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Welcome
to the October 2009 Issue of 'News of
Hope'
OCTOBER includes RED RIBBON WEEK, the
week nearly every school has multiple
events to create awareness about drug
abuse.
The Red Ribbon Coalition states on
their website (www.redribboncoaltion)
that "Red Ribbon Week is not a
prevention or early intervention
program. It is an awareness campaign
observed annually the last full week
in October. We regard Red Ribbon Week
as the kick off to a year of
prevention in our schools and in our
communities. The best Red Ribbon Week
efforts highlight and support
continuing prevention, early
intervention and treatment programs
and services occurring on and off
campus throughout the year."
We couldn't agree more! Let's use
October 2009 Red Ribbon Week as a
starting point for guiding our kids to
make healthy decisions all year long!
October 2009 NEWS OF HOPE
CONTENTS
• STARTING POINT THIS OCTOBER: 2009
National School Survey Finds Small but
Significant Increases in Adolescent
Alcohol, Tobacco, Drug Use
• Mothers Against Drunk Drivers
Creates new line of Nonalcoholic
Virgin Drinks
• Should Drugs Be Legalized? Many
Critical of Drug War...
• New Help for Parents to Raise
Drug-Free Kids
• Teenage Parties - Parent Guide
Pictured above:
First and foremost, THANK YOU to all
of the incredible people who designed,
coordinated and implemented the
exceptional events we were honored to
participate in this past Sept. 2009.
The pictures above represent
remarkable educational and awareness
events sponsored across the country -
in Tennessee, Arizona, California and
Florida - to reach out to educational
professionals, county agencies,
citywide parents and teens, and
university students. Check out more
photos on each event at the links
below.
Pic 1: Susie and husband Ken Vanderlip,
Ph.D. were honored to present DE-STRESS
FOR SUCCESS®Closing Keynote for
the Tennessee
Coordinated School Health Institute
in Nashville, TN. The conference was
organized by the National
Center for Youth Issues.
Pic 2: Susie was honored to return for
a second time to the City of Santa
Clarita's annual TEEN
SCENE UNPLUGGED event. The
evening attracted over 500 parents and
teens to this popular citywide
awareness evening sponsored by the
city's innovative and capable BLUE
RIBBON TASK FORCE and coordinated by
Community Services Analyst Tess Simgen.
Pictured here are student VIP's who
volunteer their time to contribute to
the Task Force.
Pic 3: Navajo County, Arizona had the
highest meth use in the nation until
the Navajo County Coalition Against
Drug Abuse came into being a few short
years ago. Now, the county is seeing
significant decrease in use and a much
increased countywide awareness. Susie
was honored to participate in the 3rd
Annual Northeast Arizona Substance
Abuse Prevention Summit
in Snowflake, AZ this past month,
coordinated by Navajo County Drug
Project Director Debe Campbell.
Pic 4 - The Health Promotions Services
department of the University
of West Florida in
Pensacola organized an evening of
student fun and education. Mica
Harrell, Assistant Director, was able
to attract no less than 350 students
to an evening of pizza and LEGACY OF
HOPE®. The event was co-sponsored by
the members of Alpha Chi Omega
sorority, pictured here with Susie.
Check
out our photo pages from LEGACY OF
HOPE® events - You may just be there!
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The
Media and Research acknowledge
the extreme levels of stress
we are all experiencing...
APA’s 2008 Stress in
America Survey revealed high
levels of stress which have
increased in 2009:|
* 81% of Americans are
stressed about money and 80%
about the economy.
* 53% of Americans report
feeling more fatigued.
* 60% report feeling irritable
or angry.
* 52% say they are lying awake
at night
* 48% of Americans report
overeating or eating unhealthy
to deal with stress.
* 18% of people admitted using
alcohol and smoking to
“manage their stress".
The trick is to stop ourselves
in the midst of growing
anxiety and recognize when we
are into EXCESS stress, then
commit ourselves to take an
action step to De-Stress.
We offer Seminars, Workshops,
Keynotes and the System for
use at home, at the office and
in the classroom.
Check out the Table
of Contents - a complete
set of tools to relax your
body, ease your mind and
uplift your spirit. Be a
positive attraction to others
as you expand your capacity
for peace, calm and a
fulfilling lifestyle.
HOLIDAY GIFT GIVING - Give the
Gift of Peace - Help reduce a
loved one's stress.
