Some experts say these softening attitudes come from exposure to the idea of marijuana being used as medicine. Because this drug has been labeled a medicine, the perception among many youth is, “It’s a medicine and therefore it’s safe.” Another common misconception heard among youth is, “There are two kinds of marijuana; there’s the good kind that is used as medicine and then there’s the street kind used only to get high.” Not true: It is all one in the same.

While the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved this drug for medicinal purposes, some states have accepted the use of marijuana as medicine legally, and many others are debating it. No matter your location, marijuana as medicine is being talked about. And you can bet our nation’s youth are discussing it too. Despite the myths they are hearing, marijuana does not cure cancer, restore sight, nor has it been proven safe or beneficial to anyone’s health.

Here’s what we do know and what your child should too:

• Marijuana is the most widely used illicit drug among youth. It is highly accessible and available.
• Today’s marijuana is much more potent and addictive than marijuana of the 70’s or 80’s.
• Marijuana negatively impacts judgment, memory, concentration, coordination and reaction time.
• It increases blood pressure, heart rate and the risk for additional drug use.
• Marijuana is associated with increased accidents and crime and contrary to popular belief, marijuana use is linked to anxiety and depression.

Worried this conversation will stir up uncomfortable questions from your children about your experience, or lack of, with marijuana? The best response is an honest one, even if you have used it in the past. While there is no need to reveal every detail, admitting your mistakes can serve as a teachable moment and can go a long way in opening the lines of communication and trust with your child.

Not sure where you stand on the issue of marijuana as medicine? We encourage you to learn more so that you can provide a firm foundation of belief for your children. If you are unsure where you stand on this subject, more than likely, your children will be too. If you are not providing your children with the answers they seek, they will figure it out from someone else, potentially opening the door to adolescent experimentation.

Use this conversation as another opportunity to reinforce your expectations for your children to not use marijuana, regardless of what they may be hearing in the media or from friends.

Talk honestly and openly. Provide the facts. Dispel the myths. Make clear your stance. 

Sources: Drug-Free Action Alliance (2011). Know! The Facts and Make Clear Your Stance on Marijuana. Retrieved from http://drugfreeactionalliance.org/know/parent-tips, National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), Monitoring the Future, 2010. USA Today: Are today’s parents going too soft on kids using marijuana?, 2011.

According to Joseph A. Califano, Jr. (author of How to Raise a Drug-Free Kid), when it comes to influencing our children, the most important facet is our own conduct. Califano says that children are much more impacted by what they see us do than what they hear us say. In other words, our actions speak louder than our words.

The holiday season presents an ideal opportunity to put your positive influence into practice. Here’s the scenario: You are at a family gathering with your children. The party’s host offers you a beer or glass or wine. Your children are tuned in for your response. What do you do and how can you make this a positive parenting moment?

If you are recovering from alcohol dependence or addiction, the best answer is a straight, “No thank you,” with no further explanation needed.

If you are responsible for driving yourself, your children or anyone else home after the party, teaching by example, you also should not drink. And when you make that positive choice, let your children hear it, “No thanks, I’m driving tonight.” Then let your children see your words in action. As you enjoy the evening, you will also be conveying the message that you do not have to have an alcoholic drink in hand to have a good time.

Now say your spouse or another adult is your family’s designated driver for the evening and you do choose to have an alcoholic beverage. Number one, you don’t have to be a nondrinker to be a good parent. Number two, you can use this choice as an opportunity to teach your children about responsible consumption, so long as you stay within your limits. However, proceed with caution, because your children are watching, learning and forming their attitudes and beliefs based largely on your behavioral choices.

Parents, we have the power to influence our children to make healthy, lifestyle choices when it comes to alcohol, tobacco and other drugs. Give them the gift that keeps giving; the gift of our positive influence.

