Category: Anti Drug Movement

Action Items: Phase One

Step 1……….

Download Action Items PDF:

Want to know more about the influences and pressures your teen faces? Dive into his or her world by completing one or more of these fun, but insightful, tasks.

Go to www.youtube.com and type in “marijuana” AND “smoking” in the search bar at the top. Watch some of the videos your teen might be viewing. Did you know that your teen may be exposed to these videos?
Can you figure out the common text-messaging lingo below? Try to decipher these words or phrases and then ask your teen if you got them right. To keep up-to-date on what your teen is “saying,” visit www.netlingo.com for the latest IM/testing lingo you should know as a parent.
Thx = _______________________

CYO= _______________________

BRB= _______________________

GTG= _______________________

<3 = _______________________

Some of the hottest music teens listen to today is about drug use or other risky behaviors. Here’s where you can check out music lyrics that are streaming into teens’ headphones: music.yahoo.com/lyrics . Which songs/artists does your teen listen to and have you talked to him/her about what the lyrics mean?
Have a look at some of today’s hottest video games by visiting http://www.gamespot.com/misc/top100_pop.html. Then, find out if your teen is familiar with them or plays any of them. Have you noticed any violence, drug, or alcohol references, and do you feel they are age-appropriate games? Do you know the rating system? If not, go to www.esrb.org/ratings for more information.
Go to www.youtube.com and type in “huffing” in the search bar at the top. Do you know what huffing is, or do think your teen has ever come across these kinds of videos?
Try observing teens your child’s age. One way to do that is to visit a mall near you on a Friday or Saturday night and spend some time at the food court or near the movies. Notice their behavior; listen to their conversations. Do you think your teen behaves this way when you’re not there?
All done? Are you feeling more tuned in? We hope so!

TheAntiDrug.com now encourages you to do two more things. First, share what you have learned with other parents in the Parent-to-Parent forum. Not only do you have an opportunity to share your own findings, but you can read postings from other parents about what insights they have gained by doing the Action Items.

Second, try our next set of Action Items. Learning about your teen’s world is a process, and the more time you give to understanding it, the better you’ll be able to communicate with your child.

Step 2

Step 3

Source:ParentingTips@TheAntiDrug.com <parentingtips@theantidrug.com>

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Today’s teens are smoking a more potent form of marijuana and starting to use at increasingly younger ages  during crucial brain development years

.1 There is plenty of evidence indicating the ways pot impedes, even changes, the mental health of adolescents. In fact, changes in the brain due to marijuana use are similar to those caused by cocaine, heroin and alcohol.

2 The overall impact that marijuana has on the brain can have long-term consequences.

This is where YOU come in. The first step in being able to discuss the dangers of marijuana with your teen is knowing the facts. To better understand how marijuana affects the different regions of the brain, read on!

Find out how marijuana affects a developing teen brain. Take virtual tour>>

Updated Report!
New research continues to find links between marijuana use and mental health problems, such as depression, suicidal thoughts and schizophrenia. In fact, the most recent studies are making a stronger case for the causal link between marijuana and psychiatric symptoms, particularly schizophrenia.

Read report>>

From : ParentingTips@TheAntiDrug.com <parentingtips@theantidrug.com>

Teens who use drugs are more likely to engage in violent behavior, steal, abuse other drugs, and join gangs. But you, as a parent, are the most powerful influence on your teen when it comes to using illicit drugs. Here are some tips to keep your teen drug-free and prevent delinquent behavior down the road:

Monitor your teen. Know who your teen’s friends are and make a point to meet their parents. Know where your teen is and what he/she is doing during unsupervised time, especially after school between the hours of 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The rate of violent acts committed during this period is nearly six times greater than the rate committed during night-time hours (10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.). 1

Be a role model to your teen. Teens join gangs for a variety of reasons: some seek excitement; others are looking for prestige, protection, income, or a sense of belonging. But, research shows that teens who are engaged with their family or community are less likely to turn to drugs or violence. Set a good example for your teen by being a consistent, positive presence in his/her life.

Get your teens involved in after-school activities, such as sports and volunteer opportunities. It is an excellent way to reduce the likelihood of them falling into negative behaviors. For ideas on volunteer opportunities, visit TheAntiDrug.com’s Partner section.

During the summer, when teens are typically not in school, it’s important to create some type of structure for a daily routine. To learn more about how to create structure for your teen’s life while school’s out, visit TheAntiDrug.com’s School’s Out section.

Source: ParentingTips@TheAntiDrug.com

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The end of the school year is upon us, which often means parties and play. The likelihood that drugs and alcohol will be at a high school party is relatively high. Eighty percent (80%) of parents believe that alcohol and marijuana are usually not available at parties their teens attend. But the reality is sobering: 50 percent of teen party goers attend parties where alcohol, drugs  or both  are available.

While your teen probably won’t let you tag along to a party, there are some things you can discuss with him before he heads out. Here are a few suggestions about how you can help your teen safely transition into the summer months.

Ask Questions. Find out where your teen will be, whether or not the party will be supervised by responsible adults, the contact information of the adults who will be supervising, other friends who will be there, and so on.

Contact the Adults in Charge. Some parents feel uncomfortable doing this, but it’s an important step to ensure that your teen will be supervised by a responsible adult during the event. If you don’t feel comfortable with the situation, avoid feeling obligated to let your child go. Remember, you are the parent.

Establish Rules. Make sure your teen clearly understands that she is not allowed to use drugs or alcohol. Tell her the consequences. Establish a curfew, and be clear about what will happen if she doesn’t arrive on time. If your teen is driving, ask her to call home before leaving the event so that you can know she Is on her way.

For more tips and advice, visit TheAntiDrug.com.

Using prescription medications to party has become a popular thing to do. In fact, many teens are under the false impression that they can get a safe high and party longer by using these types of drugs. Before your teen goes out, double-check your medicine cabinets.For more knowledge click here.

From : Parents@Work News

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Marijuana and Depression.
Marijuana and Suicidal Thoughts.
Marijuana and Schizophrenia.

CLICK & SEE

Take Tour of Teen Brain
As parents and caregivers, you probably don’t think about the ways in which marijuana is linked to mental health problems … but it is. New research is giving us better insight into the serious consequences of teen marijuana use, especially how it impacts mental health.

Your immediate question may be, How can I tell if my son or daughter is experiencing mental health problems due to marijuana use?” It is often difficult for parents to know the difference between emerging mental health problems and typical teen mood swings or shifts in attitudes. It is normal to see temper outbursts, changes in sleeping habits and changes in hobbies in your teen. However, there are a number of ways to assess whether or not your child is having psychological problems related to marijuana use.

Be attentive. You can look for signs of depression, withdrawal, carelessness with their grooming habits, or hostility.

Drop in grades. Ask yourself: Is your child no longer doing well in school, getting along with friends, taking part in sports or other activities? If there have been marked changes in your teen’s activities, it’s time for YOU to do some more homework.

Look for evidence. Have you found drug paraphernalia such as pipes, rolling papers, and so on? Are you missing prescription drugs—especially narcotics and mood stabilizers; and bottles of eye drops, which mask bloodshot eyes?

If you have more questions about marijuana and mental health, visit TheAntiDrug.com’s “Ask the Expert” with Dr. Marc Galanter for a list of frequently asked questions about this topic.

Source : ParentingTips@TheAntiDrug.com

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