Tuesday Talks with Tori: Antonio Roque Making an IMPACT

Antonio Roque is the hardworking advisor for the Los Angeles Unified School District’s (LAUSD) prevention and early intervention student assistance program, IMPACT. IMPACT focuses on students with issues resulting from family violence, divorce, drugs and alcohol, loss of a loved one, or living in gang territory, and currently has programs in 69 middle and high schools. IMPACT trained teachers and counselors identify students who may be suffering from any of the abovementioned concerns and encourage them to take part in an IMPACT student educational support group, which serves as a safe place for students to talk about their feelings and concerns.

Taking Care of Inhalant Abuse in LAUSD
In 2007, the Youth Risk Behavior Survey found that Los Angeles Unified School District students are at a “greater risk” of abusing inhalants than their US counterparts. “The current increase of inhalant abuse by our youth is an alarming fact that has our coordinators in need of resources, staff training, and an overall awareness of the problem to students, school personnel, parents, and the community.” In order to raise this awareness, IMPACT’s department took part in a series of meetings with city officials and community-based drug education organizations to address the increase use of inhalants by youth in the Los Angeles community. “The meetings resulted in the formation of a collaborative made up of representatives from the community at large.”

In addition to being part of the collaborative, Roque has been presenting to school staff and parents throughout LAUSD. “On April 12 of this year, I presented at the 12th Annual Parent Summit held at the Los Angeles Convention Center. On April 30th, I presented at the Educate, Energize and Empower Series on Child Safety—Gangs/Games and TV Violence/Alcohol/Internet/STD.” On both occasions, parents were shocked to find how easily everyday products are purchased and abused.

Throughout his presentations, Roque has received one common and clear message from parents: Education for parents and students is an overdue necessity.
“Though the parents are not totally in the dark about inhalants, the one prevalent barrier to overcome is the idea of, ‘not my child. My child is not doing that!’ This can only be overcome through more awareness and educational events.”

“The critical message for us as educators to convey to parents is the dual importance of talking to their children about inhalants and how to talk to them about the topic. The reports of children as young as 6 years of age having tried inhalants are an alarming fact that we should all take into account when discussing harmful substances and products with our children. As parents, these conversations need to start at an early age; and as teachers, we should be incorporating these topics into our healthy-living lessons in the classroom.”

In the new school year, Health Education Programs and IMPACT are planning more staff developments, awareness activities, presentations, and collaborations in the hopes of bringing down the high rate of inhalant abuse in local communities.