Apr 9, 2006 By Jenny Susa 3 min read

BROWNSVILLE – Because today’s youths are at a higher risk for problem behavior than most parents realize, the Brownsville Area School District is holding discussion panels that are meant to help students stay on the right track. The series of discussion panels began on Wednesday and the speakers talked to students in the 10th grade. On Thursday, a discussion panel was held at the middle school for students in the seventh grade. The series of discussion panels will end with a session for adults only on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. in the high school auditorium.

Lorraine Yasenosky, prevention specialist at Fayette County Drug and Alcohol Commission, said that students today are facing numerous social pressures to abuse drugs and alcohol and engage in many other dangerous activities. She said the discussion panels on Wednesday and Thursday addressed teen risk factors and let the students get answers to their questions from people who know the consequences of problem behavior.

At these panels, students heard from representatives from Juvenile Probation, an attorney from Davis and Davis, a prevention specialist from Fayette County Drug and Alcohol Commission, a 2004 Brownsville graduate, and a student who has been to Juvenile Court.

Yasenosky said that the students attended these discussions during individual classes from 9 a.m. until 1:30 p.m., and the individuals speaking were given a list of questions from the students in advance.

According to Brownsville High School’s assistant principal Frank Berdar, Tuesday’s discussion panel is the one that the district would most like to inform the public about.

“We would like parents and all area adults to attend,” said Berdar, explaining that while the discussion panels for the students focused mainly on the consequences of abusing drugs and alcohol, the parents’ discussion panel will inform them about other problem behaviors.

“We’ve seen increases in the choking game,” said Berdar.

He was referring to a game during which children asphyxiate themselves in order to get high, sometimes resulting in death.

Berdar said that while they have no documented cases, administration and faculty of the district have heard that it could be going on in the middle school.

“We want to make sure parents are informed of the warning signs that their kids could be participating in the choking game or help them look for ways to prevent them from even thinking about trying it,” said Berdar.

He said another problematic activity that is on the rise among young teenagers is self-mutilation, more commonly referred to as “cutting.”

“Experts will be talking to parents about what to look for,” said Berdar.

At the end of the session, adults who attend will have time to ask questions about these issues, and any others that may be of concern.

“These things are not just a problem in Brownsville,” said Berdar.

“They are increasing among teenagers everywhere and we want to get the word out,” said Berdar.