Drug Abuse Prevention

Parents Warned on Rise of Teen Heroin Use

Posted by Drug Free in Drug Abuse Prevention, Drug Addiction on January 18th, 2012

School authorities from the Carl Sandburg High School know how important the role of parents is in the fight against teen drug abuse. This is why, in the midst of recent reports that heroin use is up among teens, district administrators sent letters to parents to warn them of the situation and to seek their help and cooperation in keeping kids safe.

heroinDebbie Boniface, principal at Sandburg High, says that teens don’t usually listen to warnings. Enlisting the help of parents is very important in their fight against drug abuse.

“It’s very important for parents, community members and kids to know that the point is not to get someone in trouble, but to get them help and support,” the principal said. “This is about making healthy and appropriate choices, and whatever we can do to ensure that is important.”

The letter, which was sent by Superintendent James Gay, appealed to parents to talk to their kids about drug abuse. Also contained in the letter are useful information sites and which could help parents with the task.

A part of the letter reads:  “…disturbing stories about dangerous and sometimes deadly behavior in which teens in the south suburbs have been engaging. News reports include underage drinking and law enforcement concerns over the increase in availability of drugs, particularly heroin.”

Boniface added that breaks in school can be factor in promoting dangerous habits of students. It possible for kids to take advantage of these periods when nobody in authority is around them. Even during long school breaks, kids often succumb to drug-related activities.

“When kids are away from school for a while, their guard is let down,” she said. “They don’t have to be somewhere the next day, don’t have to get homework done. Sometimes bad things happen.”

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Free Workshop on Teen Substance Abuse for Parents

Posted by Drug Free in Drug Abuse Prevention, Drug Addiction on January 12th, 2012

A free workshop open to all parents and concerned citizens will be held at the Hanover-Adams County area on February 1, 6 to 8 pm at the New Oxford High School.

teen drug abuseThe event was originally scheduled last December 6, but an unfortunate turn of events took place the day before the workshop which prompted the organizers to move the event this February.

According to Jennifer Weigle, a guidance intern and Student Assistance Program counselor for the school, it was on the 5th of December last year that five teens from the New Oxford High School were killed in a car crash, which is why the event was immediately rescheduled.

The workshop will keep its original format on preventing and identifying teen drug and alcohol abuse which will be very valuable for parents in the area.

A local detective will be talking to parents on how to detect teen drug abuse as well as of the latest trends in drug and alcohol abuse among the youth. Resource speakers will also be at hand to give tips on how parents can talk to their children about drugs and alcohol as these are important steps to ensure kids remain safe and healthy.

Weigle said that there is a need for parents to be correctly informed about drugs and alcohol use or abuse. “To me, knowledge is power. And even if you think your child isn’t using and their friends aren’t using, just to have the information and be aware can be very helpful to parents and students. We want to reach parents before there’s a problem.”

The workshop will be open to all parents from Hanover and Adams County areas and they will be assisted by child care if they bring along kids 14 years old and younger. Snacks will also be served during the event.

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Keeping Teens Away from Marijuana and Other Drugs

Posted by Drug Free in Drug Abuse Prevention, Marijuana Use and Abuse on December 12th, 2011

While it may be true that alcohol and tobacco use among young people have decreased over the years, it seems a different case when it comes to teen marijuana use.

parent and child talkParents often refuse to acknowledge what is happening to their kids until everything becomes too late. This is because parents and kids feel uncomfortable discussing marijuana and other drug abuse issues. Yet in keeping kids away from pot and other drugs, parents are key factors as they serve as their children’s role models and source of information.

Here are some suggestions as to how parents can keep teens safe and in a healthy environment:

1. The talk about drugs should start early and should be consistent through the years. Remember to include issues like addictions, impaired driving skill and learning capabilities, and other risky behaviors associated with drug use. Cooperate with your child’s school on the matter as they can very well influence your child on his decision making.

2. Parents should serve as role models, so if you are a pot smoker, you must cut the habit immediately and without hesitation.

3. If you have experiences on pot use or other types of drug abuse, be honest and tell your kids you’ve done it. It’s the best way for you to share the destructive effects of your past habits and it will no doubt have a great impact on your kids.

4. Make sure you know your child’s activities without invading their right to privacy. Give concrete guidelines to them when it comes to drinking and drugs and at least ensure that adults are present during teen parties or gatherings.

5. Kids should be able to approach parents when they are in doubt of anything related to substance abuse. As parents, you should be the first persons kids run to when they need proper education and correct information on the subject matter. In short, communication lines should be kept open between you and your children at all times.