Contact
us for more info, to book a
Workshop or purchase the
De-Stress for Success® System
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OUR
STARTING
POINT THIS
OCTOBER:
2009
National
School
Survey
Finds
Small but
Significant
Increases
in
Adolescent
Alcohol,
Tobacco,
Drug Use
On Sept
17, 2009,
Community
Anti-Drug
Coalitions
of America
reported
on the
2009 Pride
Survey
National
Summary of
adolescent
alcohol
and drug
use. This
Survey is
done each
year. The
significance
of the
2009
Survey
results is
that we
have seen
small but
significant
decreases
in alcohol
and other
drug use
in past
years, but
are now
seeing
increases,
with
particular
increase
in
pharmaceutical
drug use.
The
results
showed
small, but
significant
increases
in 30-day
prevalence
for a
number of
drug
categories,
and no
significant
decreases
in 30-day
use of any
drug
category
measured
in grades
6 through
12. These
results
are based
on surveys
completed
during the
2008-2009
school
year.
Most of
the
increases
witnessed
were small
(less than
1
percent).
However,
they
suggest
that
decreases
in
adolescent
drug use
over the
last
several
years may
have come
to a halt.
Included
in the
findings
of the
2009 Pride
Survey
National
Summary:
Grades
6-8 (ages
11 to 14)
Increases
in 30-day
prevalence
of
cigarettes,
cigars,
any
tobacco,
beer,
marijuana
and
prescription
drug
abuse.
No
significant
decreases
in 30-day
use.
Grades
9-12 (ages
14-18)
Increases
in 30-day
prevalence
of
cigarettes,
smokeless
tobacco,
cigars,
any
tobacco,
beer, wine
coolers,
liquor,
any
alcohol,
marijuana,
inhalants,
heroin,
ecstasy,
OxyContin,
meth and
any
illicit
drug.
No
significant
decreases
in 30-day
use.
According
to CADCA's
article,
"The
2009 Pride
Survey
National
Summary is
based on
the
responses
of 122,243
students
selected
from
447,532
students
who
completed
the Pride
Survey for
Grades 6
to 12
during the
school
year from
August
2008 until
June
2009."
These
students
represent
a broad
cross-section
of
American
youth.
Clearly,
keeping
kids
alcohol
and drug
free
continues
to be a
challenging
aspect of
parenting
in the
world
today. Of
greatest
importance
is to work
on open
communication
and active
parental
involvement
all
through
the teen
years. And
if you
suspect
your teen
is using,
don't
hesitate
to act on
your
fears.
Utilize
the
contacts
and
assistance
of a
mental
health
professional,
school
counselor,
resources
such as
Al-Anon
and more.
Check out
the
article
below on Help
for
Parents on
Raising
Drug Free
Kids.
Find
resources
on our
Resources
Webpage |
 |
Mothers
Against
Drunk
Drivers
Creates
new line
of
Nonalcoholic
Virgin
Drinks
(Research
Summary
from Join
Together
article,
September
24, 2009)
Mothers
Against
Drunk
Driving (MADD)
is getting
into the
beverage
business,
inking a
deal to
sell a new
line of
nonalcoholic
MADD
Virgin
Drinks.
The
Associated
Press
reported
Sept. 19
that the
licensing
deal puts
the MADD
name on a
line of
nonalcoholic
beers and
wines as
well as
virgin
mojitos,
margaritas,
and pina
coladas.
A portion
of the
profits
will
benefit
MADD's
work to
prevent
drunk
driving.
MADD
president
Laura
Dean-Mooney
said the
products
also
support
the
group's
mission by
providing
"the
great
taste
needed to
make
guests
feel like
they are
part of
the party
-- but
without
the
alcohol."
MADD
Canada has
a similar
deal
already in
place.
"What's
important
to us is
that a
designated
driver
should be
sober --
not just
the least
drunk,"
said MADD
CEO Chuck
Hurley.
"So a
virgin
cocktail
perhaps
would be a
little
more
festive
than just
a club
soda and
lime and
allow the
person to
participate
in the
festivities
but be the
sober
driver to
get people
home."
COMMENTS
ON THIS
ARTICLE
Many
people
commented
on this
article
(which may
be read at
the link
below).
The pros
included
comments
such as:
Posted
by Holly -
"As a
person who
has chosen
to stay
sober, I
think this
is a great
idea! Just
because I
don't
drink,
doesn't
mean that
I don't
like to
socialize.
Having non
alcoholic
"virgin"
drinks
available
at parties
will send
the
message
that
someone
can have
fun at a
party
without
alcohol."
