Pinellas Park High School hosted their annual junior-senior prom on May 17th, 2013 at the Kapok Tree in Safety Harbor.

In an effort to keep all students and chaperones safe on this night, the LiveFree! club set up a table at the entrance of the Kapok.  LiveFree! club members Rebecca Lishfeski, Hannah Nygren, Jenna Maridon and Secretary  McKenzie McWade ran this table. LiveFree! teamed up with AAA to participate in the PROMise. This initiative is to spread awareness that students don’t have to drink and drive on the night of their prom, that AAA would tow your car home for free to ensure your safety.  Club members had students sign a board, pledging to call AAA if needed to get home safe on the night of prom.

Can your genes affect whether or not you become addicted to drugs or alcohol?

If someone in your family has a problem with substance abuse or addiction, you may have found yourself wondering if it will affect you too. This isn’t an unreasonable question. Studies on twins have shown that genetics do play a part in how likely an individual is to develop an addiction to drugs or alcohol.

What does this mean for me?
Without a complex analysis of your DNA, it’s hard to say whether or not your particular genes will give you a predisposition toward addiction. The science behind addiction is fascinating, but it takes place on a level that doesn’t translate well to everyday choices and understanding. Take note of your family history as you would with a medical history of cancer or heart disease. If close family members suffer from addiction, this could be an indicator that you’re at risk.

If I don’t have a family history, am I safe?
The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that environment and genetics are linked. Your life, stress, culture and more can affect whether or not you develop an addiction. Genetics may influence how you respond to stress in your life. It’s important to understand that no one is “safe” from addiction to drugs or alcohol. Even if you don’t have genes that increase your risk, you should be aware of the signs and symptoms.

Do genetics affect treatment?
In the future, DNA may help doctors establish the best treatment options for an individual's addiction. Fortunately, progress is being made rapidly. Establishing better treatment options for addiction is in the best interests of everyone.

If you believe you have a problem with drugs or alcohol, talk to your doctor or consult with a counselor right away to find out how you can get the help you need. To learn more about LiveFree! and our mission to reduce youth substance abuse, visit our website.

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Give your teen space to have fun while setting appropriate boundaries.

During the long school year, teens work hard and focus on education. Over the summer, it’s natural to want to cut loose and have fun. As a parent, you have to find ways to set boundaries without stifling your teen’s hard earned fun.

Research activities
If your teen is attending a camp or going on a trip, do your research. Find out who will be supervising and what the guidelines are. Look into chaperones for trips. Know who will be driving and where your teen will be staying.

Require safety equipment for sports and activities
As your teen participates in sports and other outdoors activities, require the right safety equipment. Activities such as boating can be especially dangerous without the right precautions. Give your teen the chance to have fun as long as he’s adhering to safety rules and using the right equipment, such as helmets while biking or skateboarding.

Talk about drugs and alcohol
Continue an open dialogue about drugs and alcohol over the summer. Never allow your teen or other teens to drink alcohol in your home.

Ask your teen for suggestions
Give your teen the chance to influence her summer activities. Instead of telling her what she’ll be doing, let her come to you with suggestions and options. Discuss those options as a family to find out what works best for your teen and what aligns to the rules you’ve established. Focus on compromise and give her opportunities to earn trust and privileges.

Talk about online safety
Your teen will spend time texting and hanging out online this summer, no matter how great the weather is. It’s always the right time to talk about online bullying, online safety and privacy. It’s also a good time to talk about going to a responsible adult if illegal or irresponsible behavior is witnessed online.                  

The LiveFree! Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition is a coalition of members of the community who strive to address alcohol and drug use in Pinellas County. Visit us online today to see how you can get involved.

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By Angela Ardolino, Tampa Bay Parenting Magazine

In recent years, summer camps have grown way passed the old days of kayaking and spooky stories by the campfire. Nowadays, kids can spend the summer creating sophisticated computer programs, working with endangered animals and even get S.C.U.B.A. certified. With the number of day camps having increased in the U.S. by 90 percent since 1993 it’s no wonder they have so many opportunities. Choosing the right camp can seem like a daunting task, especially when parents could be shelling out more than $300 per week in some case. But how can parents find the right camp for each child and make sure they’re spending the summer learning and making great memories?

Set Goals for the Summer
Set aside some time this month to talk with your kids about activities they’d like to try and learn about over the summer break. Encourage them to be as specific as possible (i.e. take dance, work with animals, learn karate). If your child can’t decide on one or two things to focus on, that’s OK too. That child will probably do better in a camp that offers different daily programs to choose from.

It’s important that each of your kids, no matter what their interests, sets obtainable goals, like firing a rocket and creating an iPhone app, that summer camp can help them achieve. Not only will this get them excited about summer but give them something to focus on throughout the entire break. And no, playing more video games is not an acceptable goal.

