Sue Scheff: Buzzed Driving – Drunk Driving
by Sue Scheff on Dec 07, 2009
What an important message for this time of the year, and truly, all year round. Take the time to be an educated parent, have safer teens and potentially save a life.
Did you know that in 2008, nearly 12,000 drivers or motorcycle riders died in alcohol-related crashes? That’s one person every 40 minutes. Many people are under the misconception that you would have to be “falling down drunk” to be too impaired to drive safely. That couldn’t be further from the truth. Last year alone, during the winter holiday season, 420 people were killed in alcohol-related crashes. You can’t help but wonder if those lives could have been saved if people thought twice before getting behind the wheel.
With the holidays approaching, it’s important that drivers be reminded about the dangers of buzzed driving. Who knows, it could save a life.
The National Highway Safety and Traffic Association (NHTSA) and the Ad Council are continuing their efforts with their PSA campaign called “Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving.” The buzzed driver is one who drinks and drives, but does not consider himself a hazard on the roadway because “only a few” drinks are consumed. The campaign hopes to educate people that consuming even a few drinks can impair driving and that “Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving.”
During the holiday season help keep “buzzed” drivers off the road. Learn about the dangers of buzzed driving, share a story or experience you might have had with buzzed driving and follow them on Twitter http://twitter.com/buzzeddriving) and Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/buzzeddrivingisdrunkdriving) to get the latest updates and news from NHTSA.
You can also visit the website (http://buzzeddriving.adcouncil.org/) where readers can sign a pledge not to drive buzzed, play an interactive game to help them understand how drinking can impair driving, and hear personal stories from people who have driven buzzed.
WATCH 30 SECOND PSA VIDEO – CLICK HERE.
Be an educated parent – have a safer teen and holiday season.
Also on Examiner.com
Tags: Buzzed Driving, Drunk Driving, Parenting, parenting advice, Parenting Teens, Parents Universal Resource Experts, Sue Scheff, Teen Drinking, Teen Drivers, Teen Help, Teen substance abuse
Sue Scheff: Teens Hiding Drugs From Parents
by Sue Scheff on Oct 29, 2009
One of the most important parts of this article is the opening your lines of communication with your child. Are you noticing a change in behavior? Withdrawn? Depressed? Changing peer groups? Becoming secretive? Be an educated parent – you will have a safer teen.
Source: Connect with Kids
Hiding Drugs from Parents
“The car is a big one. A lot of kids will hide it in the car now because they think the parents aren’t going to go through the car.”
– Heather Hayes, Licensed Drug Counselor
Inside a highlighter or tube of lipstick, stuffed into the back of a clock radio or hidden between a mattress and box springs- teens have a million clever ways to hide both their drugs and their drug use.
Chris, 24, would use a toilet paper tube lined with a dryer sheet to hide the smell of marijuana from his parents. He says, “All you have to do is blow out the smoke through there, and it scents the smoke so it doesn’t smell like marijuana.”
He says he would stash his drugs anywhere but in the house, where mom or dad might find them. Chris says, “Maybe in the garage, or under the hood of my car. We’d get pulled over and we wouldn’t even be scared because you never see a cop open a hood on the side of the road.”
Licensed drug counselor, Heather Hayes, says, “The car is a big one. A lot of kids will hide it in the car now because they think the parents aren’t going to go through the car.”
But Chris says the best way to hide drug use was just to avoid his parents. He says, “Cause I’d be high, and you know, I didn’t want to give it away. So I would just come in, be like ‘I’m home’, you know, ‘I’ll be upstairs in my room.’”
Experts say by the time parents catch kids using drugs, there’s a good chance they’re already addicted.
Hayes says, “In the early beginning stages teens are extremely good, I mean they are brilliant at being able to hide things. They will change clothes so that their clothes don’t smell. They will use Visine. As their addiction progresses, one of the things that they give up is the fact that they care, they care whether or not they get caught.”
Chris has been in rehab for more than a year. Among his regrets: the time he didn’t spend with his parents. Chris says, “My mom walks freely in and out of my room now. And it’s like I just had so much to hide before, so I wouldn’t let them in.”
The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) describes adolescence as a “time for trying new things.” Teens use alcohol and drugs for many reasons, including curiosity, because it feels good, to reduce stress, to feel grown up or to fit in. Teens at risk of developing serious drug and alcohol problems include those …
?With a family history of substance abuse.
?Who are depressed.
?Who have low self-esteem.
?Who feel like they don’t fit in or are out of the mainstream.
In addition, warning signs of teen drug abuse may include …
?Fatigue, repeated health complaints, red and glazed eyes, and a lasting cough.
