Prevention News

Depressed Adolescents More Likely to be Bullied

2012-02-14T09:58:00.001-05:00

Psych Central, February 10, 2012

"Adolescents who suffer from depression are more likely to have problems with peer relationships, including being bullied at school, according to a new study.
And while it is often assumed that being bullied leads to psychological problems, such as depression, the new study does not support that direction of influence, researchers said.
'Often the assumption is that problematic peer relationships drive depression. We found that depression symptoms predicted negative peer relationships,' said Karen Kochel, Ph.D., Arizona State University School of Social and Family Dynamics assistant research professor. 'We examined the issue from both directions but found no evidence to suggest that peer relationships forecasted depression among this school-based sample of adolescents.'" Read More

Area adults applaud anti-bullying campaign

2012-02-14T09:56:00.001-05:00

News Times (Brookfield, CT) February 11, 2012

"Sophie Needleman was the first one in the crowded room to stand up and applaud when Debbie Berman ended her speech.
The spontaneous message of solidarity Wednesday, at a breakfast for the Women's Center of Greater Danbury at Fox Hill Inn, reinforced the connection between the two women, generations apart, working to combat bullying.
Berman, a Brookfield parent and teacher, described the bullying, online and in person, that led her daughter, Alexa, to commit suicide days before starting high school in 2008. Berman also discussed her push for tougher school laws against bullying." Read more

Educator: Culture of Underage Drinking Can Change

2012-02-14T09:55:00.001-05:00

Canton Patch (Canton, CT) February 14, 2012

"To many, underage drinking is simply something kids will do and the best hope is to keep them from getting behind the wheel and perhps reach a few.
But Maria Coutant Skinner, Canton resident and Parent Education Coordinator for The McCall Foundation, a prevention and treatment agency, sees it differently. Attitudes can change, she said, using smoking and seat-belt use as examples. Just a generation ago, smoking was the norm and seat belt buckles were generally semi-permanently wedged into rear seats. Now, due to education, law enforcement and media campaigns, the number of smokers is dramatically reduced and most wear seat belts, she said." Read More

Program at Torrington High School stresses the dangers associated with drinking

2012-02-08T09:19:00.001-05:00

Register Citizen (Torrington, CT) February 8, 2012

"In hopes of making high school students aware of the dangers of underage drinking, members of the Mayor’s Committee on Youth delivered a presentation Tuesday morning.
Maria Skinner and Kevin Petit, both of the McCall Foundation spoke to students in two different sessions about the dangers associated with drinking.
'We are trying to make students aware of the dangers, and if we can show them the harm that could happen if you drink and drive the level of awareness is increased,' Skinner said Tuesday following the presentation. 'There have been other campaigns that have worked using the same efforts, such as making students aware of the dangers of tobacco.'" Read More

Ridgefield Students Launch Anti-Bullying Organization, Website

2012-02-07T09:44:00.001-05:00

Ridgefield Patch (Ridgefield, CT) February 7, 2012

"After last week's cyber-bullying incident over Twitter and the subsequent stand taken by Ridgefield High School students on Facebook, several members of the Ridgefield community have decided to take bullying matters into their own hands.
With comparable quickness to the original stand that saw thousands of members flock to the 'Southern Connecticut High Schools: An End To High School Bullying' Facebook group last Tuesday, students, teachers and school officials have already learned their lesson and have launched a directive to raise awareness of cyberbullying in Ridgefield and beyond.
The organization, called SAID (Students Against Internet Discrimination), is a student-run group with a goal to become nationally recognized. And in just a week, SAID already has its own website." Read More

Survey tracks drug, alcohol abuse among Madison students

2012-02-07T09:39:00.000-05:00

Shoreline Times (Madison, CT) February 6, 2012

"A survey recently given to local seventh through 12th-graders showed an overall decrease in alcohol, tobacco and marijuana use, but it also resulted in some shocking statistics that the Madison Alcohol and Drug Education Coalition hopes to address.
MADE surveyed more than 1,600 youths last November about their habits regarding substance use so they can track trends, pinpoint problems and intervene as necessary. The results, released to town officials during a presentation Tuesday in Town Hall, showed that there was a decline in risky behavior among youth between 2009 and 2011. Overall underage drinking decreased 4.2 percent, tobacco use decreased 14.3 percent and marijuana use decreased 6.7 percent.
Coalition Coordinator Catherine LeVasseur said Tuesday that the average age youth are starting to use substances is 13.3 years old." Read More

2 Trumbull Residents Added to Mentor Program

2012-02-06T09:26:00.000-05:00

Trumbull Patch (Trumbull, CT) February 5, 2012

"Trumbull Residents Join United Way to help Expand Mentor Program: Trumbull Residents Jaimie DeSisto and Brianna Weller have joined United Way of Coastal Fairfield County to help with the expansion of its mentor program, Wi-mentor.
According to a United Way press release, the four-year-old program began in Bridgeport and Stratford and is an internet-based mentoring program. Mentors and Mentees are matched and communicate weekly through curriculum based emails, and meet several times throughout the year to build their relationships. It is being expanded this year into Brien McMahon High School in Norwalk." Read More

Groton Schools Proceed With Plan To Prevent Bullying

2012-02-06T09:25:00.001-05:00

Groton Patch (Groton, CT) February 6, 2012

"Groton is moving forward with a plan to monitor and prevent bullying in the public schools, and is compiling the results of a survey done last spring of more than 3,000 students.
Connecticut passed legislation last summer to strengthen laws against bullying, and required districts to submit a 'safe school climate plan' by Jan. 1 outlining how they would enforce the rules.
Groton’s plan was recently adopted and is posted on the district website." Read More

Newman Committed to Paying it Forward

2012-02-06T09:22:00.002-05:00

Windsor Patch (Windsor, CT) February 6, 2012

"A self described 'troubled teen,' Windsor resident Terese Newman grew up in Los Angeles. Although she was an honors student, Newman was facing some personally difficult times, and she was close to making a decision that would set her back for ever.
'I was upset, and, like teens tend to do, I rebelled in a way that affected my family life and school life,' she said. 'I was on the edge of making a bad decision: dropping out of school,' said Newman.
In retrospect, Newman says that her difficulties were certainly manageable, but to a teenager, they seemed impossible to overcome. However, things took a turn when one of her teachers reached out to her in a small, but significant way." Read More

SchoolsDrinking, Drug Use Down Among Some Madison Teens

2012-02-02T10:05:00.001-05:00

Madison Patch (Madison, CT) February 1, 2012

A Madison Alcohol and Drug Education Coalition survey of more than 1,600 youths in town reports that, overall, drinking is down, tobacco use is down, and marijuana use is down. Also, students are reporting that they are delaying the initiation of drug and alcohol use, according to the survey.
'We're turning the tide,' said Lori Lodge, chairman of the board of the coalition, also know as M.A.D.E. in Madison. Still, she said, there are many areas where the town can continue to improve." Read More

Students present ad on underage drinking to peers at University of New Haven

2012-02-02T10:03:00.001-05:00

New Haven Register (West Haven, CT) February 1, 2012

"The commercial begins with an empty beer bottle rolling down the street until it reaches its final resting place at someone’s front stoop.
The message is as simple as it is powerful: No one thinks underage drinking will have an impact on their life until it hits home.
The video, created by a team at Western Connecticut State University, won last year’s Wine and Spirit Wholesalers of Connecticut Inc. public service announcement contest on prevention of teen drinking." Read More

Bullying: 'Power of Words and Your Actions'

2012-02-02T10:00:00.001-05:00

East Haven Patch (East Haven, CT) February 2, 2012

"East Haven High School will host a presentation given by Wayne Soares on the 'Power of Words and Your Actions' to middle and high school students on Feb. 7.
Mr. Soares’ scheduled presentations are at 8 a.m., 9 a.m., and 10 a.m., and also at 12:15 p.m.
Mr. Soares will speak on the topics of cultural sensitivity, bullying, cyber-bullying, texting, Facebook and other social media.
Wayne Soares is a national inspirational speaker, actor and author. He is currently on an Anti-Bullying Tour and has presented at hundreds of schools throughout the country. Wayne recently taped a bullying segment on 'The Dr. Oz Show,' which will air this spring." Read More

