If you haven’t heard of Project X, you better get up to speed, because your tweens and teens surely have. Project X is an anything goes-type teenage movie where three “unpopular” high school students gain instant fame, thanks to alcohol, ecstasy, social media and an out-of-control house party thrown while one boy’s parents are out of town.
You may be thinking that this is probably just another one of those teenage movies where youth push the limits in the name of ‘fun.’ This movie goes way beyond fun. What should have never even made it to the big screen has quickly spilled over into real life, with real-life consequences, as teens across the nation attempt to recreate Project X with their own network of “friends.”
These Project X parties aim to be big in number (easily attainable with the help of social media) and massive in the destruction of property (resulting in hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of damage in some cases). Alcohol and other drugs are also an expectation at Project X parties, already landing many teens in jail, if not the hospital. In Houston, a Project X-inspired party turned deadly, as one teen was shot and killed when other party guests began randomly firing into the crowd. This isn’t innocent ‘fun,’ this is a parent’s worst nightmare.
This is the time of the year when parents must be extra vigilant. As the school year winds down, the tween/teen party scene starts kicking into high gear. While the majority of these gatherings are not likely to be as over-the-top as the one featured in Project X, many will involve underage drinking and other drug use, putting everyone’s health and safety at risk.
Whether it’s being called a Project X party or not, if you hear or see indicators of such gatherings, we encourage you to follow in the footsteps of a proactive parent who caught word of a local Project X party being planned, then did his part to protect not only his own children, but the other youth in his community.
This parent began by making it a ‘teachable moment’ for his children. He got the conversation started by asking his kids what they knew about Project X, then reminded them where he stood on underage drinking and other drug use. He talked with them about the potential real life consequences (legal, health and safety issues) that are involved with substance use and the risks his kids could face if they were involved in damaging other peoples’ property. The dad informed them that even if they aren’t drinking, smoking or using other drugs, they stand a lot to lose simply by being present at one of these parties. And finally, he reminded them that if they ever find themselves at a gathering that develops into such a party, they can contact him and he would be there to get them right away.
Next, instead of simply putting a halt to his kids’ night, this father helped them make alternative plans that were fun, yet safe. He then encouraged his kids to contact their friends and discourage them from attending the party.
This dad then networked with other parents to alert them about the party, as well informed local law enforcement. Because of the simple actions taken by a proactive, hands-on parent, this particular Project X party fizzled out before it even got started.
We encourage you follow this dad’s lead and to do your part to help prevent the real-life consequences that aren’t depicted in Hollywood movies.
For talking points on the legal, health and safety issues of underage drinking, click here.
Sources: Project X. ABC News.
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Children’s Exposure to Secondhand Smoke Increases Asthma Risk at Least 20 percent
Exposure to secondhand smoke increases the risk of wheezing and asthma in children and teens by at least 20 percent, according to a review of previous studies. The researchers of the new analysis say preventing parental smoking is crucially important to the prevention of asthma.
The researchers found the biggest effect of secondhand smoke exposure on asthma risk was in babies and toddlers whose mothers smoked during pregnancy or soon after the children were born, Reuters reports.
The analysis, published in Pediatrics, included more than 70 studies published between 1997 and 2011. All of these studies followed children as they grew, to determine which ones were diagnosed with wheezing or asthma.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, children’s developing bodies make them more susceptible to the effects of secondhand smoke। Due to their small size, children breathe more rapidly than adults, and breathe in more secondhand smoke. Children who breathe in high doses of secondhand smoke, such as those with parents who smoke, run the greatest risk of experiencing harmful health effects.
Source: By Join Together Staff | March 22, 2012
The researchers found the biggest effect of secondhand smoke exposure on asthma risk was in babies and toddlers whose mothers smoked during pregnancy or soon after the children were born, Reuters reports.
The analysis, published in Pediatrics, included more than 70 studies published between 1997 and 2011. All of these studies followed children as they grew, to determine which ones were diagnosed with wheezing or asthma.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, children’s developing bodies make them more susceptible to the effects of secondhand smoke। Due to their small size, children breathe more rapidly than adults, and breathe in more secondhand smoke. Children who breathe in high doses of secondhand smoke, such as those with parents who smoke, run the greatest risk of experiencing harmful health effects.
