Fears of teen drug and alcohol abuse and other dangerous behaviors have prompted a high school in New York to schedule junior and senior proms for school nights. Students who do not show up for school the day after prom will be unable to make up their academic work, and will not be allowed to participate in sports.

• Pearl River High School administrators scheduled junior prom for a Wednesday night, and senior prom on a Sunday.
  
• This extreme measure is an attempt to curtail excessive partying and drinking that can often last an entire weekend.
• Principal Bill Furdon said after-prom parties were overshadowing the prom itself. Students were leaving the school dance as early as 10 o'clock to go into Manhattan and hit the nightclubs.
  
• Many students enrolled in other schools near New York City do the same, and parents worry about prom events involving too much drinking and excessive spending.
  

Most students at Pearl River High School are unhappy with the new policy, telling administrators that they believe they are being punished for behaviors of classes that went before them.

Furdon noted that this year's juniors and seniors will be treated to a breakfast of eggs, sausage, and bacon the morning after prom, courtesy of the PTA.

Labels: high school, prom, prevention

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Teenagers whose fathers have "one on one conversations" with them are less likely to take up smoking, according to a new study from the Cardiff University School of Medicine.

• Dr. James Rice and his colleagues followed 3,500 children ages 11 to 15 years old, who were part of a three-year study called the British Youth Panel Survey.
  
• At the beginning of the study, none of the participants were smokers.
  
• Three years later, Dr. White found that teens who had regular talks with their fathers were less likely to smoke, after eliminating factors such as arguments with family members, how often the family ate meals together, and so forth.

"This study suggests that a greater awareness of parents' and especially fathers' potential impact upon their teenagers' choices about whether to smoke is needed," said Dr. White, presenting the research before the British Psychological Society's annual conference. "The impact of teenage parenting is relatively un-researched and further research is very much needed."

Labels: tobacco use, smoking

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Harvard University professors have devised a simple test for teenagers to determine if their drinking or drug use is out of control.

The "CRAFT" test looks like this:

C (CAR) - have you ever driven a car after using drugs or alcohol? Have you ever been a passenger in a car driven by someone who had used drugs and alcohol?

R (RELAX) - Do you use a alcohol or drugs to feel better about yourself, to fit in, or to relax?

A (ALONE) - Do you use substances like drugs or alcohol by yourself?

F (FORGET) - After you used drugs or alcohol, do you ever forget what you did?

T (TROUBLE) - After you used drugs or alcohol, have you ever gotten into trouble?

Teens who answered yes to two or more questions either have or are at risk for developing a substance abuse problem. These teens (or someone who cares about them) would be wise to investigate options for the treatment of teen substance abuse issues.

Labels: teenage_drinking, teen_drug_use

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Harvard researchers have reported that alcohol abuse among teen girls and young women may increase the likelihood of developing benign breast lumps later in life.

Denise Mann of WebMD Health News reported on the study in an April 12 article:

Girls were aged 9 to 15 when the Growing Up Today Study began. They answered questionnaires from 1996 to 2001, and then again in 2003, 2005, and 2007. ...

Those participants who drank alcohol six to seven days per week were more than five times as likely to develop benign breast disease as their counterparts who abstained.

The teens and adolescent women who drank three to five days per week had three times the risk of developing benign breast disease as their counterparts who did not drink alcohol, the study showed.

Exactly how alcohol use during the teen years raises risk for benign breast disease is not fully understood, but the researchers speculate that alcohol use may increase levels of the female sex hormone estrogen, which may foster the development of benign lumps, bumps, and cysts in the breasts.

Labels: women, girls, alcohol_abuse, health_problems

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Counselors and other health care professionals spend a lot of time trying to determine how best to protect kids from risky behaviors such as teen drug and alcohol abuse. In a recent study, scientists were surprised to learn that school connectedness is an important protective factor.

