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The Way Out Recovery SCV: Combating Student Drug Use In Santa Clarita

The Way Out Recovery SCV officials are talking about combating drug use early by addressing the issue in schools after yet another suspected heroin overdose claimed the life of a Santa Clarita resident over the weekend.


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“I have a 5-year-old and an 8-year-old, boys, and I don’t think that it’s ever too young to start talking to them about drugs and alcohol and the dangers,” said Bob Sharits, program director at The Way Out Recovery SCV. “So whenever there’s a tragedy, I use that as an opportunity to talk to my kids.”

Sharits opened up a discussion with Matt Hinze, vice principal at Sierra Vista Junior High School, on the latest “The Way Out Recovery Hour” on KHTS AM-1220 about how schools are addressing the issue both on campus and in partnership with parents.

Related: The Way Out Recovery Hour: Vietnam Veteran Talks About PTSD, Alcoholism

“From sixth grade through high school,” Hinze said, “we do have in our schools and our school districts out here a lot of different opportunities to speak with kids, and some programs that our school district has in store for parents and the students to hopefully help in that communication.”

Praising the Santa Clarita Valley as a whole for being willing to talk about important issues like drug use, Sharits noted that families living in Santa Clarita have a unique opportunity to partner with schools to teach their kids about things like substance abuse.

“Especially in the Hart School District, the willingness to talk openly about the issues that are taking place is just phenomenal,” he said. “I think that we have some programs in place and some administrators and staff in our schools unlike any other place.”

Recent statistics show that an estimated 25 percent of students will have used marijuana by the time they reach 12th grade, while 8 percent of high school students use on a regular basis, according to Sharits.

Of those using on a regular basis, about 10 to 12 percent will end up having problems, Sharits noted, and the younger a person starts the higher the prevalence of having lifelong issues.

“It absolutely is an epidemic nationwide, perhaps worldwide, and Santa Clarita is not different than any place else, but I don’t want anyone to get the impression that our schools are rampant with drugs, because that’s just not the truth,” Sharits said. “I say those numbers so that everybody can get a perspective.”

Hinze called adolescence — particularly at the middle school level — “a pivotal time” in one’s life, and the opportune time for parents and schools alike to teach kids about the dangers of drug use.

“There’s things going on in their mind and chemicals going on with regards to hormones, and it’s a tough time for them. They’re trying to come into their own, so they’re vulnerable,” he said. “We do, I think, a really good job in our school and in our district to try and interdict any issues … and also educate them, most importantly, on making good choices.”

Key to this early intervention is building relationships with students, Hinze added, noting teachers, administrators and counselors strive to create positive adult relationships so the kids have someone to turn to if they’re faced with a problem they don’t know how to handle.

“That’s what we try to do at Sierra Vista,” he said.

Ed. Note: This article is a KHTS Community Spotlight based on the latest “The Way Out Recovery Hour” on KHTS AM-1220.

In Santa Clarita, drug issues are a major concern for many. The mission of the Santa Clarita rehab The Way Out Recovery SCV Drug and Alcohol Outpatient Treatment is to provide high quality, effective alcohol and drug outpatient treatment. The drug rehab’s goal is to assist adolescents, adults and their loved ones in becoming happily and usefully whole, free from drug addiction. Those seeking Santa Clarita drug treatment or a teen drug rehab can rest assured that The Way Out Recovery’s philosophy is to teach life-long coping skills and strategies to assist in improving quality of life and living happily and meaningfully without the need of destructive behaviors.

The Way Out Recovery SCV

28118 Bouquet Canyon Road

Santa Clarita, CA 91350

(661) 296-4444

The Way Out Recovery SCV – Santa Clarita

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkLD1yMCyjc

Alcohol and Drug Treatment, Drug Addiction, Drug Rehab, Drug Treatment, Outpatient Treatment Center, Santa Clarita Drug Issues, Santa Clarita Drug Treatment, Santa Clarita Rehab, Teen Drug Rehab, The Way Out Recovery

KHTS AM 1220 - Santa Clarita Radio

The Way Out Recovery SCV: Combating Student Drug Use In Santa Clarita

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