Medical Daily, April 15, 2015
"The weekend is synonymous with sleeping in, cheat meals, and drinking alcohol — sometimes in excess. So, you may find yourself trying to curb some of the damage by even counting calories on your alcohol of choice. In some case, this leads drinkers to calorie-swap food for a glass of wine to control dietary intake and maximize the effects of alcohol — also known as “drunkorexia.”
Counting Calories: The Food Swap
It is recommended for a healthy man or woman to consume 2,000 calories per day, according to the Food and Drug Administration. This helps consumers easily calculate the Daily Values needed for their own diets. Daily calorie intake is also one of the largest determinants of overweight and obesity, which is why counting calories is essential for weight management.
Living off a 2,000-calorie diet means you have to pick and choose where you get your sources of nutrition. A drunkorexic will limit their food/calories during the day, says Dr. Vanessa Pawlowski, a psychologist with a private practice in Beverly Hills, Calif., so that when they drink at night they do not have to worry about gaining weight from the extra calories of alcohol. 'Sometimes people will also eat excessively while drinking and may throw up to compensate the calorie intake. Or people may also exercise excessively to burn calories associated with drinking,' Pawlowski told Medical Daily in an email." Read More.
The Governor's Prevention Partnership provides publications here with advice on how to talk to your teen about healthy lifestyle choices and the dangers of drinking.
Thursday, April 16, 2015
Senate Ed. Committee Spars Over Bullying Prevention in ESEA Rewrite; Nears Finish
Education Week, April 15, 2015
"The Senate education committee adjourned Day Two of its markup of a bipartisan overhaul Elementary and Secondary Education Act overhaul Wednesday, having nearly completed the task of considering the 87 amendments that members filed to the legislative compromise.
What had been a relatively calm legislative process since the markup began Tuesday produced a more passionate debate Wednesday afternoon when members considered a pair of dueling amendments on harassment and bullying, particularly of LGBT students.
An amendment from Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., chairman of the committee and co-author of the underlying bill, would allow states and school districts to use federal funds to implement or improve bullying-prevention policies." Read More.
Visit our Resource Center here for tips and advice on what to do if your teen is being bullied.
"The Senate education committee adjourned Day Two of its markup of a bipartisan overhaul Elementary and Secondary Education Act overhaul Wednesday, having nearly completed the task of considering the 87 amendments that members filed to the legislative compromise.
What had been a relatively calm legislative process since the markup began Tuesday produced a more passionate debate Wednesday afternoon when members considered a pair of dueling amendments on harassment and bullying, particularly of LGBT students.
An amendment from Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., chairman of the committee and co-author of the underlying bill, would allow states and school districts to use federal funds to implement or improve bullying-prevention policies." Read More.
Visit our Resource Center here for tips and advice on what to do if your teen is being bullied.
Health Care Costs from Opioid Abuse: A State-by-State Analysis
The Partnership for Drug Free Kids, April 13, 2015
"The healthcare costs attributed to the abuse of prescription opioids (Rx painkillers) are now close to $25 billion in the United States. Knowing and understanding the impact of Rx painkiller abuse is crucial to addressing this concerning health epidemic.
Given the notable differences – across the country and among the 50 states – in the level of Rx opioid abuse, state-specific estimates are essential for local policymakers, as many of the tactics and strategies that are currently in place to help address abuse of Rx opiates may be devised and implemented at the local level.
This analysis offers the first estimates on the summary of results for every state." Read More.
For more information on prescription drug abuse among teens visit our Resource Center here.
"The healthcare costs attributed to the abuse of prescription opioids (Rx painkillers) are now close to $25 billion in the United States. Knowing and understanding the impact of Rx painkiller abuse is crucial to addressing this concerning health epidemic.
Given the notable differences – across the country and among the 50 states – in the level of Rx opioid abuse, state-specific estimates are essential for local policymakers, as many of the tactics and strategies that are currently in place to help address abuse of Rx opiates may be devised and implemented at the local level.
This analysis offers the first estimates on the summary of results for every state." Read More.
For more information on prescription drug abuse among teens visit our Resource Center here.
Wednesday, April 15, 2015
Pot Plus Booze Doubles Odds for Drunk Driving, Study Says
U.S. News and World Report, April 14, 2015
"Drinkers who smoke marijuana as they imbibe are twice as likely to drive drunk compared with people who stick to alcohol alone, a new study reports.
These 'simultaneous' users are also three times more likely to face social troubles as a result of drinking and marijuana -- drunken brawls, broken marriages, damaged relationships and ruined careers among them.
'There are a lot of problems related to alcohol, and marijuana seems to potentially enhance the effects of alcohol in causing these problems,' said study co-author William Kerr, associate director of the Alcohol Research Group.
Many states have authorized medical marijuana use, and four -- Colorado, Washington, Oregon and Alaska -- have legalized recreational pot.
'If cannabis use becomes more prevalent as U.S. states and other countries continue to legalize it, then we need to be prepared to advise people appropriately,' said lead author Meenakshi Subbaraman, an associate scientist at the Alcohol Research Group, a program of the Public Health Institute. 'If you use both substances together, your risk of drunk driving, and possibly other consequences, may be higher than if you stick to using one at a time.'
Drugs like marijuana and cocaine are involved in about 18 percent of motor vehicle driver deaths, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. These other drugs are often used in combination with alcohol at the time of the accident." Read More.
Visit our Resource Center here to learn more about preventing youth substance abuse.
"Drinkers who smoke marijuana as they imbibe are twice as likely to drive drunk compared with people who stick to alcohol alone, a new study reports.
These 'simultaneous' users are also three times more likely to face social troubles as a result of drinking and marijuana -- drunken brawls, broken marriages, damaged relationships and ruined careers among them.
'There are a lot of problems related to alcohol, and marijuana seems to potentially enhance the effects of alcohol in causing these problems,' said study co-author William Kerr, associate director of the Alcohol Research Group.
