News

Governor Parkinson hails passage of Clean Indoor Air Act

The following is a statement from Governor Mark Parkinson regarding the House passage of HB 2221, the Clean Indoor Air Act:

“I’m very happy with today’s passing of the Clean Indoor Air Act that will help reduce cancer and tobacco-related diseases in our state. This is a victory for workers, families, businesses and future generations. Today’s success took many years and many struggles, but thanks to a bipartisan coalition in the legislature, the tireless efforts of our state’s health advocates and the support of the Kansas people, this legislation will soon become law.”

Heroin Use Spikes Among Johnson County Teens

Police in Johnson County say parents should be on alert for a new type of drug use among young people. The drug is heroin and authorities say its use is spiking and causing deaths.

"We see a lot of teenagers and young adults raiding their parent's medicine cabinets," said Johnson County District Attorney Steve Howe.

The drug of choice is the prescription pain medication ocycontin, an opiate that experts said can lead to an even bigger problem. Once addicted, experts said oxycontin serves as a natural gateway to heroin.

In 2007, Johnson County saw 15 oxycontinoverdoses and eight heroin deaths. That number rose to 24 overdoses and five heroin deaths in 2008. As of June, the county has seen 22 overdoses and six deaths.

County officials are working with police, drug counselors and the sheriffs department to create a presentation for schools throught the area to educate everyone about the problem.

"This is a community problem that requires a community response," said Janine Gracy, director of the Regional Prevention Center.

Have A Conversation Not A Confrontation

Finding out your teen uses drugs or is drinking definitely stirs up a parent's emotions. But the best way to help your teen - and to make sure she hears you - is to remain as calm as possible throughout the conversation. Here are other things to keep in mind: 

 Hold off until she is sober. Do not start the conversation when you can tell your child is drunk or high.

Show your concern. Express to your child that you're worried about her.

Keep a cool head. Try your best not to overreact to what your child has done in the past. Instead, focus on making it clear what you want him to do in the future.

Be direct. Clearly state your concerns as well as any evidence you've found ("You're not showering, your grades have dropped, and I found empty beer cans in your car").

Listen. Don't do all the talking - be sure to give your child a chance to speak, and listen to what she or he has to say.

How to Raise Stress-Free Kids
Help for parents and kids to get a grip.

Kids have plenty to get stressed about: homework, cliques, sibling rivalry. And as news about the economy, natural disasters, and terrorism fills the airwaves and dinner-table conversations, it's almost impossible for children not to pick up on their parents' stress as well.

"I have kids tell me that they’re worried about the environment and the economy," says clinical child psychologist Mark L. Goldstein, Ph.D., an adjunct professor at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Children have a different reaction to stress than adults. They may lose concentration and get stomachaches and more frequent colds. A study done at the University of Rochester Medical Center found that children whose families are under stress experience more fevers. But there are concrete ways to help them—and you—get a grip.

1. Troubleshoot your own stress
Eight out of 10 Americans say the economy is a significant source of stress in their lives, according to an American Psychological Association survey. Those fears can spread to our kids. "Children turn to parents in order to get a sense of what's going to happen," says Deborah Belle, director of the human-development doctoral program at Boston University. Taking a time out, whether it's a walk or a long hot bath, will calm you down and offer an example of a healthy reaction to stress. Put off difficult conversations with your spouse until after your kids have gone to bed.

2. Be firm about activity-overload
Kids are way overbooked these days. "I met with the family of an 11-year-old who was in a dozen different activities," says Dr. Goldstein. "She wasn't sleeping, her nails were bitten, and she was wetting her bed." When he recommended that she drop some of the activities, her parents protested that she loved them all. But parents have to make the decision of what's best. His rule of thumb: "One sport, one other activity, plus any religious education your child may be taking."

3. Bump bedtime up by half an hour
A 2006 National Sleep Foundation poll found that children hit the sheets about 30 minutes past their official bedtime. Plus, they may need much more sleep than you think, says Jodi Mindell, Ph.D., associate director of the sleep center at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Preschoolers need 11 to 13 hours a night, 5- to 12-year-olds require 9 to 11 hours, and kids 13 and up need about 8 1/2 to 9 1/2 hours. If there's a TV in your child's room, yank it, says Dr. Mindell. "The light suppresses production of relaxing melatonin and makes them less sleepy."

4. Encourage kids to move more
Children in America are exercising less than ever before. This inactivity decreases production of the hormones that help regulate stress. If your children don't play team sports or run around outside with friends, institute family activities such as an after-dinner walk or a weekend bike ride.

By Sunny Sea Gold, PARADE Magazine

Talk To Your Teen About College Drinking

The presence of alcohol is an issue on campuses everywhere. Between football games and Greek life, college towns cheap bars and student's newfound freedom, drinking has simply become a part of the American college experience. And unfortunately, hard partying and binge drinking are not just limited to college kids. Many middle- and high-schoolers are going to turn to alcohol to relieve stress.

Remember that it's never too soon to start taking measures to prevent young people from abusing alcohol. Know that it is possible for young adults to steer clear of alcohol-related injuries and accidents. You can help them prepare to make smart and responsible decisions by talking to them now about the dangers of binge drinking and hard partying.

More than 1,700 college students in the U.S. are killed each year as a result of alcohol-related injuries. That's nearly 5 per day. With drinking games gaining popularity, alcohol-induced deaths on college campuses are becoming everyday occurrences. Nearly 30 percent of students who drink take 21 shots on their 21st birthdays, and many boost their social status by posting drunken or provocative photos on Facebook and MySpace. (Center for Substance Abuse Research, 2008)

Information taken from: http://www.drugfree.org/

The Home Medicine Cabinet: Teens' New 'Supplier'

Since grade school, they’ve been taught by DARE officers to say no to alcohol, marijuana and other illegal drugs. But the message about prescription drug abuse hasn’t been as loud.

“We’re so worried about the meth, pot and other street drugs. And this isn’t street drugs,” said Kara Erickson, a nurse at Shawnee Mission South High School. “People view them as being safe. … And students are realizing, ‘Hey, there are drugs out here and they get them from their parents’ medicine cabinets.’”

Medical professionals and youth advocates say they haven’t done enough to attack the growing problem in middle and high schools. But at Shawnee Mission South, that might have begun to change.

for complete article click RPC Blog

Inhalants Are Drug of Choice for Youngest Users

Many 12 year-olds in the “tween” generation, yearning to become teenagers, are already using illicit drugs. Their drug of choice is inhalants. This is the conclusion of a new report by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), revealed today at a press conference by the National Inhalant Prevention Coalition (NIPC) to kick off the 16th annual National Inhalants & Poisons Awareness Week (NIPAW). The data show that 3.4 percent of 12 year-old children used inhalants in the past 12 months, outpacing use of marijuana (1.1 percent) and misuse of prescription pain relievers (2.7 percent).

Inhalant use increased to 4.8 percent for 13 year-olds, use that is more common than use of marijuana (4.0 percent) or misuse of prescription pain relievers (3.9 percent).  The data, which reflect an annual average of combined 2002-2006 National Surveys on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), indicated that by age 14 use of marijuana and prescription pain relievers increases, leaving inhalants ranked third. But regardless of age of use, inhalants can cause “
Sudden Sniffing Death” or lead to addiction and other health risks.

for complete article click RPC Blog