Mentors honored at banquet

2012-02-01T10:31:00.001-05:00

Stratford Star (Stratford, CT) January 31, 2012

"More than 200 mentors, mentoring program staff, and community supporters attended the Mentoring Institute of Coastal Fairfield County’s second annual Regional Mentor Recognition Banquet, held at Testo’s Ristorante on Jan. 18.
The Mentoring Institute is an initiative by the United Way of Coastal Fairfield County that brings together a network of mentor programs across the region to share best practices and improve quality standards.
The banquet is an evening of appreciation to the mentors who give of their time to help children and youth in need of a special person in their lives, and is celebrated in January, National Mentoring Month. Mentors representing 18 independent mentoring programs received recognition." Read More

Kid bullied to leave school because he wasn't 'black enough'

2012-02-01T10:19:00.001-05:00

Ct Post (Ansonia, CT) January 31, 2012

"The student stabbed Ryan in the back with a mechanical pencil and walked away. There was no explanation, no words exchanged at all. But Ryan knew why it happened. Scared to tell the teacher, all Ryan could do was to go to the bathroom to wash off the blood.
It was all because of the color of his skin, his mom, Gail Rodriguez said. He was often the only light-skinned student in his classes, which were predominantly black. Ryan, who is half white and half Puerto Rican, was called names like 'stupid white cracker.'
Minority students around the region told Hearst Connecticut Newspapers they have been called n-----, or terrorist, or told to go back to the other side of the border." Read More

Read more: http://www.ctpost.com/local/article/Kid-bullied-to-leave-school-because-he-wasn-t-2866806.php#ixzz1l90nNP95

Ridgefield High students fight bullying tweets

2012-02-01T10:15:00.001-05:00

CT Post (Ridgefield, CT) January 31, 2012

"In the space of a few hours, some Ridgefield High School students saw the worst and the best aspects of technology and are now on a mission to end cyberbullying.
Senior Sophie Needleman, 18, horrified by a Monday afternoon tweet on Twitter by a high school student that included a slur about homosexuals, called on her friends to take a stand on her Facebook page.
'When I saw it, I was shocked and upset and knew something had to be done,' Needleman said about the tweet, that used the term 'RHSfagoftheday.'" Read More

Volunteers help Putnam school mentoring program

2012-01-31T10:43:00.001-05:00

Record Journal (Meriden, CT) January 29, 2012

"Shanaya Gonzalez's lunch and recess period on Friday's is different than most students at Israel Putnam School. She is not with her peers and Shanaya is not in the cafeteria.
Instead, she spends time with Stacey Lee, somebody Shanaya views as a friend. Lee, who works for USI Insurance, and Shanaya play games, read, eat and participate in other one-on-one activities.
Shanaya and Lee's relationship is part of Israel Putnam's mentoring program, consisting of 22 pairs of mentors and students. The school has partnered with USI, Webster Bank and PMA Insurance Group." Read More

Southington school district tackles bullying issue

2012-01-31T10:38:00.001-05:00

Record Journal (Southington, CT) January 29, 2012

"The school district is concentrating on bullying reforms, hoping programs and other initiatives will limit the problem.
A safety tip hotline was started earlier this month and schools are working to include anti-bullying literature in the curriculum. They also continue to have guest speakers address bullying.
For the third straight year, Deacon Arthur Miller visited Southington High School. Students sat around desks and on couches in the school library recently, taking in Miller's lively, emotion-filled lecture on civil rights and bullying." Read More

Simsbury Police to dispose of drugs

2012-01-31T10:36:00.003-05:00

The Simsbury News (Simsbury, CT) January 27, 2012

"To assist citizens and discourage theft, Simsbury has become of one of just eight towns in Connecticut to offer police disposal of unwanted prescription drugs. Flushing unwanted drugs at home is ill-advised, in that they can eventually pollute the water stream.
Under constant camera surveillance and bolted to the floor in the police station lobby, the drug lock box will be accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week, according to Simsbury Police Chief Peter N. Ingvertsen.
'There will be no request for names or addresses,' Ingversten said after the Jan. 23 board of selectmen meeting, where he made a presentation about the drug lock box." Read More

School mentoring program expands

2012-01-30T10:24:00.000-05:00

Reminder News (Windsor, CT) January 27, 2012

"The most precious gift anyone can give to another person is their attention. Today’s Smartphones, tablets and electronic social networking run serious interference with face-to-face communication, which most of us need and some need more than others. So when Mike Greenwood, the coordinator of Windsor Public Schools’ mentoring program, says there are no special characteristics needed to be a mentor – other than a willingness to share your time with a child – he says it all.
'All you have to be is willing to participate, show up every week and sit with a child, listen and engage in conversation about things you have in common – like sports, arts and crafts, movies or TV – just to demonstrate that you care,' said Greenwood." Read More

Middlesex County Steps Up Efforts To Stem Underage Drinking

2012-01-30T10:21:00.001-05:00

Hartford Courant (Middletown, CT) January 27, 2012

"Youth organizations and liquor store owners in Middlesex County want adults to know that it's illegal to provide alcohol to minors, and those who do so will be arrested.
Jay Polke, who owns the Willowbrook Spirit Shoppe in Cromwell, says he won't sell to adults if he suspects they're buying alcohol for someone underage
'There have been incidents in our town where the police have been called and with the parents' permission, the kids are drinking alcohol,' Polke said. 'It's not good for my business and it's not good for the liquor business. All the bad lessons have already been learned. We should take action to prevent the bad things from happening in the future.'" Read More

National Mentoring Month

2012-01-30T10:18:00.002-05:00

WTNH News-8 (New Haven, CT) January 27, 2012

"Mentoring is important because every child needs a caring adult to do well in school and in life. Children with a mentor feel a sense of connection and have better outcomes at school and with their peers and family. Mentoring also helps them to make better decisions and to avoid risky behavior First Niagara empowers communities to thrive through our Mentoring Matters program." Read More

Family History of Alcoholism May Affect Adolescents’ Brains

2012-01-24T10:28:00.001-05:00

Psych Central, January 18, 2012

"A new study has found that the brains of adolescents with a family history of alcoholism respond differently while making risky decisions than the brains of other teens.
Researchers at the Oregon Health & Science University discovered that two areas of the brain — the prefrontal cortex and cerebellum — demonstrated atypical activity while completing the same task than their peers with no family history of alcoholism.
'We know that a familial history of alcoholism is a significant risk factor for future alcohol abuse,' said Bonnie J. Nagel, assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral neuroscience at Oregon Health & Science University. 'We were interested in determining whether adolescents at heightened risk for alcohol use made more risky decisions during a laboratory task compared to their lower-risk peers.'" Read More

Nation’s Leaders to Attend National Mentoring Summit

2012-01-24T10:19:00.000-05:00

MENTOR (Washington D.C.) January 17, 2012

"National youth mentoring organizations, administration officials, civic leaders, corporate executives and the country’s foremost mentoring researchers will join together in Washington, D.C., next week at the second annual National Mentoring Summit to promote a pathway for ensuring our nation’s youth receive quality mentoring and guidance that will enable them to have a promising future.
The theme for this year’s Summit is 'Invest in the Future: Mentor a Child.' The Summit will include a Corporate Leadership Session where many of the nation’s corporate leaders will discuss examples and strategies for deepening private sector investment and volunteerism directed toward expanding quality youth mentoring. The session is a follow-up to First Lady Michelle Obama’s original 'Corporate Mentoring Challenge' call to action at the inaugural 2011 Summit." Read More

Eastern Connecticut stores cater to drug users

2012-01-24T10:17:00.001-05:00

Norwich Bulletin (Norwich, CT) January 21, 2012

"The message was brief but stark.
In dozens of convenience stores and gas stations across the region, purchasing drug paraphernalia is as simple as buying a candy bar or gallon of milk, a substance abuse prevention councilor told the Southeastern Connecticut Council of Governments last week.
Often, the products — which include glass pipes, bowls, rolling papers and, in some cases, scales — are displayed in glass cases near cash registers and feature elaborate decorations or colorful patterns." Read More

Drunkorexia Combines the Worst of Teen Alcohol Abuse with Body Image Problems, and Sunset Bay Academy Explains This Growing Trend and Its Causes

2012-01-20T10:09:00.000-05:00

PR Web (San Diego, CA) January 18, 2012

"As many parents may know, high school can be a frightening and exhilarating time. Teens get their first taste of freedom as parents get to watch their sons and daughters go off to prove themselves in a demanding social environment. Responsible parents will warn about the dangers of drinking and exercising self-control, but that control can take a dangerous form in the shape of what is being called 'drunkorexia.'
On one hand, some high school teens are forgoing food in order to stretch their alcohol budget. These teens want to drink because they feel compelled or may actually have a problem of some sort. Recent studies from the American Collage Health Association found that '31 percent of students met the criteria for a diagnosis of alcohol abuse and 6 percent for a diagnosis of alcohol dependence in the past 12 months.' Not eating allows students to get drunk faster, further increasing the buzz they get from their budgets.
On the other hand, other high school teens are drinking and forgoing food for more physiological reasons." Read More

