Human Rights Campaign Blog, January 29, 2015
"Today, HRC praised the bipartisan reintroduction of the Safe Schools Improvement Act (SSIA) by U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and Mark Kirk (R-IL).
SSIA would amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) to require school districts in states that receive ESEA funds to adopt codes of conduct specifically prohibiting bullying and harassment, including on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and religion." Read More.
For more information on bullying prevention, please visit our Resource Center here.
Friday, January 30, 2015
Thursday, January 29, 2015
Survey Finds Average Age Kids Start Drinking is 13
Time Warner Cable News, January 28, 2015
"The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said alcohol is the most commonly abused drug among youth in the United States.
The same report found 10 percent of eighth graders said they've had a drink in the past month. That is one of the reasons a statewide campaign is zoning in on middle schools to stop underage drinking." Read More.
Visit our Resource Center here for more tips on preventing underage drinking.
"The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said alcohol is the most commonly abused drug among youth in the United States.
The same report found 10 percent of eighth graders said they've had a drink in the past month. That is one of the reasons a statewide campaign is zoning in on middle schools to stop underage drinking." Read More.
Visit our Resource Center here for more tips on preventing underage drinking.
Educators on Board with Casey's Anti-Bullying Bill
Bucks County Courier Times, January 29, 2015
"When it comes to education, Joyce Mundy can expound passionately on just about any topic. But when the conversation turns to bullying, her emotion rises to another level.
It was that way Tuesday when the Centennial School District superintendent learned that U.S. Sen. Bob Casey planned to introduce the Safe Schools Improvement Act this week. Casey, a Pennsylvania Democrat, put together the bipartisan legislation with Illinois Republican Sen. Mark Kirk." Read More.
Visit our Resource Center here for more information on bullying prevention programs.
"When it comes to education, Joyce Mundy can expound passionately on just about any topic. But when the conversation turns to bullying, her emotion rises to another level.
It was that way Tuesday when the Centennial School District superintendent learned that U.S. Sen. Bob Casey planned to introduce the Safe Schools Improvement Act this week. Casey, a Pennsylvania Democrat, put together the bipartisan legislation with Illinois Republican Sen. Mark Kirk." Read More.
Visit our Resource Center here for more information on bullying prevention programs.
Wednesday, January 28, 2015
Teen ‘Pharming’ Is a Rising Concern
Psych Central, January 28, 2015
"A new review suggests new initiatives are needed to address the rise of 'pharming,' or recreational use and abuse of prescription drugs, among teenagers.
Teens often believe the drugs are harmless with the abuse of prescription medications now the second-most commonly abused drug by adolescents (after marijuana)." Read More.
For more information on how to prevent underage drug abuse, visit our Resource Center here.
"A new review suggests new initiatives are needed to address the rise of 'pharming,' or recreational use and abuse of prescription drugs, among teenagers.
Teens often believe the drugs are harmless with the abuse of prescription medications now the second-most commonly abused drug by adolescents (after marijuana)." Read More.
For more information on how to prevent underage drug abuse, visit our Resource Center here.
Why Do Teens Still Smoke? On Addiction, Advertising, and the Rise of E-Cigarettes
FOX News, January 27, 2015
"U.S. teen smoking rates have dipped below 10 percent, but public health advocates worry that progress may soon level off, as other surveys suggest teens think light smoking is safe, and e-cigarette use is on the rise.
'The real public impact is preventing teens from smoking— that remains the key, and one of the things that the furor over e-cigarettes can do is distract you from that debate,' Amy Fairchild, professor of sociomedical sciences at Columbia University, told FoxNews.com." Read More.
For more information on preventing youth drug addiction, visit our Resource Center here.
"U.S. teen smoking rates have dipped below 10 percent, but public health advocates worry that progress may soon level off, as other surveys suggest teens think light smoking is safe, and e-cigarette use is on the rise.
'The real public impact is preventing teens from smoking— that remains the key, and one of the things that the furor over e-cigarettes can do is distract you from that debate,' Amy Fairchild, professor of sociomedical sciences at Columbia University, told FoxNews.com." Read More.
For more information on preventing youth drug addiction, visit our Resource Center here.
Anti-Bullying Message Loud, Clear
Your Houston News, January 26, 2015
"With rising awareness about bullying and cyber-bullying in schools, many students and parents are looking for new ways to stop bullying at the source. One organization believes that engaging with students through music is a good place to start.
The Allstar Nation Tour is a music tour that visits middle and high schools across the country to teach students about the dangerous effects of bullying. Students at Spring Forest Middle School and 16 other area schools were on this month’s concert tour schedule to learn about the effects of bullying and how to prevent it in their own schools." Read More.
For more information on bullying prevention programs in Connecticut, check out our Resource Center here.
