Archive for February, 2010

Teen Pressures: Bullying in School

Posted by Drug Free in Raising Healthy Kids on February 10th, 2010

If you’re child comes home to you one day, bruised up and dirty, and confesses to you that he had been bullied by a larger kid at school, what would you do?  Your probable initial reaction is to confront the bully right off the bat, often saying bad things about that bullying child; sometimes you even encourage your child to fight back. These options could be very wrong and may send the wrong message to your child.

Teach your child how to deal with these situations maturely — not by engaging in a fight or by resorting to abusive vices — so you can show him the more important values in life.

bullying in schoolWhat should my child do if he or she gets bullied?

The best strategy is a good long-term plan. Getting back at someone just makes the situation worse. Teach your child to stand firm. A quick and clear response is to say: “I don’t like it, so please stop.” Always remind your child to talk to adults or to teachers whenever he gets bullied in school.

Won’t it get worse if we tell authorities?

Unless there’s definite action to be taken, it may never go away. The school authorities’ utmost concern is the development of a child and they abhor bullying or harassment. They are always willing to help. Talk to your child’s teachers so that they can develop a plan against bullying.

What are the signs that my child is getting bullied?

Look for signs like: lack of friends, fear of going to school, missing belongings, torn clothing, fearfulness and anxiety. As these signs don’t guarantee a bullied child, the best way to find it is still to ask your child yourself. Talk about their day. Always establish trust, because if they trust you, they will tell you.

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Hair Follicle Drug Test: Easy, Effective and Discreet

Posted by Drug Free in Drug Testing on February 9th, 2010

Hair follicle testing is a manner of drug testing wherein strands of hair are searched for traces of drugs. The drugs that can be detected through hair follicles include Phencyclidine (PCP), Methamphetamine (Methamphetamine/Amphetamine & Ecstasy), Cocaine (Cocaine & Benzoylecgonine), Marijuana and Opiates (Codeine, Morphine & 6-Monacteyl Morphine).

hair follicle drug testingCompared to a urine test, hair drug analysis is a far more effective method of testing especially in identifying low-level drug use over an extended period of time. Hair follicle testing can trace a drug intake history of 90 days, depending on the person’s hair growth rate. After a drug is ingested whether smoked, snorted, ingested, or injected, metabolites which are intermediates of metabolism are produced as the drug is processed by the body. As these metabolites and drugs are circulated in the body, they nourish hair follicles which are consequently introduced into the hair strand.

A standard hair follicle test requires about 40 milligrams of hair, or approximately 50 to 70 strands of hair for proper results. Hair strands that are approximately 1.5 inches in length are used. If no head hair is available as a result of balding, body hair can be tested as a substitute. They can be collected and then combined to meet the required quantity of hair.

Hair follicle testing is easy and discreet. Parents who want to know whether or not their child is using drugs can benefit from its discretion by collecting hair strands. Easy-to-use hair follicle testing kits are available on the market, which are beneficial because of its confidentiality. By using hair drug testing at home, parents can take preventive measures or help with the child’s recovery, if he has been found already abusing drugs.

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Steroids: Why It’s Just Not Worth It

Posted by Drug Free in Steroid Abuse on February 8th, 2010

Steroid use is a rampant threat that hovers above the head of many athletes nowadays. Known to elicit fast results, steroids have been used by athletes to enhance performance, improve body physique, and boost recovery. Sure, it does sound very enticing. Who wouldn’t want an easy way to a better you or me, right?

steroidsThe truth about what steroids use does for you is this: it speeds up your own body in a pace where you can’t keep up. Eventually your body gives in, showing side effects that aren’t really worth it. Steroids only enhance physical performance in a short-term. Shooting up will give you up to a few years of great physical performance, but it will eventually leave you with complications that are very costly, ranging from a depressed immune system to a failed liver or kidney.

Being an athlete means you always will yourself to train harder, move faster and be better at what you do. You can’t really escape the fact that most of the athletes out there try their very hardest to do more than what they can already do. Baseball players want to get more home runs, track runners want a faster finish; all of the athletes want to be better and that’s pretty normal. What’s not normal is when they use performance-enhancing drugs to improve athletic performance, at the expense of their body. They shoot up; putting their careers, credibility and honor as athletes on the line for a quick remedy – that’s definitely not normal or even wise.

Taking steroids is taking the easy way, and sometimes, the more costly way to the finish line. It is important to remember that the reason great athletes are the way they are is because of good old-fashioned hard-work and discipline, and not because of any needle or pill.

