Is there a link between vaping and coronavirus? While experts say it’s impossible to say for sure, according the National Institute of Drug Abuse the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 could be an especially serious threat to those who vape or smoke tobacco or marijuana because it attacks the lungs.

Informed Families is partnering with the Lung Love Foundation to help educate parents and teens about the dangers of vaping. Lung Love Foundation founder, Chance Ammirata, was only 18 years old when he almost lost his life to Juuling.  After his near death experience he took to social media to spread awareness of the dangers of vaping. Watch this CBS news clip to learn more about Chance’s story.

According to the 2019 Monitoring the Future Survey:

• Marijuana continues to be the most commonly used illicit drug by adolescents.
• One in four 12th graders say they vaped nicotine in the past month, along with 1 in 5 10th graders, and nearly 1 in 10 eighth graders.
• Many teens say they vape for the flavor, to experiment, for social reasons, or to feel good.
• From 2018-2019, the number of 12th graders saying they vape because they are "hooked" more than doubled to 8.1%, up from 3.6%.

Parents and educators can join others across the country to help students make informed decisions by sharing fact-based information about drugs and alcohol.

How Are Your Kids Handling the COVID-19 Pandemic?

Fear and anxiety about the COVID-19 pandemic can be overwhelming and cause strong emotions in both adults and children. We are all trying to adjust to our new normal as things continue to rapidly change.

While you are struggling with health concerns, school closures, having to work remotely and financial uncertainty, your kids have suddenly been cut off from school, friends, extracurricular activities and more. How are your kids coping?

According to the CDC, children and teens are among the groups of people who may respond more strongly to the stress of a crisis.

Ways to help kids manage stress and anxiety

So what parenting advice is there to help kids manage their stress and anxiety during the coronavirus outbreak?

 It is important to keep in mind that children and teens react, in part, on what they see from the adults around them. Positive parenting is key right now.

The recent developments around COVID-19/Coronavirus have upended daily life for many of us. School districts around the nation have closed schools, forcing kids to stay home. As a parent, you want to provide a sense of structure to your kids' day, while also maintaining your own sanity. In these uncertain times of social isolation, it is more important than ever to keep a clear head and work together with your family to help you make the best of the situation. 

Did you know that kids who do chores around the house are actually happier than kids who don't, according to the latest research? 

Do you want your kids to help out more around the house but find it painfully difficult to motivate them? Do you frequently find yourself wiping your brow, sighing and saying, "I'll just do it." Does it seem like getting your children to do chores is a bigger chore in itself?

We’ve all seen the headlines:

“Underage drinking, drugs leads to nearly 1,000 arrests on Gulf Coast beaches”

“Sheriff's Office cracks down on underage drinking in Destin”

“Police being extra vigilant on drunk driving during spring break

"Spring Break 2019 sees drunk students descend on beach to guzzle booze, twerk and pass out in outrageous parties”

If you are the parent of a college-age student preparing to head off to a spring break destination soon, you are likely concerned about whether or not they will engage in underage or binge-drinking and wind up in lots of trouble.

While the Media Was Focused on Opioids Look What Happened

While the media has been focused on the opioid crisis, the number of alcohol-related deaths more than doubled from 35,914 in 1999 to 72,558 in 2017. Women have been impacted the most.

According Dr. George F. Koob, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) Director, “alcohol is a growing women’s health issue. The rapid increase in deaths involving alcohol among women is troubling and parallels the increases in alcohol consumption among women over the past few decades.”

Trends like Mommy wine culture, which normalizes the idea of drinking alcohol as a way to cope with stress, and sipping while shopping have become commonplace. We should always keep in mind that our kids are watching our behaviors. Do we want them to turn to alcohol as a way to escape from everyday stress or as the only way to relax and unwind?

They are bombarded with images promoting alcohol in that way already. A new report from the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs says alcohol ads are leading teens to drink. A study in the Preventive Medicine journal found that social media could be sending out positive messaging about alcohol use as well.

Sign the Safe Homes Smart Parents pledge, and let’s work together to stem the tide of alcohol-related deaths by discouraging underage and binge drinking.  

Peggy

A small girl at Redland Middle School waited patiently for the other students surrounding filmmaker Erahm Christopher to leave so she could ask one question: What is the time of tonight’s screening?  I really want my Mom to come and see the film.

Informed Families partnered with Mr. Christopher to host a screening of his film LISTEN at Redland Middle School on February 6, 2020.  Themes covered in the film include bullying, cyber bullying, racism, gang violence and suicide.  Following the screening, students had a chance ask Mr. Christopher questions and voice their thoughts and feelings about the issues featured in the film. The response was overwhelming.

According to Soraya Herran, a guidance counselor at Redland Middle School, the next day “the students couldn’t stop talking about the film and discussion they had participated in.”

Donna and Gordon Fales couldn’t believe their luck when they won the raffle prize at Informed Families' Annual Dinner at Joe’s - a dinner for 20 at Joe’s Stone Crab.

"We were stunned. I have never won anything like that in my life,” Mrs. Fales explained.

The Fales used the prize to host a family gathering around the holidays – and the impeccable service, attention to detail and quality food at Joe’s Stone Crab didn’t disappoint.

“It was absolutely everything you could hope for. The staff at Joe’s did a fabulous job. They were very accommodating and we were well taken care of,” Mrs. Fales said.

The Fales are long-time Miami residents, and going to Joe’s is a tradition for them. Mrs. Fales described their dinner as the “quintessential Miami experience.”

Joe’s Stone Crab has once again generously donated a dinner for 20 as the raffle prize at Informed Families’ Dinner at Joe’s.  Raffle tickets are available for purchase online. Buy one, and tell a friend to get one too. You could be the next lucky winner.

100% of the proceeds from raffle goes toward supporting the Informed Families mission of helping kids grow up safe, healthy and drug free.

Have you noticed the new trend of major retailers and grocery store chains increasingly allowing, or even encouraging, the consumption of alcohol while patrons shop? A short segment on Good Morning America detailed this new trend as a quirky and fun new way for stores to encourage their customers to spend more, but are we missing a bigger issue altogether?
Stores that encourage customers to drink while they shop are helping to normalize the consumption of alcoholic beverages throughout the day in a very public setting. Are we teaching our kids that it is OK to go about your day with a glass of mimosa on your hand?

“I really would like the theme to inspire others for use as their mantra. Bravery is not just for superheroes."

Meet Tricia Nelson, the everyday hero behind the 2020 Red Ribbon theme: “Be Happy. Be Brave. Be Drug Free.”

The Red Ribbon Campaign unveiled its new 2020 Red Ribbon Theme, “Be Happy. Be Brave. Be Drug Free. ™” today. The theme will be highlighted during Red Ribbon Week®, the nation’s oldest and largest drug prevention program, taking place each year from October 23 through 31st.

Submitted by Tricia Nelson, a first year Physical Education Teacher at Locust Corner Elementary School in Cincinnati, the theme will help amplify the campaign’s mission to encourage children, families and communities to live healthy, safe and drug-free lives.