Since creating our “5 THINGS” pamphlet, we receive frequent requests from parents, school counselors, and other professionals to have more copies of these made available. Below is a downloadable version of the pamphlet that can be printed out and distributed at your convenience. Click here to download “5_THINGS”_BROCHURE.pdf”         “5 Things” Parent/Teacher Student Assistance Training Program   Having worked in the field of adolescent substance abuse since 1984, Jim Savage has considerable experience and understanding of the numerous factors that go into working with this challenging population. Jim has been a proponent of teaching the importance of effective assessment and intervention for at-risk youth, and has presented numerous seminars on “Adolescent Substance Abuse Assessment”. As a result of the strong response received from the “5 Things” pamphlet from both parents and professionals, he has developed a training program based on this material.   If there are “5 Things” parents should know regarding teen substance abuse, it follows that the professionals who work with their children in various capacities should know these as well. The “5 Things” training program is designed to bridge the gap between parents and professionals and improve the effectiveness of identification and intervention with at-risk youth.   The program consists of 2 presentations:   For school faculty (or other youth professionals):     5 things every EDUCATOR should know about teen substance abuse.   A 90 minute presentation for school faculty (or other youth professionals).   Participants will learn: ·       Mis-identification of early signs of a substance abuse problem ·       Ruling out substance abuse as the problem ·       Effective assessment: what exactly is “assessment”? ·       Effective intervention: dealing with denial- student AND parents ·       Diagnostic criteria of substance abuse disorders ·       Substance abuse treatment- how it works, how to determine the right treatment, what should be expected, what constitutes “good treatment” ·       How to support treatment and ongoing care in role of youth professional   After faculty has received training, a similar presentation is done for parents.   5 things every PARENT should know about teen substance abuse   A 90 minute presentation for parents that addresses much of same material, but with an emphasis on making this helpful from a parents’ perspective.   Parents will learn ·       How to identify early signs of substance abuse ·       How to obtain effective substance abuse assessment ·       How to differentiate between substance abuse and other problems ·       How to deal with denial and resistance ·       What it means to have a “problem” ·       How to find appropriate substance abuse treatment and what to expect ·       How to coordinate care with other youth professionals involved with the teen     A second staff training may be scheduled as follow-up to review how implementation of material is being used to improve quality of student assistance relative to substance abuse issues.   For more information, or to schedule a “5 Things” parent/teacher training call Imagine at (972) 423-6007   “The feedback from your presentation was awesome. Teachers and counselors were impressed with your knowledge, your ability to connect with your audience, and your authenticity. Thanks for doing such a great job!”                                                                                                   Sharon Thurlkill, Coppell ISD    5_Things_files/5_THINGS_BROCHURE.pdfshapeimage_4_link_0
“5 THINGS” Every Parent Ought To Know About Teen Substance Abuse© 5_Things_files/5_THINGS_BROCHURE_1.pdfshapeimage_5_link_0

Understanding substance abuse and how to deal with it is of vital importance to parents of teens- and the professionals who work with them in various capacities: school, probation, judicial, medical, etc

What if I am not sure if my son or daughter has a drug problem?