In the face of the recent public health alert from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), which we told you about last month, U.S. lawmakers are moving to classify the dangerous animal tranquilizer xylazine as a controlled substance.

Topics: parenting, marijuana legalization, marijuana, teenagers, teens, cannabis, Xylazine

Our children face challenges of one degree or another every day of their lives. It’s part of growing up. It’s up to you to help your child persevere in the tasks they will need to accomplish throughout their lives.

Topics: parenting, marijuana legalization, marijuana, teenagers, teens, cannabis

 Important announcement from DEA! The DEA is warning the American public of a sharp increase in the trafficking of fentanyl mixed with Xylazine. Xylazine, also known as “Tranq,” is a powerful sedative that the FDA has approved for veterinary use.

Topics: parenting, marijuana legalization, marijuana, teenagers, teens, cannabis

Finally, some good news in the fight for drug sanity: Earlier this month, Oklahoma voters resoundingly rejected a ballot initiative to legalize recreational marijuana use. With nearly all the precincts reporting, the vote was 62 percent opposed and 38 percent in favor of the measure.

Topics: parenting, marijuana legalization, marijuana, teenagers, teens, cannabis

Today, widespread marijuana use has become an unfortunate fact of life. Twenty-one states and the District of Columbia have legalized its use, and 20 others—including Florida—have approved it for medical use. Celebrities like Bill Maher, Willie Nelson, and Woody Harrelson brag about their constant use of the drug.

Topics: parenting, marijuana legalization, marijuana, teenagers, teens, cannabis

President's Message - March 2023

Understanding connections between mental health, diseases, and social problems are the underlying icebergs (frequently created by our own behavior) that stop us from seeing the problem correctly and taking appropriate action. 

Topics: President's Message, marijuana legalization, marijuana, Informed Families, cannabis

 

With marijuana being legalized in more and more states, many teens now believe it's safe for them to use. But evidence shows it's not. Make sure you and your kids can separate fact from fiction when it comes to marijuana.

MYTH: It’s safer than alcohol

FACT: Alcohol and marijuana are both associated with serious problems, especially if used by teens and young adults under age 21 – when the brain and body are still rapidly developing.  

MYTH: It’s okay to drive while high

FACT: After alcohol, marijuana is the drug most often found in the blood of driver’s involved in crashes.

 

Topics: marijuana legalization, marijuana, communication, teenagers, teens, drugs, drug use, myths

Did You Get The Red Ribbon Message?

Did You Pass It On Correctly?

During Red Ribbon Week®, the red ribbon is used to symbolize the importance of a healthy, drug free lifestyle. This year’s theme, YOLO. Be Drug Free.® was created by two sixth graders in Claysburg, Pennsylvania. It reminds us to take care of our minds and our bodies.

Years ago I directed an after-school program. No matter how hard I tried to educate and set my students on a path to success, if their parents or caregivers weren’t delivering the same message at home, the work was exponentially harder. Furthermore, when our overall environment is sending conflicting, unhealthy messages, we are stressed and challenged. I do believe that one person can make a difference in a child’s life, but by partnering with parents and improving community messaging, the likelihood of raising safe, healthy, drug free kids is vastly improved.

Topics: President's Message, marijuana legalization, marijuana, red ribbon week, red ribbon photo contest, red ribbon theme, children, parents

Running with half a dozen buddies in the early morning on New Year's Day, I asked a friend what she and her teen-aged children had done the night before. "Just stayed home and played Parcheesi," Danielle said. "Then the kids and I started to watch a movie, but I fell asleep on the couch in the living room."

"My kids and I stayed home too," I replied. "We played Dominoes and then they baked something that was almost edible. But I'm leaving out the word 'just.' I'm happy to hang out with my wife and children. The kids will be grown and gone soon enough."

As we trotted over tree roots on our way down toward Matheson Hammock, another running buddy joined the conversation: "You supercilious prig," Lynn began. "Not only are you living in a cave, you are harming your kids by not letting them go out from the damp, dark confines in the side of a cliff."

Topics: David Altshuler, parenting, marijuana legalization, marijuana, communication, brain development, family bonding

As Election Day draws near, “medical marijuana” has become a hot topic, and many have asked me about my position concerning constitutional Amendment 2. That’s simple:  I am personally against the amendment because I know it is a ruse that will create defacto-legalization of marijuana in Florida. The amendment supporters are counting on those of us who are compassionate and who want to help the very sick, to ignore the very real negative consequences of legalization. 

Topics: marijuana legalization, addiction, drug trends, marijuana