SJC to Host Counseling Workshop on Drug Abuse in Schools

November 23, 2009

PATCHOGUE, NY NOVEMBER 24, 2009 St. Josephs College is pleased to welcome guest speaker Joseph Califano Jr. to the counseling workshop "The Rise of Drug Use Among Our Students and Children on December 10, 2009 at the Islandia Marriott Hotel in Islandia, N.Y. Mr. Califano, founder and chairman of the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University (CASA), will speak about the topics covered in his new book, How to Raise a Drug-Free Kid.

Mr. Califano will present on this topic to members of the school counseling community. This workshop is one of a number of professional development opportunities offered by St. Josephs College for school counselors and administrators. Past workshops have focused on issues involving self injury, gangs and violence and cyber-bullying.

"Students are playing dangerous games with prescription drugs, and heroin use is out of control, said Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management Gigi Lamens. "This is not just a high school issue anymore, as it has found its way into the middle schools as well.

Drug use is on the rise in schools, particularly the use of heroin and abuse of prescription drugs. According to the Partnership for a Drug-free Americas annual teen survey, approximately one in five teens reports abusing a prescription medication at least once in their lives, and one in 10 teens reports having abused a prescription pain reliever in the past year.

Joseph A. Califano Jr. held various federal government positions before founding CASA, an independent non-profit research center affiliated with Columbia University in New York City. In 1977, he was appointed by President Jimmy Carter as the U.S. Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare. It was during that time that he launched the nation's largest anti-smoking campaign, one of the most successful media campaigns ever created to combat youth smoking. Mr. Califano Jr. has written 12 books; his latest, How to Raise a Drug-Free Kid, teaches parents how to prevent, recognize and confront their childrens drug abuse.

The workshop is free for school counselors and administrators. Registration is required as seating is limited. Those interested can get more information or register by calling the Office of Admissions at 631.687.4500.