?Personality change, sudden mood changes, irritability, irresponsible behavior, low self-esteem, poor judgment, depression and a general lack of interest.
?Starting arguments, breaking rules or withdrawing from the family.
?Decreased interest, negative attitudes, a drop in grades, many absences, truancy and discipline problems.
?New friends who are less interested in standard home and school activities, problems with the law, and changes to less conventional styles in dress and music.
Peer pressure is one of the most difficult inducements faced by teens to use illegal substances. Experts at the Hazelden Foundation have created the following model that a teen might follow in dealing with pressure to use drugs or alcohol:
?Ask questions – Size up the situation before “going along.” For example, a classmate might say, “Hey, lets go hang out at the mall” – and have shoplifting in mind. To be responsible, ask, “What are we going to do? How long will we be there?” These questions will help you make informed decisions before getting into a problem situation.
?Name the trouble – After you identify the situation, you need to state the possible problem: “That sounds like trouble to me.”
?State the consequences – Use the threat of punishment as an excuse not to drink. Say something such as, “My parents would ground me for months,” or “I could get kicked off the soccer team.”
?Offer an alternative – If a friend invites you to drink or use drugs, suggest an alternative. “Lets go get pizza.” If the friend pressures you more, walk away, but leave the door open. You could say, “Hey, that’s fine. Go do your thing. You’re welcome to join me later.”
?Get out of trouble – Should you find yourself in a problem situation, get out immediately and call a responsible adult for help.
Tips for Parents
Drugs are a threat to almost every child, and one of the best ways to help ensure your child will make the right decisions when faced with choices regarding substance abuse is to confront the issue with your child as early as possible. Experts at the American Academy of Pediatrics list the following as ways to address the subject of substance abuse with your child:
?Talk with your child honestly. Don’t wait to have “the drug talk” with your child. Make discussions about tobacco, alcohol and other drugs part of your daily conversation. Know the facts about how drugs can harm your child. Clear up any wrong information, such as “everybody drinks” or “marijuana won’t hurt you.”
?Really listen to your child. Encourage your child to share questions and concerns about tobacco, alcohol and other drugs. Do not do all the talking or give long lectures.
?Help your child develop self-confidence. Look for all the good things in your child – and then tell your child how proud you are. If you need to correct your child, criticize the action, not your child. Praise your child’s efforts as well as successes.
?Help your child develop strong values. Talk about your family values. Teach your child how to make decisions based on these standards of right and wrong. Explain that these are the standards for your family, no matter what other families might decide.
?Be a good example. Look at your own habits and thoughts about tobacco, alcohol and other drugs. Your actions speak louder than words.
?Help your child deal with peer pressure and acceptance. Discuss the importance of being an individual and the meaning of real friendships. Help your child understand that he/she does not have to do something wrong just to feel accepted. Remind your child that a real friend won’t care if he/she does not use tobacco, alcohol or other drugs.
?Make family rules that help your child say “no.” Talk with your child about your expectation that he/she will say “no” to drugs. Spell out what will happen if he/she breaks these rules. Be prepared to follow through, if necessary.
?Encourage healthy, creative activities. Look for ways to get your child involved in athletics, hobbies, school clubs and other activities that reduce boredom and excess free time. Encourage positive friendships and interests. Look for activities that you and your child can do together.
?Team up with other parents. Work with other parents to build a drug-free environment for children. When parents join together against drug use, they are much more effective than when they act alone. One way is to form a parent group with the parents of your child’s friends. The best way to stop a child from using drugs is to stop friends from using them.
?Know what to do if your child has a drug problem. Realize that no child is immune to drugs. Learn the signs of drug use. Take seriously any concerns you hear from friends, teachers and/or other kids about your child’s possible drug use. Trust your instincts. If you truly feel that something is wrong with your child, it probably is. If there’s a problem, seek professional help.