Of all the protective factors examined, school connectedness was found to be the strongest protector against substance use, school absenteeism, early sexual initiation, violence, and risk of unintentional injury (such as drinking and driving or not wearing seat belts.) -- Source: TheCW-Channel 69 (Atlanta, GA)

School connectedness also ranked second (behind family connectedness) in importance for preventing emotional distress, eating disorders, and suicidal thoughts. The study also found that students felt more connected at school when teachers and administrators were attentive and engaged, when they had a positive, stable peer group, and when they felt safe at school.

Labels: prevention, drug use, alcohol, schools

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High school juniors and seniors have a laid-back attitude about teen drinking and driving on prom night, according to a new national survey. Ninety percent say that their peers are likely to drink and drive on prom night, yet only 29 percent said that was a reason for concern.

The survey of 2,500 students found similar results for graduation night, with 80 percent saying their peers would drink and drive that night, and only 25 percent expressing concern. Liberty Mutual Insurance conducted the research in conjunction with SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions).

• The survey also found that 36 percent of teenagers report that their parents allow them to attend parties where it is known that alcohol will be served.
• 14 percent reported that their parents have hosted such parties for teenagers.
  
• One in three teens said they often change songs on MP3 players or text messages while driving.
• 25 percent said they talk on the cell phone while driving and drive with multiple passengers. These distractions pose risks for drivers of all ages.

"Newspapers, television, YouTube, and Facebook are rife with tales of tragedy or reckless driving on prom and graduation nights, yet an 'it won't happen to me' attitude continues to be so pervasive among teenagers," said Dave Melton, a spokesperson for Liberty Mutual Insurance Research Institute. "Add to the alcohol factor, distractions like texting or talking on cell phones while driving or the greater likelihood of multiple people in the car, and the crash potential is very real."

Labels: drinking_driving

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A high school junior in upstate New York has dedicated herself to helping fellow students (and parents) fight the scourge of teen substance abuse.

Democrat and Chronicle staff writer Ernst Lamothe Jr. reported on the teen's efforts in a March 30 article on www.rocnow.com:

"Parents shouldn't be hands-off because they have to know what their kids are doing," said Mia [Daniels], 16, a junior at Pittsford Sutherland High School. "I just want to help create community awareness about the issue and support any student who feels pressure themselves."

As a member of the Pittsford Alliance for Substance-Free Youth, she helped figure out strategies parents could use to prevent risky behavior by middle and high school students. ...

Mia has some advice for parents, especially those who plan to host house parties where teens can drink.

"One of the most important things is reminding parents that underage drinking is illegal, plain and simple," she said.

Labels: prevention, schools, students, awareness

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A ten-year study of high school students found that teens who use marijuana on a regular basis are more likely to use drugs and to have psychosocial problems as young adults.

• Researchers in Victoria, Australia, followed 1,943 high school students from age 15 to 24 years old.
  
• The teens who used marijuana occasionally had higher risks for alcohol and tobacco dependence, as well for using illegal drugs as young adults.
  
• These teens were also less likely to go on to college.
  
• The ones who used marijuana at least once a week were at the highest risk for later drug use as young adults.
  
• The researchers concluded that marijuana use in adolescence is a predictor of later drug use and educational problems.

The study appeared in the Journal of Psychiatry.

Labels: teen_drug_use, marijuana, pot

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An April 4 article by Sanne Specht of the Associated Press described one woman's long struggle to free her family -- and protect her children -- from the downward spiral of drug addiction:

Adrianna Poot didn't want to pass on her parents' painful legacy of drug use, child abuse and neglect. But she did.

"I used to stick my daughter in a highchair in the morning when she was 1 or 2 years old," said Poot, of Medford. "I'd give her something to eat, turn on a video and just leave her there. Then I'd go back to bed because I'd been up all night. Doing drugs. Doing whatever." ...

Sobriety lessons learned at OnTrack's Moms Program and Narcotics Anonymous meetings, parenting skills acquired at the Family Nurturing Center and Community Family Court, and insights gained in her Women Against Violence group are all helping Poot become the kind of mother she never had. The kind of mother every child deserves.