Source: By Join Together Staff | March 22, 2012
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Dear Friends,
Do you know what you will be doing this summer to separate it from the rest of the year? Whether we have kids in school or not, adults need a time to recharge, too. I am an avid supporter of solar power. No I don’t have panels on my roof or spend time lying on the beach. The panels are too expensive, and my wife burns very easily. But I do plan to “get out.” I even have a Life is Good hat with that directive front and center.
Looking through the upcoming issue of Prevention Works!, I notice a common thread. What do Dating violence, distracted families, alcopops, and summer days have in common? How about healthy recreation?
Adults serve as the primary example for our youth. What are we going to show them this summer? Let’s start with modeling healthy dating relationships. To do that, we need to actually have a date with our significant others or closest friends. Last week, I went out to dinner with my wife for the first time in too long. We went to a local Indian vegetarian restaurant in Franklin Park. We got dressed up, planned to avoid the early bird special – even if it would save money, and looked forward to a relaxing night out. Even when we finally found our destination, which turned out to be a hole in the wall in a strip mall (no offense – the food was delicious) instead of a restaurant requiring her nice dress and my shirt and tie, we settled in for a nice evening.
I was struck by several things during the evening. First, the tightly-packed tables were occupied by an elderly couple, a multi-generational family, a young family, and a group of college students. There was much laughter, passing of plates as everyone tried what each other ordered (the sharing was kept to singular tables ), and a relaxed atmosphere. There was no rush. Adults helped children order; the students had a blast – even in a place without a liquor license; and there was not a single argument to be heard.
At that moment in time, adolescents and young adults saw couples all the way into their eighties having a nice night out together; without alcohol on the menu, food and family were the center of attention – everyone was present; and since school was out, even the young children were out socially with their families until nine o’clock.
I, for one – for two with my wife, will do this again – hopefully several times – over the summer. I feel better already. What are your plans?
Steve
PS Now, if I had a blog, we could continue this conversation and really have some fun…
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Having “The Talk” With Teens
Almost every parent and teenager knows about and dreads “the talk”.
“The talk” is when a parent tries to have a conversation with their child about sex. This can often be a very awkward and uncomfortable conversation for both parent and child. Most parents have no idea when they should have this talk with their kids or how to go about it. Instead, many choose to avoid it. When their parents don’t speaking to them about the topic, kids instead learn from other sources such as friends, music, television, and the internet.
This same issue exists when it comes to alcohol use. Avoidance of the issue and delaying conversations will force the child to learn from other sources, as well as through their own experimentation. This experimentation can be very dangerous and can cause a myriad of problems in the future.
Proactive parents who are involved in their children’s lives, and don’t shy away from tough topics such as alcohol use, can help prevent these future problems.
The prevailing belief held by many parents is that they should talk to their kids about drugs and alcohol when they get to high school, because that is where their kids will be exposed to it. This is actually not true.
In fact, 20% of 8th grade students report having been drunk at least once in their lives. The best advice for parents when talking to their kids about these issues is to talk about it before it becomes an issue.
Another common mistake that parents make when talking to their kids about alcohol is to offer the overly simplistic “alcohol is bad so don’t do it” message. This can often do more harm than good. If kids hear this, but then witness a parent or family member drinking alcohol, it can create confusion and a mixed message.
Instead, parents should seek to provide their children with knowledge about alcohol. Speaking to children about the facts such as alcohol’s effect on the body, addiction, and deaths caused by alcohol can actually have a much greater impact. The key to helping your child make good decisions is to be honest, loving, patient, and trusting.
Some tips for talking to your children:
Encourage conversation- Encourage your child to talk about their interests and allow them to teach you something. With the doors to communication open, talking about more serious topics will be easier and less uncomfortable for you and your children.
Ask open ended questions- The key is to not ask questions that can have a yes or no answer. This allows your child to express how they feel about a particular issue and prevents a conversation from turning into a lecture.