Many states have authorized medical marijuana use, and four -- Colorado, Washington, Oregon and Alaska -- have legalized recreational pot.
'If cannabis use becomes more prevalent as U.S. states and other countries continue to legalize it, then we need to be prepared to advise people appropriately,' said lead author Meenakshi Subbaraman, an associate scientist at the Alcohol Research Group, a program of the Public Health Institute. 'If you use both substances together, your risk of drunk driving, and possibly other consequences, may be higher than if you stick to using one at a time.'
Drugs like marijuana and cocaine are involved in about 18 percent of motor vehicle driver deaths, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. These other drugs are often used in combination with alcohol at the time of the accident." Read More.
Visit our Resource Center here to learn more about preventing youth substance abuse.
How Mentoring Builds Business Insight
Forbes, April 14, 2015
"With National Volunteer Week currently underway, now is a good time to look at how businesses can make positive impacts on their communities – and their bottom line – through youth mentoring. Numerous studies suggest that youth who have been mentored are more likely to be successful in school, become leaders in their communities and enter young adulthood with better opportunities for ongoing education and career choices.
Yet some 16 million American youth — one in three — will reach the age of 19 without ever having had a mentor of any kind, according to The Mentoring Effect. Public investment in mentoring has plateaued for many years, and an endless parade of grim statistics about the dim prospects for our nation’s youth reminds us that mentoring is more critical than ever.
To scale mentoring into a movement that could have a lasting impact, businesses need to encourage greater investments, constant innovation and improvement. At the National Mentoring Summit held in Washington, DC, this winter, we issued a call to action for more companies to start or enhance mentoring programs for our nation’s youth. We need businesses to step up because businesses have access to precisely what at-risk youth need – tens of thousands of dedicated human beings who can help the next generation succeed!" Read More.
Visit The Governor's Prevention Partnership website here to find a mentoring program near you.
"With National Volunteer Week currently underway, now is a good time to look at how businesses can make positive impacts on their communities – and their bottom line – through youth mentoring. Numerous studies suggest that youth who have been mentored are more likely to be successful in school, become leaders in their communities and enter young adulthood with better opportunities for ongoing education and career choices.
Yet some 16 million American youth — one in three — will reach the age of 19 without ever having had a mentor of any kind, according to The Mentoring Effect. Public investment in mentoring has plateaued for many years, and an endless parade of grim statistics about the dim prospects for our nation’s youth reminds us that mentoring is more critical than ever.
To scale mentoring into a movement that could have a lasting impact, businesses need to encourage greater investments, constant innovation and improvement. At the National Mentoring Summit held in Washington, DC, this winter, we issued a call to action for more companies to start or enhance mentoring programs for our nation’s youth. We need businesses to step up because businesses have access to precisely what at-risk youth need – tens of thousands of dedicated human beings who can help the next generation succeed!" Read More.
Visit The Governor's Prevention Partnership website here to find a mentoring program near you.
Bipartisan Bill Introduced to Allow Children to Use Medical Marijuana
Bloomberg News, April 14, 2015
"If it has medicinal value, why not allow children to use it?
On Tuesday, a bipartisan bill was introduced in the House of Representatives that seeks to give access to medical marijuana to children suffering from a variety of illnesses.
Representative Morgan Griffith, a Virginia Republican, and Earl Blumenauer, a Democrat from Oregon, put forth the Compassionate Access Act, which would 'allow the states to provide appropriate access to patients needing these legitimate, medical treatments under the supervision of their physician,' the congressmen said in a statement.
'There are countless reports of marijuana's medical benefits in treating conditions including cancer, epilepsy, and glaucoma,' Griffith said in the statement, adding, 'It's time to research this further, and, where legal, to allow real doctors and real pharmacists to prescribe or dispense marijuana for legitimate medical reasons for real patients.'
The bill, which is backed by the Epilepsy Foundation, and the American Academy of Neurology, would re-classify marijuana so that states could decide how to regulate it and allow researchers to study the effects of the drug on patients." Read More.
Visit our Resource Center here for information on marijuana use among teens in Connecticut.
"If it has medicinal value, why not allow children to use it?
On Tuesday, a bipartisan bill was introduced in the House of Representatives that seeks to give access to medical marijuana to children suffering from a variety of illnesses.
Representative Morgan Griffith, a Virginia Republican, and Earl Blumenauer, a Democrat from Oregon, put forth the Compassionate Access Act, which would 'allow the states to provide appropriate access to patients needing these legitimate, medical treatments under the supervision of their physician,' the congressmen said in a statement.
'There are countless reports of marijuana's medical benefits in treating conditions including cancer, epilepsy, and glaucoma,' Griffith said in the statement, adding, 'It's time to research this further, and, where legal, to allow real doctors and real pharmacists to prescribe or dispense marijuana for legitimate medical reasons for real patients.'
The bill, which is backed by the Epilepsy Foundation, and the American Academy of Neurology, would re-classify marijuana so that states could decide how to regulate it and allow researchers to study the effects of the drug on patients." Read More.
Visit our Resource Center here for information on marijuana use among teens in Connecticut.
Tuesday, April 14, 2015
A Scientific Look At The Damage Parents Do When They Bully Their Gay Kids
The Washington Post, April 14, 2015
"Public tolerance for laws and practices that discriminate against LGBT people under the guise of religion has rapidly declined. President Obama last week called for an end to so-called conversion therapies that seek to “fix” LGBT youth in some fundamentalist Christian circles. Public support for marriage equality – overturning the traditional concept of “one man, one woman” – has ballooned. And the chorus of indignant voices responding to Indiana’s religious freedom law was so overwhelming that the state has had to hire a PR firm to repair its image.
Politicians and activists have been increasingly vocal about how businesses, churches and government institutions treat LGBT people – children and teenagers, in particular. But the most important arena has escaped wide criticism: their homes. The disdain and discrimination that many gay or gender non-conforming youth receive from their parents has the potential to do far more damage than hostility they experience from others.
