prevention
Elements Behavioral Health Reminds Parents to Lock the Cabinet During National Prevention Week
In honor of SAMHSA’s first annual National Prevention Week, Elements Behavioral Health is reminding parents to do their part in preventing teen prescription drug abuse.
Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) May 23, 2012 – The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration designated this week (May 20-26) National Prevention Week, with a specific awareness event set for each day of the week. On May 22, 2012, communities nationwide will promote the prevention of prescription drug abuse and illicit drug use. In honor of SAMHSA’s first annual National Prevention Week, Elements Behavioral Health is reminding parents to do their part by locking the cabinet.
Support Red Ribbon Week, Oct. 23-31, 2011 and Help Create a Drug-Free Environment
Red Ribbon Week, the oldest and largest drug prevention program in the United States, is coming up soon. This year, the annual week-long event takes place October 23-31, 2011. It’s a time when people and communities can take the opportunity to come together and unite in a visible stand against drugs.
The theme of this year’s event is "It’s Up To Me To Be Drug Free." This couldn’t be more appropriate, as prevention of drug use and abuse certainly begins with individual efforts and commitment. Each of us, in fact, shares a personal responsibility to help create a drug-free environment in which we live, work and play.
Why the Red Ribbon Campaign Started
The origins of the Red Ribbon Campaign began in 1985 when drug traffickers in Mexico City murdered Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agent Enrique ("Kiki") Camarena. Following this brutal and senseless murder, the practice of displaying red ribbons as a symbol of intolerance toward the use of drugs began. The mission of the Red Ribbon Campaign is to present a unified and highly visible community commitment towards the creation of a drug-free America.
The national sponsor of the Red Ribbon Campaign is the National Family Partnership. This is a group that helps citizens across the United States to work together to keep children, families and communities safe, healthy and drug-free. They do this through providing parent training, networking and sponsoring the National Red Ribbon Campaign.
Sign the Red Ribbon Pledge
The facts point up how important parental involvement is in preventing drug abuse among our children. Research shows that children of parents who regularly talk to their teens about drugs are 42 percent less likely to use drugs than those who don’t communicate with their children about these dangers. Yet this same research shows that only a quarter of teens report having these conversations with their parents.
How can individuals support Red Ribbon Week? It’s easy.
Everyone can start by taking the Red Ribbon Pledge. Go to the Red Ribbon Campaign website and sign the pledge.
In essence, what we do when we take the pledge is:
Learn more about Support Red Ribbon Week, Oct. 23-31, 2011 and Help Create a Drug-Free Environment
Parents: Health Risk for Teens in Lazy Cakes and Bath Salts
As summer approaches and children are out of school, parents should take the time to warn kids about the dangers of legal "drugs" that are for sale and readily available. These include bath salts, which are anything but safe, as well as a product called Lazy Cakes.
Both are legally for sale at convenience stores, truck stops and smoke shops in many states. But just because they can be sold doesn’t mean that they are safe to use – especially for children.
Learn more about Parents: Health Risk for Teens in Lazy Cakes and Bath Salts
Above the Influence Campaign Helps Reduce Teen Marijuana Use
New research shows that the federal anti-drug campaign “Above the Influence” seems to have reduced teenage marijuana use. In a study of more than 3,000 students from 20 communities in the United States, the researchers found that by the end of 8th grade, 12 percent of those who didn’t see the campaign started smoking marijuana compared to 8 percent of students who were familiar with the campaign.
Learn more about Above the Influence Campaign Helps Reduce Teen Marijuana Use
Guilt-Based PSAs Have Opposite Impact
Public service announcements (PSAs) are meant to contribute something positive to the community. In the case of PSAs aimed at shaming college students out of drinking activities may instead send them back to the bottle.
The New York Daily News recently reported on a new study that found PSAs that strongly associate binge drinking with shame and guilt may only foster resistance to the message, creating an opposite effect.
Australian Police to Use Twitter to Target Drunk Driving
Australian police announced that they will begin using Twitter, a popular micro-blogging service, to discourage drunk driving among young people. Victoria state police deputy commissioner Ken Lay said he would post “embarrassingly boozy breath readings” recorded during traffic operations in an attempt to make people think twice about drinking and driving.
Learn more about Australian Police to Use Twitter to Target Drunk Driving
Graphic Ads Help Prevent Meth Use
By Colin Gilbert
Methamphetamine abuse has become a serious problem among teenagers and young adults in Idaho. In 2007, the state ranked fourth in the country for meth use among individuals aged 12-25, and more than half of Idaho’s prison inmates acknowledged the drug as being directly involved with their initial imprisonment. It’s an alarming trend, but a recent advertising campaign from the Idaho Meth Project is working to stop users before they start.
In 2005, the Meth Project was formed to address what is still considered the number-one problem in Idaho—methamphetamine abuse. The powerful, highly addictive drug, which is often made in home “meth labs,” has become a widespread menace among the state’s youth, and the private, non-profit organization is founded on a passion for prevention. Their motto is simple—“Not even once.”
Beginning in January of 2008, the group released a series of graphic television commercials, billboards, radio spots, and print ads that were specifically designed to deter potential users through shocking factual evidence. In January of 2009, another wave of advertisements was released, and the Meth Project estimated that they would reach 70-90 percent of Idaho’s teens 3-5 times a week throughout the year.
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