Dalton Hawkins was 18 years old. He lived in Lawrence, was a KU student and died last week. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Hawkins family. The New Tradition Coalition urges this community to talk to, discuss with and lead our young adults so that we may get rid of underage drinking and its related tradegies in Lawrence. Yes, Lawrence, we should and we can. We don't want to lose another Dalton or Jason or Casey.

http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2009/apr/27/alcohol-may-have-been-factor-death-ku-student-who-/

NEW TRADITION MEMBER ELIZABETH SCHEIB

Hi! My name is Elizabeth Scheib. I have two teenaged sons, one in college and one in high school. I am troubled by the risky use of alcohol by our teens. I made plenty of bad choices as a teen, but it seems that the drinking contests and mass consumption that is acceptable and even celebrated by today’s youth is much more dangerous than in previous generations. The consequences of drinking have touched my life personally, giving me a passion to help educate and support others. While our teens are bent on making their own decisions, we can play an important role by providing them with plenty of relevant, fact-based information to encourage them to make the choice not to drink illegally. That is why I want to be a part of the New Tradition Coalition. I want to help other parents learn as much as they can about the effects of drinking, the law, and what is going on in Lawrence so they can become part of a new tradition to reduce underage drinking.

I am also on staff at a local church and I’m encouraged by God’s word. God loves us no matter where we have been and what we have done. And He loves our teens too much to let them go down a path of destruction. He just wants us to turn to Him. Our kids want to be loved and valued and sometimes I feel we spend more time tearing them down instead of building them up. Author, Jim Burns, has a great website that I frequent (http://www.homeword.com/) According to the website, “HomeWord is a Christian organization designed to provide assistance to adults worldwide as they help young people make wise decisions and lead positive, vibrant, Christian lifestyles.” I think that is what God wants us to do as parents, to come alongside them and help them steer through a scary, potentially risky period in their lives. HomeWord has weekly articles, radio broadcasts, Q&A, and other resources to help parents navigate the teenage years. I pray you will be encouraged by what you find on the HomeWord site and empowered by the information on the New Tradition Coalition site.

WHAT DRUGS ARE IN THE TEEN WORLD TODAY?

Times are changing and so are the opportunities to get high these days. Do you wonder what's out there? Are kids really selling their ADD prescriptions at school? Is pot that much stronger than it used to be? Is it grown in basements and homes here in Lawrence? Is my own medicine cabinet a target for teen drug abuse? Do kids get high off of over the counter cough medicine? What kinds of things do kids use to inhale to get high? What are 'skittles'? The number one deterrent for kids doing drugs is parent influence and we need to know the facts. Our children are 50% LESS likely to use if we talk with them, educate and monitor their behavior. How do we start the discussion without knowing the subject? The link below is a table will help you better understand the effects of drugs, what they look like, and how they are used. Share this with your child. It won't teach them to do drugs, it will teach them what drugs can do to them. It will help them be aware and knowledgeable about what's out there - in their world.

http://www.timetotalk.org/Downloads/ttt_drug_chart.pdf

Shelby's Rule: Alcohol + Vomiting = 911

The 'ER' final episode aired on April 2nd including the alcohol poisoning story in memory of Shelby Allen. The Shelby Lyn Allen Alcohol Poisoning Education Fund was established after Aebbie Allen's 17 year-old daughter, an 11th grade student at Foothill High School in Palo Cedro, California died of acute alcohol poisoning. Below is a link to their very informative, powerful and emotional web site that would be great to share with the teens in your life. On this site, there is a unique tip for teens. Make a group text on your cell phone with 5 of your trusted friends and at least one adult. Use this 911 text group to dial for help if you find yourself in trouble. They will be there to spring into action and get the help you need.

http://www.shelbysrules.com/

SAFE HOMES

Will your kid find booze, pills, drugs or parents at their friend's house? Look it up! The New Tradition Coalition is giving you an opportunity to join other parents in a pledge to be vigilant and cooperative when it comes to underage drinking and drug use. Sign the SAFE HOMES PLEDGE on the right and we will publish your name in the SAFE HOMES DIRECTORY on this site. Next time your child wants to go to a friend's house who you do not know, look it up! This will give you a chance to call those parents ahead of time to see if they will be at home and if they are expecting your child to come over. It is also a great chance to say, "Thanks for providing a safe home for our children." Support Alcohol Free Environments" -S.A.F.E. Sign up today.

