Wakefield Teens Wakefield Teens

What All Parents Need to Know
Wakefield Teens
Health
Health and
and Safety
2014
INSIDE:
Superintendent Letter
E-Cigs • Sun Safety
Marijuana Trends & Signs
Social Host Liability • HEALTHY EATING
Resource Guide • Prescription Drugs
2WAKEFIELD TEENS HEALTH & SAFETY 2014
W
Wakefield Youth Health and Safety
ake-Up (Wakefield
Unified Prevention
Coalition), along with the
Town of Wakefield, Wakefield Public Schools, Wakefield Police Department,
Mass in Motion Melrose/
Wakefield and The Wakefield Item partnered to create the first annual Wakefield Youth Health & Safety
guide. The goal is to provide
parents with useful health & safety information,
tips and resources, concentrating
on topics such as
alcohol, tobacco,
and drug use pre-
vention, healthy eating and
active living, bullying, cybersafety, etc. Parents play a
large role influencing their
teen’s decisions.
Research demonstrates
that youth who clearly per­
ceive parental disapproval
of risky behavior are more
likely to avoid or delay
that risky behavior. We
want parents to understand
truths and myths of underage drinking and growing
dangerous trends such as
use of e-cigarettes. It is also
crucial that parents are informed about their legal role
when it comes to underage
drinking. Social Host Liability Laws are written and
enforced to protect parents
and youth.
Fortunately the Town
of Wakefield has many resources to help keep our
youth safe and provide
them with help when it is
needed. We are proud that
many area businesses and
organizations have contributed to the production of
this guide. 100% of the proceeds of this guide will go to
support programs that provide healthy alternatives for
Wakefield youth; information about applying for this
funding will be available in
early May.
Parents are welcome to
get involved and become
part of the solution, for
more information, please
contact Catherine Dhingra,
Wakefield Health De­­­­
partment (339) 219-4034
[email protected]
or Kara Showers, MelroseWakefield Mass in Motion
(781) 979-4123 kshowers@
cityofmelrose.org
Wakefield Daily Item
ESTABLISHED 1894 ~ PUBLISHED MONDAY-FRIDAY
26 Albion Street, Wakefield, Massachusetts 01880
Published by:
THE WAKEFIELD ITEM CO., PRINTERS AND PUBLISHERS, WAKEFIELD, MA 01880
P - (781) 245-0080 • F - (781) 246-0061
Advertising Director - Joseph Morrissey
[email protected]
Circulation Director - Tom Tine
[email protected]
News - Gail Lowe
[email protected]
www.localheadlinenews.com
Proud Sponsor of Wakefield Youth
WAKEFIELD TEENS HEALTH & SAFETY 2014
Letter from the Superintendent
T
he Wakefield Public Schools
is committed to supporting a
healthy Wakefield! We know that
learning cannot occur without
nurturing the physical, emotional
and social well being of our students. Naturally, academics are at
the core of our work, but we must
not ignore the pressure, stress and
temptations that our children face
in and outside of our schools. We
have taken a number of steps to
provide additional resources to address these concernsadjustment counselors at the middle school, establishing
the role of a system-wide Health, Wellness and Athletics
Director and actively seeking funds/partnerships to provide counseling at the elementary level. We are also reexamining the role of our district-wide crisis team and
exploring the development of a safety team to educate our
system on best practices. We have also worked with Parent
3
Partnership to host speakers and presenters that can educate all of us on the challenges faced by our children. In order to optimally support the needs of our students we know we need community collaboration. More
than ever, we need the partnership of our town leaders, law
enforcement and health agencies to ensure that our children grow and develop into productive citizens of Wakefield. Thus, we are thrilled to be a part of the Wakefield
Youth Health & Safety Guide. We are fortunate to have
so many engaged families who crave information about
best supporting their children. This resource is practical
and relevant, intended to guide parents as they work with
their children to- remain alcohol, tobacco and drug free;
eat healthy; remain active and conduct themselves with
character and integrity. We are grateful to the businesses
and organizations that have participated in the creation of
this valuable resource. It speaks volumes about Wakefield’s
commitment to the next generation! With appreciation,
Stephen Zrike
4WAKEFIELD TEENS HEALTH & SAFETY 2014
Want to protect your teen from smoking?
