Core Competencies for Clergy and Other Pastoral Ministers In Addressing Alcohol and Drug Dependence in At-Risk Youth

1. Core Competencies for Clergy and Other Pastoral Ministers In AddressingAlcohol and Drug Dependence in At-Risk Youth Rev. Fred Smith, Jr., Ph.D.

2. Overview These competencies are presented as a specific guide to the core knowledge, attitudes, and skills essential to the ability of clergy and pastoral ministers to meet the needs of at-risk youth with alcohol or drug dependence and their family members.

3. Youth At-Risk Risk Factors: • Alcohol and drug use • History aggression • Violence at home and neighborhood • Academic failure • Divorce, relocation • Access to firearms • poverty High-Risk Behaviors: Criminal activity Fighting /victimization Drug/alcohol abuse Selling drugs Carrying a weapon Gang membership Dropping out homelessness

4. Despair or HopeIn at Risk Youth Dr. Fred D. Smith Jr.

5. Nihilism • By nihilism I mean an existential condition that refutes distinctions in moral values a sort of utilitarian relativism grounded in a deep angst. This is cause by a constant struggle to cope with meaninglessness, hopeless and lovelessness. With Cornel West, I view this nihilism as a threat because the chief moral value that is rejected is the value of human life itself. Materialism becomes the ultimate and determining value, but value that is without moral or rational rootedness that leads finally to a spiritual nothingness.

6. Nihilism • Many at risk youth today are largely alienated from the political life of the community. • They had no respect for the government in general. • Most felt that law was not there to protect them but instead to control them. • Outside, of their mother and grandmother, there were few they respected. • They were at war with police. • They tell story after story of racism, brutality, and criminal behavior of police that they, their relatives, or close friends have experienced.

7. Nihilism Continued: • There was a profound sense of loss for their missing fathers. Many had never met their fathers • Important value in life, to the overwhelming majority of the older boys, cash money was the ultimate value. • The greatest fear was of poverty. To be without means was demeaning. So they were determined to earn money by any means necessary was important. • A job was preferred by most. For the most part these young men were very materialistic.

8. Fatalism: • By fatalism, I don’t mean a doctrine that all everything in our lives are predetermined by fate. By fatalism I mean despair as an existential condition of a profoundly depressed state being with or without a specific object. It is a sense of an inability to affect change in the course or direction of ones life for the better. It is powerlessness over events, persons or conditions that impact ones life’s chances it is a sense of hopelessness, meaninglessness and powerlessness.

9. Fatalism • 80% envisioned a career as a professional football or basketball player. Yet most had a fall back plan. • When questioned about the likelihood of achieving their goal, the mood turned somber. • For more than 90% of those who responded, questions about what might stand in their way (violence, the prospect of an early death and run-ins with the law) made their dreams seem unlikely. • They also had mostly negative experiences with teachers. Many feel it doesn’t matter how smart they are… their talent will not be recognized because they have been pigeonholed from very early on in their educational career.

10. A Spiritual Search • Significance- What is the purpose of my life? Will or does anyone notice that I live? • Meaning- Why am I alive? Why does the world treat me this way? • Acceptance- Does anyone care that I am alive? Will people accept me for who and what I am?

11. Competency 1 • Be aware of the: · Generally accepted definition of alcohol and drug dependence · Societal stigma attached to alcohol and drug dependence

12. Chemical Dependency • The result of the inability of a person’s body to produce a chemical or to create the chemical balance needed for the person’s health and well-being. Such incapacity requires the regular use of chemical substances for a person to live a full life, such as a diabetic’s need for insulin.

13. Chemical Dependency • Such dependence becomes a serious problem when it is marked by the compulsive use of chemicals for the purpose of mood alteration and accompanied by harmful physiological changes

14. Alcohol dependency (alcoholism) • An addictive disease in which the sufferer is physically and psychologically dependent on alcohol. The alcoholic’s body cannot process alcohol chemically and systematically. Because of the addictive nature of alcohol, the alcoholic loses control over his or her drinking behavior.

