Judge Lisa Asadoorian, from the 52-3rd District Court, knows just how big the substance abuse problem is at the high school and middle school levels.
That is precisely why something as big as knee surgery couldn’t stop Asadoorian from speaking at the 5th annual Substance Abuse Awareness and Legal Issues Forum, held at Lake Orion High School on Jan. 18.
‘Let me tell you about my courthouse,? Asadoorian began. ‘It’s wall-to- wall kids.
‘It’s your kids. Your neighbor’s kids. Your kid’s best friends.?
Asadoorian, and former LOHS student Jake Kelly, both spoke candidly at the forum, set up by LOHS Substance Abuse Prevention Advisor Michele Novak.
‘You cannot pinpoint a certain group,? Asadoorian said, noting that substance abusers range from all-star athletes, to kids from million dollar homes, to four point students.
Asadoorian showed a 12-minute video that emphasized her point. It told the story of a youth from a well-off Michigan family with multiple convictions as a minor in possession of alcohol (MIP).
While in college, just a week away from an MIP violation, the young man drove a group of friends home from a party after having too much to drink.
The car crashed while going 120 miles per hour, and it cost one of his friends his life.
The young man, who recently turned 21, is serving a 3-8 year sentence.
‘I don’t want your child’s life to be summed up in a 12-minute video,? Asadoorian said to the nearly 50 parents in attendance afterwards.
‘I’m their ally. I want you to cry at their wedding, not at their funeral.?
Asadoorian went on to share stories from her courtroom, of youths making wrong choices, as well as parents serving as suppliers for their children.
The judge encouraged a cooperative parental environment, stressing communication with other parents.
‘We need that to spread,? she said, ‘so it becomes the norm.?
As powerful as Asadoorian’s comments were, it was the story told by Kelly that ultimately got the message across.
Kelly, who graduated from LOHS on Jan. 12, told the audience that he has proudly been clean for two and a half years.
Kelly began casually smoking marijuana, but his use quickly went from week to week, to multiple times a day.
‘It got so bad, I started smoking at lunch,? Kelly admitted.
He was caught at school with drugs in his car during a random canine search. He soon began having regular meetings with Novak.
Following his probation, Kelly admitted to using marijuana once more, but came to a sudden realization.
He thought about how his actions could affect his friends and family, and he hasn’t used since.
‘I realized it wasn’t worth it,? he said.
Kelly believes that everyone’s conscience knows when something is wrong.
In hindsight, he knows he should have followed his own conscience.
‘I wish I had kept listening to myself in 8th grade,? Kelly said. ‘You just have to keep saying no.?
Novak said it is easy to see why a story like Kelly’s can have an influence on an audience.
‘He lived it,? Novak said. ‘He sees what’s going on.?
Asadoorian agreed.
‘Jake’s story trumped everything here,? the judge said. ‘There’s nothing more important than hearing from students like Jake.?
‘He was on a crash course and he stopped himself. He has my utmost respect.?
Novak, Asadoorian, Kelly, along with principal Todd Dunckley and associate principal Chris Bell, took time to answer some questions as well.
When asked about the prevalence of substance abuse at the high school level, Kelly guessed that about 8 of every 10 students has, or is, smoking marijuana.
Bell also addressed this issue.
‘I’m not going to be naive and say it doesn’t happen,? he said. ‘But we are very proactive.?
He noted the dog searches (which happen once or twice a year) and the administration’s quick reaction to tips from counselors, teachers and even students.
Asadoorian, who admitted to being a tough judge on the substance abuse issue, said anything that can help stop the issue before it gets as far as court is generally a good thing.
‘There’s nothing more beautiful then an empty courtroom,? she said.
‘It’s better that they see Michele (Novak) as opposed to coming into my courtroom.?
Novak and the two speakers hope that this discussion can lead to bigger things and a safer community.
Novak was pleased to see many ninth- grade and middle school parents in attendance.
‘I think it went really well,? she said. ‘We had a great turnout of parents.?
To learm more, contact Michele Novak at 693-5638, or email her at mnovak@lakeorion.k12.mi.us.