Drugs, Driving, and Teens and Deadly Combination

Posted on September 2, 2010

As teens are learning how to drive and getting their first few years of experience on the road, many of them are also exploring the perceived benefits of illegal drugs. Is it any wonder that the two may become combined? The result is a drugged driver on the road who is not only under the influence of a mind-altering substance, but also lacks any proven experience on the road that may help to avoid disaster.

Risks When Girls Have Enter Early Puberty

Posted on August 31, 2010

Girls who enter puberty at an earlier age are often at risk for behaviors more appropriate for young adults. Because they are developing adult bodies, adults often treat them as equals instead of as children. Though their bodies are maturing early, their psychological age is still intact.

Chewing Tobacco Poses Dangers to Teens

Posted on August 30, 2010

Chewing tobacco, or snuff, may not be as visible a habit as smoking – but it’s just as dangerous, and highly addictive. According to estimates by the Centers for Disease Control, the substance is used by approximately 11 percent of boys in high schools across the country; around 3 percent of youth in middle school; and even a percentage of girls.

Parental Style Affects Likelihood of Heavy Drinking Among Teens

Posted on July 15, 2010

The ongoing problem of teens indulging in drink and drugs often fines parents beside themselves trying to figure out where they may have gone wrong and how to fix the problem moving forward. Unfortunately, according to one study, parents don’t have as much influence as they once thought.

Sleep Disorders in Early Childhood Can Lead to Substance Problems Later

Posted on April 14, 2010

Failing to get enough sleep at night can make for a very long day. A new study has identified another reason to try and get more zzz’s. This study identified a long-term relationship between childhood sleep problems and subsequent alcohol and drug outcomes.

Inhalants More Popular Than Marijuana Among 12-Year-Olds

Posted on March 15, 2010

More 12-year-olds have used potentially lethal inhalants than marijuana, cocaine, and hallucinogens combined, according to data released March 11 by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) in conjunction with the 18th annual National Inhalants & Poisons Awareness Week.

Can Parents Keep their Kids Off Drugs?

Posted on March 9, 2010

Much attention has been given to the role of peers in adolescents’ decisions about substance abuse. Programs focus on peer pressure and the importance of school environment and how extracurricular activities may also play a role in shaping behaviors related to drugs and alcohol.

Skipping School and Using: How Truancy and Substance Abuse Intersect

Posted on March 8, 2010

No parent wants their child to skip or completely discontinue attending school. After all, idle hands are the devil’s tools. Parents worry that truancy leads directly to delinquency, opening the doors to multiple kinds of negative influences.

Drug Addiction Education Essential for Parents and Teens

Posted on February 25, 2010

Crystal meth continues to be a growing problem throughout the country, but most law enforcement and treatment professionals do not expect to find the problem in their own home. In a news post, this is exactly what was reported.

Protecting Your Child From Sexual Predators

Posted on February 10, 2010

Every parent fears what could happen to their children when they’re out of your sight. After all, you can’t be with them every minute of the day. Children go to school, parties, the mall, movies, extracurricular activities – they even play by themselves in the park or on the street. While we can’t always be present, we can help protect our children against sexual predators by instilling sound family values, being open, honest, and trustworthy in our communications, instructing our children in a few basic safety rules, and always being vigilant.

Sexual Predators are Everywhere

When news headlines scream about child abduction, teachers sexually abusing students, sexual abuse by relatives, teens disappearing after agreeing to meet someone they’ve only met online, every parent feels a twinge of fear about their own children. It’s natural, since our children are vulnerable, often defenseless, and we want to step up our efforts to keep such a thing from happening to them. One thing we do know is that we can’t instill fear in our children. That would be counter-productive and could actually lead to stunted emotional growth. We can do some proactive things, however, to give our children guidance on keeping themselves safe.

Law enforcement authorities recommend these simple rules to keep children safe that parents can provide their children, rules that the children should agree to and abide by.