"Each year we bring our fifth graders to experience the Adventure Learning Center's alpine tower, giant swing, and team building exercises. They always come back energized, proud, and united! I believe it is one of the best field trips for kids! The staff is always positive, encouraging and totally dedicated to the kids. "

— 5th Grade Counselor, New Hanover County Schools

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Know! To Secure, Monitor and Properly Dispose

NC Parent Resource Center

brings you Know!

Talking regularly with kids about the dangers of alcohol,
tobacco and other drugs reduces their risk of using.

Click here to view in your web browser.

Know! To Secure, Monitor and Properly Dispose

Tis the season for spring cleaning. As you’re working hard to get your home decluttered, organized, spotless and sparkling, be sure to include the clearing out of old, unused or unwanted medicines – it’s a vitally important task.

Families are continuing to be devastated and destroyed as children end up in the ER, become addicted, suffer physical pain and emotional turmoil, and some lose their lives altogether – all in the name of prescription drug abuse. Medicine abuse among youth continues to trend at an alarming rate and for what? According to youth, they use to get high, treat pain, sleep, stay awake, fit in or do better in school. And the majority say they can get these drugs easily and for free, from unknowing, unsuspecting family members and friends through unlocked medicine cabinets.

The most commonly abused prescription drugs fall into three categories: Painkillers, Depressants and Stimulants. Because so much attention, nationwide, has been drawn to the dangers of prescription pain pills (and rightfully so), many people are now aware of the hazards they present and are hopefully more vigilant in keeping them properly stored and monitored. However, many people are not aware of the risks other prescription and over-the-counter drugs, and how common the abuse of these medications have become.

Doctor-prescribed stimulant medications used to treat anxiety, for instance, are common drugs of abuse, as well as doctor-prescribed depressants, like sleep medications. Young people typically abuse stimulants to stay awake or get ramped up for a night of partying, while depressants may be later used to then come back down, help users relax or to induce sleep.
Some teens are known to grab pills from home, or from the homes of relatives and friends, not knowing what they are or what they do, with the intention of taking them to teen “Skittles” parties, where everyone brings pills, dumps them in a bowl, and pops them in their mouths like candy. In this situation, users have no idea what they’re ingesting or the side effects that might accompany any one particular pill, let alone the outcome of mixing with alcohol or multiple other drugs.

Then there’s cough medicine; the sticky, syrupy stuff that most children turn their nose up to when they’re actually sick, because of the bitter taste…both the prescription strength that contains codeine, as well as the over-the-counter version that contains DXM, are both being abused by teens. Mixed typically with sprite (or other soda) and a Jolly Rancher, this nasty-tasting medicine, often referred to as Purple Drank, Syrup, Sizzurp and Lean (because it literally causes users to lean over), becomes a candy-flavored cocktail that produces a relaxed, euphoric high, when taken in high doses.

ADHD medicines are also popular drugs of abuse among youth, frequently being abused for purposes of weight loss or academic performance enhancement. And as youth get older, parents are more likely to entrust them to handle and self-administer their own medications. But far too often, these pills end up in the hands of unintended users, like friends or classmates.

The side-effects and drug interactions of these medicines can be highly dangerous, and even deadly. It is immensely important for parents, grandparents and other adults to eliminate the ease of access of these drugs by removing medications from nightstands, kitchen cabinets and any other unsecured location, and to then follow these three simple steps:
SECURE: Safeguard all your prescription and over-the-counter medications in a locked cabinet, drawer or safe that is inaccessible to your teens and their friends.

MONITOR: Make note of how many pills or the amount of liquid in each medicine bottle you have in your home. Keep track of refills and be sure you control any medication that is prescribed to your child.

DISPOSE: Take advantage of the many drug drop boxes and drug take-back days that are available across the country. Otherwise, follow these guidelines for proper drug disposal of unused, unwanted and expired medications.

Click here to find a drug drop box in your area.

Click here for local information of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) coordinated National Take Back Day on Saturday, April 29, 2017.

Sources: United States Environmental Protection Agency. U.S Department of Justice – drug Enforcement Administration – diversion control Division. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Know! To Stop, Drop and Breathe

NC Parent Resource Center brings you Know!

