Young, and Sober

Each week, I get scores of letters and emails from parents who, more often than not, share their heartbreaking stories of addicted children unable to break free from the grip of alcohol or other drugs.

At times, it seems like nobody under the age of 21 has a tale with a happy ending. Dropping out of school, teenage pregnancy, gang violence, jail and even death are the final chapter that too many parents share about their kids.

But young people can and do recover. Perhaps more than any generation before them, today's teenagers are finding and holding onto sobriety — not just in treatment, but in recovery high schools, in sober dorms on college campuses and at community activity centers that promote an alternative to illicit drug use, binge drinking and other risky behaviors.

Dear Mr. Moyers: When are you going to write a book about all the success stories out there? I'm one — 18 years old, back in school again in the Twin Cities and will graduate next June. Amazing, because a year ago, I was caught drunk driving and with a drug charge thrown in. The judge made me go to treatment.

At first, it seemed like a punishment of the worst kind. Jail would be better, I thought. But I learned about my problem and what to do about it. Part of my aftercare plan was to enroll in Sobriety High. Now, I am in classes with kids like me who are sober, too. And it doesn't seem so weird not taking drugs or drinking. Actually, it feels good.

That's my story, and it needs to be told to other young people and our parents and families. — Sean S. in White Bear Lake, Minn.

Sean's right. But I'm not the one to do it.

Dear Sean: You tell the story. I cannot think of a more compelling and inspiring story than one proving that opportunity to change and grow comes from the adversity of your own experience.

Kids tend to stick together, for better or worse. If you're getting high or causing trouble, it's likely that so, too, are your friends. But if you're clean, going to school and working hard to change, I bet your friends are, too.

You are part of the next generation of leaders in the country. Lead by example, and others will follow. You're your story at school, in your church or at a treatment center so other young people or their parents will find hope.

Just remember that your continued sobriety comes first. Don't lose sight of that. Congratulations. You should be proud of what you've accomplished.

Sean mentioned Sobriety High, a charter school in the Twin Cities specifically for high school students who are working to stay clean and sober while resuming and pursuing their education. One of the first in the nation, Sobriety High has become the model for replication in big cities and small communities across the country. Sadly, there are not enough schools to meet the demand.

Dear Mr. Moyers: I'm a nurse, and my husband is a Presbyterian minister. We lost our granddaughter to a drunken driving accident two years ago. Yes, she was the driver, so she was the drunk driver.

For her, treatment wasn't allowed to work because she had to go back to the same school with the same friends with the same problem. We want to do something to change that. Other teenagers must have the choice our dear Lydia didn't get. Any suggestions? — Olivia D. in New Haven, Conn.

Dear Olivia: I admire your desire to use the hard lessons of your granddaughter's death to teach others that there is an alternative. I am unaware of a sober school in New Haven. Unfortunately, nationwide there are fewer than three dozen high schools for students in recovery. It takes a lot of work to cut through local and state governments' red tape to succeed. The Association of Recovery Schools (www.recoveryschools.org) knows how to do this.

William C. Moyers is the vice president of external affairs for the Hazelden Foundation and the author of "Broken," a best-selling memoir. The paperback edition was released in August 2007. Please send your questions to William Moyers at [e-mail]. To find out more about William Moyers and read his past columns, visit the Creators Syndicate web page at www.creators.com.

COPYRIGHT 2008 CREATORS SYNDICATE, INC.