Research
Once you and the kids have set goals and interests to explore between June and August, you’ll start the process of researching camps that will help them achieve these and more. You can find a full list of bay area camps on TBParenting.com/SummerCamps.

After compiling a list you’ll want to confirm that any camps you’re considering have staff and counselors that are well-trained, First Aid and/or CPR certified and are not overwhelmed by the number of campers. You’ll also want to check to see if the camp is accredited by organizations like the American Camps Association or National Camp Accreditation Program. Although not required, accreditations means that a camp has taken extra steps to prove their staff, facilities and programs are safe and up-to-date. Lastly, don’t be afraid to ask for referrals from previous campers’ parents or ask for a tour or meeting with a Camp Director.

Be Flexible
Finding the perfect summer camp for your kids is like looking for who fits the glass slipper. Your kids will definitely feel a little nervous on the first day of camp but once they come home, hopefully they’ll be hooked and eager to return the next day. If after the first week, your child seems disconnected or uninterested in a camp they helped select you may want to revisit your original list of camps. The nice thing about summer camp is that you have endless options choose from and unlike school, you can move from one camp to another with relative ease.

Going to summer camp is as much of a pastime as eating apple pie on Fourth of July. And when you and your kids can find the right camp, you’ll see an increase in independence, leadership, friendship skills and social comfort. In a national study conducted by the American Camp Association between 2001 – 2004 it was found that camps are “a unique educational institution and a positive force in youth development.” Take advantage of the time you have left before summer and find the best camp for your kids. It’ll be well worth the effort.

Sources
Tampa Bay Parenting
Parenting With Angela

Each year, there are heart-breaking stories of youth who are seriously injured or die in car accidents and many times these injuries and deaths are preventable. The goal of the Battle of the Belts campaign is to get students to convince their fellow peers to always wear their seat belts and avoid driving distractions, such as cell phone use. Various schools participate in the event by creating unique campaigns to encourage the students at their high school to wear their seat belts at all times.

The event is hosted by the Trauma Programs at All Children’s Hospital and Bayfront Medical Center, the Palm Harbor, Lealman, and Oldsmar fire departments and the Occupant Protection Program at All Children’s Hospital. This year, six school’s participated:  Pinellas Park High, Boca Ciega High, Tarpon Springs High, Palm Harbor University High, Seminole High and Bayside High.

Pinellas Park High School’s LiveFree! Club received an overall award for “Most Improved” [seat belt use] and two of the club’s members received individual awards.

“Yesterday we attended the Battle of the Belts ceremony. This was the campaign we did to promote seatbelt safety. We entered essays, PSA’s, and posters — as well as a campaign book. Before the campaign, a survey recorded how many people who attended the school wore their seatbelt. And then there was another at the end of the campaign. In thanks to your guys hard work, we went up 11%!!! We took home most improved, meaning our campaign worked! Josh Estremera took 1st place in the essay section, and I took 2nd in the campaign section. Thank you all who dedicated your time to this happening. We are so excited to steal that trophy from Seminole next year!”                                                                                                                                                                                       ~Kahlee Arthur, President of the Pinellas Park High LiveFree! Club

Congratulations to the Pinellas Park LiveFree! Club and to all of the youth who participated in this wonderful campaign!

Learn more about the risks of underage drinking.

Parents and loved ones have to stay on top of underage drinking trends. Tweens and teens need the support of family members and responsible peers to avoid the risks associated with underage drinking. To educate yourself, check out these six fast facts about teens and alcohol.

Underage drinking is more common than you might think. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), half of 15-year-old teens have had at least one drink. More than 70% of teens have had at least one drink by the time they turn 18.

Alcohol affects school performance. Teens who drink suffer consequences at school related to behavior and academic performance. At a time when school performance is crucial, this problem can affect a teen well into adulthood.

The community can help. Communities, including parents, teachers, peers and leaders can help prevent underage drinking. Be supportive of the teens in your life and help to educate them about making responsible choices.

Underage drinking can cause death. According to the NIAAA, 5,000 people under age 21 die each year from alcohol-related car crashes, homicides, suicides, alcohol poisoning, and other injuries.

Drinking as a teen increases the risk of alcohol dependence. The NIAAA reports that individuals who begin drinking as a teen are four times more likely to develop alcohol dependence as an adult.

Teens are more likely to binge drink. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that underage drinkers consume more drinks per drinking occasion than adult drinkers, on average. Binge drinking is a highly dangerous way to consume alcohol.

You can make a difference in your teen's life. Find out how to educate your teen about the dangers of underage drinking and more at LiveFree!

