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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It can be hard to sit back and watch a friend who is caught up in drugs. How do you know if they have a problem?

The use of drugs among teens is rising every day.  It may not seem like a big deal because you see it all of the time, but it can lead to big problems. If you notice that a friend is abusing drugs, make sure you get them help while there is still time.

How will you know if a friend had a drug problem? There are many things to look for and you may not have to look very far. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse website, there are signs that you can look for that will tell you if a friend may be addicted or abusing drugs:

• He or she may take the drug more often or in large quantities.
• He/she may have tried to quit, but can't resist the craving.
• He/she may spend an excessive amount of time trying to find the drug.
• He/she may continue to use the drug even though he/she knows it's harming them and others.
• He/she might give up other things they enjoy for the drug.

If you spot any of these changes in your friend, get them help right away. You can talk to your friend and tell them how much you care about them, but don't try and help them on your own — enlist the help of a counselor, teacher or parent to help. And remember, withdrawal symptoms can sometimes be dangerous, so it's important for them to seek medical help after they stop using them.

For more information on drug abuse and what you should do, click here. To learn more about LiveFree! and their mission, visit their website.

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Discover resources for helping children of parents addicted to drugs and alcohol.

Children are often the indirect victims of substance abuse. When a parent is addicted to drugs or alcohol, addiction can take precedence over parenting. This is a time of distress for kids, regardless of age. Learn how kids of addicted parents can get help.

Know the facts
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism reports that as many as one in four children is exposed to family alcohol abuse or dependence. This is a huge number of kids. Try to be aware that issues like this could be affecting children in your life, and could be at the root of emotional or behavioral issues. With awareness of the effects of substance abuse and dependence growing, pediatricians, teachers and caregivers are becoming more aware of the signs that a child is being exposed to addiction at home.

Help kids find support
If you or a child you know is affected by substance abuse, don’t hesitate to seek help. Children must know that they don’t have to feel guilty for admitting that a parent or caregiver has a problem with addiction. Reassurance is crucial, since kids may feel like acknowledging a problem is a betrayal. Here are some resources that can help kids:

• Encourage children to talk. Give them safe spaces to vent and express fears or anger.
• Provide children with any basic needs that may be ignored while a parent struggles with addiction.
• Introduce children and teens to Alateen and Al-Anon Family Groups for support through meetings.
• Seek further resources at the National Association for Children of Alcoholics.

Lastly, remember that children of alcoholics are not always under 18. If you are an adult child of an alcoholic, don’t hesitate to seek support in any way that you’re comfortable with.

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Learn why this important health observance week is observed.

When it comes to drugs, many teens are misinformed. Myths abound, and teens will often share false information with other kids to promote or excuse drug use. Learn how National Drug Facts Week can help.

The National Drug Facts Week mission
It can be challenging for teens to wade through information on drugs and pick out the facts. National Drug Facts Week focuses on educating teens with real, hard facts about drug use and abuse. From January 28 to February 3, National Drug Facts Week helps to share helpful, scientific facts with teens who have questions about drugs.

Connecting teens with experts
One of the cool aspects of National Drug Facts Week is that it offers teens the chance to contact medical professionals and scientists with questions. Teens may question the information given to them by parents or other mentors, but it’s hard to argue with experts. Tweet using #drugfacts during the week or register for other 2013 events.

How you can get involved
Want to get involved with National Drug Facts Week?

• Teens: Register and participate! Ask as many questions as you can think of.
• Parents: If you’re a caregiver or parent, help your teen get involved and encourage active questioning and fact-seeking.
• Other Adults: If you have a teen audience of any kind, consider hosting your own National Drug Facts Week event. Invite a local expert who can provide teens with real time answers to questions about addiction myths, drug use side effects and other common issues related to drug use and abuse. Here’s a step by step toolkit for hosting your own National Drug Facts Week event in 2013.

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Discover why smokeless tobacco is not a safe alternative to smoking cigarettes

Some tobacco users mistakenly think that smokeless tobacco is safe to use because it doesn’t involve inhaling smoke. Don’t let this misconception fool you. Before you try smokeless tobacco as an alternative or because your friends are pressuring you, consider these facts about smokeless tobacco.

Smokeless tobacco devastates your mouth. According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, smokeless tobacco can cause oral cancers that can be life threatening or cause serious facial scarring and deformities. According to the CDC, smokeless tobacco can contribute to leukoplakia. This is precancerous lesion in the mouth that cannot be scraped off.

Smokeless tobacco is addictive. This form of tobacco still contains nicotine, which is absorbed into your bloodstream. It’s just as habit forming as smoking cigarettes and is very difficult to quit if you become addicted.

Smokeless tobacco use is on the rise. Drugabuse.gov reported a 47% increase in the number of new smokeless tobacco users between 2002-2008. Teens report using smokeless tobacco as early as middle school.

