Above the Influence

<br />I had the very distinct opportunity to be a facilitator through the <a href="http://www.mcyaf.com/">Maine Community Youth Assistance Foundation (MCYAF).</a> MCYAF was selected as one of three sites in Illinois and only eighteen nationwide to be part of the Above the Influence next advertising campaign.<br /><br /><div> </div><a href="http://www.abovetheinfluence.com/">Above the Influence</a>, is a compaign to help influence young people to remain drug free. According to it's website "It's a state of mind. It's about being yourself and not letting negative influence get to you."<br /><br /><div> </div>Just last week, I participated with another member of MCYAF to assist some very bright, energetic and influential young ladies all members of the Cheerleading squad from Maine South High School in Park Ridge. These young ladies gave up there early morning before school to participate. The goal to shape a message to help influence young people just like them to live a life Above the Influence.<br /><br /><div> </div>Now as a Police Officer of over 18 years it was an experience that I found to be both rewarding and enlightening. I have been working with youth for most of my law enforcement career. This group of very energetic and bright ladies came in with ideas that were both uplifting and eye catching.<br /><br />The Above the Influence campaign is part of the very thing that the MCYAF Organization is working to influence.<br /><br /><div> </div>MCYAF Coalition Mission, is to increase overall community capacity for advocacy, education, guidance and resources for families in order to promote alcohol free and drug free youth.<br /><br /><div> </div><br /><div> </div><strong>MCYAF Coalition Goals </strong><br /><ol><li>Reduce alcohol, tobacco and other drug use among Maine Township youth</li><li>Effect change in public policy</li><li>Establish and strengthen collaboration and capacity to address teen alcohol, tobacco and drug use</li></ol><br /><div>After completing this portion of the program two of the teens ad campaign brand slogans were selected and potentially could go to regional and ultimately to the national ad campaign, for the Above the Influence brand. Regardless of the outcome these bright young ladies crafted messages that would both inspire, direct and lead toward both themselves and their friends in leading a drug free life.</div><br /><div> </div><br /><div>I was proud to participate and stand willing and able to represent the my agency and my organization in any effort to reduce drug, gang and violence involvement across the nation.</div><br /><div> </div><br /><div> </div><br /><div> </div>

Above the Influence

I had the very distinct opportunity to be a facilitator through the Maine Community Youth Assistance Foundation (MCYAF). MCYAF was selected...

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Tips for Elementary School Children regarding alcohol tobacco and other drugs

<br /><br /><div> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8MhZe8bZrTRBtDa6XrHWMKrEd1DVLr16oTT0Jvo9i4siiMx8lMNEX-OPNjjx4Or42RHFVON-jW4gShUN0wSo-VOT98Mk5X798oLaZi1k6RzkEO78thH6ghDhBgIK5tXF06LVYsRxm0to4/s1600/elementary+kids.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8MhZe8bZrTRBtDa6XrHWMKrEd1DVLr16oTT0Jvo9i4siiMx8lMNEX-OPNjjx4Or42RHFVON-jW4gShUN0wSo-VOT98Mk5X798oLaZi1k6RzkEO78thH6ghDhBgIK5tXF06LVYsRxm0to4/s200/elementary+kids.bmp" width="166" /></a></div>A child this age usually shows increasing interest in the world outside the family and home. Discuss how anything you put in your body that is not food, water or juice can be extremely harmful, and how drugs interfere with the way our bodies work and can make a person very sick or even cause them to die. (Most children of this age have had real-life experiences with the death of a relative or a friend’s relative.) Explain the idea of addiction—that drug use can become a very bad habit that is hard to stop. Praise your children for taking good care of their bodies and avoiding things that might harm them.<br /><br /><div> </div><br /><div> </div><br /><div> </div><strong>By the time your children are in third grade, they should understand that:</strong><br /><br /><ul><li> foods, poisons, medicines and illegal drugs differ;</li><li>medicines prescribed by a doctor and administered by a responsible adult may help during illness but can be harmful if misused, and therefore children need to stay away from any unknown substance or container; and</li><li>adults may drink in moderation but children may not, even in small amounts because it’s harmful to children’s developing brains and bodies. </li></ul><br /><div> </div><strong>Before leaving elementary school, your children should know:</strong><br /><br /><ul><li> the immediate effects of alcohol, tobacco and drug use on different parts of the body, including coma and death;</li><li>the long-term consequences of drug use, including addiction and loss of control of one’s life;the reasons why drugs are especially dangerous for growing bodies; and</li><li>the problems that alcohol and other illegal drugs cause not only to the user, but to the user’s family and the world.</li></ul><br /><div> </div><strong>Questions elementary school children frequently ask about drugs:</strong><br /><br /><ul><li> <strong>Why would people want to put bad things in their bodies?</strong>  A possible answer might be that they might not realize how dangerous the bad things are; another is that they are not taking care of themselves. Sometimes people start using a drug just to see what it feels like, but it can turn into an addiction (like cigarettes) and it’s very hard to stop using it.</li></ul><br /><ul><li> <strong>Why can’t I taste that “grown-up” drink?</strong> A small amount of alcohol has a much greater negative effect on a child’s body than on an adult’s; even a small amount can sicken a child.</li></ul><br /><div> </div>