Don’t forget to talk about E-cigarettes!
Here is what parents need to know
about E-Cigs and E-Hookah
An electronic cigarette (e-cig) is a cylinder shaped metal and plastic tube attached to or containing a cartridge of liquid
nicotine. When activated, a battery heats the liquid nicotine, creating a vapor which is then inhaled. Rather than ingesting nicotine through “smoking” a combustible cigarette, a user “vapes” the vaporized liquid nicotine.
l E-cig use among teens is sky rocketing l Most kids who use e-cigs do not smoke cigarettes
l E-cigs contain nicotine which makes them highly addictive. We don’t know what else they contain!
l E-cigs and e-hookah are not regulated by the FDA
l E-cigs come in fruit and candy flavors so they are especially appealing to kids
l Advertising of e-cigs is unregulated — slick, racy and cartoon-type ads are appearing on TV and in
the media
l Wakefield has banned the sale of e-cigs to anyone under 21. There is a bill pending in the State
Legislature to ban the sale to minors statewide.
Now that you have the facts, talk to your teenager about this. Find out their perceptions
and remind them of your household rules. Contact Maureen Buzby, Mystic Valley Tobacco Alcohol Program, 781.979.4158, [email protected] for more information.
Dedicated to tomorrow’s Wakefield Today
WAKEFIELD TEENS HEALTH & SAFETY 2014
5
6WAKEFIELD TEENS HEALTH & SAFETY 2014
T
Everyday steps
to sun safety
eenagers are under pressure to conform in many
ways. Tanning can be one of those expectations.
Help your child understand that tanning is unsafe. Teach
teenagers about self-tanners, keep the sunscreen bottle
in view, make sure the bottle is included in their outdoor
sports bags, etc.
To lower your family’s skin cancer risk:
l Use sunscreen daily with an SPF of 15 or higher and
both UVA and UVB protection
l Avoid tanning and UV tanning booths
l Cover up with clothing,
including wide-brim hats and
UVA and UVB-blocking sunglasses
For more information, visit
www.skincancer.org, www.cdc.
gov/chooseyourcover, http://mfne.org/
WAKEFIELD TEENS HEALTH & SAFETY 2014
Marijuana Trends & Signs:
What Parents Need to Know
5
• 37% of Wakefield High students reported having used marijuana in their lifetime (2011 YRBS)
• Today’s marijuana is 300% to 800% stronger than in the past. The national average of marijuana’s THC content
in 1978 was 1.37%, in 1998 4.43%, and in 2012 12.3%.
• THC stays in brain (primarily fat) for a very long time. Half life of 50% every 7 years
Effects:
l Can be mood altering, can cause paranoia
l Alters sensorial perception
l Lack of motivation and lazy attitude
l Chronic fatigue
l Negatively impacts the brain’s ability to store and retrieve of information
Signs of Use:
l You find eyedrops in your teens clothes or in the wash.
l You find bongs, pipes, or rolling papers.
l Your teen uses a lot of incense, mouth wash, and air fresheners.
l Small burns or yellow stains on the thumb and index finger caused by marijuana residue.
l Sudden drop in academic performance. Your teen went from A’s and B’s to C’s and D’s.
l Your teen seems dizzy, has red blood shot eyes, and dilated (large) pupils
It’s not worth it
8WAKEFIELD TEENS HEALTH & SAFETY 2014
Social Host
What is
Social Host Liability?
It means that you can be held financially responsible if your child or underage
guest injures or kills another person after your child or guest drinks alcohol in
your home or other property you control.
What will it COST you?