"With rising awareness about bullying and cyber-bullying in schools, many students and parents are looking for new ways to stop bullying at the source. One organization believes that engaging with students through music is a good place to start.
The Allstar Nation Tour is a music tour that visits middle and high schools across the country to teach students about the dangerous effects of bullying. Students at Spring Forest Middle School and 16 other area schools were on this month’s concert tour schedule to learn about the effects of bullying and how to prevent it in their own schools." Read More.
For more information on bullying prevention programs in Connecticut, check out our Resource Center here.
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
Tips to Help Stop Bullying
The Philadelphia Tribune, January 27, 2015
"Know it’s not your fault. What people call “bullying” is sometimes an argument between two people. But if someone is repeatedly cruel to you, that’s bullying and you mustn’t blame yourself. No one deserves to be treated cruelly.
Don’t respond or retaliate. Sometimes a reaction is exactly what aggressors are looking for because they think it gives them power over you, and you don’t want to empower a bully. As for retaliating, getting back at a bully turns you into one — and can turn one mean act into a chain reaction. If you can, remove yourself from the situation. If you can’t, sometimes humor disarms or distracts a person from bullying." Read More.
For more information on how to prevent or handle bullying, visit our Resource Center here.
"Know it’s not your fault. What people call “bullying” is sometimes an argument between two people. But if someone is repeatedly cruel to you, that’s bullying and you mustn’t blame yourself. No one deserves to be treated cruelly.
Don’t respond or retaliate. Sometimes a reaction is exactly what aggressors are looking for because they think it gives them power over you, and you don’t want to empower a bully. As for retaliating, getting back at a bully turns you into one — and can turn one mean act into a chain reaction. If you can, remove yourself from the situation. If you can’t, sometimes humor disarms or distracts a person from bullying." Read More.
For more information on how to prevent or handle bullying, visit our Resource Center here.
Mentoring Program Keeps Teen on Proper Path
The Chicago Sun Times, January 26, 2015
"Tom was a troubled teen.
A year ago, he regularly skipped classes. He got a girl a pregnant, and “was tangled in a tremendous amount of legal trouble,” recalled his mentor, Ben Swihart.
Today, Tom (not his real name), 16, is a student who stays out of trouble and attends most of his classes at his Chicago Public high school.
In fact, a non-profit group has the teen serve as a leader to help other troubled youth, Swihart said." Read More.
For more information on mentoring programs, visit our Resource Center here.
"Tom was a troubled teen.
A year ago, he regularly skipped classes. He got a girl a pregnant, and “was tangled in a tremendous amount of legal trouble,” recalled his mentor, Ben Swihart.
Today, Tom (not his real name), 16, is a student who stays out of trouble and attends most of his classes at his Chicago Public high school.
In fact, a non-profit group has the teen serve as a leader to help other troubled youth, Swihart said." Read More.
For more information on mentoring programs, visit our Resource Center here.
Monday, January 26, 2015
Noticing Signs and Symptoms of Drug Use is Important
Las Cruces Sun News, January 25, 2015
"Noticing the early signs and symptoms of drug and substance abuse among youth can be the difference between a life of addiction and an addiction nearly missed.
Illicit drug use among teenagers is more common than parents might want to admit. A 2013 Youth Risk and Resiliency Survey (YRRS), with an assessment of tobacco, alcohol and drug use among Doña Ana County (DAC) high school students, revealed youth are using illicit drugs." Read More.
For more information on preventing underage drug abuse visit our Resource Center here.
"Noticing the early signs and symptoms of drug and substance abuse among youth can be the difference between a life of addiction and an addiction nearly missed.
Illicit drug use among teenagers is more common than parents might want to admit. A 2013 Youth Risk and Resiliency Survey (YRRS), with an assessment of tobacco, alcohol and drug use among Doña Ana County (DAC) high school students, revealed youth are using illicit drugs." Read More.
For more information on preventing underage drug abuse visit our Resource Center here.
Friday, January 23, 2015
White House awards $625,000 to North Memorial Medical Center
Insight News, January 22, 2015
"Michael Botticelli, acting director of the Office National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), announced 680 Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Support Program grants, totaling $84 million, to communities across the country.
The grants will provide local communities funding to prevent youth substance use and support the Administration's National Drug Control Strategy, which treats the nation's drug problem through what administrators call a balanced public health and safety approach. Partnership for Change (PFC), a local coalition sponsored by North Memorial Medical Center in Robbinsdale was one of the grant recipients and will receive $625,000 over five years in DFC grant funds to involve and engage their local community to prevent substance use among youth." Read More.
For more information on available drug abuse prevention programs, check out our Resource Center here.