Control your emotions- If you hear something that you don’t like, try not to respond with anger, because this can discourage your child from being open and honest with you in the future. Instead, respond in a constructive manner that will address the issue without closing the lines of communication.
Something as simple as a conversation can change the course of a child’s life, so speak to your kids today.
By Antony Thottukadavil
“The talk” is when a parent tries to have a conversation with their child about sex. This can often be a very awkward and uncomfortable conversation for both parent and child. Most parents have no idea when they should have this talk with their kids or how to go about it. Instead, many choose to avoid it. When their parents don’t speaking to them about the topic, kids instead learn from other sources such as friends, music, television, and the internet.
This same issue exists when it comes to alcohol use. Avoidance of the issue and delaying conversations will force the child to learn from other sources, as well as through their own experimentation. This experimentation can be very dangerous and can cause a myriad of problems in the future.
Proactive parents who are involved in their children’s lives, and don’t shy away from tough topics such as alcohol use, can help prevent these future problems.
The prevailing belief held by many parents is that they should talk to their kids about drugs and alcohol when they get to high school, because that is where their kids will be exposed to it. This is actually not true.
In fact, 20% of 8th grade students report having been drunk at least once in their lives. The best advice for parents when talking to their kids about these issues is to talk about it before it becomes an issue.
Another common mistake that parents make when talking to their kids about alcohol is to offer the overly simplistic “alcohol is bad so don’t do it” message. This can often do more harm than good. If kids hear this, but then witness a parent or family member drinking alcohol, it can create confusion and a mixed message.
Instead, parents should seek to provide their children with knowledge about alcohol. Speaking to children about the facts such as alcohol’s effect on the body, addiction, and deaths caused by alcohol can actually have a much greater impact. The key to helping your child make good decisions is to be honest, loving, patient, and trusting.
Some tips for talking to your children:
Encourage conversation- Encourage your child to talk about their interests and allow them to teach you something. With the doors to communication open, talking about more serious topics will be easier and less uncomfortable for you and your children.
Ask open ended questions- The key is to not ask questions that can have a yes or no answer. This allows your child to express how they feel about a particular issue and prevents a conversation from turning into a lecture.
Control your emotions- If you hear something that you don’t like, try not to respond with anger, because this can discourage your child from being open and honest with you in the future. Instead, respond in a constructive manner that will address the issue without closing the lines of communication.
Something as simple as a conversation can change the course of a child’s life, so speak to your kids today.
By Antony Thottukadavil
Energy Drinks and Alcohol, A Dangerous Mix
For generations, people have relied on caffeinated drinks such as coffee, tea, and soda to wake them up and keep them up. For some people, the first thing that they reach for in the morning after their toothbrush is that cup of coffee to get their day started. With the emergence of energy drinks, many people are choosing them instead. Their advertisements and variety of drink choices have made them very popular, especially among youth. This popularity has spawned a new and dangerous practice of combining energy drinks with alcohol. Energy drink and alcohol combinations have actually become a part of the partying subculture and are especially prevalent on college campuses.
Alcohol acts as a depressant on the body and slows down heart rate. Caffeine acts as a stimulant and increases heart rate. By combining the two you are sending mixed messages to your nervous system which can cause cardiac problems such as heart palpitations. This can be very dangerous and may pose a serious harm to an individual’s health.
The issue of alcohol and energy drink mixes has come into the spotlight with the emergence of premade alcohol and energy drinks combinations such as Four Loko. Four Loko is a drink that recently became extremely popular among youth, especially college students. It has been linked to several arrests and alcohol-related incidents on college campuses across the country. One can of Four Loko is 23.5 fl oz. and at 12% alcohol by volume, contains the same amount of alcohol as six beers, as well as almost the same amount of caffeine as four cans of soda. Because all of this is contained in one can, a person may think that they are having one drink when, in fact, they are having 6-along with a large dose of caffeine. This has caused students all over the U.S. to over drink because they are not aware of how much they are actually drinking. Four Loko has actually been labeled by the college community as a “blackout in a can.”