For information on determining your individual alcohol limitations, visit http://rethinkingdrinking.niaaa.nih.gov/

Sources: Joseph A. Califano, Jr., How to Raise a Drug-Free Kid: The Straight Dope for Parents. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: Traffic Safety Facts

Most leftover and expired medicines can be thrown in the household trash, and a few can be flushed down the toilet. But I suggest taking advantage of the growing number of community-based “take-back” programs that offer a safer disposal alternative. These convenient, cost-effective programs allow the public to bring unused drugs to a central location for proper disposal. The drop-off locations vary across the country. Many are at police departments. Others are at temporary places like pharmacies and community centers. All of them use secure equipment and strict procedures to prevent theft or diversion.

Unfortunately, many communities still don’t have permanent programs to properly dispose of waste medications. As a result, many consumers keep prescribed drugs in their medicine cabinets and other places for a long time, not knowing how to get rid of them properly.

According to the Food and Drug Administration, the following steps need to be taken to dispose of unused medication:

• Follow any specific disposal instructions on the drug label or patient information that accompanies the medication. Do not flush prescription drugs down the toilet unless this information specifically instructs you to do so.
• If no instructions are given on the drug label and no take-back program is available in your area, throw the drugs in the household trash, but first:
• Take them out of their original containers and mix them with an undesirable substance, such as used coffee grounds or kitty litter. The medication will be less appealing to children and pets, and unrecognizable to people who may intentionally go through your trash.
• Put them in a sealable bag, empty can, or other container to prevent the medication from leaking or breaking out of a garbage bag.

Hopefully, it won’t be too long before take-back programs reach most corners of the country. This will address the real concern that teens could misuse these very accessible drugs. Until that happens, let’s all make sure we clean out the medicine cabinets and get potentially dangerous leftover drugs out of our homes.

Another national take-back day is planned for this Saturday, October 29. Visit the DEA website to find upcoming events in your area.

*Perry, K. (2011). Take-Back Programs Offer Safe Disposals of Prescription Drugs. Retrieved from http://www.drugfree.org/join-together/prescription-drugs/take-back-programs-offer-safe-disposals-of-prescriptiondrugs

The CASA Columbia family dinners report revealed that teens who have infrequent family dinners are likelier to say they have ready access to alcohol, prescription drugs (without a prescription in order to get high) or marijuana. Compared to teens who have frequent family dinners, those who have infrequent family dinners are more likely to be able to get alcohol, prescription drugs or marijuana in an hour or less. In contrast, teens who have frequent family dinners are more likely to report having no access to such drugs.

The CASA Columbia family dinners report reveals that 58 percent of teens report having dinner with their families at least five times a week, a proportion that has remained consistent over the past decade.

“This year’s study reinforces the importance of frequent family dinners,” said Joseph A. Califano, Jr., CASA Columbia’s Founder and Chairman and former U.S. Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare. “Ninety percent of Americans who meet the medical criteria for addiction started smoking, drinking, or using other drugs before age 18. Parental engagement in children’s lives is key to raising healthy, drug-free kids and one of the simplest acts of parental engagement is sitting down to the family dinner. Seventeen years of surveying teens has taught us that the more often children have dinner with their families the less likely they are to smoke, drink or use drugs.”

Remember!

Whether you’re cooking a gourmet meal, ordering food from your favorite take-out place or eating on the go, rest assured that what your kids really want during dinnertime is YOU! Family meals are the perfect time to talk to your kids and to listen to what’s on their mind.  The more often kids eat dinner with their families, the less likely they are to smoke, drink or use drugs.

Source: CADCA (2011). Teens Who Eat at Family Dinners Less Likely to Drink, Smoke and Use Marijuana. Retrieved from http://www.cadca.org/resources/detail/teens-who-eat-family-dinners-less-likely-drink-smoke-and-use-marijuana

Four key areas of common concern: Academics, Athletics, Appearance & After-School Activities

ACADEMICS: Am I smart enough? Can I handle more homework? What will my teacher and parents expect of me?
ATHLETICS: Am I good enough to compete? Am I big enough, fast enough, strong enough? What will my coach and teammates expect of me?
APPEARANCE: Am I good-looking enough? Are my clothes fashionable? What will people think of me?
AFTER-SCHOOL ACTIVITIES: Who will I hang out with? What will they expect of me and how will I be treated? Will I get pressure to drink, smoke or use other drugs?