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How to Spot a Steroid Abuser

Posted by Drug Free in Steroid Abuse on February 7th, 2010

Using anabolic steroids is a dangerous and misguided measure to tap into the body’s potential. If your relative or friend is an athlete, it is wise to be knowledgeable about the dangers of steroid abuse. Do not take steroid use lightly; it is extremely risky and may cause severe damages to one’s body, and in some cases, even death. Watch out for these most common signs that indicate steroid abuse.

steroid abusePhysical changes are the most obvious and easy to spot signs, especially when dealing with novice users. Jaundice, or yellowing of the skin due to the damage to one’s liver, is an indication of abusive steroid use. Due to the steroid’s effect on a person’s hormones, gynocomastia, or an uncharacteristic excessive development of breast tissue in males, is also a clear sign to watch out for.

Other obvious physical changes are acne formations, persistent bad breath, excessive hair loss, skin infections such as abscesses and cysts, rapid or progressive weight gain, abnormal muscle growth, hyperactivity and discoloration or blood in urine.

Be wary of personality and psychological changes that happen out of the blue. Mood swings and increased aggression or irritability is a common sign of steroid use. Because of the irregularity of the hormones in the body, users have been known to become disrespectful or abusive, either verbally or physically to authority or peers, causing severe spurts of anger or lashing out. More severe mental illnesses on record are hallucinations, paranoia and depression.

If ever these signs and symptoms are evident to someone you know, never hesitate to exercise your responsibility as a friend or relative to try to prevent any more harm.

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Common Tools to Help Quit Smoking

Posted by Drug Free in Tobacco Abuse on February 6th, 2010

Any smoker can understand how hard it is to say no to a cigarette once it’s accessible. Trying to quit smoking may be the most challenging activity that any smoker can undertake.

Quitting is tough; ask any smoker you know. It takes a lot of resolve and patience to be continually free from tobacco addiction. To help with the battle, there are options available in the market that helps with the withdrawal process. These common tools below are widely available:

nicotine patchNicotine Patches

A nicotine patch is a transdermal or skin patch that is attached to the skin. Upon contact, it releases an amount of nicotine to the body. It provides a safer and healthier alternative source of nicotine, which would help with a smoker’s urges.

Nicotine Gum

Nicotine gum delivers nicotine to the body as the user chews it like any normal gum. The gum is then “parked” at the mouth in a span of 30 minutes for full effect. Chewing gum has been a very good way to fight a smoker’s urges. Chewing nicotine gum has proven to be an effective way to ward off the desire for a cigarette.

Herbal Tobacco

Herbal tobacco is a combination of assorted herbs that consists of basic herbal smoke and extracts from grapes, liquorice, cinnamon and other herbs. Although the user still needs to light it up and smoke it, herbal tobacco is nicotine free and safe to use. It tastes a lot different from the original tobacco cigarette, but it provides a very similar experience that helps with a smoker’s psychological dependence on cigarettes.

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Healthy Activities that Help Fight Teen Drug Abuse

Posted by Drug Free in Drug Abuse Prevention, Raising Healthy Kids on February 5th, 2010

Drug abuse and alcoholism among teens usually take the free time after school or on weekends. A good way of helping teens keep away from temptation is to give them healthy extracurricular activities that they can get busy with. Here are some suggestions:

Sports

Playing sports is a great way to channel youthful energies through a productive outlet. It is an effective socializing tool that helps the teen to identify himself or herself with his or her peers. This aids the teen with problems of self-esteem, honesty, commitment and focus.

teen playing pianoSkills and Talents

If your child is a musician, artist or dancer then invest in classes or anything that can help the teen enhance his natural skills. These classes will not only keep teens away from drugs, but it will also hone his or her craft. These classes will help the teen with concentration and discipline — values that are strong weapons against drug abuse.

Hobbies

Take time to get to know the hobbies of your child and try your best to support it. Studies have shown that video gaming is quite helpful when taken responsibly, plus it is a great way to keep your child in the house where he/she can be monitored. This will give you an excuse to encourage your child to invite his or her friends over so that you might get to know your child’s friends personally.

Family Bonding

Perhaps the most important of all preventive measures is to get to know your child intimately. Establishing good communication is crucial. Family activities such as fishing or going to the movies are great opportunities to establish a trust-based relationship with your child which will help with the teen’s road to maturity.

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