Seminar to discuss teens and the law
February 2, 2009
By Christopher Huber
Parents, do you know what your teens are up to? Are they into trouble with drugs or alcohol? Are they hanging out with the wrong crowd? Are they breaking the law?
That’s what an upcoming seminar will address when it comes to Skyline and Liberty high schools this month.“Even if your kids aren’t doing it, you need to know what other kids are doing,” said Debbie Dodd, Issaquah School District PTSA Parent Education representative.
Sponsored by the district’s PTSA and various high school resource officers, the “What are teens really doing today?” seminar is meant to bring together parents and PTSA members — and any willing middle- and high-schoolers — to discuss legal issues among teenagers.
The next seminars will be at 7 p.m. Feb. 9 at the Skyline High School theater and Feb. 23 at Liberty High School. Admission is free.
It will help parents and their children understand the legal consequences of teens’ exposure to alcohol and drugs, Dodd said.
Resource officers from around the school district will present a slideshow about teens and alcohol, drugs and driving, and will answer questions from the audience, Dodd said.
Among the issues covered in the informal discussion, she said, will be the difference between a misdemeanor and a felony. Felonies are more serious crimes which generally carry stiffer penalties. A lawyer will be present to help clarify general concerns about teens and the law.
For example, being caught with a few grams of marijuana is a misdemeanor, but possessing 40 grams or more is a felony, she said.
“Most people are really naive as to where kids are getting these drugs, but they’re out there,” Dodd said.
A prevention and intervention specialist will also be present, Dodd said.
The seminar focus stems from the handbook “Parents, Teens and the Law,” which was developed in 2003 by the Parent Education and Drug Awareness Committees. This is the first year the PTSA has put on this particular seminar, but Dodd said she hopes the event will open people’s eyes to the realities of alcohol and drug use among teens.
“I’m kind of excited about this seminar because I think these officers can get people’s attention,” Dodd said.
For more information, or to view the handbook, visit http://www.issaquahptsa.org/parented/.
Reporter Christopher Huber can be reached at 392-6434, ext. 242, or at chuber@isspress.com. Comment on this story at www.sammamishreview.com.
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