By Maggie Blackwell
mblackwell@salisburypost.com
West Rowan Middle School parents crowded into the school’s lunchroom last week to hear local addictions specialist Jim Mallinson speak about drug use in Rowan County. The event was a “no kids allowed” meeting.
Mallinson’s 30 years experience counseling young people who use drugs qualified him to educate the parents. His 50-minute presentation ran into overtime and parents still asked question after question.
He began by educating parents on the four main groups of drugs: depressants, stimulants, narcotics, and hallucinogens. Then he proceeded to identify those drugs most commonly used by middle-school-age youth in the community. Currently, those are marijuana, Ritalin, Xanax, and alcohol. He suggested parents whose youngsters take Ritalin might look at alternatives that can’t be abused as easily.
Mallinson identified myths, trends and studies. He said he sees a strong link between early Ritalin use and later alcohol abuse. Although studies have not proven the link, he sees a correlation among his patients.
He told parents the THC present in marijuana is three times more potent than it was in years past. He related drug use in teens to malformations in the central nervous system, which continues developing into a person’s mid-20s.
He showed a direct relationship between drug use and risk-taking behaviors, crime, school problems, accidents and violence.
Finally, he listed the consequences of drug use by teens, including memory impairment, brain adaptation, developmental delays, problem-solving deficiency, poor concentration and others.
Parents responded positively to the presentation. Hands shot up when Mallinson asked for questions or comments.
Parents Devin and Toshia Kelly agreed the presentation was very informative. They both said they felt affirmed when Mallinson identified their family dinners and limitations for their eighth-grade child as excellent protective factors for youth.
The school’s intervention specialist, Mindy Muire, said she was pleased with the heavy attendance.
“Here at West Rowan Middle School, we realize that students need not only to have access to a quality academic education but also to address their emotional and social needs,” she said. “In this day and time, students are faced with so many choices and so many pressures that getting through the school day can be a challenge for many.
“The decision to use alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs is one that can impact many areas of their lives. Parents are a critical component in the quest to keep kids drug free. Mr. Mallinson’s program serves to educate and inform parents about substance abuse issues and allows them the opportunity to reflect on how they can open the lines of communication with their children and have the tough conversations that need to occur.
“We want parents to know that our school is working with them to address the ‘whole student.’ ”

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Tips for protecting your teen from drugs
– Maintain a caring supporting relationship
– Keep your expectations high
– Establish clear rules, monitoring and accountability
– Expect your teen to participate in family life, including chores, recreation and family meals
– Teach social competence
– Develop in your youth a sense of autonomy, but not irate independence
– Help your child succeed in school
– Share your spiritual faith
– Check social networking pages and text messages