Junction and Lenny Moore team up to explain what teens are thinking

Wednesday November 5, 2008 Westminster Eagle column by Kevin Dayhoff (565 words)

Tomorrow Junction will be hosting a substance abuse and awareness program sponsored by the Carroll County commissioners at 6 p.m. at The Portico, at St. John Catholic Church at 47 Monroe Avenue in Westminster.

If you are not aware of Junction; it is a local private nonprofit agency for substance abuse prevention and outpatient drug treatment. September 27 was the 37th anniversary of the incorporation of Junction. A month after incorporation, on December 6, 1971, it opened its doors in the historic Carroll County Jail on Court Street in Westminster.

Tomorrow night’s program will feature two special guest speakers, Dr. David McDuff, a nationally known adolescent, addiction, and sports psychiatrist; and Baltimore Colts Hall of Famer Lenny Moore.

Dr. McDuff has worked with adolescents with learning, attention, substance use, and mental disorders for the past twenty years. He retired from the Army Reserves in 2002 after 28 years of service as a Colonel including combat duty during the Persian Gulf War.

You may have heard of him in his capacity as the team psychiatrist and mental skills trainer for the Baltimore Ravens and Orioles for the past 13 years.

Mr. Moore, the former flanker/halfback for the Baltimore Colts in the days of John Unitas, is currently employed by the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services and does presentations for the Community and Family Partnerships Department.

If that weren’t good enough, the real clincher for the evening is the topic of the program: “What are they thinking? - Connecting with your teen.”

Now I grew up in Carroll County in the 60s when the community and our world were changing rapidly. However we were little angels and it was easy to understand us. Ah, ahem, well maybe not so much.

Today’s teenagers are wonderful. You can often hear this repeated throughout the community. Nonetheless; how often have you heard yourself saying, in reference to young adults – “What were they thinking!?”

From observing the young adults of our community we can confidently look forward to handing over the future leadership of our country to a very capable and responsible generation.

However, today’s adolescents are not going to have a chance to take over the world if they have their careers and lives are negatively impacted by drugs or alcohol.

In tomorrow evening’s program, Dr. McDuff’s presentation will include explaining the developing adolescent brain, why teens make the decisions they do, teen addiction, and communicating with your teen.

Mr. Moore is very involved in sending a positive message to teens about their choices. He speaks about the risks of drugs and works to improve the lives of troubled teens.

I’ve been a member of the board of Junction since October 2000. I have come to understand that the challenges of drugs and alcohol are an equal opportunity scourge on our community.

Adolescents having problems with substance abuse happens to good and bad families - wealthy and poor, black and white. There is no magic to making our children bulletproof to substance abuse. It takes constant work and diligence.

We are fortunate in Carroll County to have two talented presenters with the stature of Dr. McDuff and Lenny Moore share with us their insights.

There will be about 20 information booths at the program with handouts and plenty of professionals to answer questions.

And, of course, since there will be food and refreshments, you can count on seeing me there.

Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster Maryland USA.
E-mail him at: kdayhoff@carr.org
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20081105 Junction and Lenny Moore team up to explain what teens are thinking

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