Talking regularly with kids about the dangers of alcohol,
tobacco and other drugs reduces their risk of using.

Click here to view in your web browser.

Know! To Stop, Drop and Breathe

“Speak when you are angry and you will make the best speech you will ever regret.” ― Ambrose Bierce

Even as adults, anger can be a difficult emotion to control, especially when it involves a child who continues to defy his or her parents. No one can push our buttons like our own children. However, the importance of exhibiting self-control in order to discipline a child appropriately, is monumental.

An angry parent is scary enough. An angry parent who is in the habit of yelling and screaming, swearing and/or calling their child names, is likely to cause even more harm, since a child’s very sense of ‘self’ depends so greatly on mom and dad. As for hitting, slapping or other physical force toward a child; it is likely to not only cause fear and hurt in the present, but can leave lasting, negative impressions that follow the child into adulthood, including relationship problems, as well as increased risk for substance abuse, among other issues.

We love our children more than anything, but we all get frustrated and angry with them at times – that’s human nature. We are the adult in the relationship, however, so we must behave like one to express that frustration and anger properly. We must also keep in mind that we are our children’s role models. They, of course, get angry too. And how they handle their anger will depend a great deal on what they’ve learned by watching us. So think about the qualities and characteristics you want to create and nurture within your child, and the type of person you want your child to become. Dr. Laura Markham, clinical psychologist and author of Peaceful Parents, Happy Kids, offers these tips as effective, positive ways to discipline your child, that encourage better behavior, while keeping your emotions in-check:

Set limits and expectations BEFORE you get angry: Make sure the rules are clear and clearly known.

Calm down BEFORE you take action: Anger causes us to lose our ability to think clearly. So if your heart is beginning to race and your body is starting to tense, it is time to STOP, DROP (your agenda, just for a minute), and BREATHE. This is like hitting the pause button on the situation.

Take five or 10: You may need to step away for a moment to gain your composure and harness your self-control. Exiting does not let your child win. Instead it lets them know how serious the situation is, plus it models self-control. Just say, as calmly as you can, “I am too mad right now to talk about this. I am going to take a moment and calm down.”

WAIT before disciplining: Make it a point NEVER to act while angry. Nothing says you have to hand out a punishment on the fly. In fact, when we do, it is more likely to be irrational. Give yourself time to think; you can say something like, “I want to think about what just happened, and we will talk about it later. In the meantime, I need to make dinner and you need to finish your homework, please.” The suspense will be much more powerful than a list of empty threats that are not enforced because they were said in the heat of the moment.

AVOID PHYSICAL FORCE, NO MATTER WHAT: This is an instance where hands-off parenting is a must. According to Dr. Laura, getting physical may make YOU feel better temporarily because it discharges your rage, but it is bad for your child, and ultimately sabotages everything positive you do as a parent.

Monitor your tone and word choice: Nothing positive comes from swearing and/or speaking disrespectfully to children. It will only cause upset and further escalate the situation. Speaking in a calm tone, using appropriate language, helps us to remain calm and helps our children to respond more calmly.

Consider that you’re part of the problem: Angry parents are more likely to produce angry kids. Be open to emotional growth, take responsibility to manage your own emotions first, and seek assistance if needed. Your positive example will bring your child closer to you, make them want to please you more and it will set the foundation for them in knowing how to appropriately deal with negative emotions.

For the full article, How to Handle Your Anger at Your Child, and more detailed tips on peaceful parenting by Dr. Laura, click here.

Source: Aha!Parenting.com – Laura Markham Ph.D., Peaceful Parents, Happy Kids: How to Handle Your Anger at Your Child.

Poison Prevention Month

Tune into WECT and see Jane McDonald discuss Poison Prevention/Medication Safety

Date: Thursday, March 9, 2017

Time: 5am to 7am

Safety Facts:

  • Poison Prevention Week is March 19-25, 2017
  • Poisoning is the #1 cause of injury-related death in the U.S.
  • One child every eight minutes is rushed to the emergency room due to medication poisoning.
  • Although children under the age of 6 were involved in about half of poisoning exposures in 2014, they comprised only 1.4% of poisoning deaths.  Most (66%) of deaths occurred among 20-59 year olds.