According to the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University (CASA), parents are the key to keeping kids drug-free. CASA research shows that the extent to which parents take a “hands-on” approach in raising their kids, the more they establish appropriate rules and standards of behavior, and the more they monitor their teens, the lower the teen’s risk of substance abuse. “Hands-on,” according to CASA, includes parents who consistently take 10 or more of the following 12 actions:
?Monitor what their teens watch on television
?Monitor what they do on the Internet
?Put restrictions on the music (CDs) they buy
?Know where their teens are after school and on weekends
?Expect to be and are told the truth by their teens about where they are going
?Are “very aware” of their teen’s academic performance
?Impose a curfew
?Make clear they would be “extremely upset” if their teen used pot
?Eat dinner with their teens six or seven times a week
?Turn off the television during dinner
?Assign their teens regular chores
?Have an adult present when the teens return from school
?American Academy of Pediatrics
?The Hazelden Foundation
?The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse
Tags: At Risk Teens, Connect with Kids, Parenting, parenting advice, Parenting Teens, Parents Universal Resource Experts, Substance Abuse, Sue Scheff, Teen Depression, Teen Drug Use, Teen Health, Teen Help, Teen substance abuse, Wits End
Sue Scheff: Stop Medicine Abuse – Learn More during National Medicine Abuse Awareness Month (October)
by Sue Scheff on Oct 12, 2009
As a Parent Advocate, I am frequently asked to post current events that can help you be an educated parent and raise safer children. Today’s generation of teens as well as the challenges of parenting can be overwhelming.
I recently posted an article on The Examiner about the dangers of Inhalant Abuse. These are items that can be found in your home and kids today have learned how to use them to ”get high.”
Today we are talking about cough medicine abuse. One of several parents is sharing her story with us. Please take the time to learn more about this growing trend. As with inhalants, these items can be easily located in your home and simply purchased at your local stores.
Posted with permission from Mom, Misty Fetko:
My name is Misty Fetko. I am a registered nurse, mom of two, and the newest member of the Five Moms: Stopping Cough Medicine Abuse campaign. As I have been told, you have been one of the biggest allies of the Stop Medicine Abuse program, and I speak for everyone who’s been involved (even though I’m new!) when I say thank you for what you’ve done for these initiatives.
The reason you are hearing from me now is that October is National Medicine Abuse Awareness Month, something that has particular meaning to my family and me. In 2003, I discovered my older son, Carl, unresponsive in his bedroom. He passed away that day from a lethal mix of drugs including Fentanyl, a prescription narcotic; marijuana; and dextromethorphan (DXM), the active ingredient in over-the-counter cough medicines.
As an emergency room nurse, I know about substance abuse from first-hand experience, but even with all that knowledge I never knew that teens were abusing cough medicine to get high. I’ve joined the Five Moms campaign in an effort to ensure that parents have all the information about medicine abuse that I unfortunately did not have.
As a widely read and influential voice in the online community, I am asking you to help me spread the word about the dangers of medicine abuse among your readers.
Tags: Parenting, parenting advice, Parenting Teens, Parenting Tips, Parents Universal Resource Experts, Stop Cough Medicine Abuse, Stop Medicine Abuse, Sue Scheff, Teen Drug Use, Teen Health, Teen Help, Teen substance abuse
Sue Scheff: Teenagers and Drugs
by Sue Scheff on Jul 01, 2009
Checking in with Fink Blogs (Family Interaction Nurtures Kids) I found a great article – “I just found drugs – what can I do?” If you haven’t visited the website of Fink Blogs, you definitely need to check out this engaging and informational site on parenting! It is one of my favorites. I have to share this article – read on….
Source: Fink Blogs
I have found drugs in my teenagers bedroom
By Kate Yaffe
OK, I know how distressing this can be but don’t panic. It could be for his friend, you really don’t know. Most children will experiment with drugs at some point and I think we are foolish to think that that is not the case. Experimentation and addiction are two very separate things. The biggest clue that your child is taking drugs on a regular basis is a change in habits like sleeping, eating, going out with friends, etc. and major lack of interest in things they use to be interested in. If you are seeing this in connection with finding cannabis, then he may have a problem for which I suggest you seek help straight away. However, most parents know or have an inclination that this is happening and since I don’t get that from your question, I am assuming you have just found cannabis without any of the other circumstances.
Firstly, gen yourself up on cannabis. Most parents overreact because they don’t know the facts. A common misconception is that the majority who try cannabis continue to take it or go on to become heroin addicts. A lot if the headlines and moral panic out there are based on things that are untrue. As a drug, alcohol is far more dangerous yet as adults it fits more with our value base so we don’t panic as much.
Secondly, let him know how you feel, say something like, it is not ever OK for you to have cannabis in my house. You say it is for a friend and I believe you that this is correct. However, should I find out that this is not true, you will have broken my trust. I believe you are a sensible boy and I trust you to make the right decision around drugs. If you ever need to talk about this I am here for you. This serves a few purposes; it lets him know you trust him, which will mean that he is more likely to make a better decision, he sees you are open to believing him and talking rationally, so he is more likely to come to you if their is a problem and he also knows that if he breaks your trust in the future, there will be consequences.
