Unfollow The Crowd

Reality Check: Social Smoking IS a Big Deal

A “social smoker” is basically defined as being someone who doesn’t smoke every day. A social smoker may smoke a few cigarettes on night, then not smoke for days or weeks afterwards. This belief that social smoking is somehow safer than being a regular smoker is a dangerous perception among our youth. Teenagers think that a few cigarettes are harmless as long as they don’t smoke cigarettes every single day. Let’s talk about social smoking and how even an occasional cigarette can be damaging to your health and future.

Reasons Why People Smoke Socially

If you don’t consider yourself to be a “regular smoker,” then why even smoke at all? Here are some reasons why some people may decide to indulge in the occasional cigarette.

·         They believe that if they only smoke occasionally, they won’t become addicted.

·         They believe that the health risks involved with smoking only applies to “regular smokers.”

·         They give into peer pressure and want to fit in with the rest of the crowd.

·         Drinking alcohol produces an urge for some people to smoke, so they choose to limit themselves to smoking cigarettes only when they drink alcohol.

It’s time for social smokers to get the reality check that they need. Smoking, regardless of how often, is dangerous to your health. Let’s talk about the reality behind each of these reasons for social smoking.

Social Smoking Isn’t Addictive

This couldn’t be farther from the truth. In fact, those that participate in social smoking are highly likely to become addicted. Nicotine is one of the most highly addictive drugs of our society. You may think that you have control over your cigarette habit, but it is only a matter of time before you lose all control and buying cigarettes becomes a routine part of your day. When that day comes, you will regret the day that you ever picked up your first cigarette.

Social Smoking is Harmless to Your Health

Even if you are smoking “every now and then” you are still subject to physical consequences.

·         You are still exposed to the chemicals such as arsenic, lead and mercury.

·         It only takes one cigarette to experience a spike in blood pressure.

·         Simply being exposed to 30 minutes of secondhand smoke can cause heart damage similar to that of an everyday smoker.

·         Social smoking puts you just as much at risk of developing lung and/or other cancers as daily smoking.

Social Smoking is Cool – Everyone is Doing It

This perception is very common among teenagers and young adults and is sometimes hard to argue with when it is so common among our youth. The best way to argue this point is to explain some of the reasons why smoking is NOT COOL.

·         Is it cool to have yellow teeth?

·         Is it cool for people to avoid you because your clothes reek of cigarette smoke?

·         Is it cool for the inside of your mouth to smell like an ashtray?

·         Is it cool to hack up phlegm on a first date to the movies?

My advice is this: Talk to your friends who DON’T smoke – chances are, they can tell you how UNCOOL smoking really is.

I Only Smoke When I Drink

This is a way for social smokers to convince themselves that they aren’t addicted, but the reality of it is – if you crave a cigarette for ANY reason, you are indeed addicted. It’s as simple as that.

It’s time for the social smokers of the world to face reality – you are putting your life at risk with each cigarette that you smoke, regardless of how often it occurs. Start today and let your last cigarette be just that – YOUR LAST CIGARETTE.

The Walton County Prevention Coalition is dedicated to fighting against substance abuse issues in our youth. Smoking tobacco is a huge pressure for teenagers and young adults in today’s society. It is important for us to start educating our kids at a young age regarding the dangers of cigarettes and e-cigarettes.  Learn more about our organization.

Substance Abuse and Suicide: Is Your Teen at Risk?

Youth suicide is a topic lacking in common conversation. It seems as if this topic only comes up after a tragedy occurs and hits the news (and too close to home). There are a lot of risk factors that can lead to teen suicide such as bullying, family problems, eating disorders and a number of other things; however, substance abuse is also a very common cause for teenage suicide. It is important for parents to recognize the warning signs, know when their children are suffering and be able to prevent these types of tragedies if at all possible.

The Statistics

·         According to data released by the CDC, suicide is the second leading cause of death for ages 10-24.

·         More teenagers and young adults die from suicide than from cancer, influenza, heart disease, AIDS, birth defects, stroke and pneumonia combined.

·         There are 5,400 suicide attempts each day by children and young adults in grades 7-12.

