Posts Tagged teen drug abuse

Partnership for a Drug-Free America: Helping Parents Raise Healthy Kids

Posted by DrugFreeHomes in Alcohol Abuse, Drug Abuse Treatment, Drug Addiction, Drug Rehabilitation, Raising Healthy Kids on July 1st, 2010

The Partnership for a Drug-Free America is an organization that seeks to connect with parents, scientists and communications professionals to campaign for a healthy and drug-free environment for children. The Partnership aims to prepare families with prevention methods and information to fight against the dangers and temptations of drug and alcohol abuse among others.

Partnership for a Drug-Free AmericaDrugfree.org is the resource center where the group offers an interactive center for those who want to get the most recent scientific information regarding teen alcohol and drug abuse. Through this valuable tool, parents are given the opportunity to interact with one another, to share information and to help one other in fighting for healthy, drug-free homes.

The Partnership offers several programs that cater to the different kinds of situations that parents can be in.

TimeToTalk is an award winning campaign and program that encourages parents to take time to have frequent and constructive dialogue with their children regarding the dangers and consequences of drug abuse and alcoholism.

Time To Act is a program that offers a step-by-step drug and alcohol guide teaching parents proper intervention when they suspect that their child is drinking or using illegal drugs. With videos and reading materials from experts, parents can learn effective ways of dealing with these difficult and sensitive situations.

Parents360 is a program specifically designed for community education, particularly targeting the parents and caregivers. This program is designed to help them prevent or take action if their child or someone they know is taking drugs.

1 Comment

Ashland High School Forms Panel to Address Teen Drug Use

Posted by DrugFreeHomes in Alcohol Abuse, Drug Addiction, Drug Testing on May 17th, 2010

Ashland High School in Oregon recognized that there is an ongoing drug and alcohol problem among students in the school, including athletes. Concerned parents and school administrators have come together and formed a panel that will attempt to address this issue, according to a feature on the Mail Tribune.

teen drug abuseSuperintendent Juli Di Chiro shared: “There’s a drug and alcohol problem in Ashland among our students and the athletes are no different. This is something that we continue to not be successful in making those percentages go down. It’s a real dilemma.” Drug and alcohol use before games by athletes increases their risk for injuries, according to Di Chiro.

The committee is scheduled to meet on Thursdays at 4 in the afternoon, at the new gym auxiliary classroom of Ashland High School; all the meetings are open to the public. They have been tasked to come up with steps that the school can take to discourage the use of alcohol and drugs. Some parents are pushing for the implementation of a new drug and alcohol policy by fall of this year.

At this time, student athletes are asked to sign a form that says that they will not use drugs or alcohol during the season, but Superintendent Di Chiro said that some of these athletes do not take the contract seriously because they think that they will not get caught. Football coach Charlie Hall had asked that the School Board allow him to perform voluntary and random drug tests on a weekly basis. The board, however, voted to table the request 5-0.

No Comments

Avoid Teen Drug Addiction by Bonding with the Family

Posted by DrugFreeHomes in Drug Abuse Prevention, Drug Addiction, Raising Healthy Kids on April 18th, 2010

In many occasions, teenagers take drugs only out of curiosity or boredom. Sometimes, that can’t be helped, given that the adolescence is when individuals begin to explore parts of themselves that were otherwise unknown during most of their childhood.

family activitiesBut we often forget the family’s impact on a teenager’s life. The love and support of a family can help a teenager forget about trying drugs. Doing some activities together is a great way of channeling their attention away from drug abuse, and the activities don’t need to be that complex to be effective. For instance, the simple act of having dinner together will not only fill everyone’s stomachs, but also provide a venue for better communication in the family.

Doing some physical activities together can also help a teenager avoid drug addiction. Strenuous tasks such as hiking, swimming, and playing sports relieve an individual’s stress and aid in releasing a ton of internal aggression or angst. Family members can also reconnect with each other a lot more during this time; remember that actions speak louder than words, and this will be all action.

The family plays a great role in an individual’s growth and development. Efforts to curb drug addiction through fun activities help a lot, and although they may not seem to work at first, perseverance and open communication with each other are key to finding out the reasons for the teenager’s drug habit. Have dinner together. Do some hiking. Swim. Play some sports. It would not hurt to at least try.

