PAULDING, OH: Kiwanis member Stan Searing introduced Michael Schweinsberg with the OSU Extension Office. Schweinsberg talked about a few programs the OSU Extension office have regarding substance abuse and topics that stem from that. He focused on the PROSPER program that will roll out in the Spring that is all about strengthening families. Trained volunteers will meet with families once a month and talk about the importance of eating together as a family, communicating properly, and help the family work on any other issues they may be having. Families will be selected with the help of Job and Family Services and the Juvenile Court. Some benefits of this program will be increasing the ability of parents/caregivers to set appropriate limits and show affection and support of their children, it will also teach youth the skills for dealing with stress and peer pressure and lowering levels of aggression. The program can also reduce drug use, delay the onset of adolescent substance abuse, and help families who have been affected by drugs, and alcohol.
Schweinsberg also touched on a potential new demonstration. Many times, children who are abusing drugs hide them in the sneakiest places, or sometimes in plain sight. This demonstration includes an enclosed trailer staged as a bedroom. This will allow Schweinsberg to teach parents where to search for drugs/alcohol in their child’s bedroom. Of course, children are kept out of the trailer/mock bedroom and is only open to the parent or guardian to learn where to look.
Schweinsberg stressed the importance of talking about substance abuse at home with your children. “So many people are scared to talk about drugs with their children, but the more we educate each other the better off we’ll be,” says Schweinsberg. He has been in Paulding Schools numerous times talking about substance abuse to keep kids educated on the subject, and to deter them away from any peer pressure. There are programs for families who want to know about substance abuse but don’t know how to bring it up or are uncomfortable talking about it. To see what programs could fit your family’s need call Michael at 419-399-8225.
Kiwanis thanks Michael for educating our youth and focusing on healthy and happy families. We appreciate his dedication to the children of our community. Kiwanis members will meet on Thursday over lunch.
