- [Stephfond] Tonight on "WPBS Weekly Inside The Stories," part three of our addiction prevention and treatment series.

We'll talk about what it takes to reduce a teen's risk of using.

And, meet Oswego County's first therapy dog.

Her name is River, and she's helping students manage anxiety.

Also, before you pull out the grill, try this baked pork chop and pear recipe for your family.

Your stories, your region coming up right now on "WPBS Weekly Inside The Stories."

(upbeat music) - [Narrator] "WPBS Weekly Inside The Stories" is brought to you by the Daisy Marquis Jones Foundation, the Watertown Oswego Small Business Development Center, Carthage Savings, CSX, the Oswego County Community Foundation at the Central New York Community Foundation.

And by the Richard S. Shineman Foundation.

- Good Tuesday evening everyone, and welcome to this edition of "WPBS Weekly Inside The Stories."

I'm Stephfond Brunson.

Tonight we begin with part three of our four part series on addiction prevention and treatment.

Addiction can effect anyone at any time, no matter your age or social status.

That includes our young people.

Teaching preventative measures early on can greatly reduce a teen's risk of using, which is why it's critical to curtail substance use at an early age.

(bright music) Keeping our kids safe from drug and alcohol use is of utmost importance to parents, teachers, law enforcement, healthcare workers and more.

Youth Substance Use Prevention works to delay the onset of the use of substances legal or illegal by our younger population.

When youth start using substances at a young age, they are more at risk of developing addictions later in life.

- Unfortunately we see that even 11 year olds begin to initiate alcohol use, some marijuana use, and, again, the younger people are when they initiate, the more likely they are to develop problems along the way.

We also see that by the time young people are in eighth grade, ninth grade, that substance use, regular substance use, escalates significantly.

There are a number of things that parents can do, and one of the most important ones really is to maintain open lines of communication.

Signal to the youth that they are available, that they are open minded, that they're not judging either their own teens or other teens who may be using substances.

It's also very important for parents to understand that even during the most rebellious times of their teenagers lives they are the most important person to talk about prevention.

Often times as parents we think well our kids don't really listen to us, time after time research indicates that parents are the primary preventers of substance use.

Networking with other parents is incredibly important for several reasons.

For one thing, youth tell us that most of their initiation into substance use, primarily it's with alcohol, takes place either on the sly in their own home, or at the home of a friend's home.

So as parents we wanna make sure that the parents of the kids our kids hang out with are in sync with our expectations, what we expect our teenager to do or not to do.

So creating that network also creates another line of supervision because if my kid understands fully that my expectation, and that younger person also understands fully what the friends' parents' expectations are, that creates another network of supervision, which also creates a safety net for both young people.

Parents can establish a safe place to have conversations with their own teens about substance use, and also by modeling appropriate behaviors.

We tend to think our kids don't really pay attention to what we do, but they do.

They watch everything we say, and what we do.

And they are exquisitely in tune in finding the discrepancies.

So do as I say, but don't do as I do really is, signals to the teenager that there may be a trust issue involved, and it also presents a barrier for open and honest conversation with a parent.

So as parents we really have to pay close attention how we conduct ourselves in our own homes, and how we speak, and how we conduct ourselves when we're out in the community.

- One way to keep kids from using substances found in the home is by safely storing drugs and alcohol.

- It is vitally important for parents of teenagers to understand that it is easier to monitor and to store substances in a safe place than having to deal with issues down the line.

For example, the alcohol in a locked alcohol cabinet.

It is very difficult sometimes for kids to resist the peer pressure if a friend or several friends come in the home, and somebody has the idea well, let's check out the liquor cabinet, well it's not going to happen if that liquor cabinet is locked.

And the teenager is then not put into a position of having to resist the pressure from the friends who are visiting in the home.

- Safe storage lock boxes are available free of charge from organizations such as Alliance For Better Communities in Jefferson County, and Up Coalition in Lewis County, and the Messina Drug Free Community Coalition in St. Lawrence County.

They're often used particularly for prescription medications.

- Because we know from, from surveys, official surveys, as well as by focus groups, that youth use substances, prescription medications that were not prescribed to them either from their own home, from grandparents' home, or from the home from friends.

So really the prudent thing for adults to do is to put their prescription medications into a lock box, and safely store it in another locked location.

That way nobody gets into, can give into the temptation of trying medications that were not prescribed to them.

Some of these medications can be narcotic-based medications, and given the fact that we're still in the middle of an opiate epidemic, it is just simply prudent, it makes good sense for parents to keep themselves and their children, and their teenagers safe by storing it, and by monitoring it.

Marijuana is legal to use in New York state.

Our big concern really is regarding the edibles, as well as other high content THC products.

To keep them safe, to keep them locked away, and to keep them inaccessible, particularly to young kids because some of the edibles, they are look alikes to, for example, gummy bears.

They are look alikes to brownies, or to gum because these edibles come in such a large variety of candies, gums and such things, that it is very easy for, particularly young children, as well as older children, to mistake it for candy, consume it, and really have very, very negative consequences, including having to go to the emergency room for poisoning.