1) Can I be sued if my child or teenage guest at my home drinks alcohol and
harms another person?
YES. Under the principle of social host liability, you can be held financially responsible if your guest harms or kills another person after having consumed
alcohol at your home.
2) Why should I be liable for the criminal or negligent acts of my guests?
If your guest was under age 21 and you allowed him/her to consume alcohol,
you committed a crime. Violation of a criminal statute is powerful evidence that
you were negligent (failed to do what is required, careless)
3) If your child’s friends drink in your home when you are not there…
Your child may be charged criminally for allowing minors to drink alcohol at your
home. If you do not give permission to your child to allow drinking at your home,
you might not be civilly liable. Even if you claim that you did not know your child’s
guests would be drinking, it may still be up to a jury to decide whether you are
civilly liable.
4) If my guest caused the injury and we both get sued, why should I have to
pay?
If an underage guest who drinks alcohol at your home injures or kills someone,
you and that guest could be sued and found liable. You could be forced to pay
the entire judgement if the underage guest cannot afford to pay. Recent judgements in these cases have been over $1,000,000.
Social Host
WAKEFIELD TEENS HEALTH & SAFETY 2014
st Liability
. . . whoever furnishes alcohol for a person
under 21 years of age shall be punished by:
l Fine of up to $2,000
l Imprisonment for up to a year;
l Or BOTH
It’s not worth it
The law in Massachusetts is clear . . .
“Furnish” shall mean to knowingly or intentionally
l Supply
l Give
l Provide to; or
l Allow to possess alcoholic beverages on premises or property owned or controlled by the person charged.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Social Host Law apply to people who are not yet 21 years of age?
Yes. The Massachusetts Court of Appeals has ruled that “whoever” means exactly that- the law applies to everyone.
What should I do if one of my child’s underage friends brings alcohol into
my home and starts drinking?
Call the child’s parents and/or call the police.
Can I avoid liability by renting a hotel room for my daughter’s prom or
graduation party?
NO. Since you control the hotel room, the Social Host Law applies.
Will my homeowner’s policy cover the costs of litigation and any judgement against me or my child?
Probably Not. If you are charged criminally, your policy will not apply. If it does
apply, the limits of your policy will likely be too small to cover the legal fees and
substantial damages awarded for death or catastrophic injury.
Information prepared by: Richard P. Campbell, Campbell Campbell Edwards & Conroy, Professional Corporation One Constitution Center, Boston, MA 02120-2025 (617)241 www.campbell-trial-lawyers.com
st Liability
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10WAKEFIELD TEENS HEALTH & SAFETY 2014
Underage Drinking: Myth vs. Reality
Myth: Underage drinking? Not MY child.
Reality: In recent national student surveys, the trend of
underage drinking decreasing is reversing. Alcohol use
amongst 9th to 12th graders is increasing. Do not be afraid to
approach your child if you suspect they are drinking.
Myth: Only "troubled" kids drink.
Reality: Yes, youth who are under extreme pressure from
the challenges of life are likely to experiment with alcohol. But
on the other hand youth who are or may seem "well adjusted"
are also drinking and heavily Youth troubled or not are constantly facing various problems everyday such as: peer pressure, pressure to do wel1 in school, etc. With that being said
be sure to make sure your child knows that you are there to
help them not only when they are under pressure but also if
they simply need to talk because alcohol is not going to help
them.
Myth: Underage drinking can't be that bad...I did it and
I turned out just fine!
Reality: You may have dabbled in underage drinking but
think about this: do you really want your child to make the
mistakes that you once made? Keep in mind underage alcohol
use can delay the development of your child's brain.
Myth: If I forbid my child to drink they probably will only
want to drink more. So should I even bother?
Reality: The answer is YES! Do NOT underestimate the
influence you have on your child. But also do NOT be afraid to
be forward with your child. Tell them why you don't want them
to drink and how underage drinking can affect their lives.
