The locally-based, nationally-recognized SAMA Foundation is hosting a Parent Infromation Forum for parents concerned about their child's alcohol and/or other drug use. Space is limited, sign up here.
SAMA stands for Science and Management of Addictions. This organization was founded by parents who spent several painful years dealing with their teen daughters alcohol and drug problems. They've created an excellent resource through their website and actively work to give parents in similar situations the support and resource information they need. If the forum sign-up is full, it's worthwhile to visit the site.
Friday, December 12, 2008
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Parents who let kids drink? It’s a bad idea
Earlier this week, the Tacoma News Tribune published an article about parents who provided alcohol to their minor children and were arrested. As these parents are finding out, there are serious legal consequences for providing kids with alcohol.
While many parents seem to think that other parents think it is okay to give teenagers alcohol, it's simply not true. The NE Seattle Coalition to Prevent Underage Drinking completed a parent survey in our community last spring. It turns out that 90% of the parents surveyed said that it is NOT OKAY for teenagers to drink at parties even if they don't get drunk. In addition, 90% of parents stated that it is NOT OKAY for parents to give alcohol to teenagers who are not their own children.
So, as parents, let's stop providing our children with alcohol. The vast majority of parents will support you if you provide healthy alternatives to alcohol and you won't be putting yourself at odds with the law.
While many parents seem to think that other parents think it is okay to give teenagers alcohol, it's simply not true. The NE Seattle Coalition to Prevent Underage Drinking completed a parent survey in our community last spring. It turns out that 90% of the parents surveyed said that it is NOT OKAY for teenagers to drink at parties even if they don't get drunk. In addition, 90% of parents stated that it is NOT OKAY for parents to give alcohol to teenagers who are not their own children.
So, as parents, let's stop providing our children with alcohol. The vast majority of parents will support you if you provide healthy alternatives to alcohol and you won't be putting yourself at odds with the law.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Youth Substance Use Trends
Rates of youth alcohol dependence or abuse remained steady between 2002-2007, according to the latest National Survey on Drug Use and Health Report. The report also shows that alcohol continues to be the number one drug of choice among adolescents nationwide. Northeast Seattle is no different.
In terms of addiction, the percent of adolescents meeting the criteria for alcohol dependence or abuse is higher than those meeting the criteria for illicit drug dependence or abuse. Rates of alcohol dependence/abuse remained the same between 2006-07.
We know that youth who use alcohol at an earlier age are more likely to become addicted. That's why it's important for parents to start talking to their children about alcohol sooner rather than later. Visit the coalition's website for links to resources about preventing youth alcohol and substance abuse.
Problem parents?
A recent publication from the Center for Substance Abuse Research reports that there are four characteristics of "problem parents". "Problem parents" are defined as those who fail to
1. monitor their children's school night activities;
2. safeguard prescription drugs at home;
3. address the problem of drugs in schools;
4. set a good example.
The NE Seattle Coalition to Prevent Underage Drinking is helping parents prevent underage drinking and substance abuse among their children through:
Guiding Good Choices workshops;
Parent Pledge & Directory;
Parenting resources on our website;
Planning a parenting forum on how to monitor your children. See our calendar of events for information on our next planning meeting.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Children’s Hospital Presents:
Teens Mastering Recovery
A FREE post substance abuse treatment, recovery support group
For teens ages 14-18
Light snacks and beverages will be served
Teens: Tuesdays 6:15 to 8:15 P.M. January 13th - March 24th
Parents: Tuesday, January 13h & March 24th
Seattle Children’s Hospital
4800 Sandpoint Way NE
Seattle, WA
Teens should have:
· Successfully completed a substance abuse treatment program
· A parent/guardian willing to participate in 2 group sessions
· A desire to remain abstinent while continuing to grow and learn in early recovery.
· A strong desire and ability to participate in all sessions.
For information or to recommend a teen for this group contact:
Mandy Williams, MSW CDP
206.987.1359
Amanda.Williams@Seattlechildrens.org
Teens Mastering Recovery
A FREE post substance abuse treatment, recovery support group
For teens ages 14-18
Light snacks and beverages will be served
Teens: Tuesdays 6:15 to 8:15 P.M. January 13th - March 24th
Parents: Tuesday, January 13h & March 24th
Seattle Children’s Hospital
4800 Sandpoint Way NE
Seattle, WA
Teens should have:
· Successfully completed a substance abuse treatment program
· A parent/guardian willing to participate in 2 group sessions
· A desire to remain abstinent while continuing to grow and learn in early recovery.
· A strong desire and ability to participate in all sessions.
For information or to recommend a teen for this group contact:
Mandy Williams, MSW CDP
206.987.1359
Amanda.Williams@Seattlechildrens.org
Free parenting workshops!
Free Guiding Good Choices parenting workshops will be offered throughout the winter and spring of 2009 in northeast Seattle. Thanks to the University Family YMCA, Children's Hospital, and Seattle Public Schools, we are able to sponsor the workshops at different times and places.
While these workshops are for families living in zip codes 98105, 98115, and 98125 and/or who have a child attending Eckstein Middle School, if space is available, other families may register, as well.
Visit www.PreventionWorksInSeattle.org for more information.
