For Communities, Parents and Schools
Reality Tour anti-drug program to mark 15 years in Westmoreland County (TribLive.com)
By Megan Tomasic, TribLive.com (Online Source) Officials across Westmoreland County are gearing up to celebrate 15 years of an anti-drug project that works to educate parents and children on the dangers of drug abuse. Reality Tour, which was founded by Butler County resident Norma Norris in 2003, has been active in Westmoreland County since 2007 … Read more
How Substance Abuse Can Lead to Mental Illness: The Importance of Family Support
Guest Author: Stanley Clark Stanley Clark is a community development volunteer and writer. He had worked on several commercials, events, and campaigns before writing full-time in the area of natural health and wellness. Research suggests that many individuals diagnosed with mental disorders also have substance abuse issues. Furthermore, surveys indicate that half of the individuals … Read more
A Guide to Mental Health & Substance Abuse Among Teens
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) reports it is common for individuals with substance abuse problems to also have a mental health disorder. Mental health disorders and substance abuse share similar symptoms. Commonly shared symptoms include: decline in work/school performance, changes in appetite or sleep patterns, moodiness, dramatic weight loss or weight gain, loss … Read more
Red Ribbon Week Ideas
If you’re an educator, you’re probably looking for Red Ribbon Week ideas for 2021. Here’s the beauty (and the challenge) of Red Ribbon Week messages… you’re not gonna please everyone. But, if you prepare lots of alternatives, stay positive, and think creatively, you’re sure to impress students, parents, and other staff this October 23. Still … Read more
Alcohol Use Disorder: Prevention Begins at Home
Underage Drinking May Lead to Alcohol Use Disorder More and more teens are developing Alcohol Use Disorder. Do you remember what it was like to be a teenager? Peer pressure, curiosity, and an urge to rebel are common factors that can lead to underage drinking. And recently, as remote learning and social distancing have become … Read more
Inhalant Use Disorder
Preventing Inhalant Use Disorder in Teens Inhalant use disorder is a rampant problem, especially among young people. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2020 saw a 64% increase in inhalant use for 8th graders. Many healthcare professionals attribute this unprecedented rise in inhalant abuse to the pandemic. Regardless of why teens have turned … Read more
Adderall
Misuse in Adderall among teens is a rising trend, as students are taking Adderall without a prescription. Living the life of a teen or a college student, our surroundings can be tempting. We are in school systems that want our A-game. Exams, homework, presentations, and endless hours of studying is exhausting. We must manage our … Read more
Botvin LifeSkills Training & Reality Tour Comparison
Life Skills Training Vs. Reality Tour Botvin LifeSkills Training (LST), like Reality Tour, is an evidence-based curriculum for substance abuse prevention. Both programs have been proven to provide adolescents with the social skills necessary to withstand peer pressure, but there are some key differences. Let’s look at each program’s main components. Botvin’s Life Skills Training … Read more
Drug Testing Strips: A Guide for Parents
Urine testing your kids is a decision that parents should take seriously. Experts agree that testing teens for the wrong reasons can damage trust. However, under the right circumstances, drug tests can be a tool to prevent substance abuse or to help children recovering from addiction. As a parent, it is crucial that you educate … Read more
‘Post-Panic’ Remote Internship A Plus!
Everything Is Going To Be Okay? My chair rolls sluggishly across the living room carpet in the spring of 2020. It is not the picture that was in my head a few months ago. In those intern scenarios I was free-wheeling at a desk cozily cubicled next to a whirring copy machine. I would … Read more