A site for parents and teens who want to be better informed about
drug abuse and addiction as it affects young people today.
parents
Binge Drinking Continues to Pose Problems for Teenagers
Posted on September 15, 2011
Teen binge drinking is becoming more common as parents believe that by allowing their teenagers to drink at home, they are actually safeguarding them. Binge drinking is defined as the consumption of the equivalent of four or more alcoholic drinks.
Brief Talks with Teens May Reduce Marijuana Use
Posted on June 28, 2011
Nearly one-third of high-school students in the United States have smoked marijuana, and most say the drug is easy to find. Many people believe that marijuana isn’t dangerous or addictive. But researchers disagree.
Teens Who Drink Spend More Time on the Internet
Posted on May 9, 2011
Is your teen spending too much time on the computer? New research has found that teens who drink alcohol spend more time on their computers for recreational use (such as social networking and downloading music) than their peers who don’t drink.
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.
Family Hardships Can Lead to Cannabis Use Disorders
Posted on December 9, 2009
One in five Australian young people experience a cannabis use disorder, according to a University of Queensland (UQ) and Mater Hospital study published today in the American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse. The findings also reveal the characteristics of those who are more likely to experience a cannabis use disorder.
Studies Link Parental Monitoring with Decreased Teen Marijuana Use
Posted on November 17, 2009
With 42 percent of high-school seniors admitting to having experimented with marijuana, it has become the most widely used illicit drug by adolescents. Repeated marijuana use may result in a number of serious consequences, including depression, cognitive impairment, cardiovascular disease, and certain forms of cancer. As such, it is critical to prevent marijuana use by adolescents, and numerous behavioral and medical scientists have been trying to establish the best means of prevention.
Program Proves Adult Influence Can Help Reduce or Prevent Teen Smoking
Posted on August 24, 2009
While the war against substance use and abuse rages on, the attacks on the use of tobacco have grown more intense. Now, research is demonstrating that parents play a key role in the way their teens will approach the use of tobacco.
Long Island Sheriffs to Inform Parents of Their Children’s Traffic Stops
Posted on August 7, 2009
Suffolk Sheriff Vincent DeMarco joined Legislator Brian Beedenbender and Mothers Against Drunk Driving president Denna Cohen to launch a program to notify parents when law enforcement officers stop their children on the roads.
Through Sheriffs Telling Our Parents and Promoting Educated Drivers, families can register their cars with the sheriff’s department, who will supply red windshield decals to alert officers to contact the parents of young drivers whenever they are stopped by law enforcement officials.
Tips for Hosting a Safe Party for Your Teen
Posted on July 13, 2009
An article on CollegeKidsinCrisis.com advises that if you’re hosting a gathering for your teen, you must avoid being a friend and focus on your role as a parent. The article also gives the following tips to help you through the process:
It’s important to set expectations with your teen ahead of time. Make sure he or she knows that you will not allow alcohol or drugs of any kind at the party, and make sure this is communicated to all guests. Inform your neighbors of the party and ask that they keep an eye out for suspicious behavior.