The evidence abounds: Kids lacking parental support for their sexual orientation are at higher risk for mental health problems, drug use, and unprotected sex. And the risk isn’t minor – those who felt rejected by their families are eight times more likely to have attempted suicide." Read More.
Visit our website here to learn more about how The Governor's Prevention Partnership is working hard to prevent bullying and promote a positive school climate.
"Public tolerance for laws and practices that discriminate against LGBT people under the guise of religion has rapidly declined. President Obama last week called for an end to so-called conversion therapies that seek to “fix” LGBT youth in some fundamentalist Christian circles. Public support for marriage equality – overturning the traditional concept of “one man, one woman” – has ballooned. And the chorus of indignant voices responding to Indiana’s religious freedom law was so overwhelming that the state has had to hire a PR firm to repair its image.
Politicians and activists have been increasingly vocal about how businesses, churches and government institutions treat LGBT people – children and teenagers, in particular. But the most important arena has escaped wide criticism: their homes. The disdain and discrimination that many gay or gender non-conforming youth receive from their parents has the potential to do far more damage than hostility they experience from others.
The evidence abounds: Kids lacking parental support for their sexual orientation are at higher risk for mental health problems, drug use, and unprotected sex. And the risk isn’t minor – those who felt rejected by their families are eight times more likely to have attempted suicide." Read More.
Visit our website here to learn more about how The Governor's Prevention Partnership is working hard to prevent bullying and promote a positive school climate.
To Fight Teen Drinking, Experts Call For Stricter Movie Ratings
The Los Angeles Times, April 13, 2015
"Should a movie that depicts any type of drinking automatically earn an R rating from the Motion Picture Assn. of America? The authors of a new study argue that the answer should be yes – and that this would make teenagers less likely to binge-drink or use alcohol in other risky ways.
The study, published Monday by the journal Pediatrics, offers fresh support for the idea that teens who see drinking on the big screen are more likely to drink themselves.
Among a group of 5,163 15-year-olds from England, those who watched the most minutes of drinking on film were twice as likely to have alcohol-related problems as those who watched the fewest. They were also 2.4 times more likely to drink at least once a week and 70% more likely consume five or more drinks in a single day.
Different groups of researchers have made similar observations about adolescents in the United States, Germany and elsewhere. Although the link between movie drinking and teen drinking turns up again and again, none of these studies can prove that watching James Bond quaff a martini or seeing the cast of “The Hangover” down shots on the roof a Las Vegas hotel actually causes teenagers to drink more than they would otherwise." Read More.
Visit our Resource Center here for tips on how to prevent underage drinking.
"Should a movie that depicts any type of drinking automatically earn an R rating from the Motion Picture Assn. of America? The authors of a new study argue that the answer should be yes – and that this would make teenagers less likely to binge-drink or use alcohol in other risky ways.
The study, published Monday by the journal Pediatrics, offers fresh support for the idea that teens who see drinking on the big screen are more likely to drink themselves.
Among a group of 5,163 15-year-olds from England, those who watched the most minutes of drinking on film were twice as likely to have alcohol-related problems as those who watched the fewest. They were also 2.4 times more likely to drink at least once a week and 70% more likely consume five or more drinks in a single day.
Different groups of researchers have made similar observations about adolescents in the United States, Germany and elsewhere. Although the link between movie drinking and teen drinking turns up again and again, none of these studies can prove that watching James Bond quaff a martini or seeing the cast of “The Hangover” down shots on the roof a Las Vegas hotel actually causes teenagers to drink more than they would otherwise." Read More.
Visit our Resource Center here for tips on how to prevent underage drinking.
New App Allows Doctors, Pharmacists To Track Potential Prescription Drug Abuse
The Record, April 13, 2015
"Doctors and pharmacists can now use smart phones to track patients who might be abusing prescription drugs, state officials said Monday.
The app, available initially only to iPhone users and Apple handheld devices, will allow registered users of the state’s Prescription Monitoring Program access to the state’s database of prescriptions filled in New Jersey for controlled dangerous substances, including opiate painkillers and human growth hormone.
Registered users have been able to access the same records on state’s Web site since the monitoring program was launched in 2011.
'The more user-friendly we make the program. the more prescribers and pharmacists are going to use it,' acting Attorney General John J. Hoffman said.
The announcement comes as state lawmakers work to advance legislation meant to expand state oversight of drug prescriptions, addressing criticism that it does not go far enough to curb the scourge of abuse. Doctors and pharmacists are not required to register with the program.
The app — the first of its kind in the country — allows users to look up a patients’ prescription history and to access their own records to determine if anyone has tried to fraudulently use their professional license to access prescriptions, according to the description on the state Web site." Read More.
The Governor's Prevention Partnership offers resources here to help prevent youth substance abuse.
"Doctors and pharmacists can now use smart phones to track patients who might be abusing prescription drugs, state officials said Monday.
The app, available initially only to iPhone users and Apple handheld devices, will allow registered users of the state’s Prescription Monitoring Program access to the state’s database of prescriptions filled in New Jersey for controlled dangerous substances, including opiate painkillers and human growth hormone.
Registered users have been able to access the same records on state’s Web site since the monitoring program was launched in 2011.
'The more user-friendly we make the program. the more prescribers and pharmacists are going to use it,' acting Attorney General John J. Hoffman said.
The announcement comes as state lawmakers work to advance legislation meant to expand state oversight of drug prescriptions, addressing criticism that it does not go far enough to curb the scourge of abuse. Doctors and pharmacists are not required to register with the program.
The app — the first of its kind in the country — allows users to look up a patients’ prescription history and to access their own records to determine if anyone has tried to fraudulently use their professional license to access prescriptions, according to the description on the state Web site." Read More.
The Governor's Prevention Partnership offers resources here to help prevent youth substance abuse.
Monday, April 13, 2015
The Battle Revs Up Against Substance Abuse
The New Milford Spectrum, April 12, 2015
"The battle against substance abuse in New Milford is gaining traction.