Thirdly, let him know the consequences that this has. Even though you say this is for someone else, it has broken my trust in you a little by bringing it into my house and because of that there, will be a few changes. It is up to you to win that trust back. This lets him know that it is not acceptable. This betrayal of trust could mean different things for different families, so think about what this means for your family. Punishment is different to a consequence. Ask yourself, since this breach of trust, what you feel like doing less or more of for your child.
Keep an eye on the situation, take a note over the next month or so what happens, how he behaves, etc. Then make a honest judgement as to whether you think this was a one-off or not. If you think there is more to it, then you may need to take other actions but for the moment, lets just stick to making it clear what is and is not acceptable in your house and what will happen if it happens again.
Tags: Parenting, Parenting Teens, Parents Universal Resource Experts, Sue Scheff, Teen Depression, Teen Drug Prevention, Teen Drug Use, Teen Drugs, Teen Health, Teen Help, Teen Issues, Teen substance abuse, Troubled Teens
Sue Scheff: Teens and Substance Use and Abuse
by Sue Scheff on Jun 26, 2009
Education.com is a continuous source of educational articles for parents of toddlers to teens. I check in with them regularly (browsing their extensive website), as they always have up-to-date information regarding today’s teens. From helpful homework tips, to parents struggling with at risk teens – Education.com offers a wealth of information. Visit www.education.com and learn more! Since I have received many calls this week from parents with the fear their teen (or sadly, tween) may be using drugs, this seems like a timely article as summer just begins.
Substance Use and Abuse in Teens
Source: NYU Child Study Center
Teen substance use is a problem that persists, but communities, schools and parents can play a crucial role in a coordinated plan of deterrence. Parents need to stay informed of the risks that teens face. Several patterns highlight the issues adults need to address in assisting teens:
Three main substances account for the majority of substance use and abuse by youth
Tobacco (in the form of cigarettes), alcohol, and marijuana have been the most widely used substances by teens for several decades. During the last several years, the use of each of these substances has decreased significantly, but substantial minorities of teens try these substances and engage in current use.
Statistics show that the majority of youth have tried cigarettes and alcohol by the end of their teen years, and 1 in 5 teens indicate current substance use. Significantly, the order in which teens are likely to try substances starts with tobacco, shortly followed by alcohol, and then marijuana, with youngsters starting experimentation around 12 years of age. For many youngsters, tobacco experimentation is a gateway to other substance use. This data suggests that all parents need to be alert to the possibility that their children will try substances and may move on to regular use.
Use of other substances follow trends
Just as fashions change, so do the substances with which teens get involved. Cocaine, crack, heroin, and club drugs such as ecstasy have been prevalent at times. In the last years, young people are also using prescription drugs, most notably painkillers, but also some psychiatric medications used to treat Attention- Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and anxiety and depressive disorders. Additionally, some kids seem ready to try any item or activity that can give them exciting sensations or an altered mental state. These latter items and activities include inhaling cleaning fluids or paint, self-induced oxygen deprivation by choking oneself for short periods of time or getting the breath squeezed out by someone else, and using pressurized air (used to clean electronic equipment) to knock out oxygen. All of these items or activities add a substance to the body that creates a changed mental status or deprive the brain of oxygen, which also creates a changed mental status. Informal contacts among teens and some Internet interchanges helps them find out about these trends and the “joys” associated with them.
Reasons teens turn to substances
In the early teen years, teens get involved in substances for two main reasons: curiosity and peer pressure. When the opportunity to try a substance presents itself, most kids are in small groups. Some in the group are likely to enjoy taking risks and seeking sensations that are exciting. These children are often the ones that seek out and obtain the substances from older teens or from supplies that they find at home or from relatives, in the case of tobacco and alcohol. Others may be there as part of the social cluster and get exposed through the actions of their sensation-seeking friends. The children motivated by curiosity often wish to find out what all the talk and fuss is about. They may want to know what it is like to feel high or drunk or what cigarettes taste like. Others in the group may feel pressured to participate either through direct request or because they do not wish to stand out as the only one not going along.
From first use, the brief altered states associated with substances often inspire teens to continue use. Youngsters often enjoy being high or drunk and will frequently seek out repeat experiences. Once youngsters are aware of these experiences, they sometimes continue to seek altered states as a way to escape problems and seek pleasure that they are not gaining elsewhere in their lives. In the case of tobacco, early experiences are rarely pleasant, so peer pressure or the belief that use is a status symbol often keeps teens involved. Soon after initial exposures, however, teens are very prone to addiction to tobacco, which occurs with greater speed than in adults.
