Youth Connections

PRESS

Nationally Renowned Speaker Gives Parents Tools

Helena Parents Given A Chance To Learn How To Speak To Children About Pot And Alcohol

Helena, MT – March 22nd, 2011- Janice Gabe, founder and president of New Perspectives of Indiana, a Nationally recognized adolescent and young adult therapist, is coming to Helena on Thursday, April 14th, for a community meeting from 6 PM- 8 PM at St. Peters Hospital Education Center.

Youth Connections Coalition in partnership with Safe Schools Healthy Students Initiative is sponsoring this event in order to help give parents tools to speaking to their children about pot and alcohol. Parents will become familiar with the role marijuana use is playing in today’s youth culture, learn strategies for presenting this information in a way young people can hear, in depth research, and other myth busting topics. They will also learn teens that drink will have more problems with drinking and drug use than teens who may experiment later in life.

Marketing Coordinator Tyler Kechely say, “It’s really important for us as an organization to support parents and put tools into their tool chest. We feel strongly with current medical marijuana laws, there are too many misconceptions and mistruths out there about pot. There is solid research showing marijuana is not as safe as people portray it to be. Unfortunately, there has been a real culture shift very specifically towards marijuana and it’s important for parents to be informed and know how to communicate in a way their children will listen.”

“It’s not just a marijuana issue though. I think people would be shocked to find out the average age of first time alcohol use is 12 years old. I don’t know anyone who would think that is ok. Parents are the first and most important line of defense, and we feel a real responsibility to support parents and do our best as a community to help our youth make wise decisions,” adds Kechely.

St. Peters Hospital has been gracious in donating their Education room as well as financial support from Youth Connections Coalition / Safe Schools Healthy Students Initiative to make this event free for the public. This community event is limited to 300 seats.