·         Studies have shown that 4 out of 5 youth suicide attempts were preceded by clear warning signs.

The Warning Signs

It is important for parents to know the warning signs and to be able to recognize abnormal behavioral patterns that could possibly lead to suicide attempts. Some of these warning signs could include, but are not limited to –

·         Comments about feeling hopeless, helpless or worthless

·         Talking about suicide during casual conversation

·         Extreme shifts in behavior

·         Sudden lack of interest in normal activities and hobbies

·         Withdrawal from interaction with family and/or friends

If any of these symptoms are accompanied by suspicions or knowledge of alcohol or drug abuse, problems at home (divorce,etc), issues with bullying, or any other problems that your child may be facing, it is important to seek help and talk to your child about these problems. According to The Jason Foundation, alcohol and drug use are associated with 50-67% of suicides.

What Can You Do to Help?

Suspecting that your child could be at risk of attempting suicide is a very scary feeling. It is important as parents to be prepared in knowing how to deal with situations like this when they arise. Here are some tips on how to handle the situation if you feel that your child is at risk.

·         Remain calm and avoid reacting erratically

·         Ask your child directly if he/she is having suicidal thoughts

·         Listen and allow your child to speak freely of their feelings without interruption or judgment

·         Reassure your child of your unconditional love and support

·         If your child has admitted to having suicidal thoughts – do not leave them alone

·         Seek professional help immediately

·         Reassure your child that these feelings of pain and suffering will not last forever

·         Notify your child’s school administrator of the problem and request any help that they can offer

Using Your Child’s School as a Resource

Your child’s school can serve as one of the most useful resources in suicide prevention, being that your child spends the majority of his or her time there. Here are some resources that your child’s school can provide –

·         Access to tests that can measure your child’s risk-level for suicide

·         Parent notification of any suspicious behaviors that are believed to be warnings signs of suicidal behavior

·         Provide referrals for outside professional help that your child may need if he or she is found to be at risk of suicide

·         Provide in-school counseling to any child who is suffering from depression, low self-esteem, or any other problems that commonly lead to suicide

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The mission of the Walton County Prevention Coalition is to help to prevent substance abuse in our youth by developing an anti-drug coalition. Suicide prevention is a topic that does not receive an adequate amount of attention, and substance abuse is one of the most common stepping stones to suicidal behavior in our youth. The Walton County Prevention Coalition urges parents to stay educated on recognizing the signs of suicidal behavior in teenagers.

What Works? Components of a Successful Substance Abuse Prevention Program

Substance abuse prevention is imperative to the success of our younger generations. Preventing drug use in our youth today makes for brighter futures tomorrow. Kids who begin using drugs and alcohol during their adolescent years are more likely to drop out of high school and struggle with substance abuse addiction in the future. Substance abuse prevention programs have been proven to be successful in lowering the statistics of drug and alcohol use in our youth. Here are some key components that make up a successful substance abuse prevention program.

8 Components of a Successful Substance Abuse Prevention Program

1.       Speak Directly to the Youth

A successful substance abuse prevention program must provide information that will effectively influence its target audience – the youth. Studies have shown that children and adolescents are most influenced by the present. Information that will likely have the greatest impact on them would be –

·         The negative consequences that drug and alcohol use will have on their life right now

·         For example, smoking causes bad breath and yellowing teeth vs. smoking can cause lung cancer later in life

2.       Teach Kids How to Resist Peer Pressure

Peer pressure is one of the biggest hurdles of a child’s adolescent years. There are so many pressures coming from all angles during the middle school and high school years – it is crucial for kids to be prepared for handling themselves in these difficult situations, so peer pressure is a very important component to a successful substance abuse prevention program.