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On April 24th, the Pinellas Park High School LiveFree! Club received recognition for winning 2nd place in the MORE HEALTH and Allstate Foundation, Focus On The Road challenge. The club received a $1000 dollar check for winning 2nd place, the second year they have won the contest which includes 6 counties.  The students that drive the club, were very motivated, determined, and went up to the students directly, rather than wait for them come to the table first.

Fox 13 News was  present at the meeting, and interviewed Mr. Hanson and the President of the Club. The next event the LiveFree! club will be attending is the Battle of the Belts awards ceremony in hopes that they may be recognized for their concerted efforts to promote seat belt safety.

Let's play a little game of true or false — Marijuana is natural, so it's safe…..right?

You might feel the peer pressure to join the crowd and start smoking marijuana and they might even tell you it's natural…..which could be true or untrue. The truth is that smoking marijuana can have lasting negative effects on your brain.

What is Marijuana?
Marijuana is a plant, it derives from the hemp plant Cannabis sativa and contains the active ingredient THC. This is the chemical that affects your body the most by going through your blood stream and to your brain. It could even cause you to hallucinate. Marijuana can also act as a depressant in some people.

Why it's Dangerous
At the age that most people are experimenting and using marijuana (adolescence), the brain is still developing and marijuana effects the brain in a big way. There are both short and long-term effects.

Short-Term Effects:

• Problems with memory and hearing
• Difficulty solving problems
• Increased heart rate
• Anxiety
• Poor motor skills

Long-Term Effects:

• Cancer
• Gateway to other drugs
• Depression
• Mental health problems

Whether the marijuana is synthetic, medical or it's natural, these effects on your body are the same. So even if all of your friends are doing it, you see it in the movies or you think that it will make you look cooler….don't do it. Keep yourself healthy and make sure that you stay drug free in order to do well in school.

To learn more about LiveFree! and our mission to reduce youth substance abuse, visit our website.

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As your child gets older, they sometimes distance themselves from you. How do you stay connected?

As parents of a teenager, you know that their attitudes can sometimes go from pleasant to….not so pleasant, without warning. That kind of back-and-forth makes it hard for you to stay connected with them. The more you are involved in your teen's life, the better they tend to behave and listen.

When you talk to your teen, does it seem as if they are on another planet? With all of the technology today, it's hard to get them to actually focus and have a real conversation — but you can still stay connected. Here's how:

1. Share their interests — Find something they enjoy doing and do it with them. It will show that you care about what they are involved in.
2. Don't lecture them — Unless they did something absolutely terrible, don't be too hard on them, because the last thing you want is to push them away.
3. Give them their space — If they want to go listen to music in their bedroom, let them. They need to be alone sometimes too.
4. Connect with them online — If you can't beat them, join them! If they have a Facebook and Twitter, make sure you are friending them and following them. And don't forget you can text them too — we all know how much they love to text!
5. Talk about your teenage years — They might not want to hear it, but they will eventually thank you for telling them what you went through when you were their age.

The key to really connecting with your teen is to find one thing that works the best and keep doing it until it becomes something that eventually brings you together — and don't worry, once they mature a little, you'll probably be the best of friends!

The LiveFree! Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition is a coalition of members of the community who strive to address alcohol and drug use in Pinellas County. Visit us online today to see how you can get involved in this cause that is so important to our community.

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Sure, they are great for a quick boost…but are they harmful long term?

You probably buy them because all of your friends drink them or maybe you are the one who got your friends to start drinking them — either way, energy drinks are becoming increasingly popular among teenagers…but are they really dangerous?

According to NBC News, the number of emergency room visits after consuming energy drinks has doubled since 2007 and in most of those cases it was a teenager or young adult who was admitted. The Drug Abuse Warning Network states that 52% of the visits to the ER were due to mixing alcohol with the energy drinks.

What is an Energy Drink?
Because energy drinks are sold as dietary supplements, they have a little more leeway with the ingredients in their product. These drinks are loaded with sugar and not even close to a "dietary supplement" that should have vitamins and nutritional value. The massive amount of sugar each energy drink sometimes leaves you feeling a little anxious and probably a little dehydrated. Plus, when mixed with alcohol, energy drinks can be fatal.

Sugar isn't the only ingredient in these beverages, there are a few others that are also not very good for you:

• Caffeine — gives you your feeling of "energy", along with the copious amounts of sugar
• Guarana — this has been banned in some dietary supplements
• Taurine – used to treat high blood pressure and congestive heart failure

While these potentially dangerous drinks are still legal, there are numerous fights to try and get them banned from shelves because of the danger they pose. Keep these things in mind the next time you're thirsty and opt for something with more nutritional value.

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