By Ellie Shalvarjian
Staff Writer
Speaker and author Jonathan Scott hosted an informative presentation, “Don’t Drink the Punch,” for Mira Costa parents and students on Mar. 1 regarding the prevention of student drug abuse and alcohol consumption in the small theatre.
The presentation was based off of Scott’s fifth book, “Don’t Drink the Punch,” that focuses on substance abuse within the first year of college. The book was published through “Miles to Go Drug Prevention” which is his wife’s and his organization that tries to prevent substance abuse. According to Scott, the lecture was geared towards parents of seniors but his information could be applied to students of any age.
“I think that it is extremely unrealistic when people approach the science and behavioral aspects of drugs in a black and white matter,” Townsend said. “To me, drugs fall under many varying categories and trying to umbrella what they are under one answer is unrealistic since everyone has different experiences with drugs and every drug is an individual.”
Scott is a recovering addict and hopes to incorporate the science of drugs into psychology, pop culture, life long learning, and emotional and social life. During the presentation, he gave several examples of how to turn down drugs when offered to the student. According to Kelly Townsend, Director of “Miles to Go Drug Prevention,” the lecture was based off of scientific research as well as personal experience.
“Since the study of drugs is constantly changing we always need to change our information,” Townsend said. “What I like about our presentations is that we make them into a way that is not boring by incorporating them into pop culture.”
According to Townsend, the purpose of “Miles To Go Drug Prevention” is to simplify the complex subject of drug abuse and make it more applicable to students by giving them real life examples of ways other students have avoided drug use in social settings.
“We think substance abuse is a symptom of another problem such as a lack of a certain skill such as an inability to deal in social settings or a pre existing symptom that hasn’t been addressed,” Scott said. “If parents knew the red flags of a developing addict, I believe that there would be less problems involving substance abuse.”
Both Townsend and Scott are currently working to expand their lessons into a free YouTube series for schools to access. They also hope to make their books into curriculum that teachers can use in their classrooms.
“This program is amazing since it’s our 20th year doing this work and we know people who come back to us from college and tell us what an impact our lectures have made on them,” Townsend said. “Parents often contact us as well with stories of how we have helped their children avoid mistakes and trouble.”
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