The cons
included
comments
such as:
Posted
by Joshua
-
"This
just
reinforces
the idea
that if
you don't
have a
drink, you
are not
part of
the party.
it
accomplishes
exactly
the
opposite
of what
MADD has
been
about."
What do
you think?
Is it
different
than just
drinking a
soda?
You can
post your
opinion at
Join
Together
below
Read
the
article
and
comments
by many
others
online
here |
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Should
Drugs Be Legalized? Many
Critical of Drug War...
Police, Judges Among Drug
War Critics at Conference
October 2, 2009 - Join
Together
The U.S.'s 40-year "War
on Drugs" has been
"probably the greatest
public-policy failure of all
time" according to former
federal drug agent Terry
Nelson, just one of the many
drug-war critics who gathered
at a recent conference in El
Paso, Texas to discuss
alternatives to the current
approach to drug policy.
The San Antonio Express-News
reported Sept. 28 that the
conference was hosted by the
University of Texas at El Paso
(UTEP) and attracted
academics, drug experts,
journalists, and
law-enforcement officials from
the U.S. and Mexico.
"After 40 years and all
the money spent, with U.S.
consumption as high as ever,
people languishing in prison
for possession of soft drugs
like marijuana and the
violence in Mexico worse than
ever, it seems to me that
something has to change,"
said UTEP professor Kathleen
Staudt.
Nelson said that legalizing
and regulating drugs, along
with education, would be the
logical alternative. Others
noted that addiction treatment
is far more cost-effective
than incarceration.
"We cannot repeal the law
of supply and demand,"
said Orange County, Calif.,
Judge James Gray. "Maybe
we should stop being moralists
and start being
managers."
The Obama administration's
drug czar, Gil Kerlikowske,
was invited to attend but
declined at the last minute,
according to organizers.
However, the Drug Enforcement
Administration's intelligence
chief, Anthony Placido,
presented a rigorous defense
of the current policy and the
argument against legalization.
"Ultimately what we are
talking about is the
obligation of the state to
protect its citizens,"
said Placido. "It's about
mind-altering substances that
destroy human life and create
the violence you see only a
few blocks from here ... We
went to war after 9-11 when
3,100 people were killed.
Thirty-eight thousand die
every year in this country
from drugs."
El Paso is just across the
border from Cuidad Juarez,
Mexico, which has been wracked
by violence associated with
the government's crackdown on
the country's powerful drug
cartels. Mexico also recently
decriminalized possession of
small amounts of drugs, which
some advocates at the
conference called for the U.S.
to do, as well.
The San Diego Union-Tribune
reported Sept. 28 that El Paso
councilman Beto O'Rourke has
called for an open discussion
of drug-policy reform.
"We have a front-row seat
to a failed policy,"
O'Rourke said. "There are
a lot of things we can do
differently, and one of the
things is pursue a model of
decriminalization of some
drugs."
The conference plan originated
last year after El Paso Mayor
John Cook vetoed a unanimously
approved City Council
resolution calling for
"an honest, open national
debate on ending the
prohibition of
narcotics." U.S. Rep.
Silvestre Reyes (D-Texas) told
local lawmakers that the
resolution could threaten
federal funding for the city.
LEGACY COMMENT:
This article is not based on
any opinion or perspective we
have on drug legalization. It
is intended to give YOU, the
reader, an opportunity to
evaluate for yourself.
However, people do ask us if
we believe in legalizing
drugs.
To this date, we would still
say NO and prefer a dramatic
increase in treatment
facilities, healthcare
coverage and emphasis on
demand reduction (reducing the
use)/prevention versus primary
emphasis on supply reduction.
Legalization makes it all too
easy for young people to think
using drugs is alright (Note
the uptake in teens using
pharmaceutical drugs ever
since the increase in
pharmaceutical drug
advertisements on TV.)
There were many thought
provoking comments to this
article as well; and we
encourage you to read all of
them on the Join Together
webpage.
The
full article and comments can
be read here. |
New
Help for Parents on Raising
Drug-Free Kids
The National Center on
Addiction and Substance Abuse
at Columbia University merged
with Join Together this year
and have created a positive
website for parents who want
to raise drug-free kids.
The website has a wealth of
user-friendly, research-based
tools.
At the Get Informed
page, you'll find online tips
and downloadable fact sheets
for parents on many topics,
including:
* How to recognize risk
factors that often precede
adolescent substance abuse.
* What parents can do if they
think their child is using
drugs.
* Coaching kids to turn down
drug offers.
* Hosting and setting rules
for teen parties.
* Preparing children to avoid
substance use in college.