Children most prone to get involved in substance use
As indicated above, many teens are prone to experiment with a single use of substances. Those that are involved with persistent use and current use are more likely to have some characteristics. First, teens are more prone to use if they have monetary resources. So, teens from well-off neighborhoods or those with jobs are more likely to use. Second, use is more likely if teens are facing tough challenges in school or are disconnected from school. Thus, students with learning disabilities or developmental disorders as well as kids who feel alienated from the life of their school are prone to use. Third, certain personality characteristics lead to greater risk. Those teens that are afflicted with social anxiety may find substances ease their tension, especially marijuana and alcohol. Children with Attention- Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder are also more susceptible to the use of tobacco, possibly as a means of improving their concentration, which nicotine does do. Finally, teens who have relatives that use or have had substance abuse disorders are at increased risk for use.
What Parents Can Do
A large collection of research suggests that parents need to take active steps to decrease the likelihood that their children will use substances. Several useful steps include:
- Diminish the amount of uncontrolled exposure of children to substance use. When children observe substance use, they learn that use is an acceptable action. They need to have controlled exposure to learn the rules of acceptable use.
- Parents need to be ready to comment on the substance use that their children observe. Parents need to make it clear how they want their children to handle substances.
- Remember that children receive messages from what they see. So, if members of the family use legal substances, it is best that children observe responsible use. In the case of tobacco use, even legal use by adults should be accompanied by a clear statement of your expectations that you do not want your children to use these products, ever.
- Provide comments on the use that your children observe in media and entertainment outlets. Tobacco use, alcohol use, and drug use are shown in movies, television shows, and music videos. Take advantage of these instances to indicate what you think and how you expect your children to behave.
- Limit the access your children have to substances. Teens use substances that are available. They report that they take cigarettes from relatives, sneak alcohol from home stocks, and obtain marijuana from people that they know well.
- Inform your children about the honest dangers that are associated with the main substances. Although teens are not highly influenced by such information, some discussion of negative consequences has some impact on the decisions that they make.
- Clearly state what actions you expect your teen to take when confronted with substance use. Teens who know what their parents expect of them are much less likely to use substances.
- Help your teen find leisure activities and places for leisure activities that are substance-free. Then, keep track of where, with whom, and what your teen is doing after school and other free times.
- Keep informed by seeking out resources for parents available on the Internet, through schools, and at local libraries.
Prospects for Parents to Act to Prevent Substance Abuse
At the NYU Child Study Center, we are exploring further steps that parents can take to keep their teens substance-free. We are testing the impact that workshops for parents of middle school students have on improving parenting practices and what effect those practices have on the children’s substance use during their high school years. We have taken a preventative approach, believing that targeted efforts by parents, when their children are in the age range in which substance exposure occurs, will diminish the amount of experimentation and regular use their children will undertake. A full trial of the effort is underway with follow-up of parents and teens from over 400 families. The project, Thriving Teens: Parenting Practices for Positive Growth, should provide useful insight into how parents can help their teens avoid risky actions. Provision of Thriving Teens to parents’ organizations or school district anti-drug campaigns is possible by contacting the Child Study Center at 212-263-3663.
About the NYU Child Study Center
The NYU Child Study Center is dedicated to the research, prevention, and treatment of child and adolescent psychiatric issues. The Center offers evaluation and treatment for children and teenagers with mental health problems including anxiety, depression, learning or attention difficulties, and trauma and stress-related symptoms.
We offer a limited number of clinical studies at no cost for specific disorders and age groups. To see if your child would be appropriate for one of these studies, please call (212) 263-8916.
The NYU Child Study Center also offers workshops and lectures for parents, educators and mental health professionals on a variety of mental health and parenting topics. The Family Education Series consists of 13 informative workshops focused on child behavioral and attentional difficulties. To learn more or to request a speaker, please call (212) 263-8861.
For further information, guidelines and practical suggestions on child mental health and parenting issues, please visit the NYU Child Study Center’s website, AboutOurKids.org.
Follow Education.com on Twitter at @Education_com
Tags: At Risk Teens, Education.com, Parenting, Parenting Teens, Parents Universal Resource Experts, Struggling Teens, Sue Scheff, Teen Drug Prevention, Teen Drug Use, Teen Health, Teen Help, Teen Issues, Teen substance abuse
Sue Scheff: Stop Medicine Abuse with Teens
by Sue Scheff on Jun 11, 2009
Five moms have continued their mission to Stop Medicine Abuse amongst teens and kids today.
First launched in May 2007, the Five Moms Campaign has reached over 24 million parents with these basic messages to parents about preventing teen cough medicine abuse.
When the campaign launched, teen cough medicine abuse was on the increase. Now, nationwide statistics point to a slight decrease. That’s great news, but more work has to be done to eliminate this type of substance abuse behavior among teens.