Myth: My child is drinking now but soon they'd grow out
of it.
Reality: If your child is drinking now do NOT assume
that they will just "grow out of it". Children that have early
drinking habits in middle and high school usually increase their
alcohol intake in college. Half of males and a third of females
who drink heavily as adolescents are still drinking heavily at
30.
Myth: My child is going to be annoyed when I talk to
them
about drinking.
Reality: When talking to your child let them speak as
much as you do and show them that you want to know their
feelings and don't be discouraged by their facial expressions and
body language.
For more information visit: www.theantidrug.com
WAKEFIELD TEENS HEALTH & SAFETY 2014
Eat Better.
Move
More.
T
hink you have to give up all your
favorite foods to eat better?
Think you have to join a gym and work out for hours
every day to be healthier?
You don’t! You just need to make a few simple
changes, like parking further away and drinking an extra
glass of water a day. Yes, it is that easy!
· Replace one snack a day with low fat or fat free dairy,
mini carrots with hummus or fresh fruit.
· Replace one drink a day with water or skim or 1%
milk.
· Keep on moving! Tossing a ball around the yard or
at a park, walk the family dog together or pull weeds
or plant veggies in the garden.
For more ideas, visit www.mass.gov/massinmotion, www.MiMmelrosewakefield.com
Every day, there are more healthy food and drink options available for Melrose and Wakefield families. These small businesses are voluntarily promoting healthy menu items and products. Please visit and support them. Healthy Dining Eateries Healthy Markets Boston Yogurt, 963 Main St, Wakefield 7-­‐Eleven, 193 Albion St, Wakefield Cappa’s Trackside Kitchen, 1 Grove St, Melrose Bob’s Market, 163 West Wyoming Ave, Melrose Dockside, 1099 Main St, Wakefield Carousel Variety, 436A Water St, Wakefield Laurie’s 9:09 Gastro-­‐Diner, 33 Tuttle St, Wakefield Common Market, 301 East Foster St, Melrose Petrone’s Pizza, 438 Main St, Melrose Fast Freddie’s, 950 Main St, Wakefield Phuket, 21 Princess St, Wakefield Melrose Shell, 860 Main St, Melrose Tooba’s Café, 35 Essex St, Melrose Wakefield Sunoco, 493 Salem St, Wakefield West Wyoming Market, 49 West Wyoming St, Melrose 11
12WAKEFIELD TEENS HEALTH & SAFETY 2014
Be Aware of What Your Kids are Doing Online
Talk with your kids about cyberbullying and other online issues
regularly.
• Know the sites your kids visit and
their online activities. Ask where
they’re going, what they’re doing,
and who they’re doing it with.
• Tell your kids that as a responsible parent you may review their
online communications if you think
there is reason for concern.
• Have a sense of what they do online and in texts. Learn about the
sites they like. Try out the devices
they use.
• Ask for their passwords, but tell
them you’ll only use them in case of
emergency.
• Ask to “friend” or “follow” your
kids on social media sites or ask an-
other trusted adult to do so.
• Encourage your kids to tell you
immediately if they, or someone they
know, is being cyberbullied. Explain
that you will not take away their
computers or cell phones if they confide in you about a problem they are
having.