Members of the town's Substance Abuse Council are high in expectation an upcoming presentation by former professional basketball player Chris Herren could greatly increase local awareness of the problem.
At one point a college standout at Boston College, Herren played for the Boston Celtics and numerous other professional teams both in the United States and abroad during a career checkered with drug abuse.
His May 19 talk, scheduled at 7 p.m. and open to the public at New Milford High School, will be about his addiction and subsequent recovery.
The council, chaired by two staffers at the New Milford Youth Agency, Stacey Kabasakalian and Laura Cleary, hopes to upgrade local residents' awareness of the drug problem." Read More.
Visit our Resource Center here for information on how to prevent your child from abusing drugs or alcohol.
"The battle against substance abuse in New Milford is gaining traction.
Members of the town's Substance Abuse Council are high in expectation an upcoming presentation by former professional basketball player Chris Herren could greatly increase local awareness of the problem.
At one point a college standout at Boston College, Herren played for the Boston Celtics and numerous other professional teams both in the United States and abroad during a career checkered with drug abuse.
His May 19 talk, scheduled at 7 p.m. and open to the public at New Milford High School, will be about his addiction and subsequent recovery.
The council, chaired by two staffers at the New Milford Youth Agency, Stacey Kabasakalian and Laura Cleary, hopes to upgrade local residents' awareness of the drug problem." Read More.
Visit our Resource Center here for information on how to prevent your child from abusing drugs or alcohol.
Hazing and Alcohol: Time to Break With “Tradition”
NIDA for Teens, April 10, 2015
"We all want to belong. Whether it’s to the chess club or the football team or a sorority or fraternity, belonging to a group of people who are bonded together gives us the feeling that we aren’t alone. In high school, and especially in college when people leave their hometowns and are trying to fit in to a new environment, these clubs can feel like a lifeline. And for many people, these groups become like family—you can be a “Sorority Sister” and “Fraternity Brother.”
But what’s the cost of joining? All too often, it’s going through an embarrassing and potentially dangerous initiation ritual—known as hazing.
What Is Hazing?
Basically, hazing is when an organized group participates in activities that involves harassment, humiliation, and/or physical and emotional abuse as a way of letting someone join their club, team, organization, etc." Read More.
Learn more on bullying and youth substance abuse prevention by visiting our Resource Center here.
"We all want to belong. Whether it’s to the chess club or the football team or a sorority or fraternity, belonging to a group of people who are bonded together gives us the feeling that we aren’t alone. In high school, and especially in college when people leave their hometowns and are trying to fit in to a new environment, these clubs can feel like a lifeline. And for many people, these groups become like family—you can be a “Sorority Sister” and “Fraternity Brother.”
But what’s the cost of joining? All too often, it’s going through an embarrassing and potentially dangerous initiation ritual—known as hazing.
What Is Hazing?
Basically, hazing is when an organized group participates in activities that involves harassment, humiliation, and/or physical and emotional abuse as a way of letting someone join their club, team, organization, etc." Read More.
Learn more on bullying and youth substance abuse prevention by visiting our Resource Center here.
NYU Study Identifies Teens At Risk For Hashish Use
New York University, April 13, 2015
"The recent increase in popularity of marijuana use coupled with more liberal state-level polices has begun to change the landscape of adolescent marijuana use. More potent forms of marijuana, such as hashish, may present a threat to adolescent health. A wealth of research has been conducted to examine risk factors for teen marijuana use; however, studies rarely differentiate between different forms of marijuana.
A new study, published in the American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse by researchers affiliated with New York University's Center for Drug Use and HIV Research (CDUHR), was among the first to examine prevalence and correlates of hashish use in a nationally representative sample of US high school students.
Analyses focused on data collected from high school seniors (weighted N=10,597) in years 2007-2011 (2011 was the last year recreational marijuana use was still illegal in all US states). The researchers determined how sociodemographic factors and reasons for marijuana use were related to recent (12-month) hashish use." Read More.
Visit The Governor's Prevention Partnership Resource Center here for information on how to prevent youth substance abuse.
"The recent increase in popularity of marijuana use coupled with more liberal state-level polices has begun to change the landscape of adolescent marijuana use. More potent forms of marijuana, such as hashish, may present a threat to adolescent health. A wealth of research has been conducted to examine risk factors for teen marijuana use; however, studies rarely differentiate between different forms of marijuana.
A new study, published in the American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse by researchers affiliated with New York University's Center for Drug Use and HIV Research (CDUHR), was among the first to examine prevalence and correlates of hashish use in a nationally representative sample of US high school students.
Analyses focused on data collected from high school seniors (weighted N=10,597) in years 2007-2011 (2011 was the last year recreational marijuana use was still illegal in all US states). The researchers determined how sociodemographic factors and reasons for marijuana use were related to recent (12-month) hashish use." Read More.
Visit The Governor's Prevention Partnership Resource Center here for information on how to prevent youth substance abuse.
Thursday, April 9, 2015
It's Alcohol Awareness Month: Don't Be Those Parents
The Chicago Tribune, April 8, 2015
"Experts are using Alcohol Awareness Month (April) to spread a simple, direct message: Don't be those parents.
Those parents host drinking teenagers at their homes, reasoning that it's a safer alternative to letting teens roam free on the weekends. (We can monitor their intake and activities. They won't be drinking and driving. We seem like open, approachable parents.)
'Bad idea,' Barbara Greenberg, clinical psychologist and co-author of 'Teenage as a Second Language: A Parent's Guide to Becoming Bilingual' (Adams Media), told me.
Alcohol Awareness Month is devoted this year to highlighting the consequences of underage drinking, prompting Greenberg to pen an open letter to parents for Psychology Today this week." Read More.
Visit our Resource Center here for information on how to prevent your child from underage drinking.
"Experts are using Alcohol Awareness Month (April) to spread a simple, direct message: Don't be those parents.