While parents cannot expect to eliminate all of their child’s worries, you can and should take into consideration your child’s potential concerns and do what you can to help ease back-to-school anxieties.

• Explain to your child that it is normal to feel nervous about heading back to school.
• Take advantage of open house opportunities to visit the school so that your child can get a lay of the land and meet (or get reintroduced to) teachers, coaches and some peers in advance.
• Be optimistic but realistic when communicating your academic expectations with your child.
• Start working toward the school sleep schedule in advance with earlier bedtimes and earlier rise times (knowing your preteen/teen should be getting 8-10 hours of sleep each night).
• Encourage participation in sports, clubs and other group activities based on his/her interests, not based on what will please others.
• Build your child’s self-esteem with praise and encouragement. Remind your child that he/she is loved and valued and his/her feelings and opinions matter.
• When it comes to drinking, smoking or using other drugs, remind your child, “You are your own person, capable of making decisions based on your morals and values and what is right for you, regardless of others’ decisions.”

Open the lines of communication with your children, and keep them open, reassuring them that you are their support system and their sounding board. Be available to talk, listen and discuss.

2)   Reward good behavior
Studies show that positive reinforcement is more effective in keeping kids off drugs than preachy ultimatums.  Remember to praise your children when they make independent positive decisions and fend off peer pressure.

3)   Clean out your medicine cabinet
Everyday 2,500 teens use a prescription drug to get high for the first time.  Do your part by monitoring your medications and properly disposing of all medications that you no longer use.  Drop boxes are available in the lobby of many Police Departments; this is the best way to get rid of unwanted medicine.

4)   Donate sports equipment
Organizations such as The Boys and Girls Club of America, who aim to keep kids out of trouble, can always use more sports equipment.  BGCA provide a safe place for youth, which involve positive activities.  Having equipment such as soccer balls, basket balls or volleyballs gives kids an activity they can enjoy while also getting some exercise.

5)  Download the EZ Shopper plug-in
Download the EZ Shopper plug-in at shop.drugfree.org/shop.apps.  When you shop on line, you are supporting more than 300 participating stores, including Target and Staples, who donate 15% of the sale to The Partnership at Drugfree.org.  Donated funds support anti-drug messaging to our youth.

6)   Pledge – Sign the Contract for Life
Commit to honest and open talks with your kids about alcohol and other drugs.  Sign the Contract for Life at sadd.org, created by Students Against Destructive Decisions.  Print the SADD conversation guide to jump-start your first talk with your child.  Teens who learn about the dangers of drug and alcohol use from their parents are 50% less likely to use drugs.

Resources:
Test your IQ:  getsmartaboutdrugs.com
Properly dispose of medications: smartmovessmartchoices.org
Find a Boys and Girls Club near you:  bgca.org

We hope your staff will refuse to sell alcoholic beverages to our underage buyer. In an effort to achieve that goal, we will be offering a server training class for you and your employees.   This program will provide information and tools to help your employees learn how to properly check identification, ensure that they know the law, their responsibilities and their rights.  The TIPS/Server Training class will be held on:

DATE: Saturday, August 20, 2011

TIME: 9am – 1pm

LOCATION: Boise Police Department, 333 N. Mark Stall Place, Boise, ID 83704

To register, enclose a check for $22.00, payable to DrugFree Idaho, along with the completed registration form below and mail to:

 DrugFree Idaho, 333 N. Mark Stall Place, Boise, ID 83704

In addition, please be aware that the results of ongoing compliance checks become public information, which may be publicized by the local news media.

Thank you for your continued efforts to ensure the responsible sales of alcoholic beverages.