Guiding Good Choices is an evidence-based substance abuse prevention program for parents of children in grades 4-8. It was developed by J. David Hawkins and Richard Catalano of the University of Washington's Social Development Research Group.
While these workshops are for families living in zip codes 98105, 98115, and 98125 and/or who have a child attending Eckstein Middle School, if space is available, other families may register, as well.
Visit www.PreventionWorksInSeattle.org for more information.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Coalition in the news!
Sally James, a freelance writer, recently interviewed several community members for a story on underage drinking, parenting, and the prevention efforts of our coalition. The story appears in the online version of December's Seattle’s Child. It was written in response to an article a parent sent to Seattle’s Child about her son’s involvement in a car crash.
Webinar on Reward & Reminder Program
This free webinar is on the science behind Reward and Reminder and how this strategy can be applied to reducing rates of underage drinking in a community. Reward & Reminder is a program that helps communities monitor retail compliance with laws prohibiting the sales of tobacco and alcohol to minors.
When: Friday, December 12 at 2:00 - 3:30 pm Eastern (11:00 am - 12:30 pm here on the west coast)
Featuring Dr. Dennis Embry of the Paxis Institute.
No reservations are needed. Just dial in and click on the link below the day of the meeting.
Webinar Link: Participants can join the event directly at:
https://www.mymeetings.com/nc/join.php?i=PW1925785&p=KERNEL&t=c
The net passcode is Kernel
Dial in Phone number: 888-972-6407. The phone pass code is Kernel
When: Friday, December 12 at 2:00 - 3:30 pm Eastern (11:00 am - 12:30 pm here on the west coast)
Featuring Dr. Dennis Embry of the Paxis Institute.
No reservations are needed. Just dial in and click on the link below the day of the meeting.
Webinar Link: Participants can join the event directly at:
https://www.mymeetings.com/nc/join.php?i=PW1925785&p=KERNEL&t=c
The net passcode is Kernel
Dial in Phone number: 888-972-6407. The phone pass code is Kernel
Adolescent Development VideoConference
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) has scheduled a VideoConference Presentation entitled Adolescent Development and Alcohol Use, scheduled for Tuesday, December 9, 2008 at 2:00 pm Eastern Time.
The presenters are two of NIAAA’s experts on underage drinking research –
Dr. Vivian Faden, Deputy Director of NIAAA’s Division of Epidemiology and Prevention Research, and Dr. Patricia Powell, Chief of NIAAA’s Scientific Policy Branch.
Drs. Faden and Powell will cover a wide range of areas related to adolescence and alcohol – statistics, neuroscience, growth and development, influence of peers and parents, cultural and behavioral milestones in adolescence, and societal influences, among other issues. They will outline the “state of the science” in this area and how this pertinent information can be used by educators, counselors, community leaders, and parents when addressing this issue with today’s youth. A Q & A session will follow.
To access the upcoming presentation and Q&A session, please follow these simple steps:
At 2:00 pm (11:00 am here on the west coast) on December 9, call the toll-free conference line at 800-369-1707. The passcode is 6207. An operator will register you and put you on hold. Please keep this line open during the presentation as it will be used for the Q&A session immediately afterward.
Once you have registered with the conference operator, visit https://webmeeting.nih.gov/adolescent/ to view the presentation and slideshow. Please note that the audio for this presentation will be heard through your computer speakers – not the telephone line -- so please make sure your speaker volume is sufficient.
The presenters are two of NIAAA’s experts on underage drinking research –
Dr. Vivian Faden, Deputy Director of NIAAA’s Division of Epidemiology and Prevention Research, and Dr. Patricia Powell, Chief of NIAAA’s Scientific Policy Branch.
Drs. Faden and Powell will cover a wide range of areas related to adolescence and alcohol – statistics, neuroscience, growth and development, influence of peers and parents, cultural and behavioral milestones in adolescence, and societal influences, among other issues. They will outline the “state of the science” in this area and how this pertinent information can be used by educators, counselors, community leaders, and parents when addressing this issue with today’s youth. A Q & A session will follow.
To access the upcoming presentation and Q&A session, please follow these simple steps:
At 2:00 pm (11:00 am here on the west coast) on December 9, call the toll-free conference line at 800-369-1707. The passcode is 6207. An operator will register you and put you on hold. Please keep this line open during the presentation as it will be used for the Q&A session immediately afterward.
Once you have registered with the conference operator, visit https://webmeeting.nih.gov/adolescent/ to view the presentation and slideshow. Please note that the audio for this presentation will be heard through your computer speakers – not the telephone line -- so please make sure your speaker volume is sufficient.
How Teens Obtain Alcohol
A study released by the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) shows that teenagers get alcohol the following ways:
30.6% paid for the last alcoholic drink,
26.4% got it for free from a nonrelative of legal drinking age,
14.6% got it for free from another underage person,
5.9% got it from a parent or guardian,
8.5% got it from another relative who was of legal drinking age.
30.6% paid for the last alcoholic drink,
26.4% got it for free from a nonrelative of legal drinking age,
14.6% got it for free from another underage person,
5.9% got it from a parent or guardian,
8.5% got it from another relative who was of legal drinking age.
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