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.
Thursday, April 2, 2015
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.
Tuesday, March 31, 2015
Pediatrics Group Says Schools Shouldn’t Drug Test
TIME, March 30, 2015
"A leading U.S. pediatrics group is recommending against in-school drug testing as a way to prevent young people from experimenting with illegal substances.
More
Mental Health Therapy Through Social Networking Could Soon Be a RealityScience Has Found Out What Music Your Cat Should Be Chilling to While Being NeuteredCo-Pilot Told Lufthansa in 2009 of 'Severe Depression' NBC NewsIndiana Governor on Controversial Law: 'We'll Fix This' NBC NewsNew 'Daily Show' Host Criticized for Tweets NBC News
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) released a policy statement on Monday saying it opposes randomly drug testing students because there’s not enough evidence to show it’s effective, and because random testing can damage relationships between students and their schools. It’s also a possible infringement on privacy, the group says.
Fifteen years ago, the Supreme Court established the legality for school-based drug testing for students. Proponents of the practice say that random testing at schools deters students from using drugs." Read More.
Visit our Resource Center here for tips on preventing underage drinking.
"A leading U.S. pediatrics group is recommending against in-school drug testing as a way to prevent young people from experimenting with illegal substances.
More
Mental Health Therapy Through Social Networking Could Soon Be a RealityScience Has Found Out What Music Your Cat Should Be Chilling to While Being NeuteredCo-Pilot Told Lufthansa in 2009 of 'Severe Depression' NBC NewsIndiana Governor on Controversial Law: 'We'll Fix This' NBC NewsNew 'Daily Show' Host Criticized for Tweets NBC News
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) released a policy statement on Monday saying it opposes randomly drug testing students because there’s not enough evidence to show it’s effective, and because random testing can damage relationships between students and their schools. It’s also a possible infringement on privacy, the group says.
Fifteen years ago, the Supreme Court established the legality for school-based drug testing for students. Proponents of the practice say that random testing at schools deters students from using drugs." Read More.
Visit our Resource Center here for tips on preventing underage drinking.
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