CHPA brought together five moms—a pediatric nurse practitioner, an accountant, a D.A.R.E. officer, an educator, and an author—from different backgrounds and from all over the country to encourage parents to get involved in stopping cough medicine abuse. And now Five Moms is part of the StopMedicineAbuse.org effort.
Protect Your Teens
Posted by Five Mom, Blaise Brooks
Teenagers’ lives are filled with tough decisions, handling outside pressures, and figuring out what type of person to become. While it is impossible to make all the right decisions for your teens and keep them clear of any hardships, as a parent you can help steer them in the right direction including where substance abuse is concerned, include over-the-counter (OTC) cough medicine abuse. The most important thing is to embrace your responsibility as the educator and parent and to talk to your teen in an open way.
Don’t turn a blind eye.
No one wants to believe that their kids would ever abuse any drug, let alone OTC medicine. But the truth is teens are abusing medicine and every parent needs to be aware and keep his or her eyes open to the signs of abuse, both in the home and in the community. If you ever have a question, you can check this list of the signs of abuse from the Stop Medicine Abuse web site.
Talk to your teen.
A conversation about drug abuse is never an easy one, but it’s necessary. And it’s crucial to keep having the conversation and keep those lines of communication going. The fact of the matter is that teens who learn a lot about drugs in the home are half as likely to abuse. One way you can make it easier is by letting the issue speak for itself: Take a look at DXMstories.com, where you and your teens can see the negative effects of cough medicine abuse on the lives of real teens through their own personal testimonials. You also can check out timetotalk.org from the Partnership for a Drug-Free America for tips about how to talk with teens about substance abuse.
Take responsibility for your medicine cabinet
You need to trust your teen, but you still should take steps to safeguard your medicine cabinet. Know what medicines you have and how much medication is in each bottle or package, and be sure to tell your teens what you’re doing and why. This may even be the perfect opportunity for you discuss medicine abuse.
By taking action to protect your teens from OTC medicine abuse and sharing this information with other parents, you not only protect the health and safety of your own teens, but also are taking a step towards protecting other teens in your community. Don’t forget to join us on the Stop Medicine Abuse Fan page on Facebook to discuss how you and your community can protect teens from medicine abuse.
Tags: At Risk Teens, Parenting, Parenting Teens, Parenting Tips, Parents Universal Resource Experts, Peer Pressure, Stop Medicine Abuse, Sue Scheff, Teen Drug Abuse, Teen Drug Use, Teen substance abuse
Sue Scheff: Drug-Free America
by Sue Scheff on May 04, 2009
The Partnership for a Drug-Free America and the MetLife Foundation today released the results of the 14th annual national survey of parents attitudes about teen drug abuse. The results show a strong increase in parental awareness of the dangers of one of the most troubling trends in teen drug use – the abuse of prescription medications. However, not enough parents are talking to their kids about the risks. 1 in 5 teens has abused an Rx medication, and more than 2,500 teens per day use a prescription painkiller to get high for the first time.
Steve Pasierb, President of the Partnership, is available to discuss the findings of the 2008 Partnership/MetLife Foundation Parents Attitude Tracking Study:
· The number of parents who mistakenly believe that abusing prescription medicines is “much safer” than using illicit street drugs dropped by nearly half—from 19 percent in 2007 to just ten percent in 2008.
· In 2007, 24 percent of parents believed that intentional abuse of prescription medicines would not be addictive. In 2008, that number decreased significantly to 11 percent.
· Despite this increased awareness, there has not been a corresponding increase in parents talking to their kids about these dangers.
The study also highlights differences between the way mothers and fathers approach drug and alcohol issues with their kids:
· Mothers are more likely to feel comfortable setting and enforcing rules about alcohol, tobacco and drug use—just 10 percent of mothers said they had difficulty enforcing these rules, versus 18 percent of fathers.
· Mothers were also less likely to prioritize “friendship” with their children– 59 percent of fathers versus 51 percent of mothers felt it was very important for their child to consider them a friend.
Feel free to email Candice Besson at candice_besson@drugfree.org to schedule an interview or receive a copy of the PATS research report, or visit www.drugfree.org for more information.
Tags: Add new tag, Drug Free America, parenting advice, Parents Universal Resource Experts, Parnenting Teens, Peer Pressure, Sue Scheff, Teen Drug Use, Teen Help, Teen Issues, Teen substance abuse, Troubled Teens
Sue Scheff: Teens and Drug Use (TheAntiDrug.com)
by Sue Scheff on May 02, 2009
As a parent advocate, I always welcome valuable information and websites that can help educate parents and others with today’s concerns with substance abuse and other issues surrounding our children. TheAntiDrug.com website has a wide variety of educational information for parents and adult caregivers of teens – also check out the Q&A below with Karen Reed, the American Pharmacists Association’s national spokesperson for American Pharmacists.
