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Page 3. 1 The petitionable behaviors of concern in our district included incidents involving weapons, terroristic threats , theft , and chemical abuse. Weapons include switchblades, a "mock" gun , and chains. Terroristic threats involving the use of weapons were made against schocl personnel , .and to regain entry to school property during a suspension period. Chemical abuse concerns revolve around the fact that our students' social gatherings more often than nc*_ are centered around drinking and drug usage. Another area of concern is that of adolescent adjustment behaviors. Here we would include stress, peer pressure, family changes, and "over-extension" of students. Our students need to become aware of positive methods of dealing with stress, peer pressure, and family changes. They also need to understand the pitfalls of over-extending themselves - too many activities, concerns, jobs, etc. Many of our students, at both the middle and high school levels , are finding it difficult to deal with competing and conflicting demands and expectations placed on them from family, schools, community, and peers. In response to this, we have instituted voluntary groups to discuss and encourage students to make healthy and responsible decisions in the middle school. Twenty percent of these students are currently involved in these groups. They are discussion groups that are open-ended, but tend to revolve around the following student- initiated topics: Relationships with others, family issues, death and dying, chemical use and abuse, and school issues. We have found this to be an extremely effective way of identifying the needs and concerns of these middle school students. At this time, though, we have no effective vehicle for follow-up to help these students work through these concerns and crises. It is our desire to initiate these groups at the high school level for next year. If prevention can be viewed as a process of problem identification and then being able to deal effectively with these problems, then expansion and follow-up of these health • awareness groups will be very beneficial to the varied members of our school community. Due to manv of the concerns mentioned above , a Parents' Communication Network has been organized. This group organized primarily as a response to increased alcohol use by younger age students. Recent suicide threats , deaths , and runaways gave impetus to the rapid grou-0h of the organization. Although well-intentioned, the Network is viewed as a "vigilante group" by some students in the.,co=mity, and this situation has heightened tension and mistrust among a portion of the student body. Citizen concern frequently requires strong and effective leadership to help channel their energy in productive ways rather than aggravating an already tense situation. A professional Youth Intervention Program would provide such direction and leaders`l;p. SL"MARY: The statistical data presented easily indicates a caseload of 100 - 150 young people which is sufficient to justify one full-time counselor in that service area. Currently many of the responsibilities for providing services to the young people experiencing problems have been delegated to state, county, and private institutions rather than assumed at the local level. This strategy has lead to feelings of frustration, alienation and powerlessness an the part of yo=.g people and their parents. Studies have also indicated that the removal of young people from the community makes rehabilitation more difficult and less successful. We need to develop strong community based programming. The overridin:.g concern of all involved is that the young people be served. Current local resources within the City of St. Anthony and the St. Anthony School District have been seriously curtailed, and there has been little success in referring families and young people to counseling services located outside of the communities in which they live.