National Online Directory of Permanent Prescription Drug Collection Boxes Launched

2012-01-20T10:07:00.001-05:00

Market Watch (Washington D.C.) January 18, 2012

"The American Medicine Chest Challenge (AMCC), the nation's largest privately funded public health campaign preventing prescription drug abuse, announced today, the creation of a national online directory of permanent prescription drug collection boxes for the collection of unused, unwanted, and expired medicine.
The directory created in cooperation with local, county and state law enforcement is available on americanmedicinechest.com. Currently, the directory includes collection sites in 11 states and will be updated daily. The directory will contain an interactive map of each state's permanent collection sites." Read More

Mentors play vital roles, get honored

2012-01-20T10:05:00.001-05:00

Bristol Press (Bristol, CT) January 17, 2012

"Jaime is an 18-year-old looking forward to graduating from high school in Bristol and becoming a police officer, thanks to the guidance his mentor has provided since he was 12.
Behind Jaime and many others like him are those who have served as anchor and compass. In honor of National Mentoring Month, Gov. Dannel Malloy is recognizing their contributions by declaring January Connecticut Mentoring Month.
To increase the ranks of mentors, Malloy is supporting a series of televised public service announcements by the National Mentoring Partnership. The PSAs are airing on television and radio stations throughout the month." Read More

Tri-Town Youth Services Hires New Prevention Coordinator

2012-01-19T10:01:00.001-05:00

Valley News Now ( Chester, CT) January 16, 2012

"Tri-Town Youth Services Bureau, Inc. has recently welcomed Cate Bourke to their staff. Hired as the new Prevention Coordinator, Cate will be working under the Drug Free Communities Grant to strengthen the Tri-Town Substance Abuse Prevention Council’s efforts to prevent youth substance abuse.
The Drug Free Communities Program (DFC), directed by the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy in partnership with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA), provides grants of up to $125,000 to community coalitions that encourage citizens to prevent youth substance abuse. Entering year two of a five year award, the Tri Town Substance Abuse Prevention Council involves representatives from 12 community sectors (including youth, parents, business, media, schools, health care, civic clubs, law enforcement, religious organizations and organizations serving youth and families) working collaboratively to develop and implement a long-term plan to reduce and prevent substance abuse in our communities." Read More

Morgan Peer Advocates Launch Sticker Shock Campaign

2012-01-19T09:58:00.001-05:00

Clinton Patch (Clinton, CT) December 14, 2012

"Is every adult aware of the fact that it is illegal to serve alcohol to kids under the age of 21 or to buy it for them?
That's what The Morgan School Peer Advocates group wants to insure.
Peer Advocates along with Mother's Against Drunk Drivers (MADD) has launched a sticker shock project targeting adults in the area. The stickers are designed to be placed on multi-packs of alcoholic beverages (beer, wine coolers, etc.) at retail liquor stores.
The purpose of Sticker Shock is to raise public awareness among adults in the community said Andrea Kaye, Peer Advocate co-facilitator and program coordinator at Clinton Youth & Family Service Bureau." Read More

Elementary School Climate, Anti-Gay Bullying Examined In New Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network Report

2012-01-19T09:53:00.002-05:00

Huffington Post, January 18, 2012

"Given that more and more youngsters are self-identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) at younger ages, a new report hopes to shed light on school climate, biased remarks and bullying among elementary school students.
Released by the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN), 'Playground and Prejudice: Elementary School Climate in the United States' examined students' and teachers' experiences with biased remarks and bullying, as well as attitudes about gender expression and family diversity. The report itself is based on national surveys of 1,065 elementary school students in third to sixth grades, as well as 1,099 elementary school teachers of kindergarten through sixth grade.'" Read More

UNITED WAY: January is National Mentoring Month

2012-01-19T09:52:00.001-05:00

Middletown Press (Middletown, CT) January 14, 2012

"Most of us can reflect back upon our lives and point to an adult who played a critical part in shaping our future. They provided guidance and advice, shared their wisdom, spent time with us, and took a caring interest in our success. Unfortunately, the reality is that often times children simply do not have a positive role model.
According to the Connecticut Mentoring Partnership (CMP), part of the Governor’s Prevention Partnership, there are more than 190,000 children in Connecticut (or 25% of Connecticut youth) that have life situations that place them at risk for personal and academic failure. These situations include poverty, inadequate early childhood experiences and preparation for school, family drug use, violence, involvement in the criminal justice system, and lack of access to needed social and mental health services." Read More

Malloy to push to ease restrictions on alcohol sales and pricing

2012-01-16T10:41:00.000-05:00

CT Mirror (Hartford, CT) January 13, 2012

"With an announcement timed to make the Sunday newspapers, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy intends to propose a series of changes Saturday in the state's restrictive alcohol laws, including a repeal of minimum pricing and the ban on Sunday sales.
Administration officials say Malloy will explain his proposal in Enfield, one of the border towns where package-store owners have broken with the rest of what is a mom-and-pop industry and asked to compete with longer hours of operation and flexible pricing.
Aside from the convenience of being able to shop on Sunday or as late as 10 p.m., consumers could see lower prices for alcohol, one of the products for which Connecticut long has had a 'minimum markup.'" Read More

Surveys Reveals Most Dangerous Nights For Teen Drivers

2012-01-16T10:39:00.002-05:00

Fairfield Patch (Fairfield, CT) January 14, 2012

"With new, stiffer penalties for drinking and driving in place for 2012, and new rules for newly minted drivers in effect, The Hub thought it was time to take a look at what are considered most the most dangerous days, and nights, to drive for teenagers.
The December 2011 report was conducted by the Liberty Mutual Insurance and Students Against Destructive Decisions Teen Driving study. It included some more obvious answers: New Year's and Fourth of July. However, the report also revealed some surprises: Prom Night came in nearly last. And there was also a 'he said, she said' view on the dangers of mixing alcohol and drugs with driving: Females tend to be more assertive when it comes to asking drivers to put down the keys if they’ve been drinking." Read More

MENTOR offers quick, easy ways to get involved in National Mentoring Month

2012-01-13T10:36:00.000-05:00

America's Promise Alliance, January 12, 2012

"The beginning of the New Year marks an important time in the world of youth development — the start of National Mentoring Month. Since 2002, when the occasion was first marked by MENTOR: The National Mentoring Partnership and the Harvard School of Public Health, every January has been recognized as a time to celebrate the adults in children’s lives who help guide them into adolescence and beyond. The mark these supporters place on America’s youth is invaluable, as evidenced by higher rates of school attendance, lower rates of drinking and drug abuse, and a stronger likelihood to go on to higher education among children who meet frequently with a mentor." Read More

GLSEN’s “No Name-Calling Week” to combat bullying starts January 23

2012-01-13T10:34:00.000-05:00

America's Promise Alliance, January 12, 2012

"From January 23 to 27, the Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network (GLSEN) is sponsoring the annual, national No Name-Calling Week. The Week is a response to the bullying and taunting that too often permeates American schools, and aims to bring attention to the harmful effects name calling can have. The project focuses on creating a lasting dialogue between students and teachers to eventually eliminate name calling where it is present in order to provide a safe learning environment for everyone.
No Name-Calling Week is specifically targeted to children in between grades 5-8, who experience the most prevalent bullying of any age group, however, all ages are welcome and encouraged to participate. In addition to students, GLSEN invites teachers, counselors, coaches, administrators, and all other education professionals to take part in the Week and help teach children the importance of maintaining a friendly school environment." Read More

Is My Child Being Bullied? Action Steps for Parents

2012-01-13T10:30:00.002-05:00

The Huffington Post, January 12, 2012

"Most adults can recall a time when they, or someone they know, were bullied. It usually was a humiliating experience that they preferred to forget. The 'school yard bully' was avoided at all costs; rarely did adults get involved. Well, the times have changed. My career has been devoted to protecting children -- but usually due to abuse or neglect at the hands of an adult. Unfortunately, children also need to be protected from other children. To set the record straight, bullying is not teasing or the occasional name calling or arguments that happen between friends. Bullying is behavior that crosses the line and, as we've recently seen in tragic cases, can drive children to commit suicide." Read More