Tips for Elementary School Children regarding alcohol tobacco and other drugs

  A child this age usually shows increasing interest in the world outside the family and home. Discuss how anything you put in your body tha...

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The truth about drugs: Teens Lie, but so do their parents!

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSlq4rz_0ZLqvvc33YpEo2B50EOQ2mPDZngA2kC35vC6gbaWy4uFTtm2UWZrjFJ6rA0_7GymAiDMGi1dseiBz-Ave18bUsm7xeEvAxOXJC5JcTl6h67DIFlkC1JcUihdAJ7anJr7TfYx5v/s1600/3_22-Drug-Abuse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSlq4rz_0ZLqvvc33YpEo2B50EOQ2mPDZngA2kC35vC6gbaWy4uFTtm2UWZrjFJ6rA0_7GymAiDMGi1dseiBz-Ave18bUsm7xeEvAxOXJC5JcTl6h67DIFlkC1JcUihdAJ7anJr7TfYx5v/s200/3_22-Drug-Abuse.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Teenagers' confidential reports about illicit drug use are used by doctors and public health experts to measure the extent of the problem, and to help teens in trouble. But it turns out that teens fib big time in those anonymous surveys—and their parents do, too.<br /><br /><div></div>A study conducted by researchers asked 432 African-American teenagers and their parents to participate in an anonymous survey about their use of cocaine, opiates, and marijuana, and said they would also be drug-tested. Of the 211 teenagers whose hair was tested for cocaine, 2 said they used it—while 69, or 34 percent, tested positive, according to a new study in Pediatrics. Of the 244 parents tested, 15 said they had used cocaine, while 69, or 28 percent, tested positive.<br /><br /><div></div>The parents surveyed were pretty bad at guessing if their child was using alcohol or drugs. For instance, 9.6 percent of the parents said their teenager drank alcohol, while 25 percent of the teenagers said they did. With marijuana, 9.5 percent of parents said their teenager smoked dope, while 17 percent of the teens said they did.<br /><br /><div></div>This is not the first time that a study to found parents are clueless about teens' drug and alcohol use. That may be because parents tend to shrug off drug and alcohol use as standard teen behavior, according to a survey published last January in Pediatrics. But that cluelessness comes at a price. Early drug and alcohol abuse increases a child's risk of addiction and health problems in adulthood, and also of teenage suicide.<br /><br /><div></div>But the key take-home here is not so much that teens are using drugs, but that they are not likely to admit it. That's not a huge surprise, given that we're talking about illegal behaviors that can have big consequences. The self-reported drug use in the study was typical of the amount reported in national anonymous surveys of drug use for urban neighborhoods. The researchers, at Wayne State University in Detroit, say that relying on anonymous surveys could lead researchers, parents, and pediatricians seriously astray in estimating the health risks teenagers face.<br /><br /><div></div>Parents can increase the likelihood that their children will come to them with questions and concerns about drugs and alcohol if they:<br /><br /><div></div><ul><li>Start talking about the risks of drugs and alcohol when children are still young. Children who learn about drugs and alcohol from their parents are half as likely to use as are children who learn from peers, according to the <a href="http://www.drugfree.org/prevent">Partnership for a Drug-Free America.</a></li><li>Help children rehearse what they will say to peers who want them to drink or use drugs with them; studies have found that practicing responses makes it much more likely that teenagers will successfully fend off peer pressure. </li><li>Use brain science. Researchers now think that teenage brains are more vulnerable to tobacco, drugs, and alcohol because they are still forming vital connections. Drug-prevention efforts increasingly include information on how to keep a teen brain healthy and powerful.</li></ul><br /><div></div>There are a lot of reasons for teenagers (and parents) to say "I don't" when asked about drug use. But by making the perils and lure of illicit substances part of ordinary family discussion, parents may be doing their children a big favor—and may get a clearer sense of the realities of teenage life.<br /><br /><div></div>

