The Blog of P.U.R.E. and Sue Scheff

Shatter the Myths! National Drug Facts Week is Monday, October 31st through Sunday, November 6th, 2011. Why do people and teens smoke when they know it is bad for them? Maybe they smoke because they can’t stop. People start smoking for different reasons,but most keep doing it because of one reason—they are addicted to nicotine. DID YOU KNOW? Research says that teens who see a lot of smoking in movies are more likely to start smoking themselves. Sometimes characters smoke to look edgy and rebellious; but sometimes it’s justabout “product placement” — the tobacco industry trying to get into your head and your pockets. Teen Drinking: FACT:  More than 4 in 10 people who begin drinking before age 15 eventually become alcoholics. Teen Prescription Drug Use: FACT:  In 2007, prescription pain medications like Vicodin and OxyContin were involved in more overdose deaths than heroin and cocaine combined. Want to learn more FACTS about teens and substance use?  Down...

Did you know: Children of parents who talk to their teens regularly about drugs are 42% less likely to use drugs than those who don't, yet only a quarter of teens report having these conversations.  Take the pledge: Take the Red Ribbon Pledge now and be a part of the creation of a drug free America. What's the Pledge about? As parents, we will talk to our children about the dangers of drug abuse. We will set clear rules for our children about not using drugs. We will set a good example for our children by not using illegal drugs or medicine without a prescription. We will monitor our children's behavior and enforce appropriate consequences, so that our rules are respected. We will encourage family and friends to follow the same guidelines to keep children safe from substance abuse. I pledge to set guidelines to help children grow up safe, healthy and drug-free. - Click here .

Teen peer pressure is a serious concern. If your teen has a choice of their childhood friend or a less desirable group of friends (in an effort to fit into a group that they believe are cool) - who would they choose?  Their BFF or EX? What path will your teen choose? National Drug Facts Week is Monday, October 31st through Sunday, November 6th, 2011. Sponsored by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), National Drug Facts Week is an annual official health observance designed to shatter the myths and spread the facts about drug abuse and addiction. National Drug Facts Week (NDFW) is a health observance week for teens that aims to shatter the myths about drugs and drug abuse. Through community-‐based events and activities on the Web, on TV, and through contests, NIDA is working to encourage teens to get factual answers from scientific experts about drugs and drug abuse. Download the NDFW Info Sheet ! PeerX : RX abuse is drug abuse. Over and over again pare...

Early decision - may secure your first choice school. Do you have a high school senior? Are they in the middle of applying to colleges? Do they have a favorite - first choice? Have they considered early decision or early action? Many parents are not aware of the early decision option if your teen has a strong desire for a specific college and believe they are a perfect candidate for them. What is early decision and early action ?  There are slight differences you and your teen need to understand. You should understand the differences between early decision and early action before sending in your applications. Keep in mind that the rules may vary somewhat by college. Check with your counselor to make sure you understand your rights and obligations. Below are some important facts about the types of early-application plan. Early decision plans are binding. You agree to attend the college if it accepts you and offers an adequate financial aid package. Alth...

Are you at your wit's end? Summer is over – school is into their first quarter and your teen’s behavior is only escalating!  You are soon driven to your wit’s end! When a parent is reaching their wit’s end, they are most at risk for making mistakes – mistakes that can cost them financially as well as emotionally.  Good kids – bad choices:  Where did my innocent toddler go?  When therapy isn’t working This is not a science, in most cases when a belligerent, defiant and entitled teen is faced with a therapist or counselor, they will either close up like a clam, or tell the most amusing stories – which can be called – manipulation. Did you know it was your fault?  It really isn’t, but in some cases the teen can actually convince a therapist that it is the parents that have the problem, not them.  Again, another example of manipulation. Are you ready for a residential program? Have you exhausted all your local options? How do you know if y...

It was only a short time ago parents were scrambling to get school supplies and their kids ready for a new school year. Now the time is nearing for parents. Parent teacher conferences are usually set for October.   Are you ready? Here are some tips to help you get the most from your time with your child's teachers. Before the conference: Check grades and teacher expectations. Many schools post student’s grades on their Student Information System. So review your child’s past work. There’s no reason to get caught off guard. Jot questions and prioritize concerns. Take a few minutes to jot down questions for the teacher. Take those with you so you won’t forget to ask. Also, don’t forget to ask your kid if there is anything the teacher might tell you that you don’t know. (It’s always best to not be surprised.)   Meet your needs. If you need extra set of “ears” to be with you, you feel intimidated, or worry the teacher may use jargon you don’t und...

How many parents have seen their kids go crazy looking for their cell phone? How many parents are paying for cell phone services for their kids or teens? How many parents try to limit their teen's cell phone time? How many parents are finally learning to text to communicate with their teenager? Just another example of how parenting has become more challenging than generations prior.  Exactly what did we do when there weren't any cell phones? Sometimes, it appears that cell phones have become a required accessory attached to every kid and teenager that you see in public. You see them being used for calls, text messaging, music listening, and game playing, virtually everywhere that kids are found.So, how did kids survive without cell phones in the 80′s? 10 ways kids survived without cell phones:  Notes in Class. Kids in the 1980s may have been one of the last generations to have to rely on passing notes to communicate with each other during class. Pay Phone...

What is a helicopter parent, you ask? These are the parents that won’t let their kid out in the front yard to play without constant supervision. They won’t take a nap and risk their twelve year old being home ‘alone’. They are constantly hovering over their children and micromanaging their every move. How can you tell if you’re a helicopter parent? Well, you know you’re a helicopter parent when… You know the risks are incredibly high – Part of the problem is that with wall-to-wall Internet and cable news, every missing child case gets so much airtime that it’s not surprising even normal parental paranoia can be amplified. Know the real risks. You are afraid your child will literally die if left unsupervised – Mortality rates from all causes, including disease and accidents, for American children are lower now than they were 25 years ago. According to Child Trends, a nonprofit, nonpartisan research group, between 1980 and 2003 death rates dropped by 44 percent for ch...