TheAntiDrug.com – a Web site created by the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy to equip parents and adult caregivers with the tools they need to raise drug-free kids. You might have seen ads on TV recently calling attention to the issue of teen prescription drug abuse.
Unfortunately, growing numbers of teens are abusing prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs to get high or to cope with school and social pressures. Many teens say these drugs are not only easy to get, but also that they think they are a safe way to get high. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), everyday 2,000 kids age 12 to 17 abuse a painkiller for the very first time. SAMHSA also finds:
• More teens abuse prescription drugs than any illicit drug except marijuana
• Among 12- and 13-year-olds, prescription drugs are the drug of choice
To provide answers to common parent questions about teen prescription drug abuse, TheAntiDrug.com has teamed up with pharmacist Karen Reed, spokesperson for the American Pharmacists Association.
The Rx drug information is currently highlighted on the homepage of http://www.theantidrug.com, including an interactive house tour (http://www.theantidrug.com/drug_info/prescription_dangerZones.asp) which highlights locations where teens can find prescription and OTC drugs, tips for parents on how to prevent abuse and to talk to your teen about prescription drug abuse, along with much more.
Q&A with Karen Reed, spokesperson for the American Pharmacists Association
Q: I hear about kids taking various pills – uppers, downers, painkillers, etc., that have been prescribed for their parents. What can those drugs do to teens who have not been prescribed those medications?
A: It is always difficult to predict what type of reaction teens will have to medication not prescribed for them, especially when we don’t know the dose they will abuse — and if it will be taken with other drugs or alcohol. Uppers can cause hostility, paranoia, or seizures. These drugs can affect motor skills, impair judgment, and affect the heart. Downers and painkillers can decrease concentration, impair judgment, and slow motor skills. Taking downers and painkillers in excess can also cause sedation and seizures. Imagine a teen driver under the influence of these drugs driving a motor vehicle — this combination could prove deadly as well. (http://www.theantidrug.com/drug_info/prescription_dangers.asp)
Q: My son tells me his friends take pills that aren’t theirs and sometimes take them when they’re drinking alcohol. What is the resulting effect and what can I tell him to scare him away from experimenting?
A: No one, adults or teens, should take medication with alcohol. Teens who are taking medication that is not prescribed for them are probably also taking excessive doses. And mixing that medication with alcohol could prove deadly for teenagers. The effect of the medication could be intensified, causing the teen to stop breathing or have a seizure that could be fatal. If this practice is combined with driving, others could be injured as well. The combination of medication and alcohol could lead to poor judgment that could cause serious injuries or worse. Teenagers often feel invincible. The combination of drugs and alcohol may intensify this belief.
Q: We keep cold, cough, and other over-the-counter medications in the house. What is the best way to monitor those medications?
A: Over-the-counter medications are safe and effective for some people when used properly under a medical professional’s guidance. However, the ingredients, when abused, can be taken to get high. Therefore keep them in limited quantities and monitor their use as you would a prescription drug. Never use them to help your teen or yourself sleep. Children (regardless of their age) mimic adult behavior. Be a good role model and never abuse OTC products yourself. (http://www.theantidrug.com/drug_info/prescription_wcyd_good_example.asp)
Q: My child has prescribed medications she takes regularly. How do I ensure those pills are not abused?
A: Keep track of the number of pills that should be on hand. Keep track of refills, lost pills, and request for refills. Paying close attention to use will help prevent abuse.
Q: What are some of the signs I can look for if I suspect my teen has been abusing prescription drugs?
A: It is easy for parents to miss prescription drug abuse because mood changes, temper outbursts, changes in sleeping habits and interests are typical teenage behaviors. You can smell alcohol and tobacco and marijuana — you can’t smell pills. Watch for changes in grooming, habits, and interests. Watch for negative changes in school work, school attendance, and declining grades. Watch for increased secrecy, changes in friends, and increased needs for money. Monitor your own prescription drugs and encourage friends and family to do the same. (http://www.theantidrug.com/drug_info/prescription_abusing_signs_symptoms.asp)
Karen L. Reed, the American Pharmacists Association’s national spokesperson for American Pharmacists Month, is a graduate of West Virginia University School of Pharmacy and a staff pharmacist with Kmart in Beckley, West Virginia. She is a consultant pharmacist for Beckley Surgery Center and is serving her second term as chair of West Virginia’s Medicaid Drug Utilization Review Board. Reed is a preceptor for WVU PharmD candidates and a GlaxoSmithKline community pharmacy advisory board member. She is an APhA Fellow, past APhA- Academy of Pharmacy Practice and Management officer, past President of the West Virginia Pharmacists Association, recipient of the National Community Pharmacists Association Leadership Award, Merck Pharmacist Recognition Award, and the Wyeth-Ayerst Bowl of Hygeia. In 2002, Reed was named Kmart Pharmacist of the Year.
