The Holidays Offer Risky Times For Your Kids
Although many think of graduation or prom night as the biggest night for underage drinking, the Clearwater Substance Abuse Workgroup (CSAW) reports that the latest Mothers Against Drunk Driving newsletter calls the night before Thanksgiving “the biggest night for underage drinking.” "The fridge and the liquor cabinets are stocked, parents are distracted by relatives and dinner preparations, and older siblings or college-age friends are around." says the November newsletter.
High On Spice:
Spice was legally sold around the country as incense in convenience stores, head shops and on the internet. Hundreds of ER visits and calls to poison control centers nationwide prompted the DEA to categorize spice as a Schedule 1 drug >>Link for to a short informative video
Take The First Step...Know The Signs & Symptoms Of Drug Use:
How can you tell if your child and or friend is using drugs or alcohol? It is difficult because changes in mood or attitudes, unusual temper outbursts, changes in sleeping habits and changes in hobbies or other interests are common in teens. What should you look for? You can look for signs of depression, withdrawal, carelessness with grooming or hostility. Also ask yourself, is your child doing well in school, getting along with friends, taking part in sports or other activities?
How Do I Talk To Him?
What happens if you suspect that your teen is already using alcohol and drugs? What do you say to them? The conversation is the same: parents need to tell their kids that drug and alcohol use by teens is not allowed in your family. The issue won't go away until you do something. You will simply have to acknowledge that your teen has a problem — your teen is using drugs and that won't get any better until you take action on your teen's behalf. It is OK to ask for help. In fact, getting help may make it easier for you to have the conversation.
notMykid Spreads The Word About Steroids {READ} - August 2010
Read about steroid use for use as a sports enhancement drug or a date rape drug…
We have all seen teens who seemed to sprout up over the summer, becoming men and women right before our eyes! But for some of those kids, their newfound muscles may have gotten that way through the use of steroids. “Roids” or “juice” can be swallowed in the form of a pill or injected directly into muscles, and while many teens stay away from steroids, it is not uncommon to hear about students using them to get an edge on the upcoming sports season.
Teens & Responsible Cell Phone Use {READ} - June 2010
Cell Phones can be part of an unhealthy relationship. Some things to watch out for: constant texting or calls asking "where r u," Who r u with?," or "what r u doing?"; feeling like you have to answer text messages or calls right away; feeling like the text you receive have gone from caring to controlling; being anxious or afraid to be without your phone; feeling pressured to constantly be on or around your phone, even while with friends, or while sleeping; being pressured to send inappropriate text or pics.
The Uses & Dangers Of Social Networking {READ} - December 2009
Jared Olson, Idaho Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor will be presenting “Social Networking Sites”. Participants will be able to understand the potential uses of MySpace, Facebook, and other social networking sites for investigation purposes and prosecution. Youth use these latest technologies to widen their social circles and engage in risky behavior, which sometimes includes alcohol.
Parent Alert: Morning Glory Seeds {READ} October 2009
Has your teen recently taken up an interest in the gardening department of Home Depot or your local grocery store? Flower and garden stores have noticed a trend in teens purchasing morning glory seeds, but not for the reasons you would think.