Smokeless tobacco contains more nicotine than cigarettes. The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that smokeless tobacco delivers 3-4 times more nicotine than a cigarette. The nicotine absorbed this way stays in the bloodstream longer.

Smokeless tobacco use can lead to cigarette use. According to the CDC, adolescents who use smokeless tobacco are more likely to become cigarette smokers.

Smokeless tobacco should not be used as a way to quit smoking. If you’re trying to quit smoking, talk to your doctor about healthy, safe ways to quit. Tobacco is never safe and using it is never recommended as a way to quit smoking.

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Don’t be fooled into thinking prescription drugs are safe to use recreationally. According to WhiteHouse.gov, nearly a third of people over 12 who used drugs for the first time in 2009 began by using a prescription drug without the guidance of a doctor.

In addition to being a gateway to dangerous drug abuse habits, prescription drugs can lead to serious dependence, addiction and death. Learn more from these common drug abuse myths.

Myth: Prescription drugs are safe because they come from doctors.

Fact: When a doctor prescribes a serious opiate or other type of drug, they expect the patient to take that drug exactly as prescribed. Even then, there are known risks that are clearly described in the paperwork that comes with the drugs from the pharmacy. Many medical treatments, including drugs, come with risks. This is one of the reasons why it’s especially important not to take prescription drugs without your doctor’s care, and to avoid taking them if there are other options for pain or symptom management. Many prescription drugs pose a risk of overdose that can cause death.

Myth: You can’t become addicted to prescription drugs.

Fact: Prescription drugs can be as addictive as any other types of street drugs. Painkillers are especially dangerous when abused or used too often, even as prescribed. Opiods can cause physical dependence and addiction, both of which can potentially devastate a user’s life and cause physical withdrawal symptoms. If you or a loved one is experiencing drug dependence or addiction, find a treatment center.

Myth: It’s okay to take someone else’s prescription.

Fact:  Just because someone else was prescribed a medication doesn’t mean it’s safe or legal for you to take it. Sharing or selling prescription medication can lead to felony charges. This isn’t something to take lightly.  Because prescription drug abuse is becoming an epidemic in the United States, lawmakers and enforcers, as well as health professionals, are especially concerned with cracking down on prescription abuse and doctor shopping. If a friend offers you prescription drugs, such as narcotic painkillers, it’s still illegal and potentially dangerous. Consider what might happen if you had a dangerous allergic reaction or an overdose and needed emergency assistance. Both you and your friend could end up behind bars over one bad choice.

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Think steroids are only a problem with adult athletes? This isn’t the case. In 2010, a survey of high school seniors showed that 1.5 percent had tried anabolic steroids in the past year. According to the National Drug Intelligence Center, 4 percent of high school seniors in the United States abused steroids at least once in their lifetime. Get the facts on anabolic steroids and learn why they are a danger.

What are anabolic steroids?
Anabolic steroids are synthetic male hormones. They were developed by researchers for therapeutic medical purposes, such as use in delayed puberty. Anabolic steroids help muscles grow and can cause the development of male sexual characteristics, such as hair growth and a deepening voice.

How are steroids abused?
Athletes and bodybuilders sometimes abuse steroids to increase performance and build muscle more quickly. This is an illegal, dangerous use of steroids, which should only be used under the guidance of a physician and as prescribed. When athletes use steroids, either orally or by injection, they take much larger doses than are recommended. Some users take doses up to 100 times higher than what a doctor would recommend. At times, athletes use both oral and injected steroids to try to increase the effects.

Why are anabolic steroids dangerous?
Even steroids that are prescribed have side-effects and are rarely used in high doses or long term. People who abuse steroids pay no heed to the side effects and cause serious, long-lasting damage. In teens in particular, the damage can be lifelong and can include permanently stunted growth. Dangers and problems associated with steroid use are both emotional and physical. For teens who are in school, the emotional effects can be detrimental to school success and relationships.

Physical side effects and risks include:

• Severe acne
• Liver problems
• Jaundice
• Cancer
• High blood pressure
• Baldness in males and females
• Infertility
• Breast development in males

Emotional side effects and risks include:

• Severe mood swings
• Delusions
• Impaired judgment
• Irritability
• Depression
• Jealousy
• Anger and rage

According to DrugAbuse.gov, in addition to these side effects, those who use anabolic steroids intravenously also risk contracting HIV and Hepatitis B and C, as well as other blood-borne diseases.

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In 2009, 8.7% of people over the age of 12 had used illegal drugs in the past month. Many of those people, and likely people you know, have excuses and reasons for doing drugs. Those excuses come in handy when drug users try to rationalize behavior. But it’s important to understand the underlying truth and the power of addiction.       

