Tuesday Talks with Tori: 4 Questions with Richard Wong

Hi there, this is Tori Wong, and to kick off my “Tuesday Talks with Tori” I spent 10 minutes with the Executive Director of the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) and ACE Board member, Dr. Richard Wong (no relation). Just kidding, Dr. Wong is not only the hard working Executive Director of a growing organization, he is also my father. Today, he agreed to talk to us about what school counselors are doing to combat the growing epidemic of inhalant abuse in schools across the country and why it’s important.

Tori Wong (TW): As the Executive Director of the American School Counselor Association (ASCA), what do you see as the major problem with inhalant abuse?
Richard Wong (RW): Of course, the primary problem with inhalant abuse is that it exists at all. It's unfortunate that young people need to take common products that are a part of our everyday lives and use them in ways that could kill them with just one incidence of abuse. Beyond that, the major problem is a lack of understanding and awareness by the general public. If more adults knew how dangerous and accessible inhalant abuse is, and then took action, the problem wouldn't be as serious. The lack of understanding leads to a reluctance to discuss the problem or a denial that a problem exists, both of which make the problem worse.

TW: How do you think school counselors are working to solve that lack of awareness in their own schools?

RW: Through a collaboration between ASCA and ACE, school counselors across the country have used the inhalant abuse kits and other materials developed by ACE to educate their students about the dangers of inhalant abuse and to educate parents about effective ways to talk with their children, to spot warning signs that their children may be abusing inhalants or other substances, and to use products prudently to limit their children's access to products that potentially could be abused

TW: We all know there are many issues for parents, teachers, and counselors to deal with, why do you feel that more parents should educate themselves and their children about the dangers of inhalants?

RW: The fact is that inhalant abuse could potentially by more dangerous than illegal drugs or prescription medicine abuse. One incidence of abuse could result in permanent brain-damage or even death. At the same time, inhalants are more accessible than marijuana, cocaine or other illegal substances and even more accessible than alcohol. Products that are susceptible to inhalant abuse are part of our lives; it would be very difficult to get along with out them, so parents can't simply ban them from their house or stop using them. Therefore, they should educate themselves and their children about the proper ways to use and store the products and the dangers of abusing them.

TW: What can parents do to protect their children from the dangers of inhalant abuse?
RW: The reality is that we can't always protect them, so we need to help them protect themselves. Parents need to talk with their children about all risky behaviors. Of course, adolescent brains aren't fully developed and adolescents don't always use the best judgment, so parents should monitor their children's activities and take action when they have even the smallest suspicion. Some parents are hesitant to do anything because they fear they might anger their children and alienate them. Parents need to remember that they're the grown-ups in the family and it's their responsibility to make sure that their children become responsible grown-ups also. ACE provides excellent materials to help parents talk to their children and monitor them without being too constrictive. Their school counselors are an excellent resource as well.