Tags: AntiDrug, Inhalant Abuse, Mental Health Services, Parenting Teens, Parents Universal Resource Experts, SAMHSA, Struggling Teens, Sue Scheff, Teen Drug Use, Teen Health, Teen Help, Teen Issues, Teen substance abuse, Troubled Teens
Sue Scheff: Talk to your Kids About Inhalant Abuse
by Sue Scheff on Mar 01, 2009
Inhalant Abuse is more prevalent than parents think – probably because they are more accessible to kids. Read the following parenting tips on how to talk to your pre-teens and teens about the dangers of inhalant use. Visit www.inhalant.org for more information.
Source: Inhalant Abuse
• Ask your pre-teen or teenager if he or she knows about Inhalant Abuse or
is aware of other kids abusing products.
• Reinforce peer resistance skills. Tell him or her that sniffing products to get
high is not the way to fit in. Inhalants are harmful: the “high” comes with
high cost.
• Encourage your child to come to you if he or she has any questions about
Inhalants.
• Tell your child that the consequences of Inhalant Abuse are as dangerous as
those from abusing alcohol or using illegal drugs. Be absolutely clear
— emphasize that unsafe actions and risky behavior have serious consequences.
• Monitor your teen’s activities — set boundaries, ask questions. Be firm,
know his or her friends and his or her friends’ parents, know where they
meet to “hang out.”
• Educate your child about the dangers, but don’t mention specific
substances unless your child brings them up. While many youngsters know
kids are sniffing some substances, they may not know the full range of
products that can be abused; and you don’t want to give them suggestions.
• Tell your children that you love them and that their safety is your number
one priority. Tell them again…and again…and again.
Tags: Huffing, Inhalant Abuse, Inhalant Use, Parenting Teens, Parents Universal Resource Experts, Sniffing, Struggling Teens, Sue Scheff, Teen Drug Use, Teen substance abuse, Troubled Teens
Sue Scheff: Talking To Your Teens About Drug Use
by Sue Scheff on Feb 02, 2009
O-kay – Michael Phelp’s, a role model for our kids – has screwed up. I am not condoning what he did – but can’t help to think that this is yet another opportunity for parents to open up a discussion about drugs with their kids.
Newsday.com has an article encouraging coaches to speak with young athletes about this. I think it can hold true to parents of all children that look up to celebrities and athletes. For more information visit D.A.R.E.
Source: NewsDay.com
Coaches: Michael Phelps scandal an opportunity to talk to young athletes
Michael Phelps’ apology for using a marijuana pipe presents an opportunity to talk to young athletes about drug use, poor judgment and how to learn from a mistake, Long Island swim coaches said.
Long Island coaches said they would use the incident as a teachable moment, driving home the point that drugs undermine athletic performance and that Phelps will suffer the consequences of his actions, losing esteem, and perhaps endorsements.
“It’s upsetting on so many different levels,” said Bill Kropp, head coach for varsity boys swimming at Sachem East High School, where the swim team swelled this year with students inspired by Phelps.
“As a coach, you bring up role models, and obviously he is the poster boy of excellence,” Kropp said. “It’s something that he has to live with, and we have to live with as coaches and parents.”Phelps posted an apology on his Facebook page, where more than 500 fans had written comments about the incident yesterday evening. Though the messages were overwhelmingly supportive, some fans were disappointed.
“We should all learn from this,” said Peter Hugo, Nassau County’s boys swimming coordinator. “Even Michael Phelps makes mistakes. We have to learn to forgive and forget as long as it doesn’t happen a second time.”
Read entire article here: http://www.newsday.com/news/printedition/longisland/ny-liswim026021597feb02,0,5521275.story
“That should bring the parent closer to their child, enhancing that teachable moment,” he said. “Saying listen, it’s something he regrets. You have to learn from your mistakes.”
Tags: Drug Use, Parenting Teens, Parents Universal Resource Experts, Peer Pressure, Sue Scheff, Teen Drug Prevention, Teen Drug Use, Teen substance abuse
