They’re going to prom and graduating! Now is the time for one of their most important lessons.
Prom! Graduation! These celebrations sometimes result in big, unsupervised parties. It’s important to take the time to talk to your teens about pressure and making good decisions before they celebrate. Get strategies for keeping them safe from drugs and alcohol. Learn what every parent needs to know.
Medicine is supposed to help you when you are sick… why is it dangerous?
Medicine abuse is a national epidemic. More Americans are abusing prescription medicine than ever, and like other types of drug use, problematic behavior often begins during the teen and young adult years. Learn more.
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Irvington High School hosted its annual Senior Send-Off event on May 1 to celebrate its seniors’ accomplishments and “send them off” to their postsecondary experiences with a sense of Bulldog Pride. Held in the high school atrium, the seniors declared their plans through miniature pennant decorating, shared advice with younger students, wrote thank-you letters, decorated cupcakes and celebrated each other. “It was so nice to see the seniors come together for this event,” said Emily Colman, the high school’s school counseling chairperson. “We had a great turnout, and the students got to spend some quality time with each other before they all go their separate ways. We are so proud of each one of them and how much they’ve accomplished at IHS.” The Irvington High School Counseling Department and Irvington About Safe Kids sponsored the event, while senior Madison Clivilles baked the cupcakes. The Stop & Shop supermarket in Dobbs Ferry graciously donated additional cupcakes and supplies. |
On May 8, 2018, iASK CAB invited Dr. Dewey to present to the Irvington community. Attendees observed actual PET images, showing how alcohol and drug use affects the developing adolescent brain. The discussion included information about energy drinks, caffeine, vaping, marijuana, prescription medications and other drugs.
I keep hearing about fentanyl. What is it?
Deaths from fentanyl and other synthetic opioids (not including methadone), rose a staggering 72 percent in just one year, from 2014 to 2015. Government agencies and officials of all types are rightly concerned by what some are describing as the third wave of our ongoing opioid epidemic. Learn more.
Notice changes in your child’s behavior that might indicate signs of alcohol or other drug use, or other problems. Warning signs include: alcohol, smoke or other odors on your child’s or their friends’ breath or clothing; obvious intoxication, dizziness or unusual behavior; changes in dress and grooming; changes in choice of friends; frequent arguments; sudden mood changes; changes in eating and sleeping patterns; loss of interest in usual activities; and school problems. Free, confidential help is available. Call Irvington’s Student Assistance Counselor at 269-5469. Learn more.
Alcohol is legal… why can’t I drink it?
Teens try alcohol for a variety of reasons – to exert independence, escape from stress, peer pressure, rebellion and even boredom – but they tend to do so without fully recognizing alcohol’s negative effects or health risks. Learn more.
Help your teens avoid the serious unintended consequences that may result from binge drinking. Teach your children the signs of alcohol poisoning: breathing slowly; passing out; nausea; vomiting; vomiting while sleeping; cold, clammy, bluish or pale skin. If you think someone may have alcohol poisoning, call 911. Stay with the person until help arrives. Remind teens that the NYS 911 Good Samaritan Law protects them from prosecution for alcohol and drug related offenses if they call in an emergency situation.
A big congratulations goes to the winners of the 1st annual iASK and PIC iDODGE dodgeball tournament last weekend. The Red Team took home the championship with players Trevor A., Justin K., Ian S., Jake S., Eli C., Odane M., and Bobby D. Please click here to see a photo gallery from the day!
Below is a list of alcohol and other drug statistics used throughout the tournament, and always remember the 5 D’s of dodgeball: Don’t Do Drugs, Do Dodgeball!!!
Set-up: 4 red balls, 4 blue balls, 2 yellow balls
4 Red Balls: 43% of the U.S. adult population has been exposed to alcoholism in their family
4 Blue Balls: Children of alcoholics or addicted parents are 4x more likely than non- Children of alcoholics or addicted parents to develop an addiction
2 Yellow Balls: 25%of kids have a parent who abuses alcohol or drugs
Set-up: 3 orange balls, 3 green balls, 3 purple balls, 1 yellow ball
3 Orange Balls: Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities accounted for 31% of ALL driving fatalities
3 Green Balls: In the age group 20–39 years, 25% of the total deaths are attributable to alcohol
3 Purple Balls: 64,000 people died from drug overdoses in 2016, 34% of those deaths were related to alcohol
1 Yellow Ball: Only 10% of teens 12-17 years old have used alcohol in the past month; therefore, 90% have not
Set-up: 3 orange balls, 3 green balls, 2 purple balls, 2 yellow balls
3 Orange & 3 Green Balls: Of adults who used marijuana before age 15, 62% went on to use cocaine at some point
2 Purple Balls: 17% of teens who try marijuana will become addicted
2 Yellow Balls: Drivers under the influence of marijuana are 2x as likely to be involved in motor vehicle crashes.
Set-up: 4 red balls, 4 blue balls, 1 orange ball, 1 green ball
4 Red,4 Blue, & 1 Orange Balls: 90% of people who develop an alcohol or drug problem starting using before age 18
1 Green Ball: Only 11% of those with an addiction ever receive treatment
Set-up: 3 red balls, 4 blue balls, 3 yellow balls
3 Red Balls: In Westchester County, drug overdoses account for 25% of all deaths for people ages 15 to 44
4 Blue Balls: Other counties in the Tri-State area (i.e. NY, NJ, CT), drug overdoses account for up to 40% of all the deaths for people ages 15 to 44
3 Yellow Balls: 64,000 people died from drug overdoses in 2016, 26% of those deaths were related to prescription drugs
Set-up: 3 orange balls, 4 green balls, 3 purple balls
3 Orange Balls: 30% of teens who juul or vape will start using regular cigarettes within 6 months
4 Green & 3 Purple Balls: 75 % of teenagers have NEVER used a juul, vape, or e-cigarettes in their lifetime
Set-up: 4 red balls, 2 blue balls, 2 orange balls, 2 yellow balls
4 Red Balls: Drugs & alcohol are reported to be a factor in over 40% of fatal car crashes
2 Blue, 2 Yellow, & 2 Orange Balls: Drugs & alcohol are reported to be a factor in over 60% of murders and 60% of drownings
Set-up: 1 orange ball, 2 yellow balls, 2 blue balls, 1 green balls, 4 purple balls
1 Orange Ball: 10% of Americans over the age of 12 are addicted to alcohol & drugs. This is roughly equal to the entire population of Texas.
2 Yellow Balls: 2 babies are born to alcohol or drug-addicted parents every second of every hour of every day
2 Blue Balls: 20% of college students meet the criteria for an alcohol problem
1 Green & 4 Purple Balls: Teens who start drinking before the age of 15 are 5x more likely to struggle with alcohol or drug addiction in their lifetime