Agenda - Council - 05/27/1997 - Laserfiche WebLink

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I I I I I I I I I I I I I I i · Studies indicate risk behaviors are a concern to our youth. They need to know what consumption is considered "hinging", who to contact about suicide and depression and our cities mediation between offender and the injured parties as well as police. · From my research and experience, it seems that depression leads to drug and alcohol abuse and other risk behaviors. I feel if depression is given more attention, kids will understand why they feel the way they do. They will know there are resources to help them and not use illegal substances and alcohol to escape. · You do no list ADD/ADHD as a choice. When this behavioral characteristic is not addressed it can and will cause low self-esteem, which can lead to depression]suicide. Ritalin only helps filter out distractions but does not control the child. There are management techniques that need to be implemented in the classroom that I don't believe all teachers are aware of. Thanks for the opportunity to express my concerns. · My children are married and have their own families. But I'm still concerned about youth and children spendIng time home alone and children in homes who always have alcohol on the shelf. Interaction With a Non. Parent Adult · # Se) Depending on the responsibility of the chitd. ~F" who is initiating these in-depth conversations and what are the topics? · Not sure what ~F" means. Stress academic excellence, the need to look beyond immediate gratification to long-term. · I think if the adult is someone the parent trusts, there is nothing wrong with kids having in- depth conversations with another adult. I would rather the child talks to someone rather than hold their feelings and/or apprehensions inside. Sometimes it's almost better to talk to someone else. Please print the survey results in city newsletter. · I believe some Uissues" discussed in a group setting by an adult that may not carry the same values is risky. When a subject comes up, we should honestly address it, but some of the areas such as suicide can make things worse rather then better. I do not advocate avoidance or ignorance, sensitivity is the key word. Parental/Adult Responsibility · Have more free parent seminars, to get a good turnout, etc., to educate paren~ on how to teach the above values in real life situations. It all starts at home and if parents don't take responsibility then nothing will improve for youth. · It should be "Adults First." They are the ones who need to be educated. Make adults better parents and you will decrease youth problems drastically. · My problem with this is that the-concerns don't get addressed to the youth that are really in need, where there is lack of parent involvement. I don't believe the community can be a substitute. · In many cases it is not only the children, but the parents as well, that need to be educated and supported by such programs. · My involvement with youth organizations in Anoka has shown me that the city of Anoka has too many parents who do not encourage their kids or get involved in youth activities. Youth First must include parents becoming involved. · Parental guidance and love along with firmness in discipline are my top ideas for reducing at risk youth and promoting the District ~tl 1 values. Leaving children alone on their own early needs to be addressed because without adults and/or parents around, good guidance and direction is nearly impossible. · Parents today are in much need of being taught the scary truth of the large numbers of teen parents, alcoholics, criminals in our youth, even here in Anoka. Parents must be educated first. · The best way to teach children is for adults to be good role models. Spending our children's money (deficit spending) is taxation without representation. This is no different than stealing. Until we as adults address this problem, we won't be able to fix the other problems. 7