The truth about drugs: Teens Lie, but so do their parents!

Teenagers' confidential reports about illicit drug use are used by doctors and public health experts to measure the extent of the proble...

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Finaly some good Prevention News

<br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiuy7B7NwZb0ZpKDWXhKoDsy2CZ_FMY5idINPZ4jWhp1pngdavvM92NABjn7s9c3bPAcD-oyDKsopMkevnC9lV910hQXSv2iyfd3qiR80EJG9M3h5pZo5fVRx48cHPDXuJ4VAL0499ttXj/s1600/crystal-meth-pipe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="187" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiuy7B7NwZb0ZpKDWXhKoDsy2CZ_FMY5idINPZ4jWhp1pngdavvM92NABjn7s9c3bPAcD-oyDKsopMkevnC9lV910hQXSv2iyfd3qiR80EJG9M3h5pZo5fVRx48cHPDXuJ4VAL0499ttXj/s320/crystal-meth-pipe.jpg" width="320" /></a>The National Association of Drug Diversion Investigators (NADDI) – a nonprofit organization that facilitates cooperation between law enforcement, healthcare professionals, state regulatory agencies and pharmaceutical manufacturers in the prevention and investigation of drug diversion – today released the following statement in response to a survey by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) showing the number of past-month methamphetamine users declined from 731,000 in 2006 to 353,000 in 2010:</div><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">"News that the number of methamphetamine users across the nation has declined so substantially demonstrates that the real-time, stop-sale system enacted in 19 states is working. With only two states having put in place prescription-only mandates, it is clear that electronic technology is stopping criminals from obtaining safe and effective medicines containing pseudoephedrine, which in turn is dramatically dropping the number of meth users," said Charles Cichon, executive director of the National Association of Drug Diversion Investigators (NADDI). "As state leaders consider policies that impact the access law-abiding citizens have to popular and reliable medications, they should consider this newly-released data as it validates that a common sense yet effective approach can be implemented to combat meth production and abuse."</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div>About NADDI - The National Association of Drug Diversion Investigators (NADDI) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that facilitates cooperation between law enforcement, healthcare professionals, state regulatory agencies, pharmaceutical manufacturers in the investigation and prevention of prescription drug abuse and diversion. NADDI also sponsors and conducts specialized educational seminars and conferences.<br /><br />SOURCE National Association of Drug Diversion Investigators

Finaly some good Prevention News

The National Association of Drug Diversion Investigators (NADDI) – a nonprofit organization that facilitates cooperation between law enforce...

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Gateway Gazette is now out!

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx8TM5_8GWhO_GVEACUXbA04tsZ5PO4biO_Mk6m1kJK1PD_uKJIwZ53KrDTtgWRnXF_zNxld2K7Hm4si2hr7E6GtiToE-r87t1Tm-r2JIxhyuzjvPi_wlMgJR2CSr7gUFe-xfIyR3TQxaW/s1600/0309_teen_drug_abuse_170x170.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx8TM5_8GWhO_GVEACUXbA04tsZ5PO4biO_Mk6m1kJK1PD_uKJIwZ53KrDTtgWRnXF_zNxld2K7Hm4si2hr7E6GtiToE-r87t1Tm-r2JIxhyuzjvPi_wlMgJR2CSr7gUFe-xfIyR3TQxaW/s1600/0309_teen_drug_abuse_170x170.jpg" /></a>Our newest edition of our online newsletter is now available. Read the latest information on gang prevention, drug trends, youth violence and everything prevention related. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Follow the <a href="http://www.openthegate.org/pdf/newsletter/currentissue.pdf">link</a></div>

Gateway Gazette is now out!