Sponsored by:
WAKEFIELD TEENS HEALTH & SAFETY 2014
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14WAKEFIELD TEENS HEALTH & SAFETY 2014
Resource Guide
Mental Health Services
Riverside Outpatient Center, Wakefield
781-246-2010
www.riversidecc.org
Hallmark Health Community Counseling
Services, Melrose, Medford, Malden
781-979-3315
http://www.hallmarkhealth.org/BehavioralHealth/Psychiatric-Services.html
Arbour Counseling, Woburn, Malden
781-322-1503
www.arbourhealth.com/counseling.htm
Psychological Care Associates, Stoneham
781-646-0500
www.psychologicalcareassociates.org
Substance Abuse Prevention/Treatment
WAKE-UP, Wakefield
781-246-6375
http://www.wakefield.ma.us/public_
documents/wakefieldma_health/SAPC
Riverside Outpatient Center, Wakefield
781-246-2010
www.riversidecc.org
Substance Abuse State Hotline
1-800-327-5050
MA Substance Abuse Education and
Information Helpline
http://www.helpline-online.com
Mental Health Groups
Hallmark Health Melrose/Wakefield Hospital
781-979-3000
WAKEFIELD TEENS HEALTH & SAFETY 2014
Arbor Counseling Services, Woburn
North Shore Medical Center
781-581-9200
Lawrence Memorial Hospital Behavioral
Health Services, Medford
781-306-6000
Community Counseling Services Lawrence
Memorial Hospital, Medford
781-338-7270
15
Suicide Prevention Samaritans
http://www.samaritanshope.org/index.php
Samaritans statewide toll free:
877-870-4673
Samariteens: 800-252-8336
24hr helplines: 617-247-0220
Local Support Groups
Al-Anon Family Groups of MA
Church basement at
St. Athanasius Church
300 Haverhill Street, Reading
Meetings every Wednesday night from
7:30 to 8:45 PM, 508-366-0556
or [email protected]
Families Anonymous, Medford
800-736-9805
www.familiesanonymous.org
Parents Helping Parents,
Parents Anonymous,
and Parental Stress Line
800-632-8188
www.parentshelpingparents.org
Health and Wellness
Mass in Motion, Melrose/Wakefield
781-979-4123
http://mimmelrosewakefield.com
Wakefield Police Department
http://wakefieldpd.virtualtownhall.net
Anonymous tip line: 339-219-INFO (4636)
Burbank YMCA, Reading
http://www.ymcaboston.org/burbank
Melrose Family YMCA, Melrose
http://ymcametronorth.org/locations/melrose
Respond, Inc.
www.respondinc.org
Ph: 617-625-5996, 24hr: 617-623-5900
Boys and Girls Club of Stoneham, Wakefield
781-438-6770
http://www.bgcstoneham.org/wakefield.aspx
Wakefield Alliance Against Violence
http://www.waavonline.org/
Wakefield Recreation Department,
Wakefield
781-246-6389
http://wakefieldrec.net
Violence/Bullying/Suicide
16WAKEFIELD TEENS HEALTH & SAFETY 2014
PRSRT STD
US POSTAGE PAID
WAKEFIELD MA
PERMIT NO. 3
Nonmedical use of prescription and over-the-counter medicines remains a significant
part of the teen drug problem. According to the 2012 Monitoring the Future survey, about
50 percent of high school seniors said that opioid drugs other than heroin (e.g., Percoset,
Vicodin) would be fairly or very easy to get.
So, what’s in your medicine cabinet?
KNOW THE FACTS:
WHAT CAN YOU DO:
Prescription drug abuse can lead to serious medical Secure all of your medication
problems, addiction, and even death.
Please dispose of unused prescription drugs 24/7 at
Despite what many people believe, misusWakefield Public Safety Building
ing prescription drugs is NOT safer than
1 Union St. Wakefield, MA 781-246-6321
misusing illegal drugs. Rx medications
can have dangerous short- and long-term
health consequences when used incorrectly or by someone they were not preMonitor your child’s prescription for
scribed to.
ADHD medication or other drugs
Most teens and young adults obtain prescription drugs they abuse from friends
and relatives, sometimes without their
knowledge (i.e. parents & grandparents)
The most commonly abused prescription
drugs are opiate painkillers (such as Percocet, OxyContin, and Vicodin), sedatives used to treat anxiety
(such as Xanax, Klonipin, and Valium), and stimulants commonly prescribed to treat ADHD (such as
Adderall, Ritalin, and Concerta)
Start talking to your children NOW about
the dangers of prescription drug abuse;
children are beginning to experiment
with prescription medications as early as
6th grade