Those parents host drinking teenagers at their homes, reasoning that it's a safer alternative to letting teens roam free on the weekends. (We can monitor their intake and activities. They won't be drinking and driving. We seem like open, approachable parents.)
'Bad idea,' Barbara Greenberg, clinical psychologist and co-author of 'Teenage as a Second Language: A Parent's Guide to Becoming Bilingual' (Adams Media), told me.
Alcohol Awareness Month is devoted this year to highlighting the consequences of underage drinking, prompting Greenberg to pen an open letter to parents for Psychology Today this week." Read More.
Visit our Resource Center here for information on how to prevent your child from underage drinking.
“Gang” Of Mentoring Men Scores
The New Haven Independent, April 6, 2015
"Jayson Frasier wasn’t talking. Asked questions, he responded with one-word, nonchalant answers. Montrel Morrison pulled him aside—and schooled him on how to speak with adults.
It was a low-stakes encounter: an interview with a reporter.
It was a high-stakes subject: How to help foundering teens find direction with the help of a responsible adult.
Morrison, who is 23, plays that role for Frasier. The interview offered an example of how he does that.
He and Frasier were being interviewed about winning a $10,000 grant for their mentoring organization Gang of Dads. The pair submitted the winning video to First Niagara’s video contest called “Mentor Stories” to highlight quality mentoring programs in Connecticut, beating out almost 100 other mentoring groups statewide." Read More.
Click here to find a mentoring program in your area!
"Jayson Frasier wasn’t talking. Asked questions, he responded with one-word, nonchalant answers. Montrel Morrison pulled him aside—and schooled him on how to speak with adults.
It was a low-stakes encounter: an interview with a reporter.
It was a high-stakes subject: How to help foundering teens find direction with the help of a responsible adult.
Morrison, who is 23, plays that role for Frasier. The interview offered an example of how he does that.
He and Frasier were being interviewed about winning a $10,000 grant for their mentoring organization Gang of Dads. The pair submitted the winning video to First Niagara’s video contest called “Mentor Stories” to highlight quality mentoring programs in Connecticut, beating out almost 100 other mentoring groups statewide." Read More.
Click here to find a mentoring program in your area!
CDC Launches Social Media Campaign Targeting Prescription Drug Overdoses
Forbes, April 9, 2015
"In an attempt to recognize prescription opioid abusers who have been working to change their lives for the better, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) this week launched a new social media initiative welcoming the stories of those who have been affected by prescription painkiller addiction.
The CDC launched its campaign, titled 'When the Prescription Becomes the Problem,' this week at the fourth annual National RX Drug Abuse Summit. The social media activity, designed to raise awareness of prescription painkiller abuse and overdose, will run through May 15." Read More.
For more information on preventing youth substance abuse, visit our Parent Resource Center here.
"In an attempt to recognize prescription opioid abusers who have been working to change their lives for the better, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) this week launched a new social media initiative welcoming the stories of those who have been affected by prescription painkiller addiction.
The CDC launched its campaign, titled 'When the Prescription Becomes the Problem,' this week at the fourth annual National RX Drug Abuse Summit. The social media activity, designed to raise awareness of prescription painkiller abuse and overdose, will run through May 15." Read More.
For more information on preventing youth substance abuse, visit our Parent Resource Center here.
Monday, April 6, 2015
Northwest Catholic To Hold Bullying Program
West Hartford News, April 6, 2015
"Northwest Catholic will be visited by John Halligan April 8 at 7 p.m., to present a program titled 'Bullying, Technology, and Teen Depression.' The program, aimed at educating parents on bullying and cyberbullying, will cover current social media teen issues, depression and suicide statistics. Halligan lost his son, Ryan, to suicide on October 7, 2003 at the age of 13.
At the time of his death, Ryan was a student at a middle school in Vermont. It was revealed in great detail after Ryan’s death that he was ridiculed and humiliated by peers at school and on-line.
In memory of his son and in just a few months after Ryan’s death, Halligan spearheaded the Vermont Bullying Prevention law in 2004. He also led the passing of a law in 2006 pertaining to suicide prevention education in public schools." Read More.
Visit our website here for information on how to prevent bullying.
"Northwest Catholic will be visited by John Halligan April 8 at 7 p.m., to present a program titled 'Bullying, Technology, and Teen Depression.' The program, aimed at educating parents on bullying and cyberbullying, will cover current social media teen issues, depression and suicide statistics. Halligan lost his son, Ryan, to suicide on October 7, 2003 at the age of 13.
At the time of his death, Ryan was a student at a middle school in Vermont. It was revealed in great detail after Ryan’s death that he was ridiculed and humiliated by peers at school and on-line.
In memory of his son and in just a few months after Ryan’s death, Halligan spearheaded the Vermont Bullying Prevention law in 2004. He also led the passing of a law in 2006 pertaining to suicide prevention education in public schools." Read More.
Visit our website here for information on how to prevent bullying.
FDA Issues Final Guidance On The Evaluation and Labeling of Abuse-Deterrent Opioids
U.S. Food and Drug Administration, April 1, 2015
"The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today issued a final guidance to assist industry in developing opioid drug products with potentially abuse-deterrent properties.
Opioid drugs provide significant benefit for patients when used properly; however opioids also carry a risk of misuse, abuse and death. To combat opioid misuse and abuse, the FDA is encouraging manufacturers to develop abuse-deterrent drugs that work correctly when taken as prescribed, but, for example, may be formulated in such a way that deters misuse and abuse, including making it difficult to snort or inject the drug for a more intense high.
While drugs with abuse-deterrent properties are not 'abuse-proof,' the FDA sees this guidance as an important step toward balancing appropriate access to opioids for patients with pain with the importance of reducing opioid misuse and abuse." Read More.
Visit our Resource Center here for more information about youth substance abuse and how it can be prevented.
"The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today issued a final guidance to assist industry in developing opioid drug products with potentially abuse-deterrent properties.