Our newest edition of our online newsletter is now available. Read the latest information on gang prevention, drug trends, youth violence an...

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Parents, Hosting teen parties be smart and safe

<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwaDpE8tzEd7i5snFCei4WH4VTlykicfmC6a3nTz3ho095mgob92BXVrVCPgo2Z8AgN2cP09jNub1DZy6UG1Ang7i4-MGEY0q0K9xDMclq_5ZGcsdXNGxwL6c9ncAq-BD8kdnFKE509SCd/s1600/high_school_graduation_ceremony.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="137" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwaDpE8tzEd7i5snFCei4WH4VTlykicfmC6a3nTz3ho095mgob92BXVrVCPgo2Z8AgN2cP09jNub1DZy6UG1Ang7i4-MGEY0q0K9xDMclq_5ZGcsdXNGxwL6c9ncAq-BD8kdnFKE509SCd/s200/high_school_graduation_ceremony.jpg" t8="true" width="200" /></a>High School graduations brings all kinds of emotions for teens and parents alike. There is a cross section of emotions for parents from elation and pride of your child's academic accomplishment too sadness, knowing that your little one has grown up so fast. And for those parents hosting a graduation party, there's some trepidation that comes with such responsibility.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Yes you want to host a party because this is a momentous academic milestone you're celebrating, after all. But hosting a party places you at incredible risks, it could make a teen or child a statistic and put your in legal as well as financial trouble..</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Alcohol related fatalities spike during this time of year, in particular because of the amount of teen partying that occurs. A recent National Highway Traffic Safety report revealed that more than 60 percent of traffic fatalities in the 15-to-20 age group that occur during the weeks of graduation are alcohol-related. </div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdXLkK4AH7By75BDLVI-THvwn97ReiOo6VWxSNe0sX5hbAfgS4xbEzfC2yDNvUVbi70ltpfQ8j-cLkepiT9rmLZtYTZrColTzsCuIEuHHpHx37oVW20Y6NkJIX_3ziZ9TuFH0M1cwhvYMI/s1600/party-drinking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdXLkK4AH7By75BDLVI-THvwn97ReiOo6VWxSNe0sX5hbAfgS4xbEzfC2yDNvUVbi70ltpfQ8j-cLkepiT9rmLZtYTZrColTzsCuIEuHHpHx37oVW20Y6NkJIX_3ziZ9TuFH0M1cwhvYMI/s200/party-drinking.jpg" t8="true" width="200" /></a>Remember <a href="http://www.drugfreeactionalliance.org/pwh.php">Parents Who Host, Lose The Most.</a>  Many well-meaning parents think that it is enough to take away car keys at their teen's parties so the teens can't drink and drive. Parents provide the alcohol or allow alcohol to be consumed based on the false belief that it's a rite of passage, especially at prom and graduation parties.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">You're probably well aware of what it takes to throw a fun, yet safe graduation party. But you could always used more help, here are some tips, such as:</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><ul><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Stick to a guest list - no strangers</li><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJD4qO5SbdPic3PIxmefUteiQeqf7_rlwaRa8Sq6DR9joKHMdCFId48hBOchd0P7A3T06rDs6FWVZG5LBGKdT6mbU3XsDDvywrWZXQ_xgDwwp1m9xbwVl-pTjQf-AdgYwlXBHPrRsgFLix/s1600/partyDM2802_468x296.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="126" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJD4qO5SbdPic3PIxmefUteiQeqf7_rlwaRa8Sq6DR9joKHMdCFId48hBOchd0P7A3T06rDs6FWVZG5LBGKdT6mbU3XsDDvywrWZXQ_xgDwwp1m9xbwVl-pTjQf-AdgYwlXBHPrRsgFLix/s200/partyDM2802_468x296.jpg" t8="true" width="200" /></a>Lay down the 'no alcohol, no drugs, no tobacco' law and stick to it!</li><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Secure all forms of alcohol in your home in a safe place</li><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Contact parents of anyone who arrives in possession of alcohol or under the influence</li></ul><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div><br /></div>

Parents, Hosting teen parties be smart and safe

High School graduations brings all kinds of emotions for teens and parents alike. There is a cross section of emotions for parents from elat...

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