HELP FOR TALKING TO YOUR CHILD

Remember the fried egg? ..."This is your brain on drugs." We were young then - maybe close to the age of our children now. The organization that put that campaign together is the "Partnership for a Drugfree America". It was around before there even was a world wide web. Today, they have a web site that helps parents every day.

The Partnership at Drugfree.org is a nonprofit organization that helps parents prevent, intervene in and find treatment for drug and alcohol use by their children. By bringing together renowned scientists, parent experts and communications professionals, we not only translate current research on teen behavior, addiction and treatment into easy to understand, actionable resources at drugfree.org, but we offer hope and help to the parents of the 11 million teens and young adults who need help with drugs and alcohol.

Their website allows parents to connect with each other, tap into expert advice and find support in their role as hero to their kids.

Suspect that your child is using alcohol or drugs? Check out this link and learn how to deal with it. Lots of great resources and ideas!

http://www.drugfree.org/intervene

PARENTS-ALCOHOL EDU COURSE ONLINE

Universities across the country, including KU, require students to take an AlcoholEdu online course as freshmen. There is now a version for parents to take called AlcoholEdu for high school parents. Although it is called "for high school parents" it is a great tool for parents of younger children as well.

This is a FREE 15-minute Prevention Course designed to help parents have an effective conversation with their son or daughter about underage drinking. This is not your typical resource website.

AlcoholEdu for Parents helps parents to understand Social Host Liability, dispels common incorrect perceptions about underage drinking, assists with strategies and techniques for monitoring and setting rules, gives guidance on what to do if your teen is experimenting, and shares expert advice for dealing with common situations.

I encourage you each to experience it for yourself and share with your friends and colleagues.

Logging in is easy and it is always available!

1. Go to http://highschoolparents.alcoholedu.com
2. Under New User type: share
3. Click “Sign Up”!
Here are a few ideas to distribute to parents you know across Lawrence.

• Promote the course - more than once throughout the year – prevention is a sustained effort.
• Put these instructions on your Website/Facebook Page so it is easy for parents to find them.
• Encourage parents to share with their peers.

Pass it on to other Lawrence Parents - especially those with elementary students. It is never too early to learn how to talk to your kids about alcohol.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE NEW TRADITION COALITION

The New Tradition Coalition has been operating for three years and has already made an impact in our community. Here are some of the things we have been involved in:
Lawrence Social Hosting Laws
Fake ID 101 initiative
S.A.F.E. Homes directory of like minded Lawrence families
Parent Network group with monthly meetings to discuss teen issues.
Web site with parent resources
This Blog site that keeps the community current on underage drinking and substance abuse issues
School, government, health and law enforcement agencies network
And... up to now, we have been unfunded and worked strictly with volunteers.

Because of the hard work of all of our volunteers, we have been awarded a federal "Drug Free Community Grant" that will enable us to move forward on bigger and better programs for Lawrence. Proudly, we are one of 176 recipients and the only one in Kansas. Originally funded by Congress in 1997 with the understanding that local problems need local solutions, the Drug Free Communities (DFC) program now supports over 700 drug-free community coalitions across the United States. As a cornerstone of ONDCP's National Drug Control Strategy, DFC provides the funding necessary for communities to identify and respond to local substance use problems.

Congratulations to all who worked on the grant, who are on the coalition and to the City of Lawrence who will reap the rewards.
http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2010/sep/02/coalition-receives-grant-combat-teen-drug-use-drin/#comments

COMMUNITY DISCUSSION FORUM WEDNESDAY

Mark you calendar for this Wednesday April 7, 2010 for the Third Annual Town Hall Discussion on underage drinking in Lawrence. John Drees has a powerful presentation on a night in the ER. It's real! The Lawrence Police Department will also have a presentation about we they and we all can and are doing to keep our teens safe. Click on the link below for more information.
http://newtraditioncoalition.com/default.aspx

HOME ALONE

Staying Home Alone While Parents Are Away
There are two sides to this issue. Some parents have no problem trusting their teens to stay home when they are away for the weekend, some would never dream of doing that. It just goes to show that teens, parents and families can be as different as their fingerprints. Here is a parenting contract for your personal use that you can print out. Please feel free to use as it or make it your own. At least, it is a good discussion starter. It is always a good idea to tell your neighbors you're leaving and ask someone to watch the house while you are gone.