Hamden campaign takes aim at underage drinking

2012-01-12T10:08:00.001-05:00

Post Chronicle (Hamden, CT) January 11, 2012

"The black and red lettering on the sticker on the door at Mt. Carmel Wine and Spirits is small and a little hard to decipher, but its message is loud and clear.
It reads: 'Parents who host lose the most. Don’t be a party to underage drinking.'
Like several other liquor retailers in town, Mt. Carmel Wine and Spirits has joined forces with the Hamden Youth Advisory Council to do what they can to help prevent underage drinking.
'We discourage college kids and we de-emphasize beer and don’t sell kegs,' said Bob Feinn, one of the owners of Mt. Carmel Wine and Spirits." Read More

Acting superintendent meets with Bridgeport parents, teachers

2012-01-12T10:02:00.002-05:00

CT Post (Bridgeport, CT) January 11, 2012

"Donnamarie Faiella, a Central High School sophomore, wanted to know about sports. She is on the bowling team and heard it might be cut.
Acting Schools Superintendent Paul Vallas, during his first 'meet and greet' session in the district Wednesday, told her not only would sports not be cut in the district, he wants to add more.
Julio Reinoso, a mentor to students at Hooker School, wants to know why, year after year, the third-graders he coaches don't know their times tables." Read More

Training for a Liquor Sting Operation

2012-01-12T10:00:00.001-05:00

Trumbull Patch (Trumbull, CT) January 12, 2012

"When it comes to the issue of preventing alcohol sales to minors, police have found that letting those same minors sniff out the offenders themselves is remarkably effective.
Four out of 11 Trumbull establishments failed the liquor compliance checks that were conducted Dec. 28 by the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection and the Trumbull Police.
Youth volunteers used their real IDs for the checks. They were carded and sold to at three of the businesses that failed the evaluation, while one of these stores did not check IDs at all." Read More

National No Name Calling Day

2012-01-11T09:30:00.001-05:00

Huffington Post, January 11, 2012

"On January 25th 2012, all students in Massachusetts will participate in a No Name Calling Day in which the kids will sign pledges not to name call or partake in bullying and also wear black to show commitment to 'Black Out Bullying.'
This day is to also remember those victims who have committed suicide after being bullied themselves. Too many teens have committed suicide since 2010, the most recent being a 15-year-old girl who threw herself in front of a bus in New York. And even then her Facebook page was filled with messages of hatred." Read More

College-age adults average 9 alcoholic beverages when they binge drink, CDC report says

2012-01-11T09:26:00.001-05:00

Washington Post (Atlanta, GA) January 10, 2012

"College-age drinkers average nine drinks when they get drunk, government health officials said Tuesday.
That surprising statistic is part of a new report highlighting the dangers of binge drinking, which usually means four to five drinks at a time.
Overall, about 1 in 6 U.S. adults surveyed said they had binged on alcohol at least once in the previous month, though it was more than 1 in 4 for those ages 18 to 34.
And that’s likely an underestimate: Alcohol sales figures suggest people are buying a lot more alcohol than they say they are consuming. Health officials estimate that about half of the beer, wine and liquor consumed in the United States by adults each year is downed during binge drinking." Read More

Windsor Public Schools Expands Its Mentoring Program

2012-01-11T09:24:00.002-05:00

Hartford Courant (Windsor, CT) January 10, 2012

"For nearly a decade, the Windsor Public Schools' Mentoring program has been successful in the elementary schools. Now, the project is expanding to help sixth, seventh and eighth grade students. Starting in March, a mentoring program also will take place at Sage Park Middle School on Wednesday and Thursday afternoons from 2:50-3:45 p.m.
Adults interested in becoming mentors to Windsor's middle school or elementary school students are needed. The Windsor Public Schools will hold a two-hour mentor training session on Tuesday, Feb. 7, from 3-5 p.m. at L.P. Wilson Community Center, 601 Matianuck Ave. in Windsor." Read More

Community conversation looks at substance abuse among youth

2012-01-10T09:03:00.001-05:00

Reminder News (Colchester, CT) January 9, 2012

"Substance abuse can often be the elephant in the room - there for all to see, but no one wants to talk about it, hoping that maybe it will just go away. But recent data collected by the National Institute on Drug Abuse(http://www.nida.nih.gov/infofacts/hsyouthtrends.html) suggests that not only is the problem not going away, but it is getting worse.
Between 2009 and 2010, marijuana use among high school seniors was at its highest point since the early 1980s, while use among eighth-graders has also increased. In fact, many measures now show that marijuana use exceeds cigarette smoking among the nation’s youth, concurrent with a decreased perception of the harm of marijuana smoking among kids." Read More

Responsible Social Hosting Campaign Gains Steam

2012-01-10T09:00:00.002-05:00

Killingworth-Durham-Middlefield Patch (Middlesex County, CT) January 10, 2012

"Take a drive down Route 154 in Haddam and you’ll see a 15-foot high photo of a hand in the classic 'stop' pose. 'I will be a parent, not a bartender' reads the message inked onto the palm of the hand. Three similar billboards will go up in Essex, Deep River and Chester. East Hampton drivers will see the same billboard in their town later this winter.
It’s all part of the Responsible Hosting Campaign going on in the 15 towns of Middlesex County. Launched by the Middlesex County Substance Abuse Action Council, the campaign is aimed at parents and teens who host parties where beer and other drinks are served to young people. State law prohibits anyone from serving guests under the age of 21 alcoholic beverages in their homes." Read More

WMS students take stand against bullying

2012-01-09T10:28:00.001-05:00

Greenwich Time (Greenwich, CT) January 6, 2012

"Last year, a few students that Western Middle School teacher Diana Willie was close to were being bullied by classmates.
Aside from resolving the issues the students were having, Willie decided it was time to get the message out to the rest of the school that similar behavior should not be tolerated.
'I just could not know that I didn't do something to address it,' said Willie, who teaches social studies. 'I decided it was a good idea to do something schoolwide.'" Read More

United Way of Northwest Connecticut joins national mentoring effort

2012-01-09T10:24:00.001-05:00

Register Citizen (Litchfield, CT) January 7, 2012

"The United Way of Northwest Connecticut has joined United Way Worldwide’s Million Mentors Challenge! United Way has set out a challenge to help cut the high school dropout number in half by 2018.
According to United Worldwide, 'reading is linked to high school success. That’s because children are learning to read for the first few years of school, but after fourth grade they’re reading to learn. Without strong reading skills, they fall behind, disengage and often drop out.'
Today, two-thirds of American fourth graders cannot read at grade level. The short-fall in reading proficiency is especially pronounced among low-income, African- American and Latino children. Disadvantaged children come to school at least two years behind their peers in pre-reading skills. It is hard to catch up—especially after second or third grade." Read More

Students Invited to Participate in “Big Bowl Vote 2012”

2012-01-09T10:19:00.002-05:00

Parntership at Drugfree.org (New York, NY) January 6, 2012

"Middle- and high-school students are invited to participate in an informal national survey to help measure the impact of alcohol advertising that runs during the Super Bowl.
The Drug-Free Action Alliance (DFAA) is calling for young people from across the country to participate in the 'Big Bowl Vote 2012' on Monday, February 6, the day after the Super Bowl. The survey is intended to gauge which commercials the students remember and prefer, and to help students more thoughtfully evaluate alcohol advertising." Read More

(Fighting) Drinking on the Job

2012-01-06T09:18:00.001-05:00

The Day (Madison, CT) January 5, 2012

"Catherine LeVasseur has been working on issues that affect kids since she was a kid herself.
Catherine is the new coalition coordinator for M.A.D.E., Madison Alcohol & Drug Education, a position she's held since early November, but the Killingworth native and 2001 graduate of Haddam-Killingworth High School has a background in community work that goes back to middle school.
'I've been doing this since I was about 13 years old,' she says, adding that she first got involved with the board of the Haddam-Killingworth Youth Coalition and her local Substance Abuse Prevention Council in Haddam-Killingworth, which is today known as the Health Communities Healthy Kids Coalition. 'It was something I was really drawn to, so I joined and it gave me a lot of opportunities growing up.'" Read More