Let’s face it, sometimes kids get into things that they probably shouldn’t. Here are a few tips to keep little explorers from finding their way into household items that could be dangerous.

But just in case, we’ll also show you what to do if your child accidentally ingests something harmful.

  • Safe Storage
    • Always place medicines, including vitamins, in high storage places out of a child’s reach.
    • Most children get into medicines that are found on the ground or misplaced (27%), left in purses (20%), and on nightstands (20%).
    • Remember that child-resistant does not mean child-proof; with time and persistence a child may be able to open the packaging.
    • Common forgotten medications include: make-up, art supplies, eye drops, diaper rash cream, laxatives, vitamins, and vapor rub creams.
    • The leading cause of nonmedical exposure calls to poison control centers for children age 5 and under were due to cosmetic and personal care products.
    • Grandparents medication account for majority of poisonings (38%); mother’s medicine (31%); sibling’s medicine (12%); father’s medicine (8%); Aunt/uncle medication (5%); known/other source (6%).
    • Install child safety lock on cabinets or consider a personal lock box and clean out old, unused and expired medications frequently.
  • Safe Use
    • Always use medications the way they were intended and prescribed to be used.
    • Read the label and use the measuring device that came with the medication.
      • Kitchen utensils such as teaspoon and tablespoon will not measure the same as the device that came with the medication.
    • Never share medications, even amongst household members.
    • Never use “leftover” medications. The integrity of medications can change over time.
    • Don’t adjust your dosage without consenting your prescriber.
    • Give clear instructions for medications to grandparents or caregivers that may watch the child in your absence. Include time of dose given, amount of dose given, and the next time the dose can be administered.
  • Safe Disposal (Main Topic)
    • Unused medications should be disposed as soon as possible to prevent unintentional use, diversion, or accidental ingestion.
    • Medications should not be thrown in the trash, sink or toilet.
    • There are Medication Disposal events and Permanent Medication Drop Boxes in New Hanover, Brunswick and Pender County.
      • Locations: Safe Kids NC site: http://www.ncdoi.com/OSFM/safekids/
      • Upcoming drop off events:
        1. NHRMC Medical Mall on Saturday, April 1st from 9am-12pm.
        2. Dosher Memorial Hospital in Southport on Thursday, April 6th from 9am-1pm.
  • What to do if your child ingests a potentially harmful substance
    • Store the number to the Poison Control in your phone: 1-800-222-1222; also place the number on your refrigerator for babysitters or other caregivers to access quickly.
      • Trained Pharmacists, Nurses and Doctors with backgrounds in poisons and medications are the ones that answer the phone.
      • It’s a confidential call and available 24/7.
      • http://www.ncpoisoncenter.org/
    • If the child has collapsed, is not breathing, or has a seizure, call 911.
    • Do not give the child anything to ingest until you have discussed it with the poison control center.
      • Drinking water may make the situation worse and activate the substance.
    • Have the container or bottle on hand to answer questions when calling.

POISON PREVENTION Talking Points

 

What a Healthy "Dating" Relationship Is, And What It Is Not

Originally brought to you by the NC Parent Resource Center

Click here to view in your web browser.

Know! What a Healthy “Dating” Relationship Is, And What It Is Not

February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month; a time to focus attention on abuse in young people’s relationships and provide information to help prevent it.

In the previous tip, Know! The Not-So-Innocent Side of Teen Romance, we discussed the prevalence of physical, emotional and verbal dating abuse that takes place among youth, as well as the long-lasting problems that can develop because of it, including substance abuse, eating disorders and risky sexual behaviors.

In this tip, we highlight the importance of regular and ongoing, positive communication with your child on the topic of What a Healthy “Dating” Relationship Is, and What It Is Not; teaching them early on that healthy relationships are based on equality and respect while abusive ones are based on power and control.