"Michael Botticelli, acting director of the Office National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), announced 680 Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Support Program grants, totaling $84 million, to communities across the country.
The grants will provide local communities funding to prevent youth substance use and support the Administration's National Drug Control Strategy, which treats the nation's drug problem through what administrators call a balanced public health and safety approach. Partnership for Change (PFC), a local coalition sponsored by North Memorial Medical Center in Robbinsdale was one of the grant recipients and will receive $625,000 over five years in DFC grant funds to involve and engage their local community to prevent substance use among youth." Read More.
For more information on available drug abuse prevention programs, check out our Resource Center here.
Keep Alcohol Out of Your Child’s Hands
The Standard Examiner, January 23, 2015
"Let’s keep alcohol away from teenagers. Simple task, right?
What can be simple — and something that could make all the difference in the world — is to have an open conversation, and set boundaries and rules, with our children before they enter junior high school. That was part of the message Thursday night at Bonneville High School as part of a Parents Empowered discussion.
Jeanette Herbert, First Lady of Utah, spoke on behalf of the campaign and said 'some children start binge drinking during the sixth grade, and parents usually talk with them two years too late.' " Read More.
For more information on how to prevent underage drinking please visit our Resource Center here.
"Let’s keep alcohol away from teenagers. Simple task, right?
What can be simple — and something that could make all the difference in the world — is to have an open conversation, and set boundaries and rules, with our children before they enter junior high school. That was part of the message Thursday night at Bonneville High School as part of a Parents Empowered discussion.
Jeanette Herbert, First Lady of Utah, spoke on behalf of the campaign and said 'some children start binge drinking during the sixth grade, and parents usually talk with them two years too late.' " Read More.
For more information on how to prevent underage drinking please visit our Resource Center here.
'Blind Side' Actor Fights Cyberbullying with App
WTSP 10 News, January 22, 2015
"Kids are dealing with a new type of bullying today, thanks to technology and social media: cyberbullying. But now, there's a celebrity advocate on their side: actor and Pasco County resident, Quinton Aaron, best known for his role in 'The Blind Side.'
He's helping parents and kids fight back against online bullying with a new app." Read More.
For more information on bullying prevention visit our Resource Center here.
"Kids are dealing with a new type of bullying today, thanks to technology and social media: cyberbullying. But now, there's a celebrity advocate on their side: actor and Pasco County resident, Quinton Aaron, best known for his role in 'The Blind Side.'
He's helping parents and kids fight back against online bullying with a new app." Read More.
For more information on bullying prevention visit our Resource Center here.
Thursday, January 22, 2015
Survey: Farmington Students Overestimate Alcohol And Drug Use Among Peers
The Hartford Courant, January 21, 2015
"Local students 'dramatically' overestimate alcohol and drug use by their peers, according to results of a recent school survey.
'There's this gap between perception and reality and it's a big gap,' said Ed Manfredi, the school system's K-12 department head for health, physical education and wellness.
The survey, administered by the Massachusetts-based nonprofit group Freedom from Chemical Dependence, was given to 1,170 students in grades eight through twelve in June 2014, Manfredi said. The "Student Attitudes and Behavior Survey" measures levels of student alcohol and drug use, as well as students' perceptions of their peers' use." Read More.
For more information on underage substance abuse prevention, visit our Resource Center here.
"Local students 'dramatically' overestimate alcohol and drug use by their peers, according to results of a recent school survey.
'There's this gap between perception and reality and it's a big gap,' said Ed Manfredi, the school system's K-12 department head for health, physical education and wellness.
The survey, administered by the Massachusetts-based nonprofit group Freedom from Chemical Dependence, was given to 1,170 students in grades eight through twelve in June 2014, Manfredi said. The "Student Attitudes and Behavior Survey" measures levels of student alcohol and drug use, as well as students' perceptions of their peers' use." Read More.
For more information on underage substance abuse prevention, visit our Resource Center here.
Public Health Approach Being Adapted for Kids in Trouble with Substances, the Law
Juvenile Justice Information Exchange, January 22, 2015
"Many of the kids in juvenile detention with substance abuse disorders get poor or no treatment, according to Reclaiming Futures, a nonprofit that helps young people in trouble with drugs, alcohol and crime.
It’s now experimenting with a public health approach to the situation.
With a $2 million grant from the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, it is setting up a three-year pilot program using Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment." Read More.
For more information on substance abuse prevention in Connecticut, check out our Resource Center here.
"Many of the kids in juvenile detention with substance abuse disorders get poor or no treatment, according to Reclaiming Futures, a nonprofit that helps young people in trouble with drugs, alcohol and crime.
It’s now experimenting with a public health approach to the situation.
With a $2 million grant from the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, it is setting up a three-year pilot program using Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment." Read More.