It is so important for young people to get help early because the younger the individual is who is using the substances, the higher the likelihood that an addiction may develop over time.

So it becomes important to disrupt that progression and to mitigate already what has taken place.

- If you suspect that your child might be using, help is available.

No judgements, no guilt trips, just help, and happy to provide it.

Contact one of the numbers of websites on your screen for information, referral services, and short term counseling.

(upbeat music) Help for young folks is available in many different ways.

And in one elementary school administrates bring in a special kind of therapy that can calm heightened emotions quickly.

Her name is River, and at Laura M. Sharp Elementary in Pulaski, New York, she's everyone's favorite friend.

(people applauding) - [Joleene] In a small rural school in the village of Pulaski, in Oswego County, a creature walks the halls, but not just any creature.

She is River, a golden retriever dressed in uniform, and ready to take down the enemy of sadness.

River is a therapy dog at Laura M. Sharp Elementary, and even though this is her first year on the job she's already changing lives.

- With River what happens is River breaks the cycle of the emotional state that the child is in at the time, and gives the professionals an opportunity to actually connect with the child and calm them down.

- [Joleene] School resource officer Regan Roach and River are called on to calm children in escalated situations.

All it takes are these eyes and everything shifts.

- Typically the child will start talking to the dog, and interacting with the dog, or wanna take her for a walk and hold the leash, and will walk away from that situation with Officer Roach and River, and get out of the enviornment in which they're in, so that then the school psychologist, the counselors, myself, we're able to take over, and talk to that student, and bring them back to a state where they can be reestablished into the classroom and be calm again.

- [Joleene] Principal Joelle Hendry has been toying with the idea of a therapy dog for a few years, and after conversations with her secretary the conversation was elevated to Officer Roach.

Before long, Oswego County Sheriff Don Hilton was on board, and then the district.

When all were in supportive agreement, Officer Roach and his wife brought little River into their lives.

She was trained by the school secretary's daughter, a national dog trainer, and when ready hit the halls for duty.

And sure, she's here for the kids, but who wouldn't benefit from a few minutes with River.

- This has been a wonderful experience for us.

It has changed some of the attitudes of our students, it has helped calm our student population.

It's helped, even with our staff.

It brings us together a little bit more.

Our staff loves coming in in the morning, and seeing the days that she's here and she's working.

It just brings a smile to your face.

- As I walk down the hallway, which I have to give myself plenty of time for, because I do not get from point A to point B in a hurry, all the kids and teachers take the time to pet the dog on the head, and say good morning.

I really do believe it effects their day to some degree.

This job has changed me immensely.

I retired from Syracuse Police, it's a much different job, much different atmosphere.

This is the best job I've ever had.

It's wonderful to come in, the reaction that I get with the dog is great.

Used to be much more popular before the dog with the kids because I was the focus of their attention, now I'm just the guy that holds the leash.

- [Joleene] River's success has prompted talks of bringing other therapy dogs into different schools in the county.

So while this English cream golden retriever is the first in Oswego County, she may not be the last.

And rest assured plenty of snoot booping takes place with this special girl.

I mean why wouldn't you?

She's ready to bring you peace and joy.

In Pulaski for WPBS Weekly, I'm Joleene DesRosiers.

- It won't be long before we wheel the grills back outside, but if you're craving pork chops now, and are looking for the perfect recipe as we head into spring, this one's for you.

(upbeat music) - Pork and pear collide as I make my super impressive, and actually secretly very easy pork chops with a pear and ginger sauce.

(upbeat music) You know what, sometimes I have friends over, and honestly I can get a little bit stressed out about what I'm gonna cook for them.

This is so easy and so impressive.

I always like to use bone-in pork chops, because honestly, if you have the option, the flavor difference is so worth it.

And the thing with pork is that it's super tender and super mild, and that's why it goes so well with pears, because pears are mild too.

Just gonna throw these in the pan, and they honestly need like four, maybe five minutes a side.

Mm.

I love pork chops.

(upbeat music) These pears are called Anjou pears.

And for this sauce, it's so great because you can just kind of keep the pears as chunky as you want.

(upbeat music) Mm.

Look at that.

Oh wow.

Oh my gosh.

And while these chill out on the plate, I have enough time to make my sauce.

First things first, vinegar.

And I know what you're thinking, vinegar?

Really?

But think about it, all barbecue sauce has vinegar and sugar, right?

Sugar.

Gonna let this kind of soak up all those little porky bits from the bottom of the pan.

Oh yeah.

White wine.

Little bit of chicken stock.

This is homemade, but honestly you can buy it from the store, it'll be just as good.

This is gonna reduce down a little bit, and it'll give me just enough time to cut up some ginger.

I absolutely love ginger.

It's super spicy, and kind of sweet.

And with this you don't have to be too worried about cutting it into tiny little bites because the whole idea for this sauce is chunky and rustic.

(upbeat music) Grab my pears, and a few green onions.

And you know this sauce isn't super thick, but I do have the solution.

Corn starch, but I like to add it to some water first because you gotta get rid of those chunks.

Slowly but surely it's getting thick.

It is time to introduce this sauce to my pork.

