SAFE Helps Parents Combat Kids’ Drug Use

It looks like these people are giving out good information. I am often very critical of programs designed to "help" and what they really do is blame parents, take responsibility away from the kids, or inadvertently glamorize drug use. But this program seems down to earth and practical--



SAFE Helps Parents Combat Kids’ Drug Use: "Some parents believe it is okay to have a party in their home because then “they know where their children are,” Ortiz said. “That attitude is not okay.”
 
Ortiz said that currently the major concern for Glen Cove Police is the sale of medication by children, which they take from their relatives and then sell in school. “Even kids that are prescribed medication are selling their own medication,” he said. “We are working hard to stop this in Glen Cove.”"



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When parents chase drugs, kids are left on their own |

We usually talk about the effect of kids taking drugs on parents--lets not forget its a two way street.

When parents chase drugs, kids are left on their own | The Columbus Dispatch: "Karen Ezirim promised her five young children she would be gone only a few hours when she left them with a family member.

But her best friends — alcohol, crack cocaine and pain pills — persuaded her to stay longer.

When she returned home days later, Ezirim’s children were gone, taken by Franklin County Children Service"



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Getting kids off drugs or encouraging them to use them?

I was researching a book today and ran across a website (drugfreeworld.org)--and some really well done flip books and videos on why not to do drugs. They were designed for kids directly.

I have a real problem with this slick design and well done "warning" about the horrors of drugs. What this slick and hip flip book does is glamorize the world of drugs. With the fabulous photography and campy presentation, this publication does not deter anyone--it made me want to try Ecstasy! They use phrases like "Dancing with Death. There is a story bout Nikki  at the party and how she felt nothing--then never woke up...Come on. A picture of a skull with light glowing from the eyeballs is particularly intriguing. One guy thinks he's an orange and asks others not to "peel" him.

I'm sorry, but I know kids--hey I was one. This form of "warning" is really very appealing to the very ones it is supposed to deter.

Parents and professionals--this is a suggestion--do not use this glittery, dazzling, and glamorous presentation to deter young people against drug use. It will backfire. I can see that the creators of this site either hired or are very good at promotion. But they suck at deterring kids from wanting to do drugs.

Go to Drugfreeworld.org and review it. See what you think. after look at the Ecstasy presentation--look at the others like for prescription drugs. What is your gut reaction?

The Truth About Ecstasy: "Published by Official Foundation for a Drug-Free World
Ecstasy is extremely dangerous. So widespread has been the harm of this “designer drug,” that emergency room incidents have skyrocketed more than 1,200% since it became the “club drug” of choice at all-night “rave” parties and dance clubs. "

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23 Sobering Alcoholics Anonymous Statistics |

Since its foundation in the year 1930, AA or Alcoholic Anonymous has actually become synonymous to recovery. Through the years, their twelve step process is being applied to a wide array of issues from overeating (Over eaters Anonymous), excessive gaming (online gamers anonymous) to Drug problems (Narcotics Anonymous).



Read these statistics--you'll be surprised!



23 Sobering Alcoholics Anonymous Statistics | interventionstrategies.com:







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Testing kids and teens for drug abuse: What do I need to know?

You're going to want to read this if you test your kids for drugs--or even if you don't believe in it--read this article.



Testing kids and teens for drug abuse: What do I need to know?:



excerpt: The report gives a lot of clear and sensible advice (such as check the temperature of the urine sample immediately and if it is not between 95 and 100 degrees, it is not fresh urine – someone is trying to trick the tester), but the most important statement is in the parents’ guide: “If your teen undergoes a drug test, it should be knowingly. The AAP opposes drug tests without a teen’s knowledge and consent. “

Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/healthy_kids/Testing-kids-and-teens-for-drug-abuse-What-do-I-need-to-know.html#Du83BfpEAg8HYSKZ.99

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Sitting in Pictures

Picture recovery reflection of the day.

Excerpted from "Sitting in Pictures, Vision Meditations for Addiction Recovery"



Illustrations by Christine Sundly

Sitting in Pictures:



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Here’s proof that Alcoholics Anonymous is just as effective as professional psychotherapies

Very important to keep this mind--AA just plain works! Not for everyone, not all the time--but works as well or better than other professional treatments..AND it costs NOTHING--but your time and energy (come on, how much time and energy does your addiction cost?) I particularly liked this quote, "Just as some obstetricians resent midwives, some addiction treatment professionals looked down on the non-professional AA members in their midst."  (Thanks to Leonard Buschel and his Addiction/Recovery eBulletin for this article.)

Read about why professionals are admitting that the 12 Steps really do work and work well!

Here’s proof that Alcoholics Anonymous is just as effective as professional psychotherapies - The Washington Post: "Studies such as these dramatically reduced the ranks of AA critics among scientists.  AA’s value is still questioned in a few quarters, but as Harvard Professor of Psychiatry John Kelly notes, this is becoming less true as the years go by: “The stronger scientific evidence supporting the effectiveness of AA is relatively new. It takes time for evidence to disseminate into clinical practice as well as into broader society.”"

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