And much more. Positive
resource for inside
information!
Link
to Get Informed from
LEGACY website |
TEENAGE
PARTIES - Parent Guide
Thanks to the City of Santa
Clarita for creating an
excellent Parent Guide on
Teenage parties and dances. We
thought you might appreciate
some of their advice.
As Santa Clarita Valley
Sheriff's Station Captain J.
Anthony La Berge states, "While
it is important that teenagers
enjoy the social aspect of
their lives, they need the
appropriate levels of
supervision as they develop
their growing levels of
independence. Many times
parents assume that all of the
other parents in (the)
community believe in the same
rule of conduct, and
unfortunately we find this is
not true"
So here are some suggestions:
When the gathering is at your
home
BEFORE THE PARTY
* Decide which areas of the
house will be used, which are
off limits.
* Determine the party's
schedule.
* Discuss acceptable behavior
and the consequences of
unacceptable behavior.
* Make sure your child knows
it is illegal to serve alcohol
to guests under age 21.
* Tell your teen that you plan
to be home during the party.
Invite other parents to
chaperone.
* Affirm that you will be
enforcing the guidelines for
behavior
* Keep a guest list of those
invited to the party.
* Remove prescription
medications from the bathrooms
and bedrooms, and secure your
personal supply of all liquor.
* Discuss with your teen what
will happen if a guest arrives
or becomes intoxicated or
engages in any illegal
behavior at the party.
DURING THE PARTY
* Meet all guests at the front
door. Be home and present
during the party.
* Gave the guests leave heavy
coats, purses, and backpacks
with you to prevent alcohol
from coming into the event.
* Don't allow a guest in with
an open container or allow
someone to drink in your front
yard.
* Make it clear that once a
guest leaves the party, they
many not return. This prevents
trips to cars or areas where
banned substances can be
retrieved or ingested.
* Limit the number of rooms
that are accessible to teens.
Keep bedrooms and back rooms
off limits.
* Watch for sings of alcohol
or drug use.
* Be near the door as the
party draws to a close. Don't
let anyone drive who appears
to be under the influence.
* Remember that with cell
phones and text messaging, a
small party can quickly grow
with numbers of unwanted
and/or unexpected guests.
* Don't hestitate to call the
Police Dept if problems
develop or troublesome guest
refuse to leave.
Next month, we'll include tips
for When the Party is
elsewhere.
Tough as the job is, please
remember that as a parent or
legal guardian, you are
responsible and liable for the
actions of your underage teen.
Thanks for taking the job
seriously.
click
here |
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JOIN
me on FACEBOOK!
FACEBOOK is fun and let's
us keep up on some of the
interesting activities of each
other's lives!
It's not a replacement for
good ol' sit down and talk
with friends time, but it
helps to keep us in touch
across geography and busy
schedules.
You are invited!
Facebook
- for fun and for free!
TIME
TO BOOK LEGACY OF
HOPE for
2009-2010!!
This is a
cut-to-the-chase
SCHOOL ASSEMBLY,
COMMUNITY EVENING
AWARENESS EVENT, and
CONFERENCE KEYNOTE for
both youth and adults
- a profound message
of hope, emotional
wisdom, and insightful
guidance in HEALTHY
CHOICES.
LEGACY OF HOPE®
stimulates positive
communication between
schools, parents and
teens while motivating
young people to
healthy choices.
Create awareness and
re-ignite HOPE in the
lives of children,
parents, educators,
counselors, and
communities - because
we all need to know
that someone out there
understands our
struggle and cares.
LEGACY OF HOPE® can
help! Give us a call
at 800-707-1977 or
online.
To
Contact Susie and
LEGACY |
Upcoming
LEGACY Calendar:
October
* 10/14 - Prevention of
Youth Substance Abuse in Rural
Communities - Lancaster,
SC
* 10/19 - TC Roberson High
School and Community -
Ashville, SC
* 10/20 & 21 - St.
Matthew Catholic Church -
Charlotte, SC - Open to public
- Email
us for more info
* 10/22 - Brashier Middle
College Charter High School -
Simpsonville, SC assembly and
public evening program
* 10/24 - First
Congregational United Church
of Christ - Asheville, NC
Susie Vanderlip, CPAE, CSP -
Speakers Hall of Fame inductee
Ken Vanderlip, Ph.D. -
Clinical Psychologist
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From all of us at LEGACY ...
Susie Vanderlip, CSP, CPAE - Ken Vanderlip,
PhD
800-707-1977 |
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