During the final two weeks of November, the Swiss Institute for the Prevention of Alcohol and Drug Problems (SIPADP) arranged for plush toys in the shape of a yellow dog to be handed out to postal customers as a way of reaching out to children of alcoholic parents.

According to a Nov. 12 article on the Swiss news site swissinfo.ch, the dog is also the star of a book that was written for the SIPADP to help children under the age of 10:

Boby is a dog whose master, Fred, sometimes forgets to feed and pet him  and he doesn't know why. Boby thinks he must have done something wrong to make Fred behave like this. And he is too ashamed to tell other dogs about the problem.

It's only when his friend Felix talks about the experience of another dog and her mistress, and explains that the bottles in the dustbin show that Fred is ill, that Boby realises not only that it isn't his fault, but also that there is hope for Fred. &

The Boby book ... is designed to raise the awareness of anyone who reads it, so they too can play the role of Felix to a child's Boby.

That's why the new campaign is being launched via post offices: local branches, used by most people, are seen as a good way of raising public awareness as a whole about the issue. It is also hoped that greater public understanding will help parents accept their dependence as an illness that can be treated.

Labels: awareness, parents, switzerland, alcoholism, children

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Information about alcohol use is usually focused on teens and college students, and sometimes on middle school students. But six years ago, John Donovan started gathering information about alcohol use among students in fourth through sixth grades.

"In one national survey, for instance, about 10 percent of fourth-graders and 29 percent of sixth-graders said they'd had more than a sip of alcohol. In a survey in New York State, 21 percent of fifth- and sixth-graders reported having a drink of alcohol at some point, including 7 percent who had drunk liquor, as distinct from beer or wine."

Though conclusions are difficult to draw, Donovan hopes the initial information will move people to dig deeper into alcohol trends among younger students. One thing that is known: a person who starts drinking before the age of 15 is five times more likely to have alcohol-related problems later in life.

Teen alcohol abuse can be prevented. Visit DrugRehabTreatment.com to learn how to help your teenager.

Labels: middle_school, children, trends

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Researchers at the Ohio State University looked into 18.6 million visits to doctors by children ages 6 to 12 years who had problems falling asleep. Three-quarters of them received prescription sleep aids that have not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use by children.

"The concern with sleep medications is that we do not know how much to use and how long to use these drugs for children," said Professor Milap Nahata of the College of Pharmacy in Columbus. He and his colleagues collected data recorded between 1993 and 2004 by the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey.

A 2004 study from the National Sleep Foundation found that about 60% of children under age 11 have trouble sleeping. Dr. Nahata's study appears in the August 1 issue of Sleep.

Learn more about teenage drug abuse and other issues facing today's teens at Teen-Help-Directory.com.

Labels: sleep, children, prescription_drugs

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Officials in some areas of New Zealand are finding that kids are being lured into drug experimentation at increasingly younger ages.

"Their observation comes after a shocking incident... in which seven children from Simla Primary School in Shallcross overdosed on Ecstasy. It is believed that one of the seven pupils took the drugs from a home to a school function."

Official say that children as young as 11 and 12 are experimenting with drug and alcohol use, and nearly half of those abuse multiple substances.

The Substance Abuse section of the Teen-Help-Directory offers information for parents about teen drug and alcohol abuse.

Labels: schools, children, experimentation

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Police and substance abuse officials in western states are beginning to report the appearance of candy-flavored methamphetamine. Strawberry, chocolate, and cola are among the flavors being marketed to younger people.

"They [meth dealers] are having a tough time selling this product, especially to younger people. What do people in marketing do when they have a tough time selling a product? They have to come up with some sort of gimmick."

It's believed that meth dealers hope to increase the drug's appeal, and make it seem less dangerous by making it smell and taste like candy. Read more at USAToday.com.

Labels: meth, children, marketing

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Sober College, a private institution in South Carolina, has released a handbook that gives parents signs to watch for which indicate their child may be abusing drugs. The handbook also shares treatment solutions.

"'Everyday I am asked by parents if there is a way to really tell if their child is using and abusing drugs. The answer is a definitive YES!'"

Sober College released the handbook at a 'Bridging the Gap' meeting at Agoura High School. Read more online.

Labels: parents, children, signs

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