Opioid drugs provide significant benefit for patients when used properly; however opioids also carry a risk of misuse, abuse and death. To combat opioid misuse and abuse, the FDA is encouraging manufacturers to develop abuse-deterrent drugs that work correctly when taken as prescribed, but, for example, may be formulated in such a way that deters misuse and abuse, including making it difficult to snort or inject the drug for a more intense high.
While drugs with abuse-deterrent properties are not 'abuse-proof,' the FDA sees this guidance as an important step toward balancing appropriate access to opioids for patients with pain with the importance of reducing opioid misuse and abuse." Read More.
Visit our Resource Center here for more information about youth substance abuse and how it can be prevented.
Adolescent Drinking Affects Adult Behavior Through Long-Lasting Changes In Genes
Science Daily, April 2, 2015
"Binge-drinking during adolescence may perturb brain development at a critical time and leave lasting effects on genes and behavior that persist into adulthood. The findings, by researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine using an animal model, are reported online in the journal Neurobiology of Disease.
'This may be the mechanism through which adolescent binge-drinking increases the risk for psychiatric disorders, including alcoholism, in adulthood,' says lead author Subhash Pandey, professor of psychiatry and director of neuroscience alcoholism research at UIC.
Pandey and his colleagues used experimental rats to investigate the effects of intermittent alcohol exposure during the adolescent stage of development." Read More.
Visit our Resource Center here for information on how to prevent underage drinking.
"Binge-drinking during adolescence may perturb brain development at a critical time and leave lasting effects on genes and behavior that persist into adulthood. The findings, by researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine using an animal model, are reported online in the journal Neurobiology of Disease.
'This may be the mechanism through which adolescent binge-drinking increases the risk for psychiatric disorders, including alcoholism, in adulthood,' says lead author Subhash Pandey, professor of psychiatry and director of neuroscience alcoholism research at UIC.
Pandey and his colleagues used experimental rats to investigate the effects of intermittent alcohol exposure during the adolescent stage of development." Read More.
Visit our Resource Center here for information on how to prevent underage drinking.
Friday, April 3, 2015
Council Seeks Ways To Tackle New Milford's Youth Drug Issues
The Danbury News Times, April 2, 2015
"Members of the New Milford Substance Abuse Council hope an upcoming presentation by former Boston Celtics basketball player Chris Herren will get the town talking.
Herren played for the Celtics until his career ended quickly due to a heroin addiction. Herren will speak at New Milford High School on May 19 about his addiction and recovery.
The substance abuse council, led by two members of the New Milford Youth Agency, Stacey Kabasakalian and Laura Cleary, feels there is a lack of town-wide support for dealing with the issue.
The council hopes Herren's message will reach his young audience and also open a community-wide discussion about substance abuse. A community forum is tentatively planned for early June to give parents and youths an opportunity to respond to Herren's presentation, addressing issues and questions raised by his discussion." Read More.
Visit The Governor's Prevention Partnership website here for resources and information on how to prevent youth substance abuse.
"Members of the New Milford Substance Abuse Council hope an upcoming presentation by former Boston Celtics basketball player Chris Herren will get the town talking.
Herren played for the Celtics until his career ended quickly due to a heroin addiction. Herren will speak at New Milford High School on May 19 about his addiction and recovery.
The substance abuse council, led by two members of the New Milford Youth Agency, Stacey Kabasakalian and Laura Cleary, feels there is a lack of town-wide support for dealing with the issue.
The council hopes Herren's message will reach his young audience and also open a community-wide discussion about substance abuse. A community forum is tentatively planned for early June to give parents and youths an opportunity to respond to Herren's presentation, addressing issues and questions raised by his discussion." Read More.
Visit The Governor's Prevention Partnership website here for resources and information on how to prevent youth substance abuse.
How Young Is Too Young To Talk About Underage Drinking?
The Washington Post, April 2, 2015
"Think 8 is too young to start talking to kids about alcohol? It’s not and please don’t make the mistake of thinking it is, said Colleen Sheehey-Church, president of Mothers Against Drunk Driving. She wishes she had talked to her son earlier.
In a new survey released by MADD and Nationwide Insurance, about one-third of parents start talking about alcohol when their children are 14 to 18 years old, already in high school. But in fact, about 30 percent of 8th graders have already tried alcohol. Kids start to develop perceptions about alcohol as young as 2nd and 3rd grades, and so that’s the time to start having the conversations.
Sheehey-Church’s son, Dustin, died in 2004 when he was 18 as a result of riding in a car with a friend who was drunk and drugged. The teens were out to get pizza when the car hit an embankment and landed in a river. Dustin drowned trying to get out of the car." Read More.
Click here for information and tips on how to prevent your child from underage drinking.
"Think 8 is too young to start talking to kids about alcohol? It’s not and please don’t make the mistake of thinking it is, said Colleen Sheehey-Church, president of Mothers Against Drunk Driving. She wishes she had talked to her son earlier.
In a new survey released by MADD and Nationwide Insurance, about one-third of parents start talking about alcohol when their children are 14 to 18 years old, already in high school. But in fact, about 30 percent of 8th graders have already tried alcohol. Kids start to develop perceptions about alcohol as young as 2nd and 3rd grades, and so that’s the time to start having the conversations.
Sheehey-Church’s son, Dustin, died in 2004 when he was 18 as a result of riding in a car with a friend who was drunk and drugged. The teens were out to get pizza when the car hit an embankment and landed in a river. Dustin drowned trying to get out of the car." Read More.
Click here for information and tips on how to prevent your child from underage drinking.
New Apps Encourage Brutal Cyberbullying
U-T San Diego, April 2, 2015
"Apps are constantly being developed that allow people to communicate their thoughts and feelings with others. In most cases these social networking tools help bring people together and promote positive interactions. Unfortunately, many of the newer ones encourage anonymous communication. This opened the option of posting negative, demeaning and threatening content while believing the author was anonymous. The result is an increase in aggressive cyberbullying that is far-reaching.
