21: Science's limit when it comes to the drinking age

The law of unintended consequences. When Ronald Reagan signed the law that raised the drinking age to 21 he wanted to address a health concern, mainly drunk driving for underage drivers. And the law did help. Fatal crashes involved underage drinkers dropped from 61% in 1982 to only 33% in 1991. But once they made alcohol the forbidden fruit, drinking underage actually increased!

Why? Because kids want what they can't have..they test, they experiment. It is natural and a part of maturing. Read the study. Remember, when you "forbid" something--it makes it all the more intriguing. This same principle apply to the kids you have at home. Be very careful when you "forbid" your kids from doing something and rethink how you present rules. This doesn't mean you don't take stands and tell them how you feel and what your limits are...but consider it carefully understanding how your kids develop.Read this article--it can help give you ideas.

21: Science's limit when it comes to the drinking age - CNN.com: "But while the law did have a significant impact on drinking and driving, it did not stop kids from drinking. In fact, it may have made drinking even more appealing to teens, whose brains naturally seek out risk more than adult brains do -- without considering what the consequences might be.
A survey of students at 56 colleges across the country just a couple years after the legislation passed found that "significantly more under-age students drank compared to those of legal age." This study concluded that "the increase in purchase age appears to have been not only ineffective but actually counter-productive, at least in the short run.""

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Health News - Who will binge-drink at age 16?

Yikes--one aspect of this study surprised me. that was even drinking 2 before 1 could predict binge drinking by 16! I'd like to see some follow up studies--it would be really helpful if such a predictor were true.

Health News - Who will binge-drink at age 16? European teen study pinpoints predictors: "Surprisingly, when developing their model to predict teenage binge-drinking, the scientists found that even 1-2 instances of alcohol consumption by age 14 was sufficient to predict if the teenagers would binge-drink at age 16. Previous research has suggested that the odds of adult alcohol dependence "



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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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