"I used to stuff my feelings, and then I'd leak them all over the place," she said. "I never figured out what was really bothering me. Now I'm learning how to manage my feelings."

Labels: mothers, parents, addiction

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A study in the April issue of the Journal of Child and Adolescent Substance Abuse reports that teenagers who use, or have used, crack or cocaine are at significant risk of contracting HIV. These teens report using condoms "rarely" or "never" during sex, putting then at high risk for HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases.

"Unprotected sex is the most common way that HIV is transmitted among teens, so if we can develop a clearer picture of why some kids engage in high-risk sexual behaviors, we will be better prepared to educate them about safe sex," says lead author Marina Tolou-Shams, PhD, of the Bradley Hasbro Childrens Research Center. [Source: Medical News Today]

The study surveyed about 280 teenagers who were participating in psychiatric programs. Dr. Toulou-Shams also believes the link between psychiatric disorders and HIV-risk behavior is important.

As a result of the study, researchers are recommending that medical professionals who treat adolescents talk to them consistently about their drug use and sexual activity, emphasizing the risks involved with both.

Labels: hiv, aids, sex, cocaine, crack

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As research continues to provide increasing evidence that the brain undergoes significant development during the teenage years, pediatricians are being encouraged to talk more honestly with their young patients about teen alcohol and drug abuse. At the same time, doctors are also asking parents to have more frank discussions.

 “Talk with your children about your family’s history of alcohol or drug use. There’s a genetic component to alcoholism, and kids should know if they’re at greater risk of problems. Give your children one-on-one time with the pediatrician. Think of it as their lesson in how to navigate the healthcare system.” (Source: U.S. News and World Report)

Parents should also set firm household policies about drugs and alcohol, making alcohol off-limits until age 21, and drugs off-limits period. It’s also important for parents to model responsible behavior. Have a beer, but don’t get drunk.


 

Labels: teenage_drinking, teen_drug_use, alcohol_abuse, drug use, teenagers

Posted By: Stefanie Hamilton 0 Comments

‘Tis the season. Not for twinkle lights and fat men in red suits, but for proms and graduation. The season is upon us, and while teenagers and their parents have much to celebrate, they have some things to be cautious about, too. With celebration often comes alcohol – but times of celebration are no excuse to justify teen alcohol abuse.

“To help prevent underage drinking, the Family Talk program encourages open, honest communication between parents and children. Developed by an advisory panel of education, family counseling, child psychology and alcohol treatment professionals, Family Talk materials are distributed free to parents and educators…” (Source: Columbus Parent Magazine)

In a 2009 report, 68 percent of kids ages eight to 17 listed their parents as the people who most influenced their attitudes about drinking. The Family Talk program aims to help parents capitalize on their influence. Visit www.familytalkonline.com for more information.

 

Labels: alcohol_abuse, teenagers, celebration

Posted By: Stefanie Hamilton 0 Comments

Experts on drug abuse have known for a long time that teenagers are more susceptible to becoming addicted to drugs than adults. Some studies show that the earlier a person starts to use drugs, the more likely he is to become an addict.

Now a new study of laboratory animals from Beckman Institute at the University of Illinois found that adult mice react differently to cocaine and methamphetamine than adolescent mice.  Young mice were much less sensitive to these drugs' capability of stimulating locomotion; in fact, it was as if the adolescent mice did not even get a dose of the drug, according to lead author Professor Justin Rhodes.

This finding is very significant because it means a teenager's first experience with cocaine or methamphetamine would probably be much less intense and more enjoyable than an adult's.

"There is a lot of data in humans that show a relationship between how your initial response predicts your later use," said Dr. Rhodes.  "If you have a strong reaction to something, then you are less likely to do it again."

He said that further studies are necessary to figure out what it is in the brain that allows adolescence to be less sensitive, because the reasons why they show different sensitivity to drugs has long-term consequences.

The study appeared in the journal Neuroscience.
 

Labels: cocaine, methamphetamine

Posted By: Jane St. Clair 0 Comments