Carter Mario Law Firm Pledges $10,000 in Grants

2012-01-06T09:17:00.001-05:00

Milford Patch (Milford, CT) January 4, 2012

"In an effort to help alleviate the cost of college tuition and better educate young people on the dangers of drunk and distracted driving, The Law Offices of Carter Mario Injury Lawyers has announced a scholarship contest for Connecticut high school seniors.
Applicants will be asked to prepare a presentation on the dangers of drunk driving, as well as distracted driving by teens using cell phones while behind the wheel.
Ten high school seniors will be chosen to receive a $1,000 scholarship each as part of the 2012 Arrive Alive Scholarship Program." Read More

‘Spice’ makers alter recipes to sidestep state laws banning synthetic marijuana

2012-01-05T09:42:00.001-05:00

Washington Post (Washington D.C.) December 28, 2011

"'Spice' is back.
Just months after Virginia and dozens of other states banned synthetic marijuana, the chemists who make it have found a way to outfox lawmakers.
Spice manufacturers, who spray herbs with compounds that mimic the active ingredient in marijuana, have altered their recipes just enough to skirt the bans and are again openly marketing spice in stores and on the Web. Some users report that the new generation of products could be more potent than the original formulas, which have sickened hundreds nationwide and been linked to deaths." Read More

ABC's 20/20 Episode on Bullying Epidemic Features LifeSkills Training as a Solution

2012-01-05T09:41:00.001-05:00

PR Newswire (White Plains, NY) January 4, 2012

"The ABC news magazine show 20/20 recently reported on what one school is doing to help combat the problem of in-school bullying. The Alliance School, an alternative Milwaukee public school, uses the Botvin LifeSkills Training (LST) program to teach students key lessons such as respect and conflict-resolution.
LifeSkills Training promotes healthy alternatives to risky behavior by helping students develop greater self-esteem and self-confidence and by enabling them to effectively cope with stress and anxiety. Not only is LST the top-rated substance abuse prevention program in schools today; a recent study also showed that LST prevents physical and verbal aggression as well as delinquency and fighting in schools." Read More

Parents Held Responsible for Underage Drinking

2012-01-03T09:44:00.000-05:00

The Associated Press, December 30, 2011

"Parents of teens: If you think a drinking disaster at your kid's party can't happen at your house, not with your kid, because he's a good kid, it's time to wake up and smell the whiskey bottle tossed on your lawn.
Because of the high risk of underage drinking and driving this time of year, many parents open their homes to partying teens as a way to keep them off the roads. What some may not know is that liability laws can leave Mom and Dad vulnerable to lawsuits, fines and even jail time if underage drinking is found to be going on under their roof.
Parents can get in trouble even if they didn't know about the drinking." Read More

Alcohol Allegedly Sold to Minors at Several Trumbull Businesses

2012-01-03T09:37:00.002-05:00

Trumbull Patch (Trumbull, CT) December 30, 2011

"Four Trumbull businesses have been called out for allegedly selling alcohol to underage patrons. Out of eleven establishments, these stores were cited for failing the liquor compliance checks conducted Wednesday by the state’s Consumer Protection Department.
Officers from the Trumbull Police Department worked with a group of minors who had volunteered to be trained by the Governor’s Prevention Partnership.
Of the eleven package stores, grocery stores, bars and restaurants in Trumbull, the four stores that failed by allegedly selling to one of the volunteer youths were: Stop and Shop, Marisa’s Ristorante, Ruby Tuesday and Asian Village." Read More

New Boys & Girls Clubs CEO begins job in Conn.

2012-01-03T09:34:00.002-05:00

The Associated Press (Hartford, CT) January 2, 2011

"The new president and CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America on Monday started his first day on the job in the city where the movement began 151 years ago, saying it's time for 'a better life' for children.
Jim Clark visited members at the club in Hartford's Asylum Hill neighborhood on the final day of their winter vacation. He spoke to them about the importance of staying in school, keeping physically active and not bullying.
For the past eight years, Clark was CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee, where he more than doubled the number of young people who are served by the clubs and created programs that improved literacy and high school graduation rates. He said children today face 'a very fragile' economic system and the nation is at a crossroads." Read More

Survey: Teens More Likely To DUI On New Year's Eve Than Any Other Night

2011-12-29T10:56:00.001-05:00

Hartford Courant (Hartford, CT) December 27, 2011

"Teens consider driving on New Year's Eve more dangerous than prom night, homecoming or the Fourth of July.
And yet, a greater percentage of teens say they have driven under the influence of alcohol or drugs on New Year's Eve than any of those other party-prone nights, according to a survey conducted by Liberty Mutual and Students Against Destructive Decisions —formerly Students Against Driving Drunk.
'Prior to New Year's Eve, parents need to have a conversation with their teen drivers about the dangers of driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol and fatigue as well as how to be a good driver and a good passenger,' said Dave Melton, a driving safety expert with Liberty Mutual and managing director of global safety. 'Teens also need to be prepared for dangerous behaviors of other drivers who will be impaired on New Year's Eve.'" Read More

Presidential Proclamation -- National Mentoring Month, 2012

2011-12-29T10:53:00.000-05:00

The White House (Washington D.C.) December 28, 2011

"Every day, mentors help young Americans face the challenges of growing into adulthood. By setting a positive example and sharing their time, knowledge, and experience, mentors play an essential role in preparing our Nation's youth for a bright future. During National Mentoring Month, we celebrate the contributions of all those who cultivate a supportive environment for the next generation, and we recommit to expanding mentorship opportunities across our country.
At school and at home, in the library and on the field, mentors lift our youth toward their goals and ambitions. As a teacher, a relative, or a trusted friend, a mentor's steady and dependable support can inspire a child to strive for success and instill in them the confidence to achieve their full potential. Mentorship strengthens our American family, and by teaching enduring values like diligence and self-discipline, we make a powerful and lasting investment in our youth, our communities, and our Nation." Read More

Local Advice on Keeping Kids From Drinking

2011-12-29T10:51:00.001-05:00

Farmington Patch (Farmington, CT) December 29, 2011

"Dozens of teens fill an empty house. Cars overflow into the street and loud music worries the neighbors into calling the police. When officers arrive, alcohol is everywhere. There are teens throwing up, teens passed out, teens jumping out second-story windows and a stream of kids escaping out the back door and into the woods.
Yes, this is the typical party scenario, and it does happen in Farmington while parents aren’t home. But according to Farmington Police Chief Paul Melanson, this is not where most teenagers are doing their drinking." Read More

Ledyard student survey tracks use of pot, alcohol, cigarettes

2011-12-27T10:16:00.000-05:00

The Day (Ledyard, CT) December 27, 2011

"Results from the 2011 youth drug and alcohol survey, which show that tobacco use among the town's seventh- through 12th-graders is down but alcohol and marijuana use is trending upward, were presented to members of the Board of Education last week.
'The survey asks some really good questions about alcohol, drugs and tobacco use and gives us a baseline to determine if there are any trends of concern,' Superintendent of Schools Michael Graner said Wednesday. 'Overall, tobacco use is way down which is a good thing, but the two areas of concern that I know the youth survey has looked at throughout the region are marijuana use and alcohol use.'" Read More

Liberty Mutual/SADD Study Reveals More Teens Drink and Drive on New Year's Eve Than on any Other Holiday

2011-12-27T10:09:00.002-05:00

Market Watch (Boston, MA) December 27, 2011

"While New Year's Eve may conjure images of a celebratory toast, it's also traditionally one of the worst days of the year for alcohol related car crashes and deaths for young drivers. And new data from a 2011 teen driving study by Liberty Mutual Insurance and SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) reveals an interesting yet cautionary anomaly: teens believe New Year's Eve is the most dangerous time of year to drive, yet it also is the holiday or event when teens most frequently drive under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.
According to the survey of nearly 2,300 eleventh and twelfth graders, when teen drivers were asked about how dangerous they feel certain events are for driving and the likelihood of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs on one of these events, New Year's Eve topped both lists." Read More

Bully prevention program gets help from guests in Cromwell

2011-12-27T10:06:00.001-05:00

The Middletown Press (Cromwell, CT) December 24, 2011

"All year, Principal Bo Ryan and his staff have been emphasizing the need for Woodside Intermediate School students to respect themselves and their classmates and to work to prevent bullying.
Friday morning, Ryan got a little help in emphasizing those messages.
Well, actually more than a little help: how about Wesleyan University men’s basketball coach Joe Reilly, Vanderbilt University defensive line football coach Sean Spencer, members of Cromwell High School’s football team, cross-country team, cheerleading squad and dance team, and the mascots from UConn, the Hartford Whale, and the New Britain Rock Cats among others." Read More

