Substance abuse prevention

News & Alerts!

ARE ENERGY DRINKS DANGEROUS?

What are energy drinks? No doubt, you may have heard of Red Bull, Rage, Rock Star, Full Throttle, Pimp Juice, Cocaine or Blow. These are just some of the caffeine-laden energy drinks that are being marketed to our youth.
Learn more...

Chariho Tri-Town
Task Force Awarded a $500,000 Federal Grant

The Chariho Tri-Town Task Force on Substance Abuse Prevention was awarded a Federal Drug Free Community Grant.
Learn more...

"TopTips for Monitoring
YourTeen's Use of
Digital Technologies"

Parents: The Anit-Drug Web Site's new article TopTips For Monitoring Your Teen's Use of Digital Technologies describes the potential for a world of temptation and misinformation on topics such as drugs, sex, and other risky behaviors.
Learn more...

What are Inhalants?

Volatile substances producing chemical vapors that can be inhaled through the nose or mouth... Learn more...

The NSDUH Report

"Seasonality of Youth's
First-Time Use of Marijuana, Cigarettes, or Alcohol"
Learn more...

 

NEW! Hear From the Expert

Dear Expert,

Parents - Why Are You So Clueless About Your Kids and Alcohol and Drugs?

- A Parent

Dear Parent,

A quote from Goethe "There is nothing more frightening than ignorance in action". Parents - are you sure you are not being conned by your adolescents? Working with substance abusing kids gives me a clearer picture into their deceptions and I would guess that many of you are clueless about...
read more »

Dear Expert,

Why Do Parents Need to Get Sober?

- A Parent

Dear Parent,

I want to shout, "look at me." I am running and today it's not away from anything; I am running for pleasure, for my health, simply for the fun of it. My whole body feels coordinated and my mind is clear. I am taking deep breaths. I feel clean. This day is beautiful...
read more »

Dear Expert,

Why Do You Need to Check Your Child in Every Night?

- A Parent

Dear Parent,

Today's parents often have no idea about what their kids are up to. They also don't know the extent of substance abuse in their home, town or school. We've decided to let you take a seat and get into their lives. Pay attention - she could be anyone's daughter.
read more »

Dear Expert,

Why Won't a Baby and Drugs Meet the Real Needs of Young Girls?

- A Parent

Dear Parent,

She's so happy her heart skips a beat despite knowing that her news will not be well received. She'll pretend that it came as a surprise and only confides in certain people hoping that they will tell those she's afraid to face. She decides to wait and be sure before she tells anyone but by the end of the day all of her friends know.
read more »

Dear Expert,

Why Is the Sky Falling?...Everything Seems to be Going Wrong?

- A Parent

Dear Parent,

Remember when Chicken Little kept screaming "The sky is falling, the sky is falling?" Well, it is and I'm going to sound an alarm and you must listen before it's too late. I am going to address a major American tragedy; it is overwhelming, mind boggling and so complicated that no one seems to be able to solve it. So we put it on a back burner and respond with a knee jerk reaction because we are often clueless.
read more »

Dear Expert,

Why do all parents need to understand the consequences of an adolescent's drug use?

- A Parent

Dear Parent,

A quote by Oliver Wendell Holmes aptly describes substance use and addiction. "Most persons have died before they expired - died to all earthly longings, so that the last breath is only locking the doors of the already deserted mansion."

The saddest thing I ever experienced while working with adolescent substance abusers, was to hear a parent whose son had died from a heroin overdose say "at least I know where he is and he's not cold".
read more »

Dear Expert,

What do kids need to stay substance free?

- A Parent

Dear Parent,

My Heavens - What will we do - we can wring our hands but we can't solve the problem until we understand why the problem exists in the first place. Drug and alcohol use among kids is out of control and the usual responses are knee jerk reactions that are meaningless because people grab at straws trying to do something, anything to stop the madness. There are plenty of ideas...
read more »

Dear Expert,

I recently overheard the statement "Prom time, prom time, lets all get bombed time!" What can I do as a parent to keep my child safe at prom time?

- A Parent

Dear Parent,

"Prom time, prom time, let's all go get bombed time" - It's a quote uttered by a young man within earshot of someone he sees as "an uptight adult". Instead of evoking thoughts of flowers, gowns and tuxes, prom time for many is an occasion that often ends in disaster. The time of year calls for one big celebration, marking graduations, end of school, picnics, cookouts, parties and proms. For too many kids it is a time of drinking, taking chances and horrible accidents...
read more »

Dear Expert,

Why Do Parents Need Wake Up Calls at Prom Time?

- A Parent

Dear Parent,

The kids, who come to school trashed, skip a lot, have bad behavior and attitude problems, are identified by Judges, parents, schools, and frequently get negative attention as well as consequences. These kids are labeled as "burn outs" and know they are always being watched. One such boy, a self-described burnout, jokingly talks about a drug dog, that could read his locker number...
read more »

Dear Expert,

What is the Real Impact of a Parent's Drinking?

- A Parent

Dear Parent,

The group of teenagers are talking about what it is like having an alcoholic parent. One relates an incident when she was in the sixth grade. She was at a friend's house when her friend's mom patted her on the head and told her to "run along home." It was Friday at 4:00...read more »

Dear Expert,

My daughter is a good student, has always been respectful and is well liked by adults and friends. She just turned 15 and I'm feeling like she's not telling me everything and I'm not sure I believe all she tells me. I don't want to over react, but how much can you trust a teenager?

- A Parent

Dear Parent,

Adults who work with children have learned that ALL teens will manipulate, lie, create confusion and blame the other guy. That does not mean teens are "bad" or innately dishonest. It is just the way...read more »

Dear Expert,

What do I say when my daughter says: "Everyone's drinking and smoking! What's the big deal?"

- A Parent

Dear Parent,

This is a common misperception that young people have. It can be a dangerous assumption if it justifies their using drugs and alcohol. For example, according to our last SALT survey that includes a measure of 30 day use of drugs and alcohol, more than 60% of our High School students reported being alcohol and drug free for that time period. This statistic has remained consistent...read more »

Dear Expert,

My 16-year-old daughter has become withdrawn from her family over the last few months; she seems sad much of the time, and irritable. When I ask her if something is wrong, she snaps at me saying nothing is wrong. Is this just adolescent moodiness or could it be more then that?

- A Parent

Dear Parent,

Depression is a serious problem in the teen years. NIMH (National Institute for Mental Health) suggests one in five children and adolescents suffer from depression. Depression looks different at different ages. Children and young teens tend to camouflage depression with overt behaviors such as acting out their feelings through restlessness, temper tantrums and fighting.

Older adolescents may mask signs of depression in the form of...read more »

Dear Expert,

How do I reach my son in this era of instant messaging, MTV and other parents letting their kids run wild?

- A Parent

Dear Parent,

Parenting is a tough job. As children grow, their needs and behaviors change. Just as you think you understand them, it is time to adapt. One thing that never changes is that parents are the most important influences in their kids' lives. Don't give up!

As they reach their teens, it is developmentally appropriate for kids to turn to their peers for the comfort, support, and...read more »

Dear Expert,

Recently, while in my daughter's room I found several Robitussin bottles in her trash. What would she be doing with these? Should I be concerned?

- A Parent

Dear Parent,

The bottles would suggest that your daughter is abusing dextromethorphan. This product is found in many types of readily available cough medicine, including Tylenol Cold, Triaminic cough syrups, and Sudafed cough products. It is cheap and easily available. This substance has been abused for several decades, but recently it has been promoted over the Internet, with advice on how to "safely get high". ...read more »

 

 

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