway drug that could lead people into using more potent drugs for stronger highs. But Masuk High School teacher Penny Odell said other gateway drugs are less obvious.

"Prescription drugs, even cold medicines can become addictive," she said.

Odell is co-founder of Community Awareness, Response and Education (CARE), which hosts free seminars to educate parents on issues faced by teenagers.

On March 15, the group will offer a presentation on gateway drugs in the Masuk media center at 7 p.m. Terry Budlong, a representative with the Caron Treatment Center in Pennsylvania, will be the featured speaker.

Caron Treatment Center is nationally known for its treatments for drug and alcohol abuse and family issues.

"I think it's very important," Odell said of the upcoming presentation. "The woman is going to be discussing the very early types of substances kids use and I think that will be useful to parents."

Though the dangers of drugs have been widely reported in the news media, Odell said most parents who attend the CARE event will learn something new.

"What would surprise parents, is the average first age for experimentation in the United States is eight," she said of one fact.

Odell founded CARE with Hope Maloney, director of Pupil Services at Masuk, and Megan Scanlon, a counsellor at the high school. The March 15 presentation will be the group's fourth meeting of the year. All parents are welcome to attend.