Parents and Teens Contract: Staying Home Alone While Parents Are Away
I know that being able to stay home alone while my parents are away is a privilege. I respect that my parents love me and want to keep me safe. My parents respect that I am getting older and want the privilege of being able to take care of myself. With that in mind, we agree:

1.I will strictly follow the rules set by my parents for the time that I am home alone.

2.I understand the routine my parents and I have developed and will follow through with it.

3.I understand what to do in case of an emergency.

4.I understand what to do if someone comes to our door.

5.I understand what to do if the phone rings.

6.I know who to call if I need help for minor things and for major things.

7.I know how to contact my parents if I need to.

8.I will not have a party while my parents are away.

9.I will not use illegal substances while my parents are away.

10.I will be where my parents expect me to be, with whom I am expected to be with, the entire time my parents are away.

The consequences for not following through with these expectations and limits are:

SUPPORT PROJECT GRADUATION

Last year, nearly 1/3 of youth under 21 killed in traffic crashes died in alcohol related crashes during April, May and June -- Prom and Graduation

Open the link below for Project Graduation contact information. Support this drug/alcohol free party for all Lawrence graduating seniors.

http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2009/apr/04/graduation-party-give-safe-option-seniors/

LAWRENCE PARENT GROUP MEETINGS

These parent meetings are helpful in two very important ways. They offer powerful information about what is happening in our child's world that we may not be aware of-(being the parent). And, they serve as a way to bring parents out of the isolation of our own families so we can connect and share ideas that will help us all raise healthy adults. Please plan to attend.

Who: ALL PARENTS AND CARE GIVERS ARE WELCOME
Where: Free State High School Library Classroom
When: Wednesday, January 27 - 6-7 PM
What: The Choking Game
RSVP: schiefferus@yahoo.com

Among children and teens, it's a game that consists of getting "high" by causing themselves to pass out. It goes by several different names: "choking game", "pass out game", "fainting game", "dream game", "space monkey", "American dreaming game", "tingle game" or simply "black out." Whatever name it goes by in your neighborhood, the game kills. Protect your loved ones by finding out everything you can about this deadly game. Lawrence parent Carol Wilson will join us for this extremely important discussion. In the meantime, feel free to visit www.8thdayfoundation.org for more information.

NEXT MEETING Thursday, February 25 - 6-7PM Free State High School Library

I have received many requests to discuss kids' use of technology. Facebook, MySpace,Twitter, texting, sexting, etc etc etc -- there's a lot out there for parents to stay on top of, and it can be intimidating and overwhelming. I am partnering with a Lawrence police officer to present to you the latest and greatest information, tools, and techniques to help you navigate. It may be more than we can tackle in one meeting!

PARENT GROUP THURSDAY OCTOBER 22ND

Just a reminder for all Lawrence Parents. Here is a chance to meet other parents and get to know your child's friend's parents better. Join in our lively discussion this month about "TEENS and SEX".
You may find them shocking, but these are the facts about teenage sexual activity:

Ten percent of all 13-year-olds have had sexual intercourse.
50 percent of all teenagers have had sex by the time they enter the 10th grade.
One in every five teenage girls will become pregnant during high school.
Half of all teenagers don't believe oral sex is sex.
By the time they finish high school, two-thirds of all young adults will have become sexually active.

Join us Thursday, October 22 from 6-7 PM, in the Free State High School library classroom for the next Free State Parents Group. We will tackle the difficult topic of teen sex. Get the information and support you need, and use this information to become a force in your child's life and encourage him/her to make good choices!

Please RSVP so I know how many parents to expect.
schiefferus@yahoo.com
See you Thursday!
The New Tradition Coalition and our dedicated friend Dave Schieffer