A HEALTHY DATING RELATIONSHIP includes a partner whom:

  • Treats you with respect
  • Listens to your ideas and is willing to compromise at times
  • Shares some of your same interests such as movies, sports, reading, dancing or music
  • Is able to share their thoughts and feelings with you
  • Is comfortable around your friends and family
  • Is proud of your accomplishments and successes
  • Respects your privacy and your boundaries
  • Is caring and honest
  • Encourages you to do well in school and in your extracurricular activities

A healthy relationship is a two-way street, of course, so positive communication, kindness and mutual respect must come from both partners.

A HEALTHY DATING RELATIONSHIP does NOT include a partner whom:

  • Checks your cell phone, social media or email without permission
  • requires you to “check in” or needs to know where you are all the time
  • constantly puts you down
  • Is extremely jealous or insecure
  • Has an explosive temper
  • Tries to isolate you from family or friends
  • Makes false accusations about you
  • Has extreme mood swings
  • Is possessive of you
  • Tells you what to do
  • Threatens you or makes you feel scared
  • Physically hurts you in any way
  • Tries to pressure you or force you into any type of high risk behavior, including sexual contact and/or drug and alcohol use

It is especially important for both partners to always be clear and specific in communicating their sexual boundaries.  One may wrongly take an “I’m not sure,” comment to mean that with a little pressure or push, she/he might say, “Yes.”  Young ladies in particular, need to be firm in saying, “No,” and boys in particular,  need to know that if a girl says, “No,” and he/she continues anyway, it is rape.  NO MEANS NO!  This is a reminder that should be shared with your child often.

Young people should also be taught to trust their gut and listen to their inner voice. If they find themselves feeling uncomfortable in a situation with their partner or with the relationship itself, they need to have an exit plan. Talking regularly with your child, ideally, before a teen “dating” issue has a chance to arise, will help to build their trust and confidence in you, increasing the likelihood of them coming to you for support and guidance if or when needed.

You can refer your tweens/teens to loveisrespect.org to access information and get help in an environment that is designed specifically for them. This is also an excellent resource for parents, educators and other caring adults, with trainings, toolkits and curriculum to promote healthy relationships and prevent future patterns of abuse.

Loveisrespect offers free and confidential phone, live chat and texting services 24/7/365. Chat at www.loveisrespect.org; text ‘loveis’ to 22522; or call 1-866- 331-9474

Source: Loveisrespect.org.

SAMHSA's 13th Annual Prevention Day

SAMHSA’s 13th Annual Prevention Day – February 6th

SAMHSA’s Prevention Day

Monday,  February  6, 2017

9 am – 4:45  pm

Click here for the original posting.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services  Administration (SAMHSA) will convene its 13th Annual Prevention Day on Monday, February 6, 2017, in conjunction with the CADCA’s National Leadership  Forum.

SAMHSA’s Prevention Day highlights  “Power of Prevention: Strengthening Community Voices.” This exciting one-day event features dynamic speakers and informative training sessions for prevention practitioners, community leaders, researchers, and consumers in the behavioral health field sharing SAMHSA’s prevention priorities for the coming year and providing participants with the necessary training, technical assistance, and resources to successfully address prevention issues.

Share your experiences and information with other SAMHSA grantees and partners, and build your program skills across a variety of prevention topics. Also, learn how to leverage your community’s efforts, tell your prevention story, and showcase the impact of your prevention programming on community health by getting involved in SAMHSA’s 2017 National Prevention Week. This annual health observance is dedicated to increasing public awareness of, and action around, substance use and misuse as well as mental health issues.

Participants can check out the CyberCafe to find the wealth of SAMHSA’s multimedia prevention resources addressing topics such as underage drinking, suicide prevention, prescription drug misuse and abuse, and youth marijuana use.

Click here to register!

SAMHSA Prevention Day Opening Plenary

8:45 AM – 10:30 AM, Potomac Ballroom

The theme of SAMHSA’s Prevention Day 2017 is “Strengthening Community Voices.”  As part of the opening plenary, SAMHSA will host an interactive Community Forum to listen and discuss with the field emerging issues impacting communities working in substance use and misuse prevention with a goal of sharing knowledge and ideas.