15. Alcohol Dependency • Alcohol becomes a major focus for the person’s behavior and thinking. The person loses the ability to make sober choices over the use of alcoholic beverages. The loss brings harm to the person’s physical, emotional, spiritual, and social well-being. With this loss of freedom to choose, the alcohol dependency develops into a life-threatening addiction.

16. Dependency on God • Persons who believe in God experience a healthy dependency on God’s love and care. God’s grace saves them from what would harm them in an ultimate and eternal sense.

17. Dependency on God • Persons’ dependency on and trust in God enables them to develop life skills to be fully human in the way that God wants them to be. Christians point to the saving life of Jesus Christ. Christian Life Skills

18. Christian Life Skills for Alcohol and other Drugs In At Risk Youth Dr. Barbara Rogers Creator Adapted by Dr. Fred Smith

19. Life-Skill #1: •  Assists children and youth in self-care, self-understanding, self-respect and self-esteem.  • Issue Every 5-hours a child or teen commits suicide.  Suicidal behaviors, depression and self-destructive behaviors are on the rise among children and youth. • Scripture: Luke 10:27, Psalm 139:13-17, John 3:16

20. Competency 2 • Be knowledgeable about the: · Signs of alcohol and drug dependence · Characteristics of withdrawal · Effects on the individual and the family · Characteristics of the stages of recovery

21. The Warning Signs • Drinking for the effect of the chemical itself; purposely taking the drug alone to feel better. • Preoccupation with alcohol and drugs neglecting school work. • Hanging around with the wrong crowd, sneaking drinks; using drugs alone • Binge drinking- Gulping first drinks or drugs to get the effects as rapidly as possible

22. Life-Skill #2 • teaches children and youth to think responsibly, realistically, critically, honestly, biblically, and in preparation for academic success.  • Issue Everyday 17,297 students are suspended from public schools.  Every 9 seconds a student drops out of school.  Pornography is becoming mainstream and target children, youth. • Scripture: Ephesians 4:23, Philippians 4:8, Proverbs 16:3, Philippians 4:13

23. Competency 3 • Be aware that possible indicators of the disease may include, among others: family conflict, school violence (physical, emotional, and verbal), sudden poor school performance , suicide, hospitalization, or encounters with the criminal justice system.

24. Addictive behavior • The person’s behavior becomes compulsive, responsive to what might be called an “inside command” or drive to act in a certain way, despite the harm caused. This can lead to family conflict, school violence (physical, emotional, and verbal), suicide, depression, or encounters with the criminal justice system.

25. Self-Deception • The addict losses control over using the drug. This loss of control is physical, mental and emotional. Thus he or she rarely sees himself or herself as the problem. They blame other people or circumstances for what happens. This self- deception leads to conflicts, resentment and run-ins with the law.

26. Life-Skill #3 • helps youth and children to establish biblical values and understand how to set goals and make good decisions. • Issue Every 20 seconds a child is arrested.  Negative influences of the media and peer pressure are destroying our children and youth.

27. Competency 4 • Understand that addiction erodes and blocks religious and spiritual development in youth; and be able to effectively communicate the importance of spirituality and the practice of religion in recovery, using the scripture, traditions, and rituals of the faith community.

28. Spirituality • Is the experience of being connected deeply with ourselves, others, nature and God. The focus of addiction is on experiences and connection with the drug. The drug then mediates our experiences and connectedness with our self, others, nature and most profoundly God. For youth connections is everything. They are highly spiritual.

29. Life-Skill #4 • helps youth experience God, develop a relationship with Him through Christ, understand His Word, and share in Christian fellowship and a variety of wholesome activities free of alcohol and other drugs • Issue Statistics on good health and well being are much higher among those who pray and participate in a faith community. • Scripture: II Corinthians 5:17-18, Ephesians 2:8 & 9

30. Competency 5 • Be aware of the potential benefits of early intervention to the: · Addicted Youth · Family system · Peers

31. Benefits of early intervention • People with addictions get well • Families heal • Money is saved • Life gets better • Recovered people give back • Congregations rejoice • Communities are safer

32. Life-Skill #5 • helps youth understand and manage their sexuality: body, mind, spirit, whole being without the use of alcohol or drugs. • Issue Every 24 seconds a baby is born to an unmarried mother, every minute a teen parent gives birth. Alcohol and drugs are involved in 90 % of unwanted pregnancies. • Scripture: I Corinthians 6:19-20

33. Competency 7 • Be able to communicate and sustain: · An appropriate level of concern · Messages of hope and caring

34. An appropriate level of concern: Telling the truth. • Telling the truth in love is possible if the religious leader has come to terms with her or his own attitude towards the illness and those suffering from it. The religious leader must be sufficiently self-differentiated to withstand the possible rejection that may ensue from honestly and lovingly naming the presence of the illness.