3.       Focus on the Big Picture of Adolescent Life

There are so many outside factors that can contribute to teenagers using drugs and alcohol, so in order for a substance abuse prevention program to be effective, you have to also include a broader-base of skills training and health education, such as –

·         Stress management

·         Communication skills

·         Maintaining healthy self-esteem and self-confidence

·         Importance of exercise and maintaining your health

·         Importance of healthy relationships between family, friends and significant others

4.       Reverse the Normality of Drug Use in our Society

It is important to come up with methods that teach our youth that drug use is NOT normal. A good way to do this is to show examples of what happens to people who ‘normally’ abuse drugs and alcohol –

·         Mug shots

·         Before and after shots of people addicted to drugs

·         News articles of drug and alcohol related deaths

5.       Research and Address Community Specific Issues

What are the most common substance abuse issues in your community? It is important to educate our youth about the pressures that are most common in their community. These are the pressures that they are most likely to be faced with.

6.       Promote Healthy Parent-Child Relationships

Substance abuse prevention truly does start in a child’s home. The relationship that a teenager has with their parents can directly influence their likelihood of becoming involved with alcohol and drugs. Some key factors of a healthy parent-child relationship can include –

·         Good, open communication about the issues surrounding substance abuse

·         The ability for parents to trust their teenagers to make smart decisions

·         The ability for teenagers to come to their parents for help in difficult situations

7.       Incorporate Parent Education into the Program

It is just as important to educate parents about substance abuse prevention as it is to educate our youth. Parents need the proper information and resources to help their teens make smart, healthy decisions regarding alcohol, tobacco and drug use.

The Walton County Prevention Coalition is a substance abuse prevention coalition that prides itself on educating the members of our community about the dangers of alcohol, tobacco and drug use in our youth. The first step to prevention is education, and the WCPC is dedicated to providing helpful information and resources to the parents and children of our community. 

Recognizing the Warning Signs: How to Know If Your Kid is Using Drugs or Alcohol

It’s the moment that all parents dread when their children reach their adolescent years – the moment that they start to wonder, “Is my child using drugs or alcohol?” Maybe you are noticing signs of a sudden change of attitude or a decline in your child’s grades at school – whatever the reason, substance abuse is a common cause of worry among parents of adolescents. It is important to know the warning signs and to create an open dialogue with your children when you notice strange behavior.

Warning Signs of Teenage Substance Abuse

1.       Sudden Change in Behavior or Attitude

I know what you are thinking – They are teenagers. Of course they have sudden changes in attitude. Fair enough, but this is one of those warning signs that can be brushed off by parents for that very reason. Pay close attention to your child’s behavior and talk to them when you notice these changes. Maybe it’s just a typical teenage mood swing, but there could easily be a larger issue at hand.

2.       Decline in School Performance

Did your child go from being an honor roll student to barely skating by in their classes? This is a sign that your teenager is struggling with something – maybe it is substance abuse, or maybe it is another issue such as depression. Pay attention and always let your child know that you are there for support.

·         Another thing to pay attention to is your child’s attendance in school. Are there school absences that you were unaware of? This is a definite sign of troubled behavior.

3.       Withdrawal

If your child becomes withdrawn from interaction with you while at home and starts to react in a negative manner to your attempts at interaction, this could be a warning sign of substance abuse, depression, or a dangerous combination of both.

·         When teenagers become involved with alcohol or drugs, it can cause them to withdraw from their parents out of fear that they will know what they are up to.

·         Withdrawal can also be a result of substance abuse induced depression or the ‘I don’t care’ mindset that the use of drugs and alcohol in teenagers can cause.

4.       New Friends and/or Decreased Interaction with Usual Friends

Of course, there is nothing wrong with your teenager making new friends and it is totally normal for some friendships to fade out. However, if you notice that your teenager’s usual friends aren’t coming around anymore and you’ve yet to meet any of your child’s new friends, you may want to dig a little bit deeper into seeing who your child is spending their time with. Your child’s circle of friends is a huge influence to their adolescent years.

5.       Severe Weight Loss or Weight Gain

There are certain drugs that can cause rapid weight loss and certain drugs that can cause weight gain due to the effects that these drugs have on your appetite. Any dramatic fluctuation in your teenager’s weight should not be taken lightly. However, all drugs effect people differently so just because your teenager isn’t experiencing drastic fluctuations in their weight, doesn’t mean they aren’t using.