Moderated by Washington, DC’s NBC4 news anchor Pat Lawson Muse, the Community Forum will feature a panel of prevention community leaders and experts representing communities from around the country with expertise in underage drinking, prescription and opioid drug misuse, marijuana and prevention work that engages diverse populations and regions.  Confirmed Community Forum panelists include:

  • Virgil Boysaw, Jr., Cecil County Drug Free Coordinator, Cecil County Health Department, Elkton, MD
  • Lynne Goodwin, MPA, Program Director, California Friday Night Live Partnership, Visalia, CA
  • Kelly J. Kelleher, MD, Director, Center for Innovation in Pediatric Practice, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH
  • Aaron Payment, Chairman, Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, MI

During this important conversation, panelists will discuss with Prevention Day attendees the challenges and evidenced-based prevention solutions that are working in their communities. We encourage participants to come ready with questions for the panelist.

SAMHSA Closing Plenary

4:10 PM – 4:45 PM, Potomac Ballroom

Led by Washington, DC area youth, the Prevention Day closing plenary will be a lively conclusion to SAMHSA’s 13th Prevention Day and kick-off planning and participation in SAMHSA’s National Prevention Week 2017 to take place May 14 – 20, 2017.  Hosted by students from The George Washington University’s Students for Recovery, the closing plenary will feature live improv performances by FoolProof, an improvisational theatre troupe made up of drug-free, alcohol-free and tobacco-free youth from Carroll County, MD, and highlight the new resources, activities and interactive challenge available for planning your community National Prevention Week activities.  Also, the closing plenary will feature remarks from SAMHSA and CADCA.  This session will be live webcast.

National Drug & Alcohol Facts Week January 23-29

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In the Port City the top three drugs youth are using are alcohol, marijuana and prescription drugs. New Hanover and Brunswick County are both in the top ten for prescription drug overdoses in NC and Wilmington is one of the top counties for heroin overdoses. Since eight out of ten heroin users started out with prescription drugs it is important to start educating our youth of these dangers when they are younger. National Drug & Alcohol Facts WeekSM  (NDAFW) is an excellent time to begin the conversation and NIDA can help with that.

National Drug & Alcohol Facts WeekSM started in 2010 by scientists as a way to educate youth on the science of drug use and addiction. However, you do not have to be a scientist to talk to youth and SHATTER THE MYTHS. Here are several of NIDA free publications you can either order or download as a PDF, Marijuana: Facts Parents Need to Know(available in both English and Spanish), and Family Checkup: Positive Parenting Prevents Drug Abuse. Also, our most popular NDAFW publication, Drugs: SHATTER THE MYTHS, is now available in Spanish.

Feel pretty confident on your knowledge about drugs and alcohol. During National Drug & Alcohol Facts WeekSM and year round, teens and adults can test their knowledge about drugs, alcohol, and drug abuse by taking the interactive National Drug & Alcohol IQ Challenge quiz. A new challenge is posted annually during NDAFW.

 

DRUGS & ALCOHOL CHAT DAY January 26th

Chat Day logo

Join the tenth annual Drugs & Alcohol Chat Day on January 26th as part of  National Drug & Alcohol Facts WeekSM. National Drugs & Alcohol Chat Day is an annual live online chat held between high school students through out the country and NIDA scientists. During National Drugs & Alcohol Chat Day students are able to ask scientists questions about drugs, drug abuse, including drug effects, addiction, and how to get help for themselves, family, or friends. Register for Chat Day!

 

National Impaired Driving Prevention Month

December is National Impaired Driving Prevention Month.

Last year nearly one third of all traffic fatalities were alcohol related and motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for youth 16-25 years old. Take the time now to learn how to identify, educate and prevent youth drugged driving. Click here to see the ONDCP toolkit for youth drugged driving. Click here to see the President’s National Impaired Driving Prevention Month proclamation.

 

National Impaired Driving Prevention Month

December is National Impaired Driving Prevention Month

According to ONDCP, “In the last year, preventable alcohol-impaired driving crashes accounted for nearly one-third of all traffic fatalities. Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death among youths and young adults aged 16–25 years in the United States.”

Click here to identify, educate and prevent youth drugged driving.