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Office of National Drug Control Policy Launches First Major Initiative to Combat Teen Prescription Drug Abuse
People Reaching Out Presenting the Following Workshops at Three Local Borders Book Stores:
Natomas Borders Book Store, 4750 Natomas Blvd., Sacramento
Date - April 17, 2008 from 7:30-8:30 pm:
Topic - Logical Consequences: Raising a Responsible Teenager.
When teens break a rule and parents don't know what to do about it, most parents press the "default" button. They resort to using methods of control used by their parents. Using logical consequences, rather than the standard punishments many parents fall back on, will decrease the bad behavior and replace it with responsible behavior.
Roseville Borders Book Store, 2030 Douglas Blvd., #9, Roseville
Date - May 1, 2008, 7:00 - 8:00 pm.
Topic - Logical Consequences: Raising a Responsible Teenager.
When teens break a rule and parents don't know what to do about it, most parents press the "default" button. They resort to using methods of control used by their parents. Using logical consequences, rather than the standard punishments many parents fall back on, will decrease the bad behavior and replace it with responsible behavior.
Natomas Borders Book Store, 4750 Natomas Blvd., Sacramento
Date - May 7, 2008 from 6:00-7:00 pm:
Topic - I'm Talking! Don't You Hear Me: Parent - Teen Communication
Are you tired of talking 'till you're blue in the face and still don't feel heard, not even by your children? Do you find yourself raising your voice a lot? Learn how to change the way you communicate so you get better results.
Fair Oaks Borders Book Store, 2339 Fair Oaks Blvd., Sacramento
Date - May 29, 2008 from 6:00 - 7:00 pm.
Topic - Too Hot to Handle: Why Is My Teen So Angry and What Can I Do About It?
How can you recognize when your child's bad behavior is really anger unless you know what anger really is and how it works? Come to an interactive workshop that will show you how you can start making changes right away.
Energy drinks with alcohol stir fears.
Parents advised to pay attention to what their teens are drinking.
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Local Teen Wins Dan Lewandowski Youth Leadership Award
On October 29th, 2007, People Reaching Out named McClatchy High School graduate, Kathy Saephanh, as the recipient of the Dan Lewandowski Youth Leadership Award.
The Dan Lewandowski award is given annually to a student participant in People Reaching Out's programs who exemplifies leadership and commitment to youth substance abuse and violence prevention. Kathy was involved with People Reaching Out's programs for three years at McClatchy High School. She is continuing her education at Sacramento City College majoring in physical education.
"Being part of People Reaching Out at McClatchy High School was an incredible experience for me," said Kathy Saephanh. "I learned so much and honestly felt that I was making a difference in the lives of others."
Kathy was involved in two of People Reaching Out's school-based programs. She participated in Pro After School as a teen mentor to elementary school students at Bret Harte Elementary School and in Students Reaching Out where she learned community advocacy and awareness for the prevention of substance abuse and violence.
"Kathy never missed a day of class and was a true advocate recruiting students to our program," said Staci Anderson, Executive Director of People Reaching Out. "Kathy's leadership and her passion for helping others understand the importance of prevention in the lives of youth made her a stand out among her peers."
The Dan Lewandowski Award is named for a former vice president at CalFed Bank Northern California who strongly valued prevention education and community-based programs as effective tools for preventing substance abuse and violence. He was an advocate for youth leaders, believing they are the key to upholding a healthy community. Dan was a staunch supporter of People Reaching Out and was responsible for donating a CalFed bank building to People Reaching Out, which is now the agency's headquarters.
For more information: Liz Sheesley, 916-576-3300, ext. 310
"Up For Bid" A Great Success
The "Up For Bid" auction held by People Reaching Out and the Active 20-30 Club Sacramento on October 13th was a tremendous success! More than 300 people gathered at the Sacramento Jaguar and Maserati dealership on Fulton Avenue for the bachelor and bachelorette auction and enjoyed food donated by 11 upscale local restaurants. Music and bids on the silent auction kept the crowd moving all evening. Scores of local businesses supported the event with donations for the auction, additional event support and "date" packages.
Event sponsors included SureWest Foundation, Wells Fargo Bank, Glass-McClure, Cornish & Carey, Maserati of Sacramento, Jaguar of Sacramento and It's Just Lunch.