6.       Missing Items around the House

No parent ever wants to suspect their child of stealing, but if you are noticing any of the above warning signs and things are starting to come up missing around the house, your child could be in serious trouble. Items that may come up missing could include –

·         Money from your purse or wallet

·         Prescription medications

·         Expensive items such as jewelry

7.       Strange Behavior When They Come Home at Night

When your teenager comes in from a night out with their friends, do you notice any of these behaviors?

·         Hat pulled down to cover their eyes; lack of eye contact

·         Excessive use of chewing gum or cologne/perfume

·         Avoiding interaction/going straight to their room and shutting the door

These could all be warning signs that your teenager may be abusing drugs or alcohol. Talk to your kids on a regular basis about the dangers of substance abuse and keep them educated about all of the harmful effects.

The Walton County Prevention Coalition is dedicated to educating parents and adolescents about the importance of preventing substance abuse in our youth. Knowing the warning signs and paying close attention to the behavior of teenagers is one of the most important factors in preventing the use of drugs and alcohol in teens. What are you doing to educate your children? 

Facts and Statistics about Teenage Smoking That Your Kid Will Listen To

Smoking is a tough subject when it comes to substance abuse prevention. Tobacco companies are getting more creative than ever at targeting the young audience in their marketing efforts. It is important to educate our youth on the dangers and negative effects of smoking. Here are some facts and statistics that your kid is likely to listen to.

9 Teenage Smoking Facts and Statistics

1.       Nicotine use during adolescence negatively affects brain development. Does your teenager have big college plans? Not if they don’t have the grades to make the cut! Fill them in on the negative effects that tobacco use can have on their brain development.

2.       Smoking leads to poor physical performance from decreased lung function.If your child dreams about being the star of the football or softball team then they may be interested to know that smoking can hinder their performance on the field and prevent them from accomplishing their goals.

3.       Smoking can fry dopamine receptors, decreasing your sense of pleasure, memory, thinking and awareness.How do you like the sound of that? Exactly. The teenage years are meant to be some of the best of our lives – smoking can take away from the joy of adolescence and hinder your ability to retain memorable moments.

4.       16 million people in the US live with smoking related disfigurements and diseases.

Oh, you didn’t know that smoking could cause these types of adverse reactions? These are the things that we need to be educating our teenagers about.

5.       1,300 people die per day from smoking, which means 9,100 people per week.

This is a disturbing statistic to say the least. What does your teenager want to be when they grow up? If the answer isn’t “just another one of these statistics,” then smoking has no place in their adolescent life.

6.       For every vine video you watch, someone dies – tobacco-related deaths happen every 6.5 seconds. Now this is a statistic that your teenager can relate to and hopefully learn from. Is a cigarette really worth someone dying every 6.5 seconds?

7.       Approximately 90% of smokers began smoking before the age of 18.

A common misconception among teenagers is that just because they smoke occasionally with their buddies, doesn’t mean they are going to smoke when they grow up – that is a dangerous mindset, according to this statistic.

8.       Teenagers who continue to smoke into adulthood can develop infertility and impotence issues later in life.

This statistic can especially hit home with young girls who have been dreaming of becoming a mother since they were little girls – smoking can turn that dream into a nightmare. Is a cigarette worth losing sight of that dream?

9.       Smoking causes multiple immediate effects that can be detrimental to your image and physical appearance. Teenagers should ask themselves these questions –

·         Do you like talking to someone who has bad breath?

·         Do you think having yellow teeth is attractive?

·         Do you want to be coughing and hacking up phlegm during your movie date with the cute girl in your Algebra class?

·         Do you want people to avoid you because your clothes and hair reek of cigarette smoke?

10.   What does dog urine and a pack of cigarettes have in common?

Ammonia. Don’t know what this is? Well, it is a gas that is found in dog pee and, you guessed it, that cigarette that you are smoking because you think it makes you look cool. Think again.

The Walton County Prevention Coalition prides itself in working towards efforts of creating a Tobacco-Free Florida. Tobacco isn’t to be ignored when it comes to substance abuse in our youth, being that tobacco use contributes to the leading causes of death in our country. Talk to your kids about smoking and keep them informed on all of the horrifying statistics surrounding tobacco use.