DOWNLOAD REGISTRATION FORM

For more information or to register
Call Us at 208-570-6404 or Contact Us

 
Each day communities are facing drug and alcohol related problems at an alarming rate. Whether it is youth or adults, drugs are being ingested, snorted, huffed, concealed, sold and smoked every day. Also, new alcoholic beverages, mixers and concealment methods are coming onto the market everyday. Most drug abusers frequently show signs and /or symptoms through their eyes, demeanor, clothing, and slang terms. Due to the lack of knowledge of the different alcoholic drinks more youth are finding ways to access the different alcoholic beverages and in some cases consume them right in front of you. One question you need to ask yourself? Can you identify over the counter items, prescription drugs, inhalants, OTC medicines, synthetic drugs, clothing, energy drinks, whipped cream, milk, dilated pupils and other physical indicators? Well, this is only the beginning. This two day class will provide over 100 visual aids, a walk-through of a “mock” bedroom, and give you more information than you can believe.

Who Should Attend:
Educators, Law Enforcement, SRO’s, Coalitions, Probation Officers, Prevention, Parents and Community Members

Course Credits Available
Download Flier for more information

When:
August 4 and 5, 2011
9:00AM -8:30PM

Where:
Boise Hotel (formerly Holiday Inn)
3300 S. Vista Ave.
Boise, Idaho

Cost:
$100 Early Bird Registration (On or after July 2nd – $150 per person)

Contact / Payment Info:
Checks (only) Payable:
J. Chad Professional Training
P.O. Box 170121 Boise, Idaho 83717
Phone (208) 371-1283
Fax (208) 922-1328
Email: jermaine@tallcopsaysstop.com

Download Flier for more information

The Dynamics of Getting High:
An In Depth Look Into
Youth, School & Community Alcohol and Drug Abuse

JOIN US FOR A COMMUNITY DISCUSSION ABOUT
Substance Abuse, Signs, Symptoms and Prevention

In Only 2 Hours You Will Learn:

• Drug Abuse Trends, Concealment, Paraphernalia Identification and how to spot Hidden Containers
• Effects of Prescription Drug Abuse and Actions You Can Take to Prevent Access and Overdose
• Alcohol and Energy Drinks, Drinking Games and Binge Drinking Trends
• Clothing Indicators, Common Logos, and Terms Used by Users and Abusers
• Marijuana Use, Smoking Establishments and Hybrid “Head Shops” in the Treasure Valley

Sponsored in part by:

When:
August 3, 2011
6:30-8:30 pm

Where:
Boise First Community Center
3852 North Eagle Rd
Boise, ID 83713

Cost:
FREE!
-Pizza and Beverages will be provided

In order to plan for enough food, please RSVP (Click Here) by Friday, July 29, 2011

As a concerned parent, what can you do to keep your child safe and drug-free during the carefree days of Summer?

Try these helpful Summertime Tips:

• Set Clear Summertime Rules – Make your rules and expectations clear regarding unsupervised time spent alone at home or with friends. Children naturally seek increased independence and our trust. But the two can make for a risky combination with the added pressure of “friends and fun.”
• Supervise – If you are unable to be physically present when your child is at home, ask a neighbor to check in or consider hiring a “buddy-sitter” to hang out with your children during the day. Unsupervised youth are three times more likely to use alcohol or other drugs. It is important to make a plan.
• Monitor – Know who your child is with and where they are at all times. Randomly call or text your child to check in. Don’t be afraid to check up on your child by calling another parent.
• Engage – Provide structure by engaging your child in supervised activities such as sports, camps or fun classes. Maybe even a summer job such as babysitting, mowing lawns or dog walking. Be sure to assign a few household tasks to instill a sense of responsibility within the family structure.
• Team up – Connect with the parents of your child’s friends to agree on a plan to take a group of children to various outings in the community, such as the zoo, amusement park, movies, bike rides, picnics etc..
• Communicate – Regardless of the season, it is always a good time to talk with your child about the dangers of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs. Discuss and practice various ways of saying “No” to peer pressure. Let them know that you do not approve of them using such substances. Keep the lines of communication open and be your child’s trusted source of information.