Arguing with mom preps teens for peer pressure

2011-12-23T10:27:00.001-05:00

MSNBC, December 22, 2011

"If your teen keeps arguing with you, don’t worry – it may do her good in the long run.
Researchers found adolescents who can hold their own in a dispute with mom – rather than quickly caving -- are less likely to be pressured by friends into drinking and doing drugs, according to a new report in the journal Child Development.
While it can be challenging to calmly discuss sensitive subjects, a measured give-and-take can provide teens with the tools they need to bat away peer pressure, said study co-author Joanna Chango, a graduate student at the University of Virginia." Read More

9 Things You Need To Know About Hosting Safe Holiday Parties [With Poll]

2011-12-23T10:25:00.000-05:00

Madison Patch (Madison, CT) December 22, 2011

"Last year, approximately 10,500 people died in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes, according to figures released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Ad Council.
'Historically, holiday periods have shown higher incidences of alcohol-impaired driving crashes, so whether you're at a holiday party, a New Year’s Eve bash at a bar or reveling with friends, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Ad Council are reminding everyone that the best way to stay safe is to plan ahead and designate a sober before you head out for your festivities.'" Read More

Youth Drug Use: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

2011-12-22T10:29:00.000-05:00

Huffington Post, December 21, 2011

"Last week, I joined officials from the National Institute on Drug Abuse and the Department of Health and Human Services to announce the results of the largest annual survey on youth drug use in America. NIDA's annual 'Monitoring the Future' study, which questions more than 46,000 teens in over 400 public and private schools across America, is a vital source of information about the types of substances young people are using, as well as their attitudes and perceptions regarding substance use -- including alcohol, tobacco and other drugs.
This year's data revealed some troubling new trends, including startling new information showing an emerging threat of so-called 'synthetic drugs,' which have been marketed as 'legal' alternatives to marijuana. According to the survey, one in nine high school seniors has used synthetic marijuana marketed as 'K2' and 'spice' in the past year. That means the use of these drugs now rank as the second most frequently used illegal drug among high school seniors, second only to marijuana." Read More

A Prevention Message with an Unexpected Twist

2011-12-22T10:28:00.001-05:00

Partnership at Drugfree.org (New York, NY) December 21, 2011

"Armed with the knowledge that Latino kids are at higher risk for drug use and addiction than their non-Hispanic counterparts, we teamed up with marketing communications agency Wing to help educate parents about the issue. A new, 30-second public service announcement (PSA) takes an unconventional approach to drug prevention and alerts parents that their kids are more exposed to drugs than they realize.
The campaign, titled 'Sheep,' uses animation to illustrate to parents that drugs don’t always come from easily identifiable sources. The TV spot urges parents to visit our Habla Con Tus Hijos website, a Spanish-language resource where they can learn how to talk to their kids about the risks of substance abuse." Read More

New London school board set to revise policy on bullying

2011-12-22T10:26:00.001-05:00

The Day (New London, CT) December 22, 2011

"The Board of Education will discuss tonight an updated policy to prevent bullying that requires all school employees to report the abusive behavior.
In response to new legislation, the school district must have a bullying prevention and intervention policy in place by Jan. 1.
The proposed policy, which enhances the existing policy, also is aimed at curbing incidents of student bullying both on and off school grounds, according the board president Bill Morse.
'This policy is also giving more beef to enforcement and follow through,' Morse said." Read More

Keeping Teens Safe During The Holidays

2011-12-21T10:47:00.002-05:00

Fox 61 News (Hartford, CT) December 19, 2011

"Teen drinking can be an issue during the holiday season with the abundance of parties, find out ways you can keep them safe." Watch Video Here

School chiefs report no increase in steroid use

2011-12-21T10:40:00.001-05:00

News Times (Danbury, CT) December 20, 2011

"A Danbury drug education workshop plans to concentrate on steroid use and abuse as a direct result of the arrest of a Bethel man who federal prosecutors claim sold steroids to area high school-age athletes.
The workshop is believed to be the area's only education-based response to the charges against Bethel resident Mark Mansa, who was arrested in February after what authorities said was a lengthy investigation into selling marijuana and steroids in the Danbury area.
The Housatonic Valley Council Against Substance Abuse added steroid education and prevention to its free prescription-drug misuse workshop in February for coaches and interested parents." Read More

Pitt Study Finds Text Messaging Effective in Curbing Binge Drinking in Young Adults

2011-12-21T10:38:00.001-05:00

90.5 Public Radio (Pittsburgh, PA) December 16, 2011

"A team of researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine conducted a randomized 12-week trial of a text messaging-based program aimed at reducing so-called hazardous drinking behavior. The study involved 45 people between the ages of 18 and 24 who were discharged from area emergency rooms and identified as having engaged in dangerous drinking, such as binge drinking.
They were split into three groups. The first group only received an informational packet in the emergency room about the effects of binge drinking. The second group received weekly text message assessments of their drinking without any feedback. The third group got 12 weeks of assessments delivered via text and immediate feedback on their responses." Read More

Teen partying is mostly outside schools’ jurisdiction

2011-12-12T11:02:00.001-05:00

Ridgefield Press (Ridgefield, CT) December 10, 2011

"Will Ridgefield teens recently arrested on charges related to underage drinking be punished in school? That is unknown, as their names, and what schools they attend, have not been made public because of their ages.
But can Ridgefield High School students caught at drinking parties be punished in school? Generally, the answer is no, says High School Principal Jeffrey Jaslow.
'For things that are off-campus, the school basically does not get involved if the behavior does not involve controlled substances,' at least on a disciplinary level, he said." Read More

Bridgeport to adopt anti-bullying policy

2011-12-12T11:01:00.000-05:00

Stamford Advocate (Bridgeport, CT) December 12, 2011

"The city school district is poised Monday to adopt its own plan to step in and stop bullying, even if it occurs in cyberspace.
The plan is required of every district in the state under changes to the state's anti-bullying law adopted unanimously by the Legislature over the summer and spells out the steps that would be taken and the consequences that would occur if bullying is verified. Those interventions could include counseling, peer mediation, restitution, age-appropriate consequences, suspension and even expulsion.
It also designates Susan Smith, director of social work for the district, as the city's Safe School Climate Coordinator." Read More

How to create a safe, respectful school climate

2011-12-12T10:59:00.001-05:00

Stamford Advocate (Fairfield, CT) December 13, 2011

"Jo Ann Freiberg bristles at the title 'anti-bullying czar,' but as the state Department of Education consultant in charge of school climate improvement -- and yes -- bullying, Freiberg has become the point person for school districts trying to carry out a new state law that requires them to combat bullying that interferes with education -- even when it occurs off campus or over the Internet.
The 58-year-old married mother of three grown children has a background in ethics and has worked for more than 30 years in the areas of character-building, violence-prevention and classroom management." Read More

Study: Teen sexting fears overstated

2011-12-07T10:17:00.000-05:00

Concord Monitor (Concord, NH) December 6, 2011

"Chances are, the kids really are texting about homework.
Fewer teens and tweens are sending racy pictures over their cell phones than previously thought, and only a small percentage face criminal sanctions if they get caught, according to two studies by researchers at the University of New Hampshire.
The studies, published yesterday in the journal Pediatrics, should ease the nerves of worried parents nationwide, said Kimberly Mitchell, research assistant professor of psychology at the university's Crimes against Children Research Center." Read More

U.S. Education Department Releases Analysis of State Bullying Laws and Policies

2011-12-07T10:16:00.001-05:00

Ed.gov (Washington D.C) December 6, 2011

"The U.S. Department of Education released today Analysis of State Bullying Laws and Policies, a new report summarizing current approaches in the 46 states with anti-bullying laws and the 41 states that have created anti-bullying policies as models for schools.
The report shows the prevalence of state efforts to combat bullying over the last several years. From 1999 to 2010, more than 120 bills were enacted by state legislatures from across the country to either introduce or amend statutes that address bullying and related behaviors in schools. Twenty-one new bills were enacted in 2010 and eight additional bills were signed into law through April 30, 2011.
Out of the 46 states with anti-bullying laws in place, 36 have provisions that prohibit cyber bullying and 13 have statutes that grant schools the authority to address off-campus behavior that creates a hostile school environment." Read More

