January 1, 2018

Rx Drug Abuse Prevention Starts at Home

Every day, 2,000 teenagers use a prescription drug to get high for the first time. It can be as easy as opening a cupboard, drawer or medicine cabinet. If your child is prescribed medication: talk to the prescribing physician about safety guidelines; monitor the family’s prescriptions; secure them tightly in a locked cabinet; and properly dispose of expired, unused medications.  Irvington has an Rx Take Back Days on January 20 and April 28 at Irvington Town Hall from 10am – 2pm.  Permanent MedReturn boxes are available 24/7 in the Ardsley and Dobbs Ferry Police stations. Learn more.

in iASK-CAB Notes
December 4, 2017

Holidays

There is always great anticipation about the holiday season as this is a special time for many families. It is a special time with special events, parties when relatives and friends are more likely to gather together to celebrate this time of year. However, this time of year can also be a very challenging for many reasons.

The holidays can also be difficult when there has been the loss of a loved one or there is an ill or absent family member. The gaiety of the holidays can accentuate feelings of loss and pain. The holidays can be very emotional and can create stressful situations where there is the potential for someone to drink too much, relapse, misuse drugs, get overwhelmed, work too hard to have a nice celebration, spend too much money or have unrealistic expectations about the holidays.

In addition, during the holidays, teens and adults have more access to alcohol at intergenerational parties where alcohol is available but not necessarily monitored. Another issue is that students returning home after being at college may “invite” younger siblings to parties where alcohol and or other drugs are available. During this past year there is great concern about the use of marijuana, prescription drugs, and a significant increase in the number of teens vaping nicotine or marijuana.

Also, adults may be so busy, that there is less supervision of their teens and what they are doing. Talking to teens about these issues can be a very positive way to deal with these concerns. It gives a parent the opportunity to restate expectations, set boundaries, and state what the consequences will be if a teen uses alcohol and other drugs. A conversation with your teen can provide a chance to share both their and your concerns and expectations in regards to the holidays. Fears of parent or sibling relapse, car crashes, arrest or other alcohol related behavior can make the holiday season very stressful for teens. A conversation about these concerns can provide an opportunity to explore some strategies to help your teen reduce stress and remain alcohol and drug free.

Source: Parenting for Prevention
in iASK-CAB Notes
December 1, 2017

Drug & Alcohol Impaired Driving

It is more important than ever to teach your child never to ride with an impaired driver.  The Governors Highway Safety Association and the Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility reported in April 2017, that for the first time, drugged driving now surpasses drunken driving among drivers killed in crashes.  And every day, over 27 people in the United States die in motor vehicle crashes that involve an alcohol-impaired driver. Learn more.

in iASK-CAB Notes
December 1, 2017

What exactly is medical marijuana?

What exactly is medical marijuana? 

The term medical marijuana refers to using the whole, unprocessed marijuana plant or its basic extracts to treat symptoms of illness and other conditions. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not recognized or approved the marijuana plant as medicine. Learn more.

in Conversation Starters
November 1, 2017

Vaping Facts

Vaping, e-cigs, hookah sticks, Juul – lots of different names but all are risky for youth.  Young people who “vape” are much more likely to progress to traditional cigarette use.  Many vape products include nicotine and other harmful chemicals.  The batteries in these devices can explode, causing injury. Get educated.

in iASK-CAB Notes
November 1, 2017

Juuling is safer than cigarettes… isn’t it?

Juuling is safer than cigarettes… isn’t it?

Once you take the first hit, your brain automatically associates the sweet flavor as “good”, triggering your pleasure center to automatically equate juuling as good, fostering a lifetime addiction to tobacco and nicotine. So if you’re eighteen or older and feel like trying out a juul, please know exactly what you’re getting yourself into before you risk your health. Learn more.

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