SAFE SUMMER FOR TEENS

Teens More Likely to Start Using Drugs in Summer

Statistics show that youthful experimentation with drugs, tobacco, and alcohol is most likely to occur during unsupervised times and during summer vacation.
Visit this web site for good parenting tips: http://view.exacttarget.com/?j=fe6916707760037f7616&m=fefe1575716403&ls=fdf8127576640d7c7117707d&l=fec21677746d037e&s=fdf415757d64067570117777&jb=ffcf14&ju=fe241673716c057f7d1378

Obama, Congress Act to Protect Kids, Save Lives

Smoking kills more people than alcohol, AIDS, car crashes, illegal drugs, murders, and suicides combined -- and thousands more die from other tobacco-related causes -- such as fires caused by smoking (more than 1,000 deaths/year nationwide) and smokeless tobacco use. The federal government just passed a law that keeps tobacco companies from targeting kids. The link below outlines the new law.

http://www.tobaccofreekids.org/reports/fda/index.shtml?utm_source=homel&utm_medium=home&utm_campaign=fda_passage

TALKING ABOUT DRUGS AND ALCOHOL WITH YOUR CHILDREN.

It can be a hard task to talk to your children about drugs and alcohol. Watch this video and you'll hear some very familiar words from other parents. Learn more about the teenage brain. Sign up for the Partnership for a Drug-Free America. This site has lots of tools we parents can use when talking to our teens.

http://www.drugfree.org/teenbrain/tools/powerofdrugs/index.html

Lawrence Adopts Social Hosting Law

The state of Kansas passed a new social hosting law that goes into effect on July 1st. It's purpose is to crack down on underage drinking at house parties by holding the "host" responsible. The Lawrence city commission made an unprecedented, unanimous vote last night to pass a Lawrence-specific ordinance that goes beyond the Kansas ordinance and will likely improve its enforceability here. Thanks to the District Attorney, KUPD, LPD, City Prosecutor and Jen Brinkerhoff at DCCCA for working on this ordinance. Thank you to The New Tradition Coalition and the Lawrence City Commissioners for its support. You can read the Lawrence Journal World article below for more.

http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2009/jun/17/keg-party-crackdown/

Sleep Deprivation in Teens

If teens don't get enough sleep, it could set them up for many health problems. A recent National Institutes of Health study shows teens who do not get enough sleep have a much higher chance of being depressed or suicidal. Some teens turn to drugs to compensate for lack of sleep- from Red Bull, Monster, and other caffeine drinks, to No Doze, psychostimulants (ADD medications) or amphetamines. Many teens go to sleep with their cell phones on and texting could go on all night. Others spend hours on facebook until the wee hours. Parents can help our teens by monitoring the use of electronics and TV when it comes to getting a good night's sleep. Check out the link for this "USA Today" and "NY Times" articles and below.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2009-06-09-bedtime-teen-depression_N.htm

http://parentingteens.about.com/b/2009/05/30/texting-affecting-your-teens-health.htm

ADOLESCENT BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR – Why do teens act this way?

The part of the brain which controls reasoning and impulses – known as the Prefrontal Cortex – is near the front of the brain and does not fully mature until the age of 25.

Unfortunately, developing brains may be more prone to damage. This means that experimentation with drugs and alcohol can have lasting, harmful effects on your teen’s health.

Want to know more? Visit http://www.drugfree.org/teenbrain/science/behavior.html This site is full of helpful information to discuss and share with your teen.

LAWRENCE JOURNAL WORLD MAY 6, 2009

Take a look at this article and spot on Channel 6 about The New Tradition Coalition. We invite anyone interested to visit our meetings on the 1st Wednesday of each month, DCCCA Clinton Pkwy & Kasold and see the work we are doing. Brown Bag Lunch at 1130AM. Hope to see you there.
COALITION OF PARENTS WORKING TO ADDRESS UNDERAGE DRINKING
By Jesse Fray
Lawrence must take a stand against underage drinking: that was the message from one local group. As Kansas University works to curb underage drinking, there’s a group of concerned parents and community members involved in the same fight.
The New Tradition Coalition, formerly the Lawrence Parent Network, has been working for about five years to address the issue, by involving parents to prevent underage drinking tragedies.

http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2009/may/06/coalition-parents-working-address-underage-drinkin/

COMMUNITY HEALTH FORUM and FAIR

The 1st Community Health Forum and Fair was held at the 9th Street Baptist Outreach Center on May 30, 2009. It was organized by the members of the Health and Wellness Ministry including Dr. J. Kenoly, First Lady Carmen White and, Chrystal Lumpkins, PhD. Discussions included Substance Abuse and Prevention, Mental Health, Nutrition, Weight Loss and Exercise, Smoking Cession, Diabetes Support and Health Maintenance. There were screenings for Blood Pressure and Blood Sugar. And, everyone got a pedometer to promote walking 10,000 steps a day.

Health and Wellness Ministry members strive to promote programs focused on providing health education, wellness and health risk reduction to empower members to become more active in caring for their physical, mental, and emotional health in addition to their spiritual health. On May 30th, they did just that. Congratulations for a wonderful program!

Marijuana #2 Drug Choice Among Teens in Douglas County

There are many signs of marijuana use to be aware of. We have listed numerous below to help in determining if someone you care for may be using marijuana.
Signs of Marijuana addiction: Paraphernalia, eye drops, air freshener, Dilated (large) pupils Cigarette rolling papers Seeds that have been cleaned from marijuana Smell on clothing, in room, or in car Bloodshot eyes Sleepy appearance Reduced motivation Pipes, bongs, homemade smoking devices (you may see sticky residue from burned marijuana)Anxiety Difficulty thinking Distorted sensory perceptions Dry mouth Euphoria (temporary feelings of elation, energy and limitless power) Feeling sluggish Grandiosity (acting in a pompous or boastful manner) Impaired judgment Impaired short-term memory Inappropriate laughter Increased heart rate Increased appetite, craving sweets Reduced coordination Temporary feelings of reduced anxiety or stress Sadness/depressed mood Sensation that time is passing slowly Social withdrawal and isolation Discolored fingers Sleepiness
Marijuana is usually smoked using cigarette rolling papers, a purchased water bong, or a makeshift bong that can be made from a variety of items. Hash can be smoked or eaten, and is sometimes cooked into baked goods. Generally it can be difficult to recognize the signs of marijuana addiction if you don't see the individual after smoking when they are still experiencing the effects of the drug.
Slang terms for marijuana: Weed, ganga, bud, IZM, jive stick, Kentucky blue, Ju-Ju (marijuana cigarette), kiff, kilter, Lakbay diva, laughing grass, light stuff, binky (cigarette), macon, magic smoke, blanket (cigarette), Mary and Johnny, Mary Jane, Mary Jonas, Mary Warner, Mary Weaver, meg, meggie, mow the grass (to smoke), moving the lawn (smoking marijuana), bowl, broccoli, budda, oboy, OJ, butter flower, pine, cannabis, Queen Ann's lace, root, rope, sasfras, sen, shrimp, siddi, crying weed, spliffy (cigarette), splim, dinkie dow, duros, tin (pipe made out of tinfoil, container), toke (to smoke), wheat, gage, gash, wooz, yeh, yellow submarine, zol, Greta, griff, grogged (extremely stoned), gungun, herb