Poisoning by Prescription Drugs on the Rise

Excerpts from excellent article by Sue Scheff released on
June 3, 2010 at the Broward County Parenting Teens Examiner with injection by LEGACY of info from American Psychological Association's June, 2010 The Monitor.

For many teenagers, summer is a time of freedom. A time to do what they want and some have limited boundaries as both parents are working or they are in a single parent household.
For teens, is summer going to pot?

Data released by the National Household Survey on Drug Abuse shows 40% of teens first try marijuana during the summer. In fact, about 5,800 teens try marijuana for the first time each day in June and July.

. . . In order for parents to help curb the growing problem of marijuana use among teens, they must first understand the dangers involved in using the drug. The National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign cautions parents to be aware of the following points about marijuana use:
Marijuana is the most widely used illicit drug among youth today.
More teens enter treatment for marijuana abuse each year than for all other illicit drugs combined.
Marijuana is addictive [according to the American
Psychological Association article, June, The Monitor- 10% of marijuana users will be seriously addicted, and more within younger youth as they have a tendency to start with stronger marijuana at a susceptible age]
Marijuana use can lead to a host of significant health, social, learning and behavioral problems at a crucial time in a young person's development.
Adolescent marijuana users show lower academic achievement compared to non-users.
Even short-term marijuana use has been linked to memory loss and difficulty with problem-solving.

Time and again, kids say that their parents are the single most important influence when it comes to using drugs. Whether or not you suspect your child is using marijuana, it is crucial that you discuss the issue at an early age.

See full article below to see tips for parents.

Wisdom comes in many forms, but EMOTIONAL WISDOM™ is perhaps the most important when it comes to your family, friends and even yourself.

EMOTIONAL WISDOM™ is about seeing that we are all alike on the inside. On the outside, we look different, act different; have different cultural habits, ethnicity, different color hair, eyes, and skin. But on the inside, we all have the capacity to feel loved, wanted and belong. We also all have the capacity to feel lonely, unwanted and alone. . .

Our emotions affect all of our decisions. When we feel unloved and alone, it can be extremely painful. Feeling like we don’t fit in can also fell like we are worthless, not good enough to be liked or loved. These feelings drive many teens, as well as adults, to want to escape the pain. Teens and adults often turn to alcohol, drugs (prescription and/or illegal), self-harm, bullying of others, overeating, and irresponsible sex to escape lonely and other uncomfortable feelings. . .

By 7th and 8th grade, teens experience gossip in abundance! When others gossip about us, we no longer feel loved or like we fit in. We no longer feel safe opening up honestly with others. Soon, we may find ourselves gossiping about others as well because when we feel unwanted, unlovable or alone, gossiping takes the attention off of our own feelings for awhile. We may feel better at first when we put others down, but it actually can add more uncomfortable feelings like shame, embarrassment, bitterness, resentment and more.

Here is a simple way to develop the EMOTIONAL WISDOM™ that helps to deal with uncomfortable feelings:

1. Notice when you first feel uncomfortable feelings.
When you start to feel unloved, unwanted, and alone, or that you don’t fit in or aren’t good enough – HALT!
Take the time to ask yourself: What happened that brought on these feelings? Did a parent criticize me before leaving the house? Did someone ignore or snub me when I got to school? Did a teacher scold or give me a nasty look?

2. Rethink the situation and do three things:
A. Think to yourself:
Just because someone criticizes me, doesn’t make it true nor make me a loser.

B. Ask Yourself::
Were they having a bad day? Do they feel lousy about themselves?
Is it REALLY about me or more about them?

C. Be honest with yourself:
Is there some truth to what they said? Was I cold or rude or thoughtless? Do I owe an apology? How can I do better next time?

3. Talk it out with a trustworthy adult.
Find an adult who has EMOTIONAL WISDOM™, someone who understands feelings and doesn’t make fun of others. Ask them to be your “Encourager” – the person you can easily talk to about situations when you are having uncomfortable feelings.

. . . (complete article on Susie's blog)

Read full article and add your comments

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May 27, 2010
Hopeful news and good ideas from CADCA -

Hood River, Oregon is known as a tourist attraction for its wind surfing and its lush natural beauty. However, it's also an economically challenged area, where more than 14 percent of people live below the poverty level and 17 percent of children under age 18 live in poverty. It's also a place with high marijuana, alcohol and tobacco use among youth. That is, until the Hood River County Prevention Network – also known as Hood River Prevents – mobilized the community to address their drug use and other associated problems.

Hood River Prevents is a network of three coalitions, Si Se Puede, Faith Connections, and countywide Hood River County Alcohol Tobacco and Other Drug Prevention Coalition under the guidance of Hood River Country Commission on Children and Families.

Despite its staggering above national averages for children on free or reduced lunch and poverty rates for children under the age of 18, Hood River Prevents managed to reduce its marijuana use rates among 8th graders from nearly 19 percent to about 6 percent; and its binge drinking rates from 20 percent to 8 percent. They also reduced the county’s tobacco use rates among 8th graders from 12 percent in 2004 to 1 percent in 2009. Drug use in general among 8th graders was reduced dramatically from 40 percent in 2004 to just under 25 percent in 2009.

Among Hood River Prevents’ main strategies was to increase community service and volunteerism in their community, and to create alternative activities for youth, particularly for their growing Hispanic population. . . The coalition then honored the youth for their service.

“It’s important to recognize young people for their contributions to community because by engaging young people in activities throughout the community, they are less likely to get involved in risky behaviors. We feel this has a direct relationship to our ability to manage drug use rates in the community,” said Maija Yasui, Hood River County Prevention Coordinator.

The coalition works with a variety of partners, many of which contribute their time, money and other resources to Hood River Prevents. . . Hood River Prevents also engages churches in the community to reach their Hispanic population. Through Hope and Life, a Spanish-language ministry targeting Hispanic immigrants, youth perform hip hop dance, drama and singing shows throughout the community with a message of healthy choices, drug and alcohol abstinence, service to others. Their work generates $150,000 of in-kind prevention services annually. The coalition also partnered with St. Mary’s Catholic Church to develop a soccer league that engages 600 youth annually, primarily Hispanic.

Like many coalitions, Hood River Prevents has a strong group of youth that play a major role in the coalition’s work. 

Full article here