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Arkansas Community Officials’ Work Against Drug Abuse

Posted by Drug Free in Drug Abuse Prevention, Prescription Drug Abuse on November 21st, 2011

Parents, teachers, and law enforcement authorities gathered at the Lonoke Community Center last Thursday to discuss the increasing alarm on prescription drug abuse and other designer drugs that are destroying the lives of the youth in their area.

prescription drug abuseCircuit Judge Phillip Whiteaker together with the Lonoke County Juvenile Department and The Bridgeway made the “Teen Abuse of Bath Salts and Spices” event happen last week. Featured speakers included state drug director Frances Flener and chief illicit lab chemist for the Arkansas Crime Lab, Chris Harrison.

Flener informed the community that prescription drugs abuse is the fastest growing type of drug abuse today, and parents unknowingly become the suppliers of the drugs that kids use through their medicine cabinets at home. There is a need then for parents to limit the availability of such medicines especially at home.

The circuit judge encouraged the crowd to take advantage of drug take-back events. She said that the last time they had an event on Oct. 29, they collected nearly 6 tons of unused prescription medications. “That is a lot of pills. That is 11,926 pounds taken out of the reach of Arkansas youth.”

She also added that kids get their meds three-fourths of the time from people they know. “If medicines cannot be secured, get them out of the house.”

On the crime lab’s part, Harrison informed parents and school officials that the Food and Drug Administration does not list all of the designer drugs that are equally dangerous.

In a report from the Lonoke Democrat, he asked for the community’s involvement in controlling the proliferation of the said drugs in the area. He warns parents that there are some sellers that tolerate the sale of new drugs because of money.

Harrison presented examples like K2 (which is now banned in Arkansas) and bath salts which are still making their way through ‘head shops’ that most teens go to get their drugs.

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Overindulgent Parents Lead to Teen Substance Abuse

Posted by Drug Free in Drug Abuse Prevention, Raising Healthy Kids on November 20th, 2011

A growing concern on parents who spoil their kids is now being discussed by experts especially in the United States. Parents nowadays have the tendency to cling to overindulgence as a means to show their love to their children. These overindulgent parents provide everything their child wants from toys to the latest gadgets and by doing so, they fail to teach their kids the value of hard work to get what they want.

spoiled kidThere are many ways that parents can spoil their kids. By not giving kids regular household chores to accomplish, by not making them wait for the things that they want, and by not setting limits on their activities, parents think they are making their kids happy. What parents don’t realize is that this kind of behavior towards children could lead to dangerous behaviors like substance abuse.

According to experts, two thirds of parents say their kids are not responsible and lack the appropriate manners that children their age should have. Studies have shown that kids who are given everything they want become adults faster, and they will reach a point of difficulty in dealing with life’s challenges which could lead them to substance abuse and other inappropriate behaviors. Psychologists have confirmed that overindulgent parents become the key for their children to head towards the wrong path in life.

The American Academy of Pediatrics say parents nowadays don’t have enough quality time to spend with their kids. This is why they choose to compensate for the lack of time by giving in to every whim that their children have. In order to avoid complicated relationships with their children, they simply say ‘yes’ to everything.

What is important is that parents learn how to balance between love and discipline to raise good children.

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Youth and Family Services Work Together to Fight Substance Abuse

Posted by Drug Free in Drug Abuse Prevention, Drug Addiction on November 16th, 2011

November is Bedford’s Substance Abuse Awareness Month. In line with the event, the whole community including the youth, parents, and concerned family services organizations made it a point to update themselves with the latest substance abuse trends to help keep their community safe.

social networking siteOne of the growing trends in teen substance abuse is the role social networking sites play in increasing drug and alcohol abuse cases among the youth. It has been reported by the National Survey of American Attitudes on Substance Abuse that a study made by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at the Columbia University showed that social networking sites increased risks of smoking, drinking and drug use among kids aged 12 to 17.

In a typical day, about 70% or 17 million teens go online and visit these networking sites. Compared to teens who don’t use social networking sites, those who do are five times more likely to use tobacco, twice as likely to use marijuana, and three times more likely to drink alcohol.

This is why the Bedford community shared some ideas on how parents can avoid having troubled teens.

1. Parents have no other choice but to adapt to technology to better monitor their child’s activities online. Inform kids that their use of the internet is something that matters to you.

2. To have better access on your child’s online activities, strategically place the computer in a public area of your home. You will be able to check the sites they visit and control the amount of time they spend on the net.

3. Let your kids know that sharing personal information on the internet is not a good idea at all. It could endanger their lives as what they share in the community can easily be made available all over the world. Parents should also check their kid’s online friends to protect them from cyber predators.

4. Parents should be consistent in implementing time limits for Internet and cellphone use. As much as possible, adults should be around each time kids use the computer.

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