Parents Worry That 'Alcopops' Encourage Teen Drinking

What are Alcopops? They are alcoholic beverages packaged and flavored to resemble soda pop. They are a drink of choice for young girls. They have an alcohol content of 5 to 8 percent, a little more than most beers. Here's an article from "Forbes" magazine that may shed a little light on this popular trend in teen drinking and what parents have to say in their national survey.

http://www.forbes.com/feeds/hscout/2009/04/07/hscout625855.html

'E.R.' Producer Bases Series Finale on Family Tragedy

Did you see the season finale of 'E.R.' last week? Binge drinking and drinking games were a theme in that episode. Why? In real life, the 17 year old neice of executive producer, John Wells, died of alcohol poisoning. Another good conversation starter for the teens in your life. Talk early, talk often. Read the full article at the link below. http://www.jointogether.org/news/headlines/inthenews/2009/er-producer-bases-series.html

COMMUNITY FORUM EXAMINES STUDENT ALCOHOL USE April 9th 7pm KU Hawk's Nest

Alcohol related fatalities and binge drinking will be the focus during a discussion sponsored by the Drug Policy Forum of Kansas Thursday at 7pm . All Lawrence Community Members are encouraged to attend. It is at the Kansas Union Hawk's Nest. Use your presence and your voice to show your concern. It is not just a KU problem. It is a community problem and it is our chance to show we are looking for a "New Tradition" in Lawrence. For more information about the panelists and the presentation, see the Journal World article link below.

http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2009/apr/06/panel-discussion-ku-focus-alcohol-drug-use/

ASK DIANE ASH, Prevention Specialist, Lawrence High

Dear Diane,

What can teens do BESIDES drink on the weekends in Lawrence? My son tells me
that drinking is the only thing to do and everyone else is doing it!

Click on this link to see Diane's answer. http://www.dccca.org/documents/YADAActivities.pdf

UNDERAGE DRINKING STUNS KC PARENTS

The parent pledge and directory is a helpful tool to let other Lawrence parents know that you do not tolerate underage drinking in your home. The directory is a list of parents who have agreed to provide a safe home for teens. It's an easy way to know where your kids are going- Just look it up! When your child goes over to a new friend's home, call the parents and ask a few questions. "Hey, thanks for having my child over tonight! (This question also verifys that the parent even knows they are having guests.) Since we don't know each other, I just wanted to see how things work over there. Are you going to be home? Do you allow underage drinking in your home? Does anyone have access to guns in your home? Do you check on the kids when they are camped out in the basement rec. room or outside? Do you ask them to say hello and goodbye so you know who's there? Please remind my kid to call me from your home phone when he gets there. Oh, by the way, here's my cell in case you need anything.

Below is a link to a story about some parents who probably didn't check things out. When adults provide and condone underage drinking in their home, the message to teens is - "It must be OK." Is it OK for your teen? Sign the pledge on the right, send it in and let's all get on the same page. If our kids are are so well networked (They can get a party going in 15 minutes.), why shouldn't we be well connected too.

http://www.kansascity.com/105/story/1117753.html

http://www.northlandcoalition.com/pdfs/why21_those_who_host.pdf

MARIJUANA USE WORSENS DEPRESSION

From the Office of National Drug Control Policy. Executive Office of the President.
Some teens feel the need to "self-medicate" to help them cope with difficulties in their lives, boredom or depression. Marajuana is easily accessable in Lawrence and is the drug of choice after alcohol. The temporary high turns to long term lows. Share this with the teens in your life.
http://www.theantidrug.com/pdfs/teen-marijuana-depression-report.pdf

100 Text and IM Shortcuts So You Can Communicate With Your Kids

Hey Parents! It's time to jump on board. We may look over our kid's shoulders while they are IMing (instant messaging) and see a very strange language; POS (parent over shoulder).

We may check out the text messaging history on their phones and see things like LMAF, SYL, WE, 411, BZ and the like when all we know is ASAP! Print off this handy guide and decipher the code. Be aware, that when parents use these abbreaviations it is so uncool. However, it is a really good idea to set yourself up to text, IM, facebook and get "online" with the technology. Why should you be left out of the loop? If you've ever asked yourself, "Should I have my kid's passwords to their accounts?", the answer is a resounding YES! The hard part is to know how many accounts they have. They're all free so, there are definitely decoys out there for parents. Also, the terms of social networking sites (Facebook, My Space...) state that you need to be at least 13 years old to open one. Use this tool if your 12 year old just has to have one. Before your teen gets their own phone or facebook, set out the ground rules ahead of time. Talk about bullying, sexting, preditors, and giving out personal information and giving up their phone or computer if they can't handle it. Then, have fun with it. Social networking is a great way to communicate if it is done smartly.
http://shortcutsleuth.com/family/communication/100-text-and-im-shortcuts-so-you-can-communicate-with-your-kids/