It’s always good to have someone to turn to when you are going through a tough time. And life, as we all know, can be full of those bumpy patches.
That’s especially true of the teen years. Toss yourself for a moment back into that tumult of peer relationships, galloping hormones, bad judgment and all the temptations on God’s green Earth. Not so easy for a kid, you’ll remember.
But it’s not so easy for a parent either. The only person who can register an anxiety level higher than a teen, is an adult with one living under their roof. We feel your pain.
The troubles of the teen day can range from school, to relationships. But the territory is particularly difficult when it comes to substance abuse.
So, we want to help, best as we can.
Starting in September, parents and teens will have a place on the JJIE website to go, simply to ask a question about drug and alcohol use, addiction and recovery.
Our expert is Neil Kaltenecker the executive director of the Georgia Council on Substance Abuse and a board member of Faces & Voices of Recovery (FAVOR). Got a question about your son’s suspected oxycontin use, not sure where to turn about your daughter’s alcohol abuse? There are no easy answers about substance abuse and some questions are unanswerable. But Neil Kaltenecker will try to answer as many of them in the best way possible.
So look for the column in early September and in the meantime submit your questions to “Ask Neil,” at neil@gasubstanceabuse.org. She Knows.
Hi John:
As the executive director of the Center for Sustainable Journalism, under which the JJIE.org is housed, I want to personally and publicly thank you for all the behind the scenes work you have done to make this important, upcoming service possible. Also Neil Kaltenecker, wow, you are the perfect person to provide the advice people will need. Thanks for agreeing to do it. I am sure our audience will deeply appreciate it. Thanks again.
Really looking forward to the newly expanded features of JJIE. I’ve always thought there should be a reference book for parenting teenagers – kind of like a Dr. Spock for raising big kids – what to do when my kid is picked up for shoplifting – or drunk driving — or whatever. Glad you’re providing this service to the harried parents of teens!