SURF
CLEAN/LIVE CLEAN
Echo
Malibu sponsored a Surf Clean/Live Clean benefit to support the
launch of S.U.R.F., Surfers United Recovery Foundation. The event
was held at in Venice Beach in late August.
Regarding
the event, Dr. Jeffrey Nalin, co-founder of ECHO MALIBU stated
"For a long time we have seen youth come to us who have had
their first introduction to drugs as part of their participation
in the surfing culture. We believe that by supporting S.U.R.F.
we are both helping those surfers who have developed chemical
dependency issues and creating future, sober role models for youth
who are interested in surfing and surf culture."
The
event included live music from West Indian Girl and Shane Blue,
a surf photo exhibit (featuring work from youth at Echo Malibu)
and the screening of surf movies "Destination Point"
and "Islands in the Stream." There were also a host
of prizes given away to those who attended, including; a surf
board, a signed Donavon Frankenreiter Fender guitar, 1 week at
Playa Grande Surf Camp in Costa Rica, Skateboards, DVDs, CDs and
more.
All
proceeds from the event went to support the launching of S.U.R.F.,
Surfers United Recovery Foundation. The foundation's purpose is
to develop resources and assist surfers and surf industry employees
living with chemical dependency issues, attain and sustain recovery.
ECHO
YOUTH ENJOY TEENS OF CONTEMPORARY ART EVENT
The youth of
ECHO MALIBU recently attended a Teens of Contemporary Art (TOCA)
workshop at the Los Angeles Museum of Contemporary Art. The event
was an experiment with layering of materials on paper with artist
Amy Green and was inspired by MOCA Focus: Lecia Dole-Recio.
According
to Dr. Jeffrey Nalin, the event was important to the recovery
process of many of the youth who attended. "We see one of
our primary responsibilities as helping young people find real
value in living clean and sober lives. This process includes exposing
them to a large cross section of activities that are fun, stimulating
and drug free. It is important that we help young people learn
that being sober is about living life fully and not about hiding
away from the world."
Some
of the youth are scheduled to return to the museum for a workshop
being conducted by the Fashion Institute of Design and Marketing.
Regarding this future event, Dr. Nalin states "This will
be an especially ideal opportunity for some of our youth who have
been placed in the Fashion industry and Studio Wardrobe Departments
via our mentorship program. This is about allowing youth to explore
career goals and reclaim their lives."
ECHO
MALIBU STAFF, ALUMNI AND PARENTS COUNCIL MEMBERS TAKE LEADERSHIP
ROLES IN NATIONAL SOBRIETY MONTH 2006
Working
in conjunction with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
Administration within the US Department of Health and Human Services
and the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, ECHO
MALIBU's Staff, Alumni and Parent's Council Members provided leadership
for National Sobriety Month by designing and implementing 30 events
in 30 days to promote teen sobriety. Events held during the month
of September 2006, included an extensive series of drug and alcohol
education and outreach efforts to parents, teachers, youth and
families throughout the nation.
As
a result of their efforts, ECHO MALIBU was again honored with
letters of gratitude and certificates of recognition from a wide
cross section of California’s elected officials. California
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Senator Diane Feinstein, Los Angeles
Mayor Antonio Villagaigosa, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors,
the Los Angeles City Council, Members of the California Senate
and California General Assembly each recognized ECHO MALIBU Treatment
Center for leadership provided during National Sobriety Month.
Regarding
the events, Dr. Jeffrey Nalin, Executive Director of ECHO MALIBU
stated, “We always welcome any opportunity to do prevention
work. Our ultimate hope is that we can reach youth and families
early enough that they can avoid developing chemical dependency
issues. ECHO’s primary function is to treat alcohol and
drug addictions when they occur, but if we can prevent the addictions
from occurring in the first place, it’s all the better.”
'TIS
THE SEASON
Both
anecdotal evidence and numerous studies support the idea that
the holidays represent a time in which American’s experience
a rise in depression, anxiety and substance abuse. The data that
supports such a belief is almost exclusively aimed at adults,
without consideration to adolescents?? According to Cole Rucker,
co-founder of ECHO MALIBU, such an oversight can be dangerous.
“We see the holidays as potentially a very difficult time
for adolescents. Many are on winter break with little supervision.
They may be alone with difficult thoughts or feelings that they
were to busy to experience during their last semester of school.”
Dr.
Jeffrey Nalin, Executive Director of ECHO MALIBU adds, “As
with adults, adolescents may experience great disappointment during
the holidays if they’re expecting a holiday that is a direct
reflection of what the media has told them is ideal. Most families
fall short.” He goes on to state, “Teens may also
pick up on the anxiety of adults, experience direct or indirect
tensions around dealing with difficult visiting relatives, or
simply be impacted by the collective stress the holidays can bring.’
Rucker
adds, “The bottom line is that if you are talking about
at-risk youth, any added stressor can serve as a trigger for substance
abuse or other problem behaviors. Parents should watch for signs
that indicate that their child might be in trouble.” According
to Dr. Nalin, “Some of the signs parents should look for
include: changes in sleeping habits or appetite, social isolation
or retreat, changes in dress or appearance, a change in friends,
or loss of interest in pursuits that have been of importance.
It isn’t always easy for parents to determine the nature
or severity of an emerging problem.”
In
an effort to assist parents, ECHO MALIBU will have extra counselors
on duty 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to provide assistance to
families who may be in crisis. Parents or youth may call 800 780
ECHO to speak with a counselor free of charge.
