Probably any parent of a teenager who has seen the Oscar-nominated film “Traffic” has been disturbed by the portrayal of affluent teenagers free-basing drugs and having sex. Most adult viewers are not sure if this is an accurate picture of teenage culture today, or a provocative Hollywood exaggeration.
A group of teenagers at Cross Creek Mall were asked their opinion of their peers’ depiction in the film. Their response was a unanimous, “It’s not true.”
“A lot of people [teens] smoke weed and drink at parties. But if there are hard drugs, it is hidden,” they said.
However, on ABC’s “Nightline” this week, Ted Koppel explores the reality of what was depicted in the movie. And, according to Monday night’s episode, the film was right on target in the portrayal of the drug trade and use by teens across the country. Three teens interviewed, who were all in drug rehab, said that drugs were prevalent in their upscale Midwest community. They also said that buying drugs was easier than buying alcohol.
The group at Cross Creek agreed that they did not feel ignored or alienated at school or at home, as was portrayed by the girl in “Traffic.” “A lot of people care about you,” one girl offered. The consensus was that kids with “serious” drug problems were probably getting private counseling.
However, the use of alcohol, tobacco and drugs and premature sexual involvement are the concern of Malibu middle and high school administrators, counselors and teachers and of a variety of related services such as the Smart Moves program at the Boys and Girls Club Teen Center. Smart Moves is a national program to help children avoid the four major perils of adolescence — drugs, alcohol, tobacco and premature sexual involvement.
Laure Stern, president of the board of directors of the Malibu Foundation for Youth and Families, which supports Smart Moves, said, “There has always been a need for this type of program here, and anyone who thinks we don’t have a problem with these issues in Malibu must be in total denial.”
“It’s hard for parents to see the world through their child’s eyes,” said Irene Ramos, Malibu middle school assistant principal. “Parents need to realize that their children are much more exposed to drugs, alcohol and violence than we were. When [parents] find out their children are involved in these types of activities, they are usually shocked.
“Peer pressure is so great. Most kids are ill-prepared to handle it and most parents don’t know how to talk about these subjects. We really need to get involved. We have the authority to teach kids how to read and write but as a society, we have to do more. Eminem for example. Look at what they are being exposed to,” Ramos grimaced.
School counselor Nancy Pallathena agreed, “It’s hard to grow up now. All schools have illegal substances on campus and not many kids are caught. A lot is going on that we are not aware of. Our roles are limited. Kids are getting through school as best they can, but everything is so fast. And now we all know what the costs are for not paying attention.”
Students turn to school counselors Pallathena and her colleague Luke Sferra for help or else reveal their neediness by their behavior, but Pallathena regrets that she does not have enough time for all of them.
“What we need is another counselor. Six hundred kids each is too many. We are under-staffed in this district. There is a lot of talk about the value of programs, but unless you dedicate money along with the talk, you are not going to succeed.”
One privately funded program is the unannounced appearance of drug-sniffing Labrador retriever Pounce. He, or a stand-in, comes every few weeks or once a month.
“The kids don’t like it,” Pallathena offered, “and only occasionally has he alerted us to a problem, but I do think it is a deterrent.”
According to Tess Hudson, Student Council president, students have “adjusted” to Pounce. “When the dog first came it was a big ‘to do,’ but now we just take it as a matter of course.”
However, drug-sniffing dogs have created controversy at a middle school in Santa Paula. Parents are outraged and say that the searches violate students’ privacy rights.
In addition to the dog, the school campus is “policed” by security personnel Teresa Wallace and Milton Greene. Wallace knows the students well and they know her. She tries to be everywhere.
“We want to make it safe,” she said. “The last thing we want to do is to catch someone.” Her mantra is, “Prevention, prevention, prevention.”
There are other drug-combating and self-esteem programs in progress. Volunteer counselors come to the campus from Jewish Family Service, the Action Program in Santa Monica holds group sessions, and ninth- and tenth-graders all participate in Student Council, which aims to develop listening skills, verbal expression and self-empowerment.
With Smart Moves, 10 high school students are leaders and mentors for middle school participants. For about eight weeks, the group will explore the perils of drugs, alcohol and premature sexual involvement. Stern fervently champions the national program along with club directors Scott Robinson and Stacey Gray. A new group will be formed after spring vacation.
The ultimate goal of Smart Moves at the Teen Center and of school administrators and faculty at Malibu Middle and High School seems to be the same — to keep kids in school so they can learn, and to give them the strength to resist negative influences so they can become positive members of the community.