SCHOOL & COMMUNITY

I have learned that kids want to talk about the issues around drugs and alcohol. Having worked with kids and substance abuse for many years, if they believe the adult they are talking with is honest, straightforward, knowledgeable, and does not preach to them, they will open up to you. When I work with a community or school system our day begins with the entire student body, faculty, and staff, gathering. In this initial gathering I seek to establish the credibility that is so important to everyone, and eventually point out in a number of different ways that they do not know nearly as much as they may think they know about drugs and alcohol in today’s world. After the initial all-student gathering I meet with groups of students who want to have follow-up discussions. There are no other adults present. They ask me questions and I ask them questions. I guarantee them I will not identify any individual to other adults, but will share the student’s perceptions with adults for the purpose of learning. At this point, usually the students quickly begin identifying what the specific drug/alcohol problems that exist in their school, home, and community, to specify what drugs are being used, and amazingly, what should be done about it. Even more importantly, students share their perceptions of the attitudes their parents, school, and community have about the issue. The next gathering happens with members of the community who have been selected to do follow-up on the issues at hand. I share with this committee what the students’ perceptions are. We finalize the day with an open community gathering, strongly seeking parents’ participating. Here we discuss the substance abuse problem in general and specify what their kids indentified as the problems in their community, school, and homes. Together in this process, both students and adults contribute towards making a difference. A profound example of this comes from a young person, himself…14 years old, from an upscale middle school in the Midwest, he said to me and a guidance counselor: “I am 14, I am bright, I have made decisions already about drugs and alcohol and this is the first time an adult has ever talked to me about it in an honest, open, straightforward manner. That’s inappropriate.” He’s right. I look forward to helping schools and communities across the US. Sincerely, Robert Stutman     What Did I Take? - Student Presentation Click Here It's Like Being Held in My Mother's Arms - Parent Presentation Click Here What Counselors, Teachers & Administrators Say About Bob Following His Presentations Click Here What Students & Parents Say About Bob Following His Presentations Click Here