One in five parents feel unable to prevent teen drug abuse

New survey data from Partnership for a Drug-Free America® and MetLife Foundation finds that more than one in five parents feel unable to prevent their kids from trying drugs and alcohol. To help motivate and equip parents to talk with their kids about the dangers of substance abuse, the two organizations are focusing the next phase of their award-winning radio campaign, which kicks off today, on better preparing parents on ways to safeguard their kids from the risks of drug and alcohol use.

To begin an ongoing conversation, the Partnership and MetLife Foundation’s parenting skills campaign will air educational messages on radio stations in local markets nationwide through the end of October. The campaign is backed by online tools and tips for raising drug-free teens. A brochure containing helpful tips, called “Your Child Needs You,” and other resources are also being made available. All can be found at drugfree.org.

Parents Need Help Responding to Recent Increases in Teen Drug Use       
                                                                              
The new data comes from the 2009 Partnership Attitude Tracking Study (PATS), sponsored by MetLife Foundation, which found more than one in five parents feel there is little they can do to prevent their kids from trying drugs (22 percent) and alcohol (27 percent). The survey also found only two in five parents (39 percent) feel strongly that they could immediately stop their kids from using drugs once they’ve started.  PATS data released earlier this year also confirmed marked increases in teen use of alcohol, Ecstasy and marijuana, namely those substances that teens are most likely to encounter is social situations. The need for parents to play a more active role in helping protect their kids from dangerous behaviors posed by the use of drugs and alcohol is underscored in the campaign.

“It’s crucial that we help parents understand the threats facing teens today, help them be more confident about their ability to make a difference, and equip them with useful resources, which is the purpose of this campaign,” said Steve Pasierb, president of the Partnership. “What many parents may not realize is that they, not athletes, movie stars or popular music artists, are in fact the biggest influence in the lives of their children. Kids who learn a lot about the risks of drugs at home are up to 50 percent less likely to use drugs than those who do not get that critical message from their parents.”

The campaign features radio messages in English and Spanish, stressing the importance of talking with kids about drugs and alcohol to parents, encouraging them to overcome their fears about starting a dialogue with kids about these dangerous behaviors, and motivating parents to stay involved in their children’s lives to keep them healthy.

“By talking with teens about the dangers of drug and alcohol use, parents can help protect their kids and keep them safe,” said Dennis White, president and CEO of MetLife Foundation. “Parents strongly influence the decisions teens make and this campaign provides much-needed tools to help parents feel better equipped to discuss this important health issue with their kids.”

Visitors to drugfree.org can download copies of the brochure “Your Child Needs You! A guide to help your child lead a healthy drug-free life,” available in English, Spanish and Chinese languages. The brochure includes information on the dangers of illicit drug use and helps parents prevent drug use in their own families. Free copies are available from the National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information at 877-767-8432.

The month of September is Recovery Month.  North Florida as well as other parts of Florida are proactive in bringing an awareness to addiction and substance abuse.

Source: DrugFree.org

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Sue Scheff: June and July More Teens Start Smoking Pot

For many teenagers, summer is a time of freedom.  A time to do what they want and some have limited boundaries as both parents are working or they are in a single parent household.

For teens, is summer going to pot? What an interesting concept and essay by Connect with Kids.

Data released by the National Household Survey on Drug Abuse that shows 40% of teens first try marijuana during the summer. In fact, about 5,800 teens try marijuana for the first time each day in June and July.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention annual Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance Survey, more than 38% of teens report having use marijuana in their life. Nearly 20% admitted to smoking pot within the past 30 days and 8% of kids tried marijuana prior to turning 13 years of age.
In order for parents to help curb the growing problem of marijuana use among teens, they must first understand the dangers involved in using the drug. The National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign cautions parents to be aware of the following points about marijuana use:

• Marijuana is the most widely used illicit drug among youth today.
• More teens enter treatment for marijuana abuse each year than for all other illicit drugs combined.
• Marijuana is addictive.
• Marijuana use can lead to a host of significant health, social, learning and behavioral problems at a crucial time in a young person's development.
• Adolescent marijuana users show lower academic achievement compared to non-users.
• Even short-term marijuana use has been linked to memory loss and difficulty with problem-solving.
• Time and again, kids say that their parents are the single most important influence when it comes to using drugs.

Whether or not you suspect your child is using marijuana, it is crucial that you discuss the issue at an early age. The experts at DrugHelp suggest following these steps when discussing tough issues, like drug abuse, with your child:

• Create a climate in which your child feels comfortable approaching you and expressing his or her feelings.
• Don't shut off communication by responding judgmentally, saying, "You're wrong" or "That's bad."
• Give your child an opportunity to talk.
• Show your interest by asking appropriate questions.
• Listen to what your child has to say before formulating a response.
• Focus on what your child has to say, not on language or grammar.
• Use probing questions to encourage a shy child to talk.
• Identify areas of common experience and agreement.
• Leave the door open for future conversations

Reference: Connect with Kids

Broward County offers Operation Medicine Cabinet. Be aware of who your teen's drug supplier is, and they may not even know it.

Be an educated parent, you will have safer and healthier teens.

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