The development of new social networking sites and apps is rapid, which makes it difficult for parents to remain informed. For instance, a new app called Burnbook has gone viral recently among high school students. It is based on the Burn Book from the movie “Mean Girls.” Posts to this app are believed to be “anonymous.” In addition, you choose a “community” to follow. Therefore, students can choose to follow posts from their high school “community” or other high schools in the area, making the posts very personal." Read More.
Visit our Resource Center here for more information on how to prevent bullying.
"Apps are constantly being developed that allow people to communicate their thoughts and feelings with others. In most cases these social networking tools help bring people together and promote positive interactions. Unfortunately, many of the newer ones encourage anonymous communication. This opened the option of posting negative, demeaning and threatening content while believing the author was anonymous. The result is an increase in aggressive cyberbullying that is far-reaching.
The development of new social networking sites and apps is rapid, which makes it difficult for parents to remain informed. For instance, a new app called Burnbook has gone viral recently among high school students. It is based on the Burn Book from the movie “Mean Girls.” Posts to this app are believed to be “anonymous.” In addition, you choose a “community” to follow. Therefore, students can choose to follow posts from their high school “community” or other high schools in the area, making the posts very personal." Read More.
Visit our Resource Center here for more information on how to prevent bullying.
Thursday, April 2, 2015
Top 10 Steps To Respond To Cyberbullying
April 1, 2015, Huffington Post
"Cyberbullying is an issue that affects us all: grown men and women, teenagers, tweens and even children. It can eat up a shocking number of mental and physical hours each day, especially given the amount of time we spend with screens.
No one is immune. Whether you are a female gamer, a celebrity or just a kid trying to navigate the social scene on Instagram, you can encounter unparalleled levels of viciousness online.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, the average 8- to 10-year-old spends nearly 8 hours a day with different media, and older children and teens spend more than 11 hours per day. About 75 percent of 12- to 17-year-olds own cell phones, and nearly all teenagers use text messaging." Read More.
Visit our Resource Center here for tips and advice on what to do if your child is being bullied.
"Cyberbullying is an issue that affects us all: grown men and women, teenagers, tweens and even children. It can eat up a shocking number of mental and physical hours each day, especially given the amount of time we spend with screens.
No one is immune. Whether you are a female gamer, a celebrity or just a kid trying to navigate the social scene on Instagram, you can encounter unparalleled levels of viciousness online.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, the average 8- to 10-year-old spends nearly 8 hours a day with different media, and older children and teens spend more than 11 hours per day. About 75 percent of 12- to 17-year-olds own cell phones, and nearly all teenagers use text messaging." Read More.
Visit our Resource Center here for tips and advice on what to do if your child is being bullied.
So What's the Big Deal with PowerTalk 21?
April 1, 2015, MADD Connecticut
"PowerTalk 21. Seems like a strange word that doesn't quite make a lot of sense. So what is PowerTalk 21? An energy drink? A game? PowerTalk 21 is the term for April 21st, or the nationally designated day for parents to talk to their teen about the dangers of underage drinking. But PowerTalk 21 isn't just one day. From April 1st to April 21st, MADD shows their support for the mandatory minimum drinking age by hosting events throughout the country about the dangers of underage drinking and how we can combat this problem.
Here in Connecticut, we have lots of fun activities planned to create awareness around PowerTalk 21. From sticker shocks in liquor stores, to Power of Parents workships being held around the state, MADD Connecticut plans to create awareness and help stop the problem of underage drinking." Read More.
For information on how to talk to your child about underage drinking, visit our Parent Resource Center here.
"PowerTalk 21. Seems like a strange word that doesn't quite make a lot of sense. So what is PowerTalk 21? An energy drink? A game? PowerTalk 21 is the term for April 21st, or the nationally designated day for parents to talk to their teen about the dangers of underage drinking. But PowerTalk 21 isn't just one day. From April 1st to April 21st, MADD shows their support for the mandatory minimum drinking age by hosting events throughout the country about the dangers of underage drinking and how we can combat this problem.
Here in Connecticut, we have lots of fun activities planned to create awareness around PowerTalk 21. From sticker shocks in liquor stores, to Power of Parents workships being held around the state, MADD Connecticut plans to create awareness and help stop the problem of underage drinking." Read More.
For information on how to talk to your child about underage drinking, visit our Parent Resource Center here.
DrugFacts: Is Marijuana Medicine?
April 1, 2015, The National Institute on Drug Abuse
"What is medical marijuana?
The term medical marijuana refers to using the whole unprocessed marijuana plant or its basic extracts to treat a disease or symptom. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not recognized or approved the marijuana plant as medicine.
However, scientific study of the chemicals in marijuana, called cannabinoids, has led to two FDA-approved medications that contain cannabinoid chemicals in pill form. Continued research may lead to more medications." Read More.
Visit our Resource Center here for information and tips on preventing youth substance abuse.
"What is medical marijuana?
The term medical marijuana refers to using the whole unprocessed marijuana plant or its basic extracts to treat a disease or symptom. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not recognized or approved the marijuana plant as medicine.
However, scientific study of the chemicals in marijuana, called cannabinoids, has led to two FDA-approved medications that contain cannabinoid chemicals in pill form. Continued research may lead to more medications." Read More.
Visit our Resource Center here for information and tips on preventing youth substance abuse.
Wednesday, April 1, 2015
Youth Services Hosts 'Community Conversation' About Drug Addiction
The Hartford Courant, March 31, 2015
"In the evening of Wednesday, March 25, parents and students in grades 6-12 gathered at Bacon Academy to attend separate presentations about drug addiction as part of the Community Conversations series. The event, which was sponsored by the Colchester Youth Services' Youth FIRST Coalition and Colchester Public Schools, attracted a crowd of roughly 150.
Parents attended a presentation by Mary Marcuccio, the founder and CEO of My Bottom Line, LLC, an organization that helps parents deal with young adults who are addicted to opiates. Marcuccio shared her family's story and provided a comprehensive education about opiates.