Research shows that many adults support underage drinking

2011-12-05T10:07:00.000-05:00

Top News, December 4, 2011

"With December being celebrated as ‘National Drunk and Drugged Driving (3D) Prevention Month’, the findings of a new research carried by SADD and Liberty Mutual Insurance have highlighted the disquieting results of the growing trend which has adults supporting underage drinking.
Drawing attention to the increasing evidence which shows that adults permit teen drinking at home, the research revealed that nearly one-third of the teenagers confessed to having consumed alcohol with their parents; with approximately 25 percent of the teenagers having disclosed that they were allowed to consume alcohol when their parents were not around." Read More

Prescription drug abuse a problem for students

2011-12-05T10:03:00.002-05:00

The Lewis Flyer (Romeoville, IL) December 4, 2011

"Prescription drug addiction or abuse is a serious public health problem in this country that began around the 1990s and is still at an extreme high today.
This began being a common problem once there was a greater availability to all of the U.S. The age group that doesn’t follow the instructions when it comes to prescription drugs has a wide range, but with the population of college students, we hear more focus on that specific area with this issue.
'The statistics for college student prescription drug abuse have been increasing, as well as the number of high school students,' said Zachary Hitchens, mental health counselor at Lewis. 'I cannot say for sure that college students abuse them the most, but it is a growing trend and a concern nationally.'" Read More

Schools adjust to anti-bullying law

2011-12-02T11:01:00.001-05:00

News Times (Danbury, CT) December 1, 2011

"Danbury High seniors Ashish Rao and Matt Hanrahan still have the posters they displayed in the school cafeteria during October as part of an anti-bullying campaign.
Are you a bully?
Are you brave enough to be kind?
Rao, president of the student body, and Hanrahan, president of the senior class, both 17, led the initiative that included students tying blue ribbons on their wrists or bags in solidarity against bullies. The two hope to pursue other activities during the school year to shine a light on the problem." Read More

Tis The Season To Talk With Your Kids About Drinking And Drugs (With Poll)

2011-12-02T10:59:00.002-05:00

Clinton Patch (Clinton, CT) December 2, 2011

"The holidays can provide happiness and excitement as friends and family come together for celebrations. Yet, celebrations also provide increased opportunity for teens to experiment with alcohol as it becomes more accessible during the holiday period.
'It's important for parents to take time during the holiday season to talk to their kids about the dangers of underage drinking and drug use, and to remain vigilant,' said Department of Public Health Commissioner Jewel Mullen, in a prepared release. 'Parents are still the strongest influencers in their children's lives, even during the teenage years, and we want to ensure that our most precious resource-our young people-stay safe this holiday season.'
According to The Governor's Prevention Partnership, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the health and safety of the state's young people, teens who learn about the risks of drugs and alcohol at home are 50 percent less likely to use substances." Read More

School District Prepares Anti-Bullying Program

2011-11-30T10:35:00.001-05:00

Hartford Courant (Hartford, CT) November 30, 2011

"Responding to a new state law against bullying in schools, Regional School District 8 is putting together an anti-bullying program that will include reporting procedures and staff training.
District Superintendent Robert Siminski said the effort will also include a time line for investigating incidents of bullying, a response to the incident, establishing a safe-school climate committee and training for staff in bullying prevention and intervention.
'We must have a bullying policy, report procedures when an act of bullying is seen, notification requirements to employees and parents,' he said." Read More

Montville schools beef up bullying policy

2011-11-30T10:29:00.003-05:00

Norwich Bulletin (Montville, CT) November 29, 2011

"The Montville Board of Education has unanimously approved a bullying policy that adheres to new state anti-bullying legislation enacted in July.
The new law changes the definition of bullying and requires schools to update bullying policies and adopt a Safe School Climate Plan to address prevention and outline provisions for intervening with acts of bullying.
Superintendent Pamela Aubin said the new bullying policy will have more stringent guidelines for investigations and will call for preventive measures and early intervention." Read more

Connecticut conference focusing on school bullying

2011-11-30T10:21:00.001-05:00

Newsday (West Hartford, CT) November 30, 2011

"Social workers, teachers, students and education experts are gathering in Connecticut this week for a regional conference on strategies to spot and prevent school bullying.
The 2011 New England Anti-Bullying Conference is scheduled for Friday at the University of Hartford. It's expected to draw people from throughout the region for a full day of speakers and panel discussions.
Connecticut, Massachusetts and several other states have strengthened their laws against bullying in recent years in the wake of several high-profile suicides and criminal prosecutions." Read More

Police: Suspects Supplied Alcohol To Fatal Crash Victim

2011-11-29T10:53:00.000-05:00

Hartford Courant (Ridgefield, CT) November 29, 2011

"Five teenagers and a 21-year-old man have been charged with supplying alcohol to a 16-year-old girl who died in a car crash in August.
The alcohol was made available at two different house parties attended by the teen driver, Jacqueline Brice, the night of Aug. 3, police said.
Brice was killed while driving home at 3:50 a.m. on Aug. 4, police said. Her blood alcohol content was .19 percent, police said.
Among those arrested is a 16-year-old girl who hosted a large party at her home in Ridgefield while her parents were away. She was charged with delivery of alcohol to minors." Read More

Rise in Prescription Stimulant Abuse Concerns College Administrators

2011-11-29T10:37:00.001-05:00

Drugfree.org, November 28, 2011

"College administrators say they are concerned about an increase in prescription stimulant abuse among students, The Washington Post reports.
Abuse of prescription stimulants such as Ritalin and Adderall, popular among students trying to stay focused while studying, has long been an issue on college campuses, the article notes. But as sales for these drugs increase, administrators say they are worried abuse of the drugs is also on the rise.
Reducing abuse of these drugs is very difficult, administrators say. It is not obvious when students are taking the drugs." Read More

Survey: Underage Drinking Down In Waterford

2011-11-29T10:30:00.001-05:00

Waterford Patch (Waterford, CT) November 29, 2011

"In 2006, the Waterford Alcohol and Drug Education (W.A.D.E.) Coalition was formed to combat youth drinking and drug use. Five years later, it appears the effort has worked, according to results of a recent survey.
Waterford seventh, eighth and ninth graders are less likely to drink, are more likely to think their parents disapprove of drinking and are more likely to think alcohol will have negative physical effects compared to 2006, according to the survey. This is good, Waterford Youth Services’ Grant Coordinator Christine Poscich, who helps run W.A.D.E., said." Read More

Teens Turn to Digital Drugs

2011-11-28T10:52:00.001-05:00

NBC Connecticut (West Hartford, CT) November 22, 2011

"You can't see, taste or even touch digital drugs, but some people say all you need to get high is your computer.
Digital drugs, also referred to as sonic drugs or 'I-dosing,' are sound files that are downloadable, legal and popular with teenagers.
For as little as $1, you can download audio files that promise to deliver the experience of being drunk or of taking marijuana, cocaine, ecstasy or just about any other drug you can name.
'There’s one track that actually mimics driving under the influence of alcohol. There’s other ones for crystal meth, cocaine, heroin, all different kinds of drugs,' Stephanie Moran, program director at the Governor's Prevention Partnership, said. http://www.preventionworksct.org/" Read More

Trends in teen drinking discussed

2011-11-28T10:50:00.001-05:00

Reminder News (Glastonbury, CT) November 21, 2011

"On Nov. 16, the Glastonbury Alcohol and Drug Council, in conjunction with the town of Glastonbury and the Rushford Center, gave a presentation for parents and community members on the new trends in teen underage drinking and drug use.
GLAD President Sheryl Sprague, who is also manager of prevention services at Rushford, said the aim of the forums is to educate parents and make them aware of what environment their teens are facing.
Rachel Bruno, prevention coordinator from the Governor's Prevention Partnership, was the keynote speaker at the event. She said that her presentation is never the same twice, because the trends and products change so rapidly. Bruno said that while nationally, underage drinking has declined, those numbers are still very high, as are the percentages of young people using drugs." Read More

Students want more from bullying policy

2011-11-28T10:47:00.001-05:00

Stamford Advocate (Stamford, CT) November 24, 2011

"The Board of Education has unanimously approved a new bullying policy, which will bring the district in compliance with a new statewide mandate to update local policies.
Many of the state's new mandates were already covered in Stamford's policy, such as the inclusion of cyberbullying, which the district has included in its bullying policy since it was last updated in 2010.
According to the Cyberbullying Research Center, 20.8 percent of children between ages 10 and 18 have been cyberbullied at least once, and 17 percent were cyberbullied at least twice in the month before the center's survey." Read More

Text-message bullying becoming more common

2011-11-23T10:42:00.001-05:00

Newsday, November 23, 2011

"A growing number of U.S. kids say they have been picked on via text messaging, while there has been little change in online harassment, researchers reported Monday.
Of more than 1,100 middle school and high school students surveyed in 2008, 24 percent said they had ever been "harassed" by texting. That was up from about 14 percent in a survey of the same kids the year before.
'Harassment' meant that peers had spread rumors about them, made 'rude or mean comments,' or threatened them." Read More

State Police To Step Up Patrols For Thanksgiving

2011-11-23T10:39:00.001-05:00

Groton Patch (Groton, CT) November 23, 2011

"The Connecticut State Police will supplement normal routine patrol personnel with additional Troopers over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. Troopers will patrol all roads and highways across Connecticut and focus on drunk driving and target aggressive speeding drivers and unsafe operation.
Thanksgiving eve and day are two of the busiest traffic days of the year. Motorists need to remember, not to follow too close, to slow down, stay off your cell phone, BUCKLE UP while driving, and report any suspected drunk drivers to police." Read More

Alcohol puts students at risk on 'Black Wednesday'

2011-11-23T10:38:00.001-05:00

USA Today, November 22, 2011

"This 'black' is ominous -- blacking out from drinking too much alcohol. For youth, particularly college students, Wednesday is a time to spend with friends before family get-togethers begin.
'The night before Thanksgiving is considered one of the biggest party nights of the year,' said Indiana State Police Trooper Kent Rohlfing of the Bloomington post.
The night is just the beginning of the holiday season, where festivities often include alcohol. Experts say this is a time when parents need to play a key role in keeping youth away from alcohol." Read More

Big Brothers and Sisters Come to Fairfield

2011-11-22T09:53:00.001-05:00

The Mirror (Fairfield, CT) November 9, 2011

"Rob Vogel ’13 never had a big brother. But he wished he did.
'I didn’t have that big brother to show me the ropes in certain things,”' Vogel said, who is the oldest brother in his family. 'I feel like that’s [maybe] a sentiment a lot of people have who don’t have big brothers: it’s like certain things could have been much easier to learn if I had a big brother teaching me.'
Now Vogel, the FUSA vice president, has started a new program that will give others the big brother he always wanted.
Fairfield BIGS, a new club at Fairfield University, is looking for students to become mentors to local underprivileged students whose parents might not be able to spend a lot of time with them." Read More

Stamford organizations search for mentors

2011-11-22T09:51:00.000-05:00

Stamford Advocate (Stamford, CT) November 21, 2011

"Dozens of Stamford residents gathered Wednesday night at the Stamford Marriott to share and learn about mentoring opportunities throughout the city during an open house.
The program, hosted by the Connecticut Mentoring Partnership and the Governor's Prevention Partnership, sought to recruit mentors to serve 4,000 city youths in need of an adult to look up to and learn from.
Several local organizations attended the event in an effort to boost their mentor rosters." Read More

Synthetic Pot: Still On The Market

2011-11-21T09:46:00.002-05:00

Hartford Courant (Hartford, CT) November 21, 2011

"Ayana Harry reports that synthetic marijuana, banned by Connecticut, can still be found easily in stores." View Story Here

The Dangers of Underage Drinking

2011-11-21T09:32:00.001-05:00

Trumbull Patch (Trumbull, CT) November 19, 2011

"Trumbull High School Freshmen Learn the Dangers of Drinking: A knife plunged into a man's throat. A swollen abdomen. Drunk people passed out on couches and on the toilet.
Anything can happen when under-21s drink, from assaults to liver damage and unconsciousness. Sometimes they may not 'sleep it off.'
THS Freshmen heard that and more at Thursday's mandatory parent/student meeting about underage drinking. They heard a recovered alcoholic and a mother whose son was killed in 2004 when he rode with a drunk driver. Not to mention the attorney who explained that adults are liable for youths younger than 21 who drink. Youths will lose their driver's licenses or will have to wait if they want to get one if caught drinking." Read More

Prescription drug abuse rising among teens, experts say

2011-11-21T09:29:00.001-05:00

The State Journal-Register (Springfield, IL) November 20, 2011

"If increased numbers of young people seeking help through a local counseling center is any indication, the use of opiates — addictive narcotics that lessen pain and/or induce stupor — is on the rise.
Many times, the use of illicit opiates starts with abuse of prescription pills, says Jamie Marshall, program director with Solutions Counseling & DUI Services.
The abuse of pharmaceuticals is a growing problem, Marshall says.
'We’re getting a larger number than is typical for us of young people coming through with not only alcohol and drug issues, street-drug issues, but opiates, some even heroin,' she says. 'Almost everyone that I talked to that has this as a problem started the use of opiates with like (prescription painkillers) Vicodin or OxyContin. Because they can’t afford to buy the Vicodin or OxyContin or obtain the scripts anywhere, they’re switching over to heroin use.'" Read More

Family dinners one of your best anti-drug tools

2011-11-21T09:26:00.001-05:00

Salem News (Salem, OH) November 20, 2011

"Do you recall dinner hour at your house when you were growing up? Was there a set hour when your family sat down together to eat the evening meal? When your mother called you in from your outdoor activities and you knew you'd better get moving immediately because you had to wash your hands, ditch the baseball hat and be at your designated place at the table?
'Family dinner is an ideal time to strengthen the quality of family relationships,' says Joseph A. Califano Jr., founder and chairman of CASA (National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University. 'As the quality of teens relationships with their parents declines, their likelihood of using tobacco, alcohol and marijuana rises.'" Read More

Adults Asked To Take MADE Survey

2011-11-18T10:33:00.001-05:00

Madison Patch (Madison, CT) November 16, 2011

"The Madison Alcohol and Drug Education coalition is asking parents to take give minutes and fill out a survey about attitudes towards teen drinking and drug abuse.
Liz Nace, from MADE, has provided us with the PDF with this article, which has additional information, and the link on it. Or you can go directly to the survey from this link. Or, you can go to the MADE website (madeinmadison.org) to take the survey.
There are also paper copies available at MY&FS and Scranton Library for those without computer access, Nace says." Read More

Students take a stand against bullying

2011-11-18T10:27:00.001-05:00

WFSB Channel 3 (Hartford, CT) November 16, 2011

"Some 350 high school and middle school students from 22 different districts spent Tuesday morning inside the State Armory, each one taking part in the Connecticut Kid's Speak, a program designed to get students to speak out against bullying and discrimination.
'Research says if someone is doing it and someone stands up and says, 'hey, that's not cool,' 80 percent of the time that person stops,' said Lisa Tregoning, with the Governor's Prevention Partnership.
The goal was to show the students from suburban, urban and rural school districts that they're more alike than they are different." Read More

Vodka Tampons? Reported Alcohol Abuse Among Teens Also Includes 'Butt Chugging'

2011-11-16T09:35:00.001-05:00

The Huffington Post, November 14, 2011

"It would appear that nobody wants to use their mouth anymore to get drunk.
Much to their parents' dismay, teens have long been known to secretly consume alcohol, and the latest method reportedly has them doing so with tampons and bongs.
'[It's a] quicker high, they think it's going to last longer, it's more intense,' Dr. Dan Quan from Maricopa Medical Center in Phoenix told KPHO News.
Vodka tampons are exactly what they sound like. Teens supposedly soak a tampon in alcohol and consume it by either taking as shots or inserting the tampons in their rectums or vaginas, KPHO reported." Read More

North Stonington teen data compiled on substance use

2011-11-16T09:33:00.002-05:00

The Day (North Stonington, CT) November 15, 2011

"Alcohol is the 'substance of choice' for the town's youth, according to a study of high and middle school students, but its overall substances use rates are lower than regional averages.
Presented Tuesday by members of Positive Health in Teens (PHIT) and the Southeastern Regional Action Council (SERAC), the study found that about a quarter of the school's high school students reported recent alcohol use.
The data, presented to about 25 adults and 15 students, comes from results of a survey given in April to North Stonington seventh- through 12th-grade students." Read More

Thanksgiving Eve Night Biggest Night For Underage Drinking (With Poll)

2011-11-16T09:31:00.001-05:00

Madison Patch (Madison, CT) November 16, 2011

"Much of the focus around underage drinking is around graduation or prom night, but Mothers Against Drunk Driving say in their latest newsletter that the night before Thanksgiving is the biggest night for underage drinking.
'Thanksgiving-Eve Night–the night before Thanksgiving–is the biggest night for underage drinking, even more than graduation or prom night,' says the November newsletter. '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.'" Read More