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PROM:
Parents Put Your Childs Safety First. May and June are two big time party/celebration months for teens. First there is prom; and then graduation. Both are times when underage teens drink, often to the point of binging; and, often with the approval of parents! It is a challenge for parents to tell their teens not to drink; but one of the top reasons teens say they dont drink is that they don't want to disappoint their parents. Parents have tremendous influence over their teens. Use that influence to keep them safe. Tell them No Drinking. Some parents believe that telling their teens to drink responsibly will keep them safe. Not so. This message is telling kids it is OK to drink. Remember it is illegal to drink under the age of 21 and there is a very good reason for it. Teen brains are in the process of refining and developing. Allowing the intake of alcohol during this time period will affect the process. Studies show that teens who begin drinking at an early age are 1 in 4 times more likely to develop a dependence on alcohol in later years.

Volume 7 Issue 5

May 2012

Inhaling helium can displace the oxygen in the lungs, leading to oxygen
deprivation. This can cause dizziness to blacking out to cardiac arrest.

50 million people have died world-wide from tobacco-related causes over the
last decade reports the American Cancer Society.

At any large university (40,000+) alcohol related blackout emergency room

visits costs range from $469,000 to $546,000 per year.

Interesting Fact:

It is a myth that European teens dont have problems with binge drinking because they learn to drink at home with their parents. Many studies over the years show that European teens (France, Italy, UK, Denmark, Ireland, etc.) have a higher rate of binge drinking than American teens.

Prom Safety Tips for Parents: Know and discuss the school code of conduct for both on campus and off campus. Know who your child is attending the prom with - both date and friends. Discuss the events for pre and post prom parties with other parents. Discuss guidelines and curfew along with the consequences of violating the rules. Discuss travel plans: If using a limousine service, be sure they do not allow alcohol. If a teen is driving know who is driving and who are passengers. Limit the number. Discuss and practice answers your teen can use to get out of uncomfortable situations. ( i.e. being offered alcohol, getting a ride from an intoxicated driver, unwanted sexual advances) Talk about the serious dangers and consequences of drinking and especially drinking and driving. Be sure your child knows that you will be there for them if they need a ride home or to an after prom affair.

Signs/Symptoms of Alcohol Abuse

Change in friends Red, puffy, blood-shot eye Dilated pupils Use of eye drops Alcohol smell on breath or unusual use of mouth wash or mints Slurred speech Mood changes: Irritability Anxiousness Crying Hostile aggressive outbursts Becoming physically or verbally abusive toward others Erratic behavior Inability to control behavior Defensiveness Expansive behavior Talkativeness

Changes in physical appearance: Poor hygiene Dressing in cloths that highlight drug use Low energy Lack of coordination Slow reaction time Changes in work habits: Poor concentration No interest in activities that used to give pleasure enjoyment Lost motivation Forgetfulness Drop in grades Not remembering conversations Clouded thinking Any major change in behavior or actions

Alcohol Study: (Jennifer Mitchell, Univ. of So. Calif.) Researchers have finally proven that alcohols pleasant effects are caused by the release of endorphins, the natural substance that causes feelings of reward. PET imaging was used to view the effects of drinking alcohol in the brains of 13 heavy drinkers and 12 controls. Alcohol consumption caused a release of endorphins in all of the subjects and the more endorphins released, the greater the sensation of pleasure reported by all. In the heavy drinkers endorphins in a particular area of the brain seemed to lead to greater feelings of intoxication. This indicates that the brains of heavy or problem drinkers are changed in a way that makes them more likely to find alcohol pleasant, and may be a clue to how problem drinking develops in the first place. (Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Weekly 3/5/12)