2 Comments

How to Talk to Your Teen Who Is Using Drugs

Posted by DrugFreeHomes in Drug Addiction, Drug Rehabilitation on April 17th, 2010

All parents want to raise their kids right — with lots of love and respect for the family and other people, and free from illegal drugs and other dangerous vices. The main goal must be to help the kids avoid trying out drugs in the first place by carefully explaining the effects of drugs on a person’s body and by discussing how a first-time use to simply try things out can lead to dangerous addiction.

teen drug abuseHowever, some parents are already past that stage with their kids now using drugs. The important thing to remember here is that even if your child is already using drugs, it is not healthy — for them or for you — to start blaming yourself about what happened. Your child is exposed to different influences inside and outside your home. No matter how we try to control situations at home, some factors can be difficult to take hold of.

So, what must a parent do when his or her child is already on drugs? Talk to them. Many parents find it difficult to discuss specific critical issues to their children, but this is something that every parent needs to start discussing with their kids about. Do not immediately dismiss the situation as “out of your hands” and send your child to a counselor. You should be your child’s first source of advice. As the parent, you should be the “safety blanket” that could provide him the extra care and protection now that he has taken a crucial path.

Listen to his side of the story and do not judge. After he has freely shared his story, thoughts and feelings, assure him that you understand, but tell him that you do not approve of his drug use and that it must stop. Give him the assurance that you will support him as he stops his drug use — on his own or through drug abuse programs.

1 Comment

Prescription Drugs Abused by Teens

Posted by DrugFreeHomes in Prescription Drug Abuse on March 10th, 2010

Teen prescription drug abusers, or what they call ‘Generation Rx’, are a growing in number. Drugs that are usually obtained only with a proper medical presciption are being abused by children as young as 12 years old. Here are some common prescription drugs that are abused by the youth:

prescription drugsStimulants

These drugs are prescribed for patients who suffer from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), asthma, obesity and narcolepsy. The drugs function to counteract feelings of weakness usually caused by fatigue, stress or alcohol. These drugs enhance concentration, alertness and energy and are often mixed with alcohol, which makes it even more dangerous. Teens usually abuse these drugs during activities that may need an extra push, like long examinations or competitive games. Examples of stimulants are Ritalin, Dexedrine and Concerta.

Painkillers

Painkillers can be either opium or morphine (narcotic) derivatives. These are prescribed to those suffering from chronic pain. Marijuana is also known to be prescribed to those who are dealing with cancer, which is medically proven to help administer pain. Vicodin is one of those painkiller drugs which are very potent and addictive. Among the listed drugs that are addictive are: Codeine, Hydrocodone, Oxycodone, Opium, Morphine and Fentanyl.

Depressants

These drugs are usually prescribed to patients who suffer from tension, sleep disorders and panic attacks. Depending on the dose, depressants act as a form of anaesthetic. These are usually called sedatives or tranquilizers, whose primary function is to slow down brain activity. Common prescribed depressants are Valium, Klonopin, Soma, Xanax and Ambien.

Unfortunately, while you should need a medical prescription to obtain these drugs, teens can easily access them online without presenting anything from the doctor. There are also people actually peddling prescription drugs in some universities.

No Comments

Teen Suicide: Dangerous Signs to Look Out For

Posted by DrugFreeHomes in Drug Abuse Prevention, Raising Healthy Kids on February 25th, 2010

The issues surrounding teen suicides are very complex. Suicide is rare among the early youth and steadily grows as they go into their adolescence. According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), the third-leading cause of death for those 15- to 24 years of age is suicide, surpassed only by homicide and accidents. It is the eighth leading cause of death for people all over the world.
depression

Teens, male or female, are at risk of suicide, although boys are more likely to commit suicide than girls. Although this is a very tragic and shocking fact, there is a way for parents to prevent this from ever happening. Parents should be wary of depression, because they are almost always connected with thoughts of death.

Here is a list of warning signs that parents should look out for:

•    Troubled romantic relationships
•    Difficulty in maintaining relationships with others
•    Lowered grades and output in school
•    Rebellious and devious behavior
•    Pulling away from friends and family members
•    Drawing, writing or talking (even jokingly) about death
•    Dramatic changes in personality
•    Appearance change
•    Sleep deprivation
•    Alcohol or drug use
•    Having a history of suicidal nature

If you notice that a teen is depressed, do not feel intimidated. Talk to him or her. Reassurance of love and trust is a powerful tool against the feeling of solitude and depression. Always remember to listen and to not judge. Never dismiss your teen’s concerns as something insignificant. If you suspect that your teen is suicidal, then you should seek professional help right away. Ask your doctor for treatment programs available. Suicidal thoughts or inclinations are a medical emergency and toodangerous to ignore.

No Comments