35. Life-Skill #6 • helps youth engage life issues of vocation, politics, economics and other social situations. • Issue Unemployment rates for African American males are three times higher than for European American males and three times as many black children live in poverty than white children. • Among all persons experiencing unemployment and/or poverty, there tends to be a higher level of ill health, developmental disabilities, stress, and emotional difficulties. Which Alcohol and Drugs are used as a form of self medication. • Scripture: Joshua 1:8 & 9; Proverbs 10:29 & 12:27; Romans 12:1

36. Competency 8 • Be familiar with and utilize available community resources to ensure a continuum of care for the: · Addicted person · Family system · Affected children

37. Speaking openly and often on issues of addiction • Preaching and teaching • Promote the idea that illness & imperfection are inherently human conditions, and that help and hope are available. • Develop a process for welcoming people who are new to recovery

38. Life-Skill # 7 • encourages wholesome relationships with friends, family, co-workers, and others in responsible, respectful and caring ways. This may be accomplished through twelve step programs and recovery support groups for youth struggling with addictions. • Issue Child neglect, abuse, and family violence can cause children and youth to experience developmental delays, learning disabilities, and emotional problems. •  Scripture: Luke 10:27-37; Proverbs 16:7; Luke 6:27-45

39. Competency 9 • Have a general knowledge of and, where possible, exposure to: · The 12-step programs – AA, NA, Al-Anon, Nar-Anon, Alateen, A.C.O.A., etc. · Other groups

40. Referral Information • Nearest 12 Step group in the area • Al-Anon Group • Alateen Group • Other available groups

41. 12 Step programs • Know the 12 steps of AA • Know the 12 Traditions • Know the factors that will contribute to the success of a 12 step group

42. Life-Skill #8 • helps youth with anger management, understanding and managing their various feelings in constructive ways. • Issue Every 8 minutes a child is arrested for a violent crime.  Violence in the media, road rage, sports rage, and other such behaviors are a growing menace in our world. These behaviors are often related to alcohol and other drug abuse. • Scripture: Psalm 119:11

43. Competency 10 • Be able to acknowledge and address values, issues, and attitudes regarding alcohol and drug use and dependence in: · Oneself · One’s own family

44. The function of attitudes • The attitudes that we bring to the table as we deal with addiction are formulated in a variety of ways: • Parents • Peers • The Media • Religion and Religious leaders • Personal Experience

45. Life-Skill #9 • helps youth understand and avoid addictive and unwholesome elements in life: drugs, alcohol, overeating, junk food, poor use of the Internet/music/videos/DVDs/movies, etc.  It encourages fresh air, exercise and good positive life style habits. • Issue There is an epidemic of overeating among children, youth, and adults. Every 9 minutes a child is arrested for drug abuse.  Everyday a young person dies from HIV infection. • Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23, II Timothy 1:7, Romans 12:1&2

46. Competency 11 • Be able to shape, form, and educate a caring congregation that welcomes and supports persons and families affected by alcohol and drug dependence.

47. Understanding addiction illness • Many Pastors lack understanding of misuse or addiction to alcohol and other drugs. • 12 percent of America’s pastors who are engaged in pastoral counseling have any training at all in addiction. • More than two-thirds of the issues they deal with in counseling have roots in addiction. • Many judge addictions as a sin which discourages a caring congregation.

48. Competency 12 • Be aware of how prevention strategies can benefit the larger community.

49. A Comprehensive Community Model • Personal and Communal Health and Growth • Prevention • Treatment/Recovery • Public Policy/Law Enforcement • Revival of Hope

50. Personal/Communal Health and Growth • Humanization of social services • Support nurturing social institutions • Inclusive respect for all people • Expanded Head Start programs