In November of 2010, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) placed a ban on Four Loko and other drinks like it, deeming them unsafe and requiring them to be pulled off the shelves. Four Loko has since changed the recipe for their drinks, and they no longer contain caffeine and other stimulants.
The FDA ban on the sale of the original Four Loko was the first step in creating public awareness of the dangers of mixing energy drinks and alcohol. Despite the ruling that caffeine is an unsafe additive to alcoholic beverages, the message has not reached many people who continue to create their own energy drink cocktails. This poses a danger to the health of the individuals doing it, as well as to the people around them. While it will not be any time soon that energy drinks are pulled off the market, this problem can be addressed by people taking responsibility for their own actions and health by not combining alcohol and energy drinks.
More information is available through the non-profit Marin Institute’s website at http://www.marininstitute.org. They monitor and expose the alcohol industry’s harmful actions related to products, promotions and social influence, and support communities in their efforts to reject these damaging activities.
By Antony Thottukadavil
Alcohol acts as a depressant on the body and slows down heart rate. Caffeine acts as a stimulant and increases heart rate. By combining the two you are sending mixed messages to your nervous system which can cause cardiac problems such as heart palpitations. This can be very dangerous and may pose a serious harm to an individual’s health.
The issue of alcohol and energy drink mixes has come into the spotlight with the emergence of premade alcohol and energy drinks combinations such as Four Loko. Four Loko is a drink that recently became extremely popular among youth, especially college students. It has been linked to several arrests and alcohol-related incidents on college campuses across the country. One can of Four Loko is 23.5 fl oz. and at 12% alcohol by volume, contains the same amount of alcohol as six beers, as well as almost the same amount of caffeine as four cans of soda. Because all of this is contained in one can, a person may think that they are having one drink when, in fact, they are having 6-along with a large dose of caffeine. This has caused students all over the U.S. to over drink because they are not aware of how much they are actually drinking. Four Loko has actually been labeled by the college community as a “blackout in a can.”
In November of 2010, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) placed a ban on Four Loko and other drinks like it, deeming them unsafe and requiring them to be pulled off the shelves. Four Loko has since changed the recipe for their drinks, and they no longer contain caffeine and other stimulants.
The FDA ban on the sale of the original Four Loko was the first step in creating public awareness of the dangers of mixing energy drinks and alcohol. Despite the ruling that caffeine is an unsafe additive to alcoholic beverages, the message has not reached many people who continue to create their own energy drink cocktails. This poses a danger to the health of the individuals doing it, as well as to the people around them. While it will not be any time soon that energy drinks are pulled off the market, this problem can be addressed by people taking responsibility for their own actions and health by not combining alcohol and energy drinks.
More information is available through the non-profit Marin Institute’s website at http://www.marininstitute.org. They monitor and expose the alcohol industry’s harmful actions related to products, promotions and social influence, and support communities in their efforts to reject these damaging activities.
By Antony Thottukadavil
Monday, December 6, 2010
Time to Change the Culture of Drinking on College Campuses
All-nighters, midnight pizza runs, bottomless coffee cups, fraternities and sororities. Unfortunately, college binge drinking has become so popular, that it too can be considered a college tradition - but it’s a dangerous one.
Statistics available on drinking on college campuses reveal that just about half of all college students engage in binge drinking defined as having five drinks in a row for males and four for women in one “episode.”
This activity contributes to approximately 1,700 deaths of young adults between the ages of 18 to 24 years. It is also a factor in 600,000 injuries and 97,000 cases of sexual assault or rape. It is estimated that around 70 percent of the on-campus student body drinks. 80 percent of women living in sorority houses and 86 percent of men living in fraternity houses engage in binge drinking.
At its website, the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) says the tradition of drinking on college campuses has developed into a culture entrenched in every level of college students’ environments. The website notes that customs handed down through generations of college drinkers reinforce students’ expectations that alcohol is a necessary ingredient for social success.
The NIAAA says that these beliefs and the expectations that come with them greatly influence how students view and use alcohol. Keg parties, drunken scenes at sporting events, and weekend get-togethers at bars have become the norm at many colleges. Too often, otherwise sensible young people engage in dangerous drinking activities because of peer pressure (often indirect) that permeates their school environment.
