Offended by Northwood's "Teen Challenge"

By Lynn Webster
Posted Wednesday, April 25, 2007

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Pittsboro, NC - A recent assembly at Northwood High School has hit a real hot button. I am wondering if anyone else is aware of the program and how it came to be approved by our school system. Since the superintendent and assistant principal at Northwood can't seem to be bothered to return my phone calls after two days I am posting to the chatlist.

Apparently Northwood students attended an assembly the other day supposedly to address issues of alcohol and substance abuse. I am all for programs aimed at discouraging youth from using these substances. It turns out, however, that this organization, "Teen Challenge" based on my google search (I can't get an answer from the school district) is a faith based Christian program whose centers (based on their web site description) "have founded their programs on the teachings of Jesus Christ. These Biblical truths have physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually unchained the lives of thousands of addicts."

I began investigating the origin of Teen Challenge based on comments by my son that one of the speakers stood up and repeatedly pronounced herself a "murderer" because during the time she was using drugs and alcohol she had several abortions and miscarriages. Since when does our school district have the right to allow religious organizations to underhandedly promote their views on reproductive freedom while masquerading as a program on substance abuse.

Furthermore, prevention and recovery from substance abuse takes place in many forums, all of which can be positive routes. To promote a Jesus-based approach is inappropriate, narrow-minded, and essentially against the law.

I am outraged that our students were required to attend this program without parental notification and the opportunity to opt out. I am positive that a Pro Choice organization would never have made it through the school screening process, nor would students have been "required" to attend a program that included a personal recovery story about how the individual AVOIDED a life of poverty, welfare, poor job opportunities and limited education because they chose to terminate a pregnancy at age 15.

Bottom line is I would like an explanation from the school district as to why they have decided that they can require attendance at a program that is faith based.

I want to know when they will offer an opposing view to the students who were subjected to this rhetoric.

I want to know how they will notify parents in the future if they continue to make biased decisions on who gets to speak in our schools so that we, as parents, can make our own choices as to what values we want fed to our children.

Regardless of your religious or political beliefs, I hope that those of you who feel that it is incumbent upon our school district to provide information to our students untainted by any particular religious or political viewpoint are willing to speak up on this issue. It is my understanding that this program is being promoted throughout our school district.

Our youth are extremely impressionable.