Media sponsors CW31 and Sactown Magazine were invaluable for getting the word out about the event. Nick Toma and Taryn Winter Brill joined the volunteer "dates" who were outfitted by Bonney & Gordon and Blush Boutique with hair and makeup by GS Hair. They all looked great on the runway.
The 2008 auction is already scheduled for October 11th. Mark your calendars. This is a "don't miss it" evening.
Donors who contributed to the success of the evening included:
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33rd St. Bistro |
Morton's |
People Reaching Out (PRO) is a Family Day Partner
http://www.projecthelp.org/
A copy of the Resolution by the Board of Supervisors of Sacramento County is presented by Supervisor Roger Dickenson to Heather McClenahen (PRO), Trisha Stanionis (Project Help), Briana Peacock (PRO) and Cyndra Krogen (Sac State)
THE RECIPE FOR RAISING SUBSTANCE-FREE KIDS: FREQUENT FAMILY MEALS
Whether you're gathering around the table for macaroni and cheese or a five-course meal, don't underestimate the power behind the simple act of taking time to share meals with your kids regularly.
The stories and laughs that you share during mealtime help you stay connected to your kids. Did you know that the more often kids and teens share meals with their families, the less likely they are to drink, smoke and use illegal drugs? That's the reason The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) at Columbia University created Family Day ? A Day to Share a Meal with Your Children in 2001.
Family Day is a national effort to promote parental engagement as a simple, effective way to reduce substance abuse in children and teens and raise healthier children. Family Day, which is celebrated on the fourth Monday in September ? the 24th in 2007 ? is gaining significant momentum. Last year, more than 1.3 million Americans pledged to celebrate Family Day by eating dinner together with their families. The President, 47 governors, 500 city and county executives, landmarks across the nation and scores of schools, community organizations and religious groups also celebrated Family Day.
CASA research consistently shows that regardless of a teen's gender, family structure or social or economic status, frequent family meals make a difference in teens' lives. Compared to teens who have five to seven family meals in a typical week, teens who dine with their families fewer than three times in a typical week are nearly three times likelier to use marijuana, two and a half times likelier to smoke cigarettes and one and a half times likelier to drink alcohol, according to CASA's The Importance of Family Dinners II. The report also found that frequent family meals are also associated with higher academic performance. Teens who share meals with their families five to seven times in a typical week are 50 percent likelier to get mostly A's and B's in school than teens who dine with their families fewer than three times per week.
"America's drug problem is not going to be solved in courtrooms or legislative hearing rooms by judges and politicians. It will be solved in living rooms and dining rooms and across kitchen tables ? by parents and families," says Joseph A. Califano, Jr., CASA's chairman and president and the former U.S. Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare. "'Parent Power' is the most potent and underutilized tool in preventing children from using substances or engaging in risky behavior.
In Sacramento, Raley's and BelAir stores are sponsoring Family Day in a very special way. The Traveling Tablecloths will be making appearances at many stores during the month of September. While there, people can sign the tablecloth, making a commitment to share meals with their families, and enter a contest to win a family meal a week for a year. Please visit the stores to find out how you can be a part of our Family Day celebration and be an active part of the solution to Sacramento's underage and high-risk drinking challenge.
We encourage everyone to celebrate Family Day by sharing a meal together on September 24th and every day. More importantly, talk with your kids. During mealtime, turn off the TV and let your answering machine record incoming calls. Involve the entire family in planning and cooking meals, and make regular family meals a priority in your daily life.
For more information about the importance of family meals, please visit Project Help website at www.projecthelp.org or the Family Day website at www.CASAFamilyDay.org.
Seven Family Dining Do's:
Start the pattern of family meals when children are young.
Use Sunday as the day to pick several times during the upcoming week when the entire family can eat together. Make your best attempt to stick to the schedule.
Encourage your children to create menu ideas and participate in meal preparation.
Turn off the TV and let your answering machine take care of your incoming calls.
Talk about what happened in everyone's day: school, work, extracurricular activities, or current events.
Establish a routine to start and end each meal. Light candles or tell a story at the start of the meal; eat dessert or play a board game after dinner to continue the conversation.
Keep conversation positive and make sure everyone gets a chance to speak.