Oh yeah.

This is exactly why I don't stress out when I'm having friends over.

Get it nice and coated.

This is ready for the plate.

I'm really sorry if you're drooling right now.

Mm.

See, what did I say about no stress?

This was so easy, and it smells so good.

Mm.

Oh yeah.

Honestly, if you've never tried pear and pork together you've got to get on it.

So good.

- Out of Ottawa tonight, we share the music of Twin Flames, a husband and wife duo.

Their folk pop style of music is a mix of English, French and Inuktitut.

Their cultural background spans Canada's geography, and their songs have moved them to a unique place among contemporary music makers.

Here they are tonight with one of their original tunes titled "Human."

- This is "Human."

(singing in foreign language) ♪ I have a language ♪ ♪ That was born with time ♪ ♪ Passed on through generations ♪ ♪ One of a kind ♪ ♪ Keep it close to me ♪ ♪ Close to my heart ♪ ♪ Share for all to hear ♪ ♪ I will do my part ♪ ♪ (singing in foreign language) ♪ ♪ I am proud ♪ ♪ I am proud ♪ ♪ (singing in foreign language) ♪ ♪ Of who I am ♪ ♪ I am human ♪ ♪ I am people ♪ ♪ I am human ♪ ♪ I am people ♪ ♪ (singing in foreign language) ♪ ♪ I am proud ♪ ♪ (singing in foreign language) ♪ ♪ (singing in foreign language) ♪ ♪ Of who I am ♪ ♪ (singing in foreign language) ♪ ♪ I am proud ♪ ♪ I am proud ♪ ♪ (singing in foreign language) ♪ ♪ Of who I am ♪ ♪ We are, we are trying to find our place ♪ ♪ (singing in foreign language) ♪ ♪ (singing in foreign language) ♪ ♪ We are, we are all the human race ♪ ♪ (singing in foreign language) ♪ ♪ (singing in foreign language) ♪ ♪ (singing in foreign language) ♪ ♪ I am proud ♪ ♪ (singing in foreign language) ♪ ♪ (singing in foreign language) ♪ ♪ Of who I am ♪ ♪ I am human ♪ ♪ I am people ♪ ♪ I am human ♪ ♪ I am people ♪ - Our elders say we were given our languages from the animals, from the trees, yet we cut them down.

Many things have been taken from our people, yet we are still here.

Our languages are not lost, but simply resting, waiting to be reawakened.

♪ (singing in foreign language) ♪ ♪ We are human ♪ ♪ We are people ♪ ♪ We are human ♪ ♪ We are people ♪ ♪ We are human ♪ ♪ (singing in foreign language) ♪ ♪ We are people ♪ ♪ (singing in foreign language) ♪ ♪ We are human ♪ ♪ (singing foreign language) ♪ ♪ We are people ♪ ♪ (singing in foreign language) ♪ ♪ We are human ♪ - Thank you so much everyone, we're Twin Flames, see you again soon.

- (speaking in foreign language) Parting words.

When I say (speaking in foreign language), in my language, (speaking in foreign language), I am saying I am human.

When I say (speaking in foreign language), I am saying I am people.

But the most important one, when I say (speaking in foreign language), I am saying I am alive.

That one word, (speaking in foreign language), means all three things.

And all the other significations around our indigenous people all mean the same thing, the people, meaning that we are all the same, no matter where we come from.

No matter the politics, no matter the religion, no matter the color of the skin, or the eyes or the hair, social class, they all mean nothing, stay human everyone.

- That does it for us this Tuesday evening.

Join us next week for a fresh look inside the stories.

We'll share the last installment of our four part addiction treatment and prevention series.

Expert talk about treating the disease.

And, a community on the edge of their seats waits for information about a mysterious illness plaguing Canadian residents.

Also, musician Trevor Gordon Hall brings you into spring at Bolt Castle with his unique guitar music.

Meantime, if you have a story idea you'd like to see us explore,' or you're a poet or a musician, and would like to be featured, emails us at wpbsweekly@wpbstv.org.

Until then, goodnight my friends.

(upbeat music) - [Narrator] "WPBS Weekly Inside The Stories," is brought to you by the Daisy Marquis Jones Foundation, dedicated to improving the well being of communities by helping disadvantaged children and families, online at dmjf.org.

The Watertown Oswego Small Business Development Center, a free resource offering confidential business advice for those interested in starting or expanding their small business.

Serving Jefferson, Lewis and Oswego counties since 1986.

Online at watertown.nysbdc.org.

Carthage Savings has been here for generations, donating time and resources to this community.

They're proud to support WPBS TV online at Carthagesavings.com.

Carthage Savings, mortgage solutions since 1888.

Additional funding provided by CSX, the Oswego County Community Foundation at the Central New York Community Foundation, and by the Richard S. Shineman foundation.

(singing in foreign language) ♪ I have a language ♪ ♪ That was born with time ♪ ♪ Passed on through generations ♪ ♪ One of a kind ♪ ♪ Keep it close to me ♪ ♪ Close to my heart ♪ ♪ Share for all to hear ♪ ♪ I will do my part ♪ (gentle music)