Sacramento Council Update: Drug Prevention Sacramento Council PTA

Sacramento Council PTA:

April 14, 2013 Sacramento Council PTA Update

From the American Academy of Pediatrics, here are some facts about kids and drug use: 40% of U.S. teens say they expect to use a drug in the future. One out of every five kids in eighth grade has already tried marijuana. Teens who smoke cigarettes are more likely to drink alcohol. Teens who smoke and drink are more likely to use marijuana. And those who use all three are more likely to use other illicit drugs. Long-term studies show that use of other illicit drugs among youth almost never occurs unless they have first used marijuana. The most important fact you should know: Kids who learn from their parents about the dangers of substance abuse, underage drinking, and other harmful activities are less likely to use those substances. As a parent, you have the power to keep your children safe and drug-free. Use these resources from PTA to help you talk to your kids about substance abuse. Parent GuidesDangers of Ecstasy Abuse Dangers, symptoms and preventive measures for Ecstasy abuse. Preventing Teen Prescription Drug Abuse The importance of parental involvement in the prevention of drug abuse among teens. April 13, 2013 This email concerns two upcoming dates related to teen drug prevention. The first date is Saturday, April 20 or "420." The second date is Saturday, April 27: National Prescription Take-Back Day. "420" is known by teens as the biggest marijuana smoking day of the year. Even for teens who have never smoked marijuana, many will experience pressure to try it on this day. Teen experts advise parents to talk to their teen before next Saturday about this day. Find out if they know about it, offer ways to help them negotiate this day and any potential peer pressure they may encounter. National Prescription Take-Back Day takes place on Saturday, April 27 from 10 am to 2 pm. Prescription drugs are often abused by teens. Most teens find these prescription drugs at home or at a friend's home. Because most unused prescription drugs should not be thrown away or flushed down the toilet, this day offers the safest way to dispose of them. There are two drop-off locations near CKM: the Sacramento Police Dept. at 5770 Freeport Blvd and the California Dept. of Justice at 1300 I St., Apt.1. Finally, the CKM PTSA prepared a short paper on teen alcohol prevention last year. This paper is available on the CKM website under "Parent Resources." Here is the link: http://www.mcclatchyhs.net/pdf/2012/FamiliesCanHelpPreventTeenAlcoholUse.pdf CKM families wishing more information regarding these topics can contact Jennifer Dixon, Coordinator of CKM's Healthy Start office in room 31B or (916) 264-2714. CK McClatchy PTSA Position Statement: PREVENTION AND INTERVENTION PROGRAMS Adopted January 1995 - Revised October 2010 Health, Community Concerns and Parent Involvement Commissions The California State PTA believes in the importance of preventing and eliminating factors that may be detrimental to the health, safety and well-being of all children,families and youth. Recognizing that any circumstance that interferes with a child's potential to become a healthy, educated, productive citizen places that child at risk, the California State PTA believes prevention and intervention programs are vital. Early intervention programs are needed to end the escalating patterns of alienation, which often lead to anti-social and criminal behavior. Prevention and intervention programs must include the areas of physical health, mental health and be designed to enable children and youth to become productive citizens in their communities. The California State PTA further believes that collaboration must occur between the school, health, social services, and other community agencies to design and provide intervention and prevention/support programs for youth. Such programs may include strategies that will: Enhance self-esteem and self-confidence; Emphasize disease prevention, immunization, visual screening, auditory testing and dental care; Educate youth on proper nutrition, appropriate prenatal care, and the dangers of drug, tobacco, and alcohol use; Provide counseling, and where appropriate, mentoring; Strengthen and expand alternative education programs; Provide life skills education including parenting and vocational training; and Provide positive age appropriate recreational, social, and cultural activities in the community before and after school hours and on weekends. The California State PTA believes that children and youth must be given every opportunity to reach their full potential. The California State PTA further believes that concerned individuals, agencies, and organizations must join together to address the needs of all children and youth. Together, families, schools, and communities can effectively strengthen and enhance the maturation of our children, resulting in emotionally secure, healthy, and socially responsible adults.  From time to time the California State PTA Board of Managers conducts studies of issues of general concern in light of the Purposes of the PTA and issues that affect the health, education and well-being of children and youth. A study may result in formulation and adoption of a statement that establishes, clarifies or interprets a PTA position or belief. Position statements provide a basis for action on legislation and other California State PTA action. Upon adoption, position statements, resolutions and general board positions are positions of the California State PTA and remain in effect until they are amended, rescinded or retired. No new statement, board resolution or general board position can be introduced that is in conflict with an existing position unless the respective corresponding position is first rescinded. The California State PTA Board of Managers may not amend or rescind a convention resolution and no board position may be in conflict with a convention resolution. Statements are reviewed every five years to revise, reaffirm or to retire from current use. Statements that include quotes excerpted from state or federal law are reviewed annually. The dates under the title of each statement represent the date first adopted and the date of the latest revision/reaffirmation.

PRESCRIPTION AND OVER THE COUNTER DRUG ABUSE (Resolution Approved 2008)   Whereas 1 Whereas, According to a study by the Partnership for a Drug Free America today's young people are more likely to abuse prescription and over the counter drugs than illegal drugs, and   Whereas 2 Whereas, Young people think that abusing these drugs to get high is "safer" than abusing  illegal drugs; and   Whereas 3 Whereas, A study from the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) shows many people buy  drugs online, not to save money, but to bypass the need for a prescription from their doctor; and   Whereas 4 Whereas, Drugs purchased online may not contain the correct ingredients and could contain toxic substances; and   Whereas 5 Whereas, According to a 2004 study conducted by the Drug Abuse Warning Network  (DAWN), emergency room patients, aged 12 to 20, accounted for almost half of all the emergency room visits resulting from nonmedical use of dextromethorphan; therefore, be it   Resolved 1 Resolved, That the National PTA and its constituent organizations encourage and support educational and prevention programs regarding the dangers of misuse and/or abuse of prescription and non-prescription (over the counter) drugs. These programs should include a parent or caregivers' component that reinforces the facts about substance abuse and the harmful effects; and be it further   Resolved 2 Resolved, That the National PTA and its constituent organizations educate parents, students, teachers, administrators and community members on the effects and consequences of prescription drugs taken by a person other than the person for whom the drug is prescribed and the use of non-prescription (over the counter) drugs in a manner or amount not included in the "directions for use" instructions or in conflict with the  intended use for that medication, and be it further   Resolved 3 Resolved, That National PTA and its constituent organizations advocate for and support legislation making it unlawful for any person to knowingly sell, cause another to sell, or conspire to sell drugs such as dextromethorphan which may be harmful when consumed for non-medical use to an individual under the age of 18 years including any such sale using the Internet.    Every year, resolutions are adopted by the voting delegates during the National PTA Convention. These resolutions are national in scope, but they have impact at the local, council and state levels of PTA as well. The power of a resolution is to enable PTA members, leaders, and public policy and program teams to join with others to build partnerships, form coalitions, increase awareness, develop programs, and lobby policy makers.    Resolutions represent the belief of the organization and can be shared with others outside of the PTA. Joining with others who share the same belief will create a stronger foundation and a greater chance to succeed. Together you can create awareness, implement programs and further advocate on these issues.