“I can quit any time I want.”
Drug users may rationalize that addiction doesn’t factor in to drug use. The truth is, even drugs that aren’t physically addictive may be psychologically addictive. Most drug users are aware of the health risks and dangers, but continue to engage in dangerous and illegal behaviors. Detoxing from drugs often requires the assistance of medical professionals and counselors, as well as the support network of family and friends.

“This drug isn’t addictive.”
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, marijuana is estimated to produce addiction in approximately 9 percent, or roughly 1 in 11, of those who use it at least once. While not every marijuana smoker is addicted, it’s false to say that the drug isn’t addictive at all. On top of the potential chemical dependency, marijuana users can feel emotionally tied to the culture of smoking, making it difficult to quit.

“It isn’t dangerous.”
Drug abuse is dangerous. Depending on the drugs used, dangers can include contracting HIV, accidental overdose and death or injury from drugged driving. Inhaled drugs can cause lung disease while drugs like meth can cause gruesome side effects like open sores and rotting teeth. Drug users who claim that drugs aren’t dangerous are willfully ignoring the known dangers and related health problems.

“It isn’t hurting anyone else.”
Sadly, drug abuse affects entire families. Pregnant moms can cause severe health problems in unborn children by using drugs and alcohol during pregnancy. Addiction can have a rippling impact through families, causing emotional trauma for kids, parents and other loved ones. Drugged drivers have the potential to injure or even kill other drivers and pedestrians. Even accidental death from drug use can hurt people other than the drug user herself.

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

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The choices you make affect everyone around you, but especially your family. The effects of addiction can spread throughout the family—affecting your parents, siblings and other loved ones. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, addiction is a brain disease. Regardless of the drugs used, addiction has similar consequences. When considering reasons to get help, think about how your addiction may be affecting those who love you.

Guilt
Your parents feel responsible for your well being. Because they love you and want to protect you, they will question how they have allowed you to develop an addiction. They may wonder if they paid enough attention to early warning signs or put enough limitations on your behavior. Or it could be that they fought hard to intervene but were not able to help. Regardless of the circumstances, your parents and loved ones carry guilt and blame themselves to a certain extent.

Enabling
In some situations, your parents and siblings may enable your addiction. They may willfully ignore your problems or play them down. They might make excuses for your behavior or brush things off as a phase. They may be hesitant to address the addiction directly, worried about the stigma or the rough road ahead. Enabling is one of the major ways your addiction isn’t just about you. Drugfree.org offers true stories to help families with loved ones suffering drug and alcohol addictions.

Behavior
Addiction affects your mood and the way you treat the people around you. Since your family probably spends the most time around you, they’re going to catch the brunt of your moods. Your addiction may lead you to steal, to lie, to perform poorly in school and to withdraw from the people who care about you. Your parents, siblings and friends may be hurt by your behavior. They may feel betrayed or angry. They will feel helpless and will wonder how to help you and how to repair your relationship.

Responsibility
Your family must rally around you to help you overcome drug addiction through professional treatment. This can be a scary step for families to take, but it’s ultimately necessary to help you heal. While you are ultimately responsible for your own behavior, your family will be involved in supporting you through a lifetime of recovery. Family members may go through a process of healing as they come to terms with your addiction and learn how to help you and how to help themselves.

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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As your child navigates the teen years, you may find yourself questioning your ability to trust her. She may be hanging out with new friends or exhibiting troubling behaviors. If you find yourself leaning toward testing your teen for drugs, consider the topic carefully.

Ask Yourself Why
What is prompting you to consider drug testing your teen? Could your child’s negative behaviors be attributed to issues other than drugs or alcohol? If you haven’t sat down and had a serious talk with your teen about drug use, don’t spring a drug test out as the first defense. Establish a conversation and open yourself up as a sounding board for troubles—especially if your teen is acting withdrawn or depressed. You may end up learning that his behavior is due to other issues.

Consider Your Options
The most common type of drug test is a urine test. You’ve probably experienced one at some point or another as an employee. They’re cheap and easy, but they’re also relatively unreliable. Many common street drugs won’t show up, while others like marijuana may show up weeks after your child quit smoking it. Certain medications can affect the results as well. Alcohol will not show up in a drug test. Urine tests can be administered by your pediatrician or at home, but both types may influence your teen’s trust and may not actually deter drug use.

Consider Your Goals
What do you hope to achieve from a drug test? If you discover that your child is abusing drugs, do you have a game plan? If your child is opposed to the idea, you may be better off approaching the situation the same way, without resorting to drug testing. However, if your child wants to go ahead with a test to prove himself, that may be a more positive situation for your family. Regardless of what you hope to discover, you should plan ahead for any outcomes and should be working closely with your pediatrician to fight drug abuse.

Don’t Force It
The American Academy of Pediatrics opposes forced drug tests for teens. In the context of your family’s dynamic, involuntary drug testing can foster mistrust and resentful behavior in the future. Your teen may be more likely to hide things from you if she already thinks you don’t trust her or that you’ll invade her privacy against her will.

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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