Marcuccio began her presentation by discussing her family's experience of having a son addicted to opiates for many years. Her son began using marijuana in middle school and began using heroin at the age of 15. Marcuccio said that it took her and her husband time to realize the extent of her son's drug use." Read More.
Visit our Resource Center here for more information on how to prevent your child from abusing drugs.
"In the evening of Wednesday, March 25, parents and students in grades 6-12 gathered at Bacon Academy to attend separate presentations about drug addiction as part of the Community Conversations series. The event, which was sponsored by the Colchester Youth Services' Youth FIRST Coalition and Colchester Public Schools, attracted a crowd of roughly 150.
Parents attended a presentation by Mary Marcuccio, the founder and CEO of My Bottom Line, LLC, an organization that helps parents deal with young adults who are addicted to opiates. Marcuccio shared her family's story and provided a comprehensive education about opiates.
Marcuccio began her presentation by discussing her family's experience of having a son addicted to opiates for many years. Her son began using marijuana in middle school and began using heroin at the age of 15. Marcuccio said that it took her and her husband time to realize the extent of her son's drug use." Read More.
Visit our Resource Center here for more information on how to prevent your child from abusing drugs.
April is NCADD Alcohol Awareness Month
National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, March 31, 2015
"Alcohol Awareness Month, held every April, was founded by and has been sponsored by the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc. (NCADD) since 1987 to increase public awareness and understanding aimed at reducing the stigma associated with alcoholism that too often prevents individuals and families from seeking help.
For the 27th Anniversary of NCADD Alcohol Awareness Month, NCADD has chosen the theme 'Help for Today. Hope For Tomorrow'.
Our theme is designed to draw attention to the pervasive impact that alcohol, alcohol-related problems and alcoholism have on young people, their friends, on families and in our communities.
More than 18 million individuals or 8.5% of Americans suffer from alcohol-use disorders. In addition, there are countless millions of individuals, family members and children who experience the devastating effects of the alcohol problem of someone in their life. In fact, 25% percent of U.S. children have been exposed to alcohol-use disorders in their family.
The economic cost of alcoholism and alcohol abuse has recently been estimated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to be $223.5 billion ($746 per person) or about $1.90 per drink (see more here.) Researchers found the costs largely resulted from losses in workplace productivity (72%), health care expenses for problems caused by excessive drinking (11%), law enforcement and other criminal justice expenses related to excessive alcohol consumption (9%), and motor vehicle crash costs from impaired driving (6%)." Read More.
Visit our website here for more about preventing underage drinking.
"Alcohol Awareness Month, held every April, was founded by and has been sponsored by the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc. (NCADD) since 1987 to increase public awareness and understanding aimed at reducing the stigma associated with alcoholism that too often prevents individuals and families from seeking help.
For the 27th Anniversary of NCADD Alcohol Awareness Month, NCADD has chosen the theme 'Help for Today. Hope For Tomorrow'.
Our theme is designed to draw attention to the pervasive impact that alcohol, alcohol-related problems and alcoholism have on young people, their friends, on families and in our communities.
More than 18 million individuals or 8.5% of Americans suffer from alcohol-use disorders. In addition, there are countless millions of individuals, family members and children who experience the devastating effects of the alcohol problem of someone in their life. In fact, 25% percent of U.S. children have been exposed to alcohol-use disorders in their family.
The economic cost of alcoholism and alcohol abuse has recently been estimated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to be $223.5 billion ($746 per person) or about $1.90 per drink (see more here.) Researchers found the costs largely resulted from losses in workplace productivity (72%), health care expenses for problems caused by excessive drinking (11%), law enforcement and other criminal justice expenses related to excessive alcohol consumption (9%), and motor vehicle crash costs from impaired driving (6%)." Read More.
Visit our website here for more about preventing underage drinking.
Legally High? Teenagers and Prescription Drug Abuse
Science Daily, March 25, 2015
"Legal drugs such as OxyContin now kill more people than heroin and cocaine combined. While awareness of the dangers of illegal drugs has increased, many teens are still ignorant of the significant physical danger posed by legally prescribed drugs, according to a new study in Journal of Public Policy & Marketing.
'The CDC has classified the situation as an epidemic,' write authors Richard Netemeyer (University of Virginia), Scot Burton (University of Arkansas), Barbara Delaney (Partnership for Drug Free Kids), and Gina Hijjawi (American Institutes for Research). 'Prescription drugs are seen as blessed by a trusted institution, the FDA, while increasingly aggressive advertising by drug companies simultaneously floods parents and children with messages that these substances are safe, popular, and beneficial.'
The current study recruited teens in shopping malls across the United States, asking them to complete a web-based questionnaire on their use of substances including alcohol, tobacco, and both legal and illegal drugs. They were also asked whether they struggled with anxiety, felt a desire to be popular, sought out exciting activities, and what level of risk they associated with prescription drugs." Read More.
Visit our Resource Center here for more information on preventing prescription drug abuse.
"Legal drugs such as OxyContin now kill more people than heroin and cocaine combined. While awareness of the dangers of illegal drugs has increased, many teens are still ignorant of the significant physical danger posed by legally prescribed drugs, according to a new study in Journal of Public Policy & Marketing.
'The CDC has classified the situation as an epidemic,' write authors Richard Netemeyer (University of Virginia), Scot Burton (University of Arkansas), Barbara Delaney (Partnership for Drug Free Kids), and Gina Hijjawi (American Institutes for Research). 'Prescription drugs are seen as blessed by a trusted institution, the FDA, while increasingly aggressive advertising by drug companies simultaneously floods parents and children with messages that these substances are safe, popular, and beneficial.'
The current study recruited teens in shopping malls across the United States, asking them to complete a web-based questionnaire on their use of substances including alcohol, tobacco, and both legal and illegal drugs. They were also asked whether they struggled with anxiety, felt a desire to be popular, sought out exciting activities, and what level of risk they associated with prescription drugs." Read More.
Visit our Resource Center here for more information on preventing prescription drug abuse.
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