June 30, 2016

School’s Out for Summer!

Even though it is one of the most wonderful times of the year, there are issues related to summer safety for teenagers. First, there is the research that indicates that many teens experiment with drugs and alcohol for the first time during the summer.  This is probably due to the fact that this is a more relaxed, less scheduled time of year.

In addition, teens spend more time outside, stay out later and gather in unsupervised settings far from the watchful eye of a parent or other responsible adults. There are concerns about the use of alcohol and other drugs and teens driving a car or boat or participating in other activities such as skateboarding and swimming that require good judgement and coordination.

As in most issues, it is best for parents to have an honest and direct conversation with their teen about their expectations to remain drug free.  Also discuss the consequences that will occur if they do not remain drug free. Learn more.

Source: Parenting for Prevention, Patricia Murphy Warble, CMSW, CPP  

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June 12, 2016

Not My Child… Think Again.

Only 1 in 10 High School parents believe their own child drinks alcohol, and only 1 in 100 High School parents believe their child binge-drinks.

However, the most recent nationwide Monitoring the Future study (2015) proves differently:

  • 47 % of 10th grade students and 64% of 12th grade students admit to drinking alcohol (defined as drinking “more than a few sips”)
  • 1 in 6 high school students reports binge-drinking within the last month

Research shows that teens are less likely to drink alcohol if they clearly know their parents disapprove. Talk to your children soon & often about the risks of underage alcohol use.

Alcohol_Infographic

Source: Jennifer Traditi, LMHC, Student Assistance Counselor, Irvington High School & Middle School
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April 28, 2016

What Every Parent & Student Should Know…

May Panel Flyer jpgiASK-CAB will be sponsoring an important panel discussion on May 19th, 7pm at Irvington High School.  The topic will be consequences of underage drinking and drug use from a variety of perspectives by our panel of experts:
  • Dr. Emil Nigro, ER Medical Director – Phelps Memorial Hospital
  • Det. Mike Toolan, Detective – Irvington Police Department
  • David Cohen, Principal – Irvington High School
  • Des Lyons, Justice – Village of Irvington
Moderator
  • Ellen Morehouse, LCSE, CASAC, CPP – Executive Director, Student Assistance Services Corp.
All students and parents are invited to take part in this important, FREE discussion. As an added incentive, all attendees will be entered into a drawing to win a pair of prom tickets, local restaurant gift certificates and more!!
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April 25, 2016

“Healthy Teen Brain Day” in Irvington!

April 20, 2016 – Westchester County Executive Robert P. Astorino gathered with nearly 100 high school students, teachers, health professionals and parents who make up the Westchester Coalition for Drug and Alcohol Free Youth to declare April 20th as “Healthy Teen Brain Day” in Westchester.

In recent years, April 20th has become known as a day when some young people gather to smoke marijuana. Throughout Westchester County, municipalities and coalitions are joining forces to raise awareness about the risks associated with adolescent marijuana use.

Read the full article.

Healthy Teen Brain Day

Healthy Teen Brain Day

Healthy Teen Brain Day

Irvington at “Healthy Teen Brain Day”

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April 20, 2016

Its 4/20… Have You Talked to Your Children About Marijuana?

Fast Facts About Teen Marijuana Use:

  • 1 in 6 teenagers who try marijuana will become addicted
  • Marijuana use affects attention, memory, coordination, & judgment, which could impact your child’s performance in school & sports
  • Marijuana use during the teenage years can permanently affect brain growth & development
  • Today’s marijuana is much stronger than it was 30 years ago…
    • Its potency has increased from ~4% THC  in the 1980s to ~14.5% THC currently

Teens receive mixed messages about marijuana almost every day. Have a conversation with your son/daughter today about the dangers of teen marijuana use.

Sincerely,

Jennifer Traditi, LMHC

Student Assistance Counselor

Irvington High School & Middle School

Phone: 914-269-5469

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April 18, 2016

Marijuana and 4/20

February was Marijuana Awareness Month, and this week is April 20th (also known as “4/20”) which is often associated with marijuana use. Teens receive mixed messages about marijuana almost every day, and it is helpful for them to learn the facts from the adults in their lives. Research shows that teens are less likely to use drugs if they clearly know their parents disapprove. Talk to your children soon & often about the risks of drug use.

Please view the pamphlet “Marijuana: Facts Parents Need to Know” from the National Institute on Drug Abuse. This informative document answers some commonly asked questions among parents, and it addresses how to talk to your kids about the risks of marijuana use.