For more information on substance abuse prevention in Connecticut, check out our Resource Center here.
DC Schools to Spend $20 million on Program for Minority Boys
The Connecticut Post, January 21, 2015
"Public school leaders in the District of Columbia say they'll spend $20 million on a program intended to help black and Latino boys succeed.
Mayor Muriel Bowser and Schools Chancellor Kaya Henderson announced the program on Wednesday.The money will go toward building a new all-male high school, recruiting mentors for students and grants to individual schools." Read More
For more information on our mentoring programs, check out our website here.
"Public school leaders in the District of Columbia say they'll spend $20 million on a program intended to help black and Latino boys succeed.
Mayor Muriel Bowser and Schools Chancellor Kaya Henderson announced the program on Wednesday.The money will go toward building a new all-male high school, recruiting mentors for students and grants to individual schools." Read More
For more information on our mentoring programs, check out our website here.
Wednesday, January 21, 2015
The Epidemic Of Prescription Drug Abuse
Brain Blogger, January 21, 2015
"Drug overdose death rates have never been higher. In the United States alone, 100 people die from drug overdoses every day, most of them caused by prescription drugs. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has officially declared prescription drug abuse in the US an epidemic.
Prescription drug abuse is defined as taking a medicine in any way that is different from what the doctor originally prescribed, such as taking drugs prescribed for someone else, taking a larger dose, taking it in a different way to that in which the drug is designed to be consumed (crushing tablets and then snorting or injecting them, for example), or using the medicine for another purpose, such as getting high." Read More.
For more information on drug abuse prevention, visit our resource center here.
"Drug overdose death rates have never been higher. In the United States alone, 100 people die from drug overdoses every day, most of them caused by prescription drugs. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has officially declared prescription drug abuse in the US an epidemic.
Prescription drug abuse is defined as taking a medicine in any way that is different from what the doctor originally prescribed, such as taking drugs prescribed for someone else, taking a larger dose, taking it in a different way to that in which the drug is designed to be consumed (crushing tablets and then snorting or injecting them, for example), or using the medicine for another purpose, such as getting high." Read More.
For more information on drug abuse prevention, visit our resource center here.
Mentoring Program Uses Volunteers to Enrich Students' Lives
Connecticut Post, January 21, 2015
"Jan Sherrell spends an hour a week either jumping rope, sitting and reading or sometimes just talking, but she said it's time well spent.
'You don't have to be a teacher, you just have to care about kids," Sherrell told the News and Tribune (http://bit.ly/1CPgGfB ). 'It's a lot of fun to remember what a second-grader does. It's a lot of fun to revisit that world and enjoy the things they enjoy, reading books at their level and playing games'." Read More.
For more information on mentoring programs please visit our Mentoring Resource Center here.
"Jan Sherrell spends an hour a week either jumping rope, sitting and reading or sometimes just talking, but she said it's time well spent.
'You don't have to be a teacher, you just have to care about kids," Sherrell told the News and Tribune (http://bit.ly/1CPgGfB ). 'It's a lot of fun to remember what a second-grader does. It's a lot of fun to revisit that world and enjoy the things they enjoy, reading books at their level and playing games'." Read More.
For more information on mentoring programs please visit our Mentoring Resource Center here.
TV Alcohol Ad Exposure Linked to Greater Chance of Underage Drinking
Fox Connecticut News, January 20, 2015
"Exposure to TV alcohol ads can encourage teenagers to pick up their first drink and engage in hazardous drinking behavior, reveals a study published Monday in the journal JAMA Pediatrics. The survey, which included over 1,500 adolescents and young adults, suggests a direct link between receptiveness to these ads and teens’ likelihood to binge drink.
'The alcohol industry claims that their advertising self-regulation program protects underage youths from seeing their ads. Our study indicates that it does not,' lead study author Susanne E. Tanski, pediatrician at the Chilldren’s Hospital at Dartmouth-Hitchcock and associate professor of pediatrics at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth University, said in a news release." Read More
For more information on preventing underage drinking visit our Resource Center here.
"Exposure to TV alcohol ads can encourage teenagers to pick up their first drink and engage in hazardous drinking behavior, reveals a study published Monday in the journal JAMA Pediatrics. The survey, which included over 1,500 adolescents and young adults, suggests a direct link between receptiveness to these ads and teens’ likelihood to binge drink.
'The alcohol industry claims that their advertising self-regulation program protects underage youths from seeing their ads. Our study indicates that it does not,' lead study author Susanne E. Tanski, pediatrician at the Chilldren’s Hospital at Dartmouth-Hitchcock and associate professor of pediatrics at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth University, said in a news release." Read More
For more information on preventing underage drinking visit our Resource Center here.
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