On Thursday, Nov. 6, Junction Inc. will host a substance abuse and awareness program sponsored by the Board of County commissioners at 6 p.m. at The Portico, at St. John Catholic Church, 47 Monroe Ave., Westminster.

If you're not aware of Junction; it's a private nonprofit agency for substance abuse prevention and outpatient drug treatment.

On Dec. 6, 1971, Junction opened its doors in the historic Carroll County Jail on Court Street in Westminster.

Thursday's program will feature two guest speakers, Dr. David McDuff, a nationally known adolescent, addiction and sports psychiatrist; and Baltimore Colts Hall of Famer Lenny Moore.

McDuff has worked with adolescents with learning, attention, substance abuse and mental disorders for the past 20 years. He retired from the U.S. Army Reserves in 2002 after 28 years of service as a colonel, including combat duty during the Persian Gulf War. You may have heard of him in his capacity as the team psychiatrist and mental skills trainer for the Baltimore Ravens and Orioles for the past 13 years.

Moore, the former flanker and halfback for the Baltimore Colts in the days of John Unitas, is employed by the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services and does presentations for the Community and Family Partnerships Department.

If the advice from these two isn't good enough, the real clincher for the evening is the topic: "What are they thinking: Connecting with your teen."

Now, I grew up in Carroll County in the 1960s when the community and our world were changing rapidly.

However, we were little angels back then, and it was easy to understand us. Ahem, well maybe not so much.

Today's teens are wonderful. You can often hear this repeated throughout the community. Nevertheless, how often have you heard yourself saying, in reference to young adults, "What were they thinking!?"

From observing the young adults of our community we can confidently look forward to handing over the future leadership of our country to a capable and responsible generation.

However, today's adolescents are not going to have a chance to take over the world if they have their careers and lives negatively impacted by drugs or alcohol.

In Thursday's program, McDuff's presentation will include explaining the developing adolescent brain, why teens make the decisions they do, teen addiction and communicating with teens.

Moore is involved in sending a positive message to teens about their choices. He speaks about the risks of drugs and works to improve the lives of troubled teens.

I've been a member of the board of Junction since October 2000. I have come to understand that the challenges of drugs and alcohol are an equal opportunity scourge on our community.

Adolescents having problems with substance abuse happens to good and bad families -- wealthy and poor, black and white. There is no magic to making our children bulletproof to substance abuse.

It takes constant work and diligence.

We are fortunate in Carroll County to have two talented presenters with the stature of McDuff and Moore share with us their insights.

There will be about 20 information booths at the program with handouts and plenty of professionals to answer questions. And, of course, since there will be food and refreshments, you can count on seeing me there.

Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster. E-mail him at kdayhoff@carr.org.

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