|
|
 |
|
| The Courage To Speak:
Empowering Youth to Be Drug Free is a dynamic,
riveting and thought-provoking presentation given by
Ginger Katz, founder and president of The Courage To
Speak Foundation. Ms. Katz, who lost her son
to a drug overdose in 1996, has made over
1000 drug prevention education presentations throughout the country that have touched the hearts and minds of thousands of students, parents, law enforcement professionals, educators and prevention specialists. Ms. Katz's presentation combines prevention facts with her family's tragic experience to help participants learn about the code of silence and denial surrounding substance abuse and drug-related violence. Other topics include that it is OK to ask adults for help, how to recognize risky behaviors and relationships and how important it is for students and parents to talk together openly and honestly about the dangers of drugs including alcohol.
Ginger reaches young people like few others can. Through her presentations, she implores listeners to follow the positive passions in their lives. A central theme of Ginger's work is that young people should cultivate relationships with three to five trusted adults with whom they are able to share their problems and innermost thoughts. Her presentations frequently elicit responses—in person or via email and letters—from parents who are seeking help for a family member, or from young people wanting to share their problems as a result of hearing the Courage to Speak presentation. Some youngsters are in a serious crisis. The Courage to Speak is committed to responding immediately and provides referrals where needed.
Speaking as a parent who has experienced the ultimate loss, Ginger inspires people to step forward, assess their situation, and address their problems. But her riveting presentation isn't filled with sadness. Ginger's words overflow with hope and promise that the courage to speak - about fears, drug dependence, or any troubling issue - presents an ideal opportunity for healing.
Through Ginger's story, and the life-saving prevention information it contains, students and parents begin to recognize the telltale signs of alcohol and other drug use. She also describes the veils behind which those signs hide: anger, denial, fear, pain and deception.
My son Ian died on September 10, 1996 in his sleep of an overdose. He was only twenty years old. After he died, one by one, his friends began to come to me. We were all in such pain. I sat and listened, torn between anger and agony, as slowly they began to talk about what had really been going on.
Anger doesn't help. Ian's friends and his family have to heal. We have to find the courage to speak before it is too late for so many other young people like my son who are in danger of becoming addicted to drugs. Ian was bright, handsome, athletic and popular. If this could happen to him, it could happen to anyone.
|
|
Comments from Students about the Presentation
|
|
|
|
|
"There are a lot of kids in high school who do drugs. They think it's a joke. I wish everyone could hear you speak."
"I see now that drugs can affect all kinds of kids, not just 'drop-outs.' I can under stand that if you stay silent to protect a friendship, you could end up losing the friend, like you lost Ian."
"After hearing you speak and looking at all the pictures of Ian, I actually had the feeling that I knew him and I was very upset. I came out of class with a new attitude towards drugs and alcohol."
"When she read from her journal, I had tears in my eyes. It was different to hear about a drug addiction from a parent's viewpoint. It was overwhelming. I don't think I will ever forget it."
"The three things I've learned are to never do drugs, choose my friends wisely and have at least one person I can tell anything to."
"My sister got into trouble again and my parents always make excuses for her. You made me see the 'wall of silence.' "
"I just heard ur speech and i wanted to say u really touched me. i mean for the past couple weeks, i have been smoking cigeretts with my friends and, at parties, drinking a little and i didn't realize it could lead to so much stronger drugs, so i just wanted to say thank u."
"The only thing I thought was bad about the presentation is that everybody said that my life seems like Ian's, but I don't think my life is. I do drugs, but I don't feel I have a problem. But besides that, it was a good program. A sign of denial?"
"Once you start, you can't stop and the drug can make you do things you normally wouldn't. Drugs can have a major impact on your brain and make you think about crazy things or not think at all."
"It made me realize how other people are affected by drugs, not just the drug user. I don't want to use drugs because I wouldn't want to hurt my mother."
"I cried during and after her talk. I hadn't fully grasped the enormity of what drugs could do. I had thought about doing drugs, but now I never will. I don't want to hurt myself or the ones I love."
"Ian looks like a normal person, not a drug addict. The saddest thing was that he died right when he had decided to get help."
|
|
|