For more information about this & other topics, please contact the Irvington High School Student Assistance Counselor – Jennifer Traditi, LMHC – Jennifer.Traditi@IrvingtonSchools.org or 914-269-5469.

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March 31, 2016

Alcohol Awareness Month

As a young person you are faced with many challenges.  However, very few have the potential to affect your life in a more significant way than the decisions you make about alcohol and drugs.  The decisions you make about alcohol and drugs will influence your health, your grades, your relationships, your job or career, maybe even your freedom.

So, what can you do to protect yourself and reduce the risk of alcohol and drug problems?

Here are Ten Tips for Prevention–Youth:

  1. Don’t Be Afraid to Say No:  Sometimes, our fear of negative reaction from our friends, or others we don’t even know, keeps us from doing what we know is right.  Real simple, it may seem like “everyone is doing it,” but they are not.  Don’t let someone else make your decisions for you.  If someone is pressuring you to do something that’s not right for you, you have the right to say no, the right not to give a reason why, and the right to just walk away.
  1. Connect With Your Friends and Avoid Negative Peer Pressure:  Pay attention to who you are hanging out with.  If you are hanging out with a group in which the majority of kids are drinking alcohol or using drugs to get high, you may want to think about making some new friends.  You may be headed toward an alcohol and drug problem if you continue to hang around others who routinely drink alcohol, smoke marijuana, abuse prescription drugs or use illegal drugs.  You don’t have to go along to get along.
  1. Make Connections With Your Parents or Other Adults:  As you grow up, having people you can rely on, people you can talk to about life, life’s challenges and your decisions about alcohol and drugs is very important.  The opportunity to benefit from someone else’s life experiences can help put things in perspective and can be invaluable.
  1. Enjoy Life and Do What You Love –  Don’t Add Alcohol and Drugs:  Learn how to enjoy life and the people in your life, without adding alcohol or drugs.  Alcohol and drugs can change who you are, limit your potential and complicate your life.  Too often, “I’m bored” is just an excuse.  Get out and get active in school and community activities such as music, sports, arts or a part-time job.  Giving back as a volunteer is a great way to gain perspective on life.
  1. Follow the Family Rules About Alcohol and Drugs:  As you grow up and want to assume more control over your life, having the trust and respect of your parents is very important.  Don’t let alcohol and drugs come between you and your parents.  Talking with mom and dad about alcohol and drugs can be very helpful.
  1. Get Educated About Alcohol and Drugs:  You cannot rely on the myths and misconceptions that are out there among your friends and on the internet.  Your ability to make the right decisions includes getting educated.  Visit Learn About Alcohol and Learn About Drugs.  And, as you learn, share what you are learning with your friends and your family.
  1. Be a Role Model and Set a Positive Example:  Don’t forget, what you do is more important than what you say!  You are setting the foundation and direction for your life; where are you headed?
  1. Plan Ahead:  As you make plans for the party or going out with friends you need to plan ahead.  You need to protect yourself and be smart.  Don’t become a victim of someone else’s alcohol or drug use.  Make sure that there is someone you can call, day or night, no matter what, if you need them.  And, do the same for your friends.
  1. Speak Out/Speak Up/Take Control:  Take responsibility for your life, your health and your safety.  Speak up about what alcohol and drugs are doing to your friends, your community and encourage others to do the same.
  1. Get help!:  If you or someone you know is in trouble with alcohol or drugs, get help. Don’t wait. You don’t have to be alone.

Source: NCADD

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March 15, 2016

Kick Butts Day #iKickButts

More than 400,000 people in the United States will die this year from a tobacco-related disease.

On March 16, Kick Butts Day— iASK Irvington is taking a stand to stop youth from getting hooked on deadly tobacco products. We know that 90% of smokers start using tobacco regularly by the time they are 18. Isn’t this astonishing?

So in order to give kids a fighting chance, we plan to join thousands of students across the country who are taking part in Kick Butts Day, a nationwide initiative that makes students leaders in the effort to stop youth tobacco use. As part of the Kick Butts Day celebration, iASK will share messaging across social media (Twitter & Facebook).

There are many effective ways state and local officials can protect young people from tobacco. They can use funds from the states’ 1998 legal settlement with the tobacco companies to pay for tobacco prevention programs; they can increase tobacco taxes; and they can pass smokefree laws to protect us from secondhand smoke.

Consider these facts: Each day, more than 1,000 kids become new regular smokers; roughly one-third of them will die prematurely from a tobacco-related disease. Today’s youth are not just part of the problem; they’re part of the solution. And the students from Irvington want tobacco companies to know that on Kick Butts Day and every day throughout the year, we’re going to fight them every step of the way!

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