Fortunately, a custom or tradition is not a predisposition. High school students don’t graduate hard-wired to binge drink, so the key is to challenge those longstanding expectations and change the culture of drinking on college campuses. To help do this, we need intervention at three levels: the individual-student, the entire student body, and the community.
Changing a culture is no easy matter. It is well known that interest around prevention efforts is keen and immediate if a student dies as a result of excessive drinking. However, the drive to make deep changes or explore root causes often wanes after a crisis recedes. It takes time and energy to implement an effective, research-based prevention program, and it is essential that administrators obtain external support from the community, alcohol beverage and hospitality industries, foundations, and other organizations.
And there things schools can do now. For example, schools could tailor programs to address their specific alcohol-related problems. Since no two schools are alike, environmental influences as well as individual student characteristics can impact alcohol consumption, therefore effective strategies need to extend beyond the campus itself to encompass the surrounding community.
There is a need for colleges to implement better and more sustained efforts of informing students of the dangers of binge drinking.
While nearly everyone is aware of the dangers of activities like drunk driving, they are not always familiar with the inherent risks of drinking too many drinks too quickly. Presentations to incoming freshmen and students groups can help raise awareness of the detrimental effects of binge drinking.
Many schools have also launched successful marketing campaigns warning of the dangers of binge drinking through posters, public service announcements and newspaper advertisements.
Colleges can also lessen the likelihood their students will participate in binge drinking is by providing alcohol-free activities for students. Many schools plan dances, performances, movie showings and even arts and crafts projects on those nights when traditionally students like to “party.” Making use of student unions and activity centers can keep students on campus and away from places where drinking will occur.
Unfortunately, many colleges and universities send mixed messages about drinking, which makes the binge drinking problem worse. School administrators need to send clearer messages about drinking on and off campus. They need to seriously consider banning alcohol-related advertising on campus or stop selling beer mugs and shot glasses with the school logo on them.
We are sure that there are other ideas out there designed to help change the culture of drinking on college campuses. We are always happy to join the conversation and to work with any task force tasked with this important mission. We welcome your input. We’d love to hear from you.
To learn more about what can be done and what strategies can be implemented in order to affect a change about college drinking, contact NCADD today at 732-254-3344.
Sources:
Statistics available on drinking on college campuses reveal that just about half of all college students engage in binge drinking defined as having five drinks in a row for males and four for women in one “episode.”
This activity contributes to approximately 1,700 deaths of young adults between the ages of 18 to 24 years. It is also a factor in 600,000 injuries and 97,000 cases of sexual assault or rape. It is estimated that around 70 percent of the on-campus student body drinks. 80 percent of women living in sorority houses and 86 percent of men living in fraternity houses engage in binge drinking.
At its website, the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) says the tradition of drinking on college campuses has developed into a culture entrenched in every level of college students’ environments. The website notes that customs handed down through generations of college drinkers reinforce students’ expectations that alcohol is a necessary ingredient for social success.
The NIAAA says that these beliefs and the expectations that come with them greatly influence how students view and use alcohol. Keg parties, drunken scenes at sporting events, and weekend get-togethers at bars have become the norm at many colleges. Too often, otherwise sensible young people engage in dangerous drinking activities because of peer pressure (often indirect) that permeates their school environment.
Fortunately, a custom or tradition is not a predisposition. High school students don’t graduate hard-wired to binge drink, so the key is to challenge those longstanding expectations and change the culture of drinking on college campuses. To help do this, we need intervention at three levels: the individual-student, the entire student body, and the community.
Changing a culture is no easy matter. It is well known that interest around prevention efforts is keen and immediate if a student dies as a result of excessive drinking. However, the drive to make deep changes or explore root causes often wanes after a crisis recedes. It takes time and energy to implement an effective, research-based prevention program, and it is essential that administrators obtain external support from the community, alcohol beverage and hospitality industries, foundations, and other organizations.
And there things schools can do now. For example, schools could tailor programs to address their specific alcohol-related problems. Since no two schools are alike, environmental influences as well as individual student characteristics can impact alcohol consumption, therefore effective strategies need to extend beyond the campus itself to encompass the surrounding community.
There is a need for colleges to implement better and more sustained efforts of informing students of the dangers of binge drinking.
While nearly everyone is aware of the dangers of activities like drunk driving, they are not always familiar with the inherent risks of drinking too many drinks too quickly. Presentations to incoming freshmen and students groups can help raise awareness of the detrimental effects of binge drinking.
Many schools have also launched successful marketing campaigns warning of the dangers of binge drinking through posters, public service announcements and newspaper advertisements.
Colleges can also lessen the likelihood their students will participate in binge drinking is by providing alcohol-free activities for students. Many schools plan dances, performances, movie showings and even arts and crafts projects on those nights when traditionally students like to “party.” Making use of student unions and activity centers can keep students on campus and away from places where drinking will occur.
Unfortunately, many colleges and universities send mixed messages about drinking, which makes the binge drinking problem worse. School administrators need to send clearer messages about drinking on and off campus. They need to seriously consider banning alcohol-related advertising on campus or stop selling beer mugs and shot glasses with the school logo on them.
We are sure that there are other ideas out there designed to help change the culture of drinking on college campuses. We are always happy to join the conversation and to work with any task force tasked with this important mission. We welcome your input. We’d love to hear from you.
To learn more about what can be done and what strategies can be implemented in order to affect a change about college drinking, contact NCADD today at 732-254-3344.
Sources:
- www.collegedrinkingprevention.gov
- www.bacchusgamma.org.
- www.livestrong.com
Bullying. A New (Old) Problem
"A person is bullied when he or she is exposed, repeatedly and over time, to negative actions on the part of one or more other persons, and he or she has difficulty defending himself or herself."
Over the past few months, NCADD has published several articles in our various newsletters that have dealt with bullying from different perspectives. We’ve written about bullying among girls, cyber bullying, and more. New, recent events and the media’s focus on this issue have prompted us to focus on this issue in greater detail.
As you know, NCADD’s mission is to promote the health and well-being of individuals through the reduction or elimination of substance abuse problems. Bullying interferes with the well-being and emotional stability of individuals in our communities. As a coping mechanism for bullying, both the bullies and their victims may turn to substance abuse.
What do we know about bullies? Research suggests that kids who bully suffer from a lack of parental warmth and involvement; overly permissive parenting and a lack of clear, consistent rules governing their behavior; parents who often don’t know where the kids are or who they’re hanging out with; and parents who use very harsh, corporal methods of discipline. Kids who bully may have also been victems of bullies themselves.
Kids who bully their peers are also more likely to be engaged in a variety of other anti-social, violent or disturbing behaviors. We know that kids who bully are more likely to get into frequent fights, steal or vandalize property, drink alcohol, smoke, be truant, even drop out of school. They perceive a more negative climate at their school and are more likely to carry a weapon. Worse still, 40-60 percent of adolescent bullies go on to be criminal offenders as adults.
Fortunately, bullying is finally getting the attention it deserves. No longer is it being shrugged off as “kids being kids.” Recent history shows that bullying has contributed to school violence and adolescent suicides. Just in the last three months alone, there have been six bullying related suicides of kids between the ages of 10-18 years old.
So why has bullying become an epidemic? It’s due to a combination of genetic factors, brain chemistry and new environmental trends. Some young people are bullies because they are bored and crave excitement; some do it to feel powerful; some engage in this behavior as a response to family problems; some do it for attention and to be popular with their peers.
Bullying can take on many forms. It could include verbal bullying that features derogatory comments and bad names; bullying through social exclusion or isolation; or physical bullying which includes hitting, kicking, shoving, and spitting. Many are familiar with bullying through lies and false rumors or having money or other things taken or damaged by students who bully; but there is also racial bullying, sexual bullying, and of course, cyber bullying (through the internet or cell phone.)
Bullying has resulted in about 160,000 US students skipping school daily to avoid being bullied. Thirty-two percent of students report being bullied at school during the school year. Available research indicates that verbal harassment increases the likelihood of alcohol use (by middle school students as they move on to high school) and further suggests that peer harassment may be fueling aggression and antisocial behaviors. Most disturbingly, 86 percent of LGBTQ youth report being bullied, and 40 percent of identified LGBTQ youth attempt suicide before the age of 18.
We are pleased that in 2002 New Jersey passed a law (AB 1874) which requires each school district to adopt a policy prohibiting harassment, intimidation, or bullying on school property, while at a school-sponsored function, or on a school bus. The policy must include a definition of bullying behavior, consequences for engaging in such behavior, a procedure for investigation of reports of such behavior, a statement prohibiting retaliation or reprisal against persons reporting bullying behavior, and consequences for making a false accusation.
The law also requires school employees, students or volunteers to report any incidents of bullying, intimidation, and harassment to appropriate school officials. The law also grants immunity from any cause of action for damages arising from a failure to remedy the reported incident to persons reporting these incidents. In 2007, New Jersey also passed a new cyber-bullying law, which essentially adds electronic bullying to the issues schools must address in their anti-bullying policies.
Bullying affects us all. The media has given us a window of opportunity to act before this issue once again fades into the background. The legislature has given us the tools to make our schools safer. Now, it’s up to the rest of us to ensure the safety of our youth everywhere else.
Sources:
Over the past few months, NCADD has published several articles in our various newsletters that have dealt with bullying from different perspectives. We’ve written about bullying among girls, cyber bullying, and more. New, recent events and the media’s focus on this issue have prompted us to focus on this issue in greater detail.
As you know, NCADD’s mission is to promote the health and well-being of individuals through the reduction or elimination of substance abuse problems. Bullying interferes with the well-being and emotional stability of individuals in our communities. As a coping mechanism for bullying, both the bullies and their victims may turn to substance abuse.
What do we know about bullies? Research suggests that kids who bully suffer from a lack of parental warmth and involvement; overly permissive parenting and a lack of clear, consistent rules governing their behavior; parents who often don’t know where the kids are or who they’re hanging out with; and parents who use very harsh, corporal methods of discipline. Kids who bully may have also been victems of bullies themselves.
Kids who bully their peers are also more likely to be engaged in a variety of other anti-social, violent or disturbing behaviors. We know that kids who bully are more likely to get into frequent fights, steal or vandalize property, drink alcohol, smoke, be truant, even drop out of school. They perceive a more negative climate at their school and are more likely to carry a weapon. Worse still, 40-60 percent of adolescent bullies go on to be criminal offenders as adults.
Fortunately, bullying is finally getting the attention it deserves. No longer is it being shrugged off as “kids being kids.” Recent history shows that bullying has contributed to school violence and adolescent suicides. Just in the last three months alone, there have been six bullying related suicides of kids between the ages of 10-18 years old.
So why has bullying become an epidemic? It’s due to a combination of genetic factors, brain chemistry and new environmental trends. Some young people are bullies because they are bored and crave excitement; some do it to feel powerful; some engage in this behavior as a response to family problems; some do it for attention and to be popular with their peers.
Bullying can take on many forms. It could include verbal bullying that features derogatory comments and bad names; bullying through social exclusion or isolation; or physical bullying which includes hitting, kicking, shoving, and spitting. Many are familiar with bullying through lies and false rumors or having money or other things taken or damaged by students who bully; but there is also racial bullying, sexual bullying, and of course, cyber bullying (through the internet or cell phone.)
Bullying has resulted in about 160,000 US students skipping school daily to avoid being bullied. Thirty-two percent of students report being bullied at school during the school year. Available research indicates that verbal harassment increases the likelihood of alcohol use (by middle school students as they move on to high school) and further suggests that peer harassment may be fueling aggression and antisocial behaviors. Most disturbingly, 86 percent of LGBTQ youth report being bullied, and 40 percent of identified LGBTQ youth attempt suicide before the age of 18.
We are pleased that in 2002 New Jersey passed a law (AB 1874) which requires each school district to adopt a policy prohibