Brewbound (Alexandria, VA) February 25, 2013
"The National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) applauds the introduction of H.R. 498, legislation to reauthorize the Sober Truth on Preventing (STOP) Underage Drinking Act, by Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA) along with Reps. Frank Wolf (VA) and Rosa DeLauro (CT).
'The STOP Act is an integral part of the fight against underage drinking because it ensures that federal, state and local governments have tools and information they need to prevent alcohol purchase and consumption by those who are not of legal drinking age,' said NBWA President & CEO Craig Purser. 'Reauthorization of the STOP Act is necessary to increase and better coordinate federal support for state efforts in the fight against underage drinking and to reaffirm the effective state-based regulation of alcohol.'" Read More
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Shane Koyczan's 'To This Day,' Anti-Bullying Poem, Goes Viral
Huffington Post, February 25, 2013
"If you have time to watch only one video today, it should probably be this one.
After being posted to YouTube on Feb. 19, animated spoken-word poem 'To This Day,' by Canadian poet Shane Koyczan, has spread like wildfire online.
Viewed more than 4.3 million times (and counting), the soul-expanding video tells the stories of bullied children and focuses not only on the trauma of isolated youth and the battle to overcome emotional scars, but also on the hope of a better tomorrow." Read More
"If you have time to watch only one video today, it should probably be this one.
After being posted to YouTube on Feb. 19, animated spoken-word poem 'To This Day,' by Canadian poet Shane Koyczan, has spread like wildfire online.
Viewed more than 4.3 million times (and counting), the soul-expanding video tells the stories of bullied children and focuses not only on the trauma of isolated youth and the battle to overcome emotional scars, but also on the hope of a better tomorrow." Read More
New Study: Alcohol Brands Underage Drinkers Prefer
BU Today, February 26, 2013
"Bud Light, Smirnoff, and Budweiser share a distinction that may make their corporate owners wince: they are among a relatively small number of alcohol brands that underage drinkers choose most.
This according to a first-of-a-kind report led by researchers at the School of Public Health, published online in Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research. It is the first national study to identify the specific alcohol brands underage youth drink. The study authors, from SPH and the Center on Alcohol Marketing and Youth at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, say that it has important implications for alcohol research and policy." Read More
"Bud Light, Smirnoff, and Budweiser share a distinction that may make their corporate owners wince: they are among a relatively small number of alcohol brands that underage drinkers choose most.
This according to a first-of-a-kind report led by researchers at the School of Public Health, published online in Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research. It is the first national study to identify the specific alcohol brands underage youth drink. The study authors, from SPH and the Center on Alcohol Marketing and Youth at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, say that it has important implications for alcohol research and policy." Read More
Monday, February 25, 2013
"The Bully Effect: An Anderson Cooper Special" Premieres Thursday, February 28th
CNN.com, February 22, 2013
"'The Bully Effect: An Anderson Cooper Special' chronicles the journeys of a bullied child, a grieving parent, a victim of violence, and a filmmaker turned activist. Each has become a powerful foot soldier in the high-stakes battle against bullying, inspiring a grassroots movement that has helped spark sweeping changes from school policies to state laws to federal legislation.
'The Bully Effect: an Anderson Cooper Special,' presented in partnership with Cartoon Network and Stop Bullying: Speak Up will premiere on Thursday, February 28th at 10pm ET. The special will re-air on Sunday, March 3rd at 8pm and on Saturday, March 9th at 8pm." Read More
"'The Bully Effect: An Anderson Cooper Special' chronicles the journeys of a bullied child, a grieving parent, a victim of violence, and a filmmaker turned activist. Each has become a powerful foot soldier in the high-stakes battle against bullying, inspiring a grassroots movement that has helped spark sweeping changes from school policies to state laws to federal legislation.
'The Bully Effect: an Anderson Cooper Special,' presented in partnership with Cartoon Network and Stop Bullying: Speak Up will premiere on Thursday, February 28th at 10pm ET. The special will re-air on Sunday, March 3rd at 8pm and on Saturday, March 9th at 8pm." Read More
What parents should not tell teens about drug abuse highlighted in study
Emax Health, February 23, 2013
"Past studies have suggested parents who deliver anti-drug messages to teens should also talk about their own past drug abuse. New research published in Human Communication Research suggests a better approach is not to share that information.
The finding comes from surveys of 500 European American and Latino children in grades 6 to 8.
The investigators found talking to children about negative consequences of alcohol, marijuana and other substances and setting rules is more effective than telling kids about your own past drug use." Read More
"Past studies have suggested parents who deliver anti-drug messages to teens should also talk about their own past drug abuse. New research published in Human Communication Research suggests a better approach is not to share that information.
The finding comes from surveys of 500 European American and Latino children in grades 6 to 8.
The investigators found talking to children about negative consequences of alcohol, marijuana and other substances and setting rules is more effective than telling kids about your own past drug use." Read More
Author: Bullying more complex than parents think
USA Today, February 23, 2013
"The case was grim and the facts seemed clear: For three months in late 2009 and early 2010, authorities said, a gang of classmates bullied Massachusetts high school freshman Phoebe Prince so ruthlessly that on the afternoon of Jan. 14, 2010, the 15-year-old walked home, found a scarf given as a Christmas gift by her little sister, tied it around her neck and hanged herself from a stairwell.
Weeks later, District Attorney Elizabeth Scheibel announced felony criminal indictments against six teens, five of them minors. Phoebe's suicide, Scheibel said, was the result of a relentless campaign of 'verbally assaultive behavior and threats of physical harm' by several South Hadley High School students. The most serious charge carried up to 10 years in prison." Read More
"The case was grim and the facts seemed clear: For three months in late 2009 and early 2010, authorities said, a gang of classmates bullied Massachusetts high school freshman Phoebe Prince so ruthlessly that on the afternoon of Jan. 14, 2010, the 15-year-old walked home, found a scarf given as a Christmas gift by her little sister, tied it around her neck and hanged herself from a stairwell.
Weeks later, District Attorney Elizabeth Scheibel announced felony criminal indictments against six teens, five of them minors. Phoebe's suicide, Scheibel said, was the result of a relentless campaign of 'verbally assaultive behavior and threats of physical harm' by several South Hadley High School students. The most serious charge carried up to 10 years in prison." Read More
Thursday, February 21, 2013
New Study Links Childhood Bullying to Adult Psychological Disorders, Surprising Even the Study's Authors
Slate.com, February 20, 2013
"A significant study from Duke, out today, provides the best evidence we’ve had thus far that bullying in childhood is linked to a higher risk of psychological disorders in adulthood. The results came as a surprise to the research team. 'I was a skeptic going into this,' lead author and Duke psychiatry professor William E. Copeland told me over the phone, about the claim that bullying does measurable long-term psychological harm. 'To be honest, I was completely surprised by the strength of the findings. It has certainly given me pause. This is something that stays with people.'
I’m less surprised, because as I explain in my new book about bullying, Sticks and Stones, earlier research has shown that bullying increases the risk for many problems, including low academic performance in school and depression (for both bullies and victims) and criminal activity later in life (bullies). But the Duke study is important because it lasted for 20 years and followed 1,270 North Carolina children into adulthood. Beginning at the ages of 9, 11, and 13, the kids were interviewed annually until the age of 16, along with their parents, and then multiple times over the years following." Read More
"A significant study from Duke, out today, provides the best evidence we’ve had thus far that bullying in childhood is linked to a higher risk of psychological disorders in adulthood. The results came as a surprise to the research team. 'I was a skeptic going into this,' lead author and Duke psychiatry professor William E. Copeland told me over the phone, about the claim that bullying does measurable long-term psychological harm. 'To be honest, I was completely surprised by the strength of the findings. It has certainly given me pause. This is something that stays with people.'
I’m less surprised, because as I explain in my new book about bullying, Sticks and Stones, earlier research has shown that bullying increases the risk for many problems, including low academic performance in school and depression (for both bullies and victims) and criminal activity later in life (bullies). But the Duke study is important because it lasted for 20 years and followed 1,270 North Carolina children into adulthood. Beginning at the ages of 9, 11, and 13, the kids were interviewed annually until the age of 16, along with their parents, and then multiple times over the years following." Read More
Prevention efforts focused on youth reduce prescription abuse into adulthood
National Institute on Drug Abuse, February 14, 2013
"Middle school students from small towns and rural communities who received any of three community-based prevention programs were less likely to abuse prescription medications in late adolescence and young adulthood. The research, published today in the American Journal of Public Health, was funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, and the National Institute of Mental Health, all components of the National Institutes of Health.
'Prescription medications are beneficial when used as prescribed to treat pain, anxiety, or ADHD,' said NIDA Director Dr. Nora D. Volkow. 'However, their abuse can have serious consequences, including addiction or even death from overdose. We are especially concerned about prescription drug abuse among teens, who are developmentally at an increased risk for addiction.'" Read More
"Middle school students from small towns and rural communities who received any of three community-based prevention programs were less likely to abuse prescription medications in late adolescence and young adulthood. The research, published today in the American Journal of Public Health, was funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, and the National Institute of Mental Health, all components of the National Institutes of Health.
'Prescription medications are beneficial when used as prescribed to treat pain, anxiety, or ADHD,' said NIDA Director Dr. Nora D. Volkow. 'However, their abuse can have serious consequences, including addiction or even death from overdose. We are especially concerned about prescription drug abuse among teens, who are developmentally at an increased risk for addiction.'" Read More
New Canaan resident recognized for mentoring work
New Canaan Advertiser (New Canaan, CT) February 18, 2013
"The Mentoring Institute of Coastal Fairfield County celebrated the power of mentoring for the third year in a row, during January, National Mentoring Month. The organization held a banquet at which it thanked and recognized the “caring adults in the region who mentor youth to make their lives better and more stable,” according to a release. One of these mentors is New Canaan resident Katie Martin, who was recognized for being a mentor in the Champions Mentoring Program.
There are currently 13 mentor programs that are part of the Mentoring Institute, a United Way of Coastal Fairfield County initiative in partnership with the Governor’s Prevention Partnership, and approximately 1,500 mentors serving in those programs." Read More
"The Mentoring Institute of Coastal Fairfield County celebrated the power of mentoring for the third year in a row, during January, National Mentoring Month. The organization held a banquet at which it thanked and recognized the “caring adults in the region who mentor youth to make their lives better and more stable,” according to a release. One of these mentors is New Canaan resident Katie Martin, who was recognized for being a mentor in the Champions Mentoring Program.
There are currently 13 mentor programs that are part of the Mentoring Institute, a United Way of Coastal Fairfield County initiative in partnership with the Governor’s Prevention Partnership, and approximately 1,500 mentors serving in those programs." Read More
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Westport mentor recognized for work with young adults
Minuteman News Center (Westport, CT) February 13, 2013
"Wednesday, January 16, 2013 marked the third year The Mentoring Institute of Coastal Fairfield County celebrated the power of mentoring during January, National Mentoring Month. The banquet held at Testo’s Ristorante thanked and recognized the caring adults in the region who mentor youth to make their lives better and more stable. There are currently 13 mentor programs that are part of the Mentoring Institute, a United Way of Coastal Fairfield County initiative in partnership with the Governor’s Prevention Partnership, and approximately 1,500 mentors serving in those programs. The Westport Mentor Program was in attendance and recognized Bill Meyer for being a mentor in their program." Read More
"Wednesday, January 16, 2013 marked the third year The Mentoring Institute of Coastal Fairfield County celebrated the power of mentoring during January, National Mentoring Month. The banquet held at Testo’s Ristorante thanked and recognized the caring adults in the region who mentor youth to make their lives better and more stable. There are currently 13 mentor programs that are part of the Mentoring Institute, a United Way of Coastal Fairfield County initiative in partnership with the Governor’s Prevention Partnership, and approximately 1,500 mentors serving in those programs. The Westport Mentor Program was in attendance and recognized Bill Meyer for being a mentor in their program." Read More
Friday, February 8, 2013
Ally Del Monte, Connecticut Teen, Starts Anti-Bullying Website
Huffington Post, February 6, 2013
"Ally Del Monte, a 14-year-old from New Milford, Connecticut, has a strong track record of giving back to her community.
Last September, the 14-year-old made headlines for her fundraising efforts with a lemonade stand that helped benefit New Milford families affected by a deadly home explosion. And as NBC Connecticut reports, this isn’t the teen’s first time giving back to others –- she also authored a children’s book titled, “Lilly’s Story,” about an abused dog. The proceeds from her book go to neglected animals.
Now, Del Monte is directing her efforts towards her own peers with a blog called losergurl.com that aims to help teens deal with being bullied. Having experienced bullying first-hand, Del Monte’s goal is to reach other teens who are suffering from depression as a result of being picked on." Read More
"Ally Del Monte, a 14-year-old from New Milford, Connecticut, has a strong track record of giving back to her community.
Last September, the 14-year-old made headlines for her fundraising efforts with a lemonade stand that helped benefit New Milford families affected by a deadly home explosion. And as NBC Connecticut reports, this isn’t the teen’s first time giving back to others –- she also authored a children’s book titled, “Lilly’s Story,” about an abused dog. The proceeds from her book go to neglected animals.
Now, Del Monte is directing her efforts towards her own peers with a blog called losergurl.com that aims to help teens deal with being bullied. Having experienced bullying first-hand, Del Monte’s goal is to reach other teens who are suffering from depression as a result of being picked on." Read More
Rep. Cook introduces bill to help prevent prescription drug abuse
Register Citizen (Hartford, CT) February 7, 2013
"Rep. Michelle Cook, D- Torrington, and Rep. Dan Carter R-Bethel, advocated Thursday for a bill they introduced to help prevent prescription drug abuse.
HB 5484 requires written consent from a physician to use a generic substitution for any drug design in a tamper-resistant formulation. The law would stop pharamacists and insurance companies from replacing the prescribed brand drug with a generic that is easier to be alerted and ingested by drug addicts, according to a press release from Cook's office." Read More
Reports show fewer adolescents getting substance abuse prevention messaging
SAMHSA, February 7, 2013
"New reports by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) find that overall, from 2002 to 2011, the percentage of adolescents receiving substance abuse prevention messages in the past year from media fell significantly from 83.2 percent in 2002 to 75.1 percent in 2011. School-based prevention messaging also dropped from 78.8 percent in 2002 to 74.5 percent in 2011. The report also finds that roughly 40 percent of adolescents did not talk with their parents in the past year about the dangers of substance use.
A companion SAMHSA report also shows that adolescent attitudes about the risk of substances like alcohol and marijuana have changed significantly from 2002 to 2011, as have their patterns of use of these substances. For example, the report finds the percentage of adolescents that perceive great risk from heavy drinking having five or more drinks once or twice a week rose from 38.2 percent to 40.7 during 2002 to 2011. During the same period, there was a decrease in the rate of adolescent binge drinking from 10.7 percent to 7.4 percent." Read More
"New reports by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) find that overall, from 2002 to 2011, the percentage of adolescents receiving substance abuse prevention messages in the past year from media fell significantly from 83.2 percent in 2002 to 75.1 percent in 2011. School-based prevention messaging also dropped from 78.8 percent in 2002 to 74.5 percent in 2011. The report also finds that roughly 40 percent of adolescents did not talk with their parents in the past year about the dangers of substance use.
A companion SAMHSA report also shows that adolescent attitudes about the risk of substances like alcohol and marijuana have changed significantly from 2002 to 2011, as have their patterns of use of these substances. For example, the report finds the percentage of adolescents that perceive great risk from heavy drinking having five or more drinks once or twice a week rose from 38.2 percent to 40.7 during 2002 to 2011. During the same period, there was a decrease in the rate of adolescent binge drinking from 10.7 percent to 7.4 percent." Read More
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Teens And Young Adults Who Binge Drink Risk Negative Brain Effects Later In Life
Huffington Post, February 1, 2013
"Binge drinking when you're young could have negative effects on your brain later on in life, according to a review of studies published in the journal Cortex.
The review examined the effects of alcohol on the brain in people who began misusing alcohol between the ages of 13 and 24.
The researchers found a wide range of effects, including impaired memory and visual learning, brain shrinkage, and changes in the brain's white matter. They also noted that this period of life is especially critical for identifying problem drinking because the brain is still developing." Read More
"Binge drinking when you're young could have negative effects on your brain later on in life, according to a review of studies published in the journal Cortex.
The review examined the effects of alcohol on the brain in people who began misusing alcohol between the ages of 13 and 24.
The researchers found a wide range of effects, including impaired memory and visual learning, brain shrinkage, and changes in the brain's white matter. They also noted that this period of life is especially critical for identifying problem drinking because the brain is still developing." Read More
Darien psychologist believes bullying can be thwarted with collective approach
Darien News (Darien, CT) February 2, 2013
"It takes a village to thwart the damaging effects of bullying, according to Christopher M. Bogart, executive director of the Southfield Center for Development at 85 Old Kings Highway N.
Bogart, a licensed clinical psychologist and founder of the center, recently spoke to a small group of parents and professionals, outlining what constitutes bullying, sharing research and statistics, and offering some practical solutions on how to assuage it. While most states, including Connecticut, now have laws against bullying in schools, Bogart said an ongoing concerted effort is required to keep the attention on the policies after they're implemented, and to teach all kids about the relevant role they play in helping stop it." Read More
"It takes a village to thwart the damaging effects of bullying, according to Christopher M. Bogart, executive director of the Southfield Center for Development at 85 Old Kings Highway N.
Bogart, a licensed clinical psychologist and founder of the center, recently spoke to a small group of parents and professionals, outlining what constitutes bullying, sharing research and statistics, and offering some practical solutions on how to assuage it. While most states, including Connecticut, now have laws against bullying in schools, Bogart said an ongoing concerted effort is required to keep the attention on the policies after they're implemented, and to teach all kids about the relevant role they play in helping stop it." Read More
Bullying: For Gay and Lesbian Teens, Does Life Get Better After School?
TIME, February 4, 2013
"Two years ago, columnist and Seattle gay-rights advocate Dan Savage launched the 'It Gets Better' project on YouTube. In reassuring video clips, adults promised homosexual kids — who are bullied and attempt suicide more than their straight peers — that life would get easier once they finished high school.
But does it really? Joseph Robinson, an assistant professor of educational psychology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, decided to apply a researcher’s eye to the question. In a new study, he concludes that yes, it does get better — for the most part. 'The sentiment of the It Gets Better campaign is that things will get better because chances are you are not going to be bullied later in life,' says Robinson. 'This is the first time we have strong empirical evidence to suggest it does get better.'" Read More
"Two years ago, columnist and Seattle gay-rights advocate Dan Savage launched the 'It Gets Better' project on YouTube. In reassuring video clips, adults promised homosexual kids — who are bullied and attempt suicide more than their straight peers — that life would get easier once they finished high school.
But does it really? Joseph Robinson, an assistant professor of educational psychology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, decided to apply a researcher’s eye to the question. In a new study, he concludes that yes, it does get better — for the most part. 'The sentiment of the It Gets Better campaign is that things will get better because chances are you are not going to be bullied later in life,' says Robinson. 'This is the first time we have strong empirical evidence to suggest it does get better.'" Read More
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