Male college students are more likely to commit property crimes and abuse substances than males of the same age not enrolled in universities, according to a new study from Bowling Green University.

For purposes of the study, "college student" was defined as a male enrolled in a four-year university program.

Peggy Giordano and Stephen Cernkovich, using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, examined information about 9,245 middle and high school students. The college-bound students had lower levels of criminal activity and substance abuse in grades 7 through 12 than the non-college-bound, but they did worse than the other group once they enrolled in universities.

Labels: boys, college_students, risky_behaviors

The vast majority of teenagers who use drugs do it to relieve school stress, not to have fun, according to a new survey from the Partnership for a Drug-Free America. That will surprise most parents. Only 7 percent of parents marked "school pressures" as a reason for teens to use drugs compared to 73 percent of teens in the survey.

The Partnership, a non-profit cooperation between parents, educators, and media professionals, surveyed 6,511 teens and parents.

"A wide disconnect exists between what teens are thinking and feeling and what parents believe about their teens when it comes to attitudes about drug use," according to Steve Pasierb, CEO of the Partnership.

The other reasons teens give for using drugs are "to feel cool" (65%) or to "feel better about myself" (65%). One in five teenager has abused prescription drugs, and over 40 percent believe they are safer to use than illegal ones. The most commonly abused prescription drugs are painkillers like OxyContin.

Labels: drug_use, peer-pressure, stress

What is the best solution to underage drinking? Some parents choose to address the problem by hosting parties in their homes; believing that - since kids are going to drink anyway - it's better if they're drinking in a safe environment.

"Skeptical this is a widespread problem? A 2006 survey by the National Center of Addiction and Substance Abuse at New York's Columbia University found that 28 percent of teen partygoers surveyed said they had attended parties where parents were present and teens drank."

Adults who provide alcohol to underage drinkers can be fined thousands of dollars and even spend time in jail. Studies show that early drinking is strongly linked to alcohol dependence later in life. Teens don't need "cool" parents who will let them drink, but strict, law-abiding parents who will put alcohol use in proper perspective. Source: Hanover (NJ) Eagle

Labels: parental_involvement, role_models, tolerance

South Dakota Governor Mike Rounds has announced that September is "Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month." Several events are planned throughout the month, and recovery booths will be set up on college campuses throughout the state.

"This past year in South Dakota, 14,986 individuals sought recovery from some form of addiction. If an individual is interested in seeking recovery from alcoholism, drug addiction or gambling addiction, there are 61 providers across South Dakota to assist them in recovery."

Additional activities will include a "Fun Night" in the city of Mitchell for people who are recovering from alcohol or drug addiction. Source: State News Web

Drug Rehab Resources

Labels: addiction, college_students, recovery

In Port St. Joe, Florida, a group of parents and teenagers gathered to discuss the dangers of teenage drinking. The town-hall-style meeting was coordinate and hosted by the Gulf County Substance Abuse Coalition.

"In the coalition's third town hall meeting this year, participants shared their thoughts on such topics as why students drink, where they obtain alcohol, the consequences of drinking and law enforcement's response. Teens and adults divided into separate discussion groups and reunited at meeting's end to review the responses."

Six teenagers attended the meeting and told adults that most teens get alcohol from friends or other people who are 21 or older. They also warned parents and teachers that drinking during school hours is more prevalent than they realize. Source: The Star (Gulf County, FL)

Labels: alcohol_abuse, schools, underage_drinking

H & S Business Services, LLC, will begin offering home drug tests for parents who are concerned that their teenagers may be using drugs.

"In-home drug testing offers a discreet solution to a sensitive issue. In many ways drugs are easier to procure than ever before. With the relative ease to which teens can get drugs in schools, many are suggesting that even schools should introduce random drug testing..."

H & S also offers drug testing kits and other solutions on its website, and is available to address educational, civic, and other groups on drug-related topics. Source: PR Web

Labels: access, availability, drug_testing

Teenagers say that it's easier for them to get prescription drugs than it is for them to buy beer. The information was taken from a recent study conducted by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA).

"Their main source of drugs such as OxyContin, Percocet, Vicodin and Ritalin: 'the medicine cabinet,' says Elizabeth Planet, director of special projects for CASA. 'Another big source of these drugs are their friends.'"

Teenagers still say that cigarettes and marijuana are the easiest substances to get, but for the first time, prescription drugs are easier than beer. Source: USA Today

Learn more about adolescent prescription drug abuse at www.teenoverthecounterdrugabuse.com.

Labels: access, awareness, prescription_drugs

A recently released study from the Partnership for a Drug-Free America found that 73 percent of teenagers reported school stress is the main reason for adolescent drug use. The study found deep disconnects between teenagers and their parents in understanding the factors that lead to drug use.

"Only 7 percent of parents believe that teens might use drugs to cope with stress. 'A wide disconnect exists between what teens are thinking and feeling and what parents believe about their teens when it comes to attitudes about drug use,' said Ohio Department of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services Director Angela Cornelius Dawson."

The study marks a dramatic shift in the reasons teenagers use drugs. In previous studies, 65 percent of teens said they'd used drugs to "feel cool." Source: The Toledo Journal

Labels: drug_abuse, influences, stress

Danny was in eighth grade when he first got hooked on drugs. He started with the Ritalin that had been prescribed him for ADHD by crushing and snorting it. Then he started stealing other medications from his mother.

"By the time Danny was a sophomore in high school, he was using cocaine and crystal meth. One morning when he was 19, he woke up vomiting and hung over as usual. 'I just broke,' he said. 'I was wholeheartedly ready to stop.'"

Now, two and a half years later, Danny is clean, even after being prescribed Vicodin following extensive back surgery. Coming out of the surgery was a "huge turning point," making Danny realize how far he'd come and how much he'd gained since giving up drugs and alcohol. Source: San Francisco Chronicle

Labels: abuse, parental_involvement, prescription_drugs

A recent U.S. study set out to discover whether sports stadiums sell alcohol to underage drinkers. Researchers discovered that many do.

"Nearly one in five people posing as underage drinkers, and three out of four people pretending to be drunk fans were able to buy alcoholic beverages at professional sporting events, according to the findings, published Wednesday in the journal Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research."

The study sent decoys into 16 sports stadiums in five states where they tried to buy alcohol both in the stands and at a booth. For most, buying alcohol in the stands was easier. Source: Whistler Magazine

Labels: alcohol_abuse, alcohol_sales, underage_drinking

When school officials found heroin in a student's car, they thought they were dealing with an isolated incident. But in the past four years, six Portage Public School students have died from a heroin overdose as the result of a steadily growing drug network.

"No hard numbers are available, but officials, parents and users estimate up to 30 Portage teenagers have been part of the drug network over the past few years...Some families have found their credit cards stolen and belongings pawned by their children who were in search of money to maintain a heroin habit."

In response, Portage schools have overhauled their drug enforcement program, implementing changes that include monthly visits by drug-sniffing dogs, harsher penalties for possession of drugs, and regular substance abuse information meetings for staff and parents. Source: Kalamazoo Gazette

Labels: heroin, public_schools, trends

Drinking and partying, according to many, is just "part of the college experience." And some believe that the 21-year-old drinking age keeps collegiate alcohol use hidden and hard to deal with, so they're proposing lowering the legal age to 18 years old.

"MADD [Mothers Against Drunk Driving] is urging parents to reconsider the safety of schools whose presidents want to re-evaluate the 21-year-old drinking age..."

Studies have shown that up to 40 percent of college students have some symptoms of alcohol abuse. One educator believes that problem won't be eliminated by a lower drinking age. Source: WWAY3 News Channel (Wilmington, NC)

Labels: binge_drinking, drinking_age, underage_drinking

School districts in Connecticut have had to face the fact that drug use is increasing among middle- and high-school students. In light of that fact, school districts are determining the best ways to respond.

"...Trumbull Public Schools and other school districts require students to take breath tests before they enter a school dance... The Darien Public School system is considering giving its middle- and high-school students a survey next year to find out about issues facing them, including substance abuse."

Districts also work with local drug coalitions and some schools employ full-time substance abuse counselors. Source: The Connecticut Post

Labels: drug testing, public_schools, schools

The National Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Program in Trinidad is hosting several breakfasts in an attempt to forge alliances among the media, sports personalities, and others in the fight against drug abuse.

"...the objective of the breakfast meeting was to 'sensitize the media to the work of NADAPP and to obtain their assistance in promoting Substance Abuse Education and Prevention.'... This breakfast meeting is just one of several stakeholder engagement initiatives that form part of NADAPP's current drive to deepen and strengthen its partnership with the NGO and Private Sectors in the fight against drugs."

Members of the media were encouraged to use their 24/7 access to listeners to expose the harsh realities of drug use, rather than making it sound "cool" or fun. Source: Newsday (Trinidad & Tobago)

Labels: influences, peers, prevention