[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 66 (Tuesday, May 24, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: May 24, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                    A TRIBUTE TO THE PHOENIX SCHOOL

                                 ______


                       HON. CONSTANCE A. MORELLA

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 24, 1994

  Mrs. MORELLA. Mr. Speaker, it is a proud moment for me to rise and 
pay tribute to the Phoenix School on the occasion of its 15th 
anniversary celebration. The Phoenix School was founded by the 
Montgomery County, MD, Board of Education in 1979 and was the first 
public high school in the country established for students recovering 
from drug and alcohol abuse.
  In 1992, 50 percent of high school seniors witnessed classmates drunk 
at school; 42 percent witnessed other students high on drugs. The use 
of marijuana and cocaine is increasing among 13- and 14-year-olds. 
Alcohol-related car crashes are the leading cause of death among 
adolescents and young adults in the United States. More than 30 percent 
of youth under the age of 18 in State-operated institutions were under 
the influence of alcohol at the time of their offense. If these trends 
prevail, it is estimated that 4,000 of Montgomery County's 30,000 
public high school students will be at risk for developing a dependency 
on alcohol and drugs during their lifetime.
  Since its establishment, the Phoenix School has enabled hundreds of 
Montgomery County students to stay sober and drug-free. Students attend 
the Phoenix program from 12 to 18 months, after which they return to 
their home high schools. More than 86 percent who complete the Phoenix 
program go on to complete their high school studies, and many go on to 
college.
  In most respects, the Phoenix School is like a regular high school 
with tough standards. Admission is selective, and students are usually 
referred by a school counselor, pupil personnel worker, or mental 
health professional. Classes are small and students must attend daily 
counseling and recovery sessions, 12-step programs, and must submit to 
frequent urinalysis tests. Parent involvement also is a major component 
of the Phoenix program. Parents must attend support group sessions on a 
weekly basis.
  The Phoenix School has two locations. The Silver Spring campus is 
under the able auspices of the founder of the Phoenix School, Brian 
Berthiaume. Sally Eller is the coordinator of the Gaithersburg campus 
and an advocate of early diagnosis and treatment as the best prevention 
for the disease of alcoholism and drug addition.
  The Phoenix School, with its innovative approach to helping teenagers 
overcome alcohol and drug abuse, is a model for the rest of the Nation. 
I am proud that this outstanding school is in the district that I 
represent in Congress. I extend my heartiest congratulations and best 
wishes to the school in celebration of its 15th anniversary, and I wish 
the winning combination of counselors, health professionals, faculty, 
parents and students continued success in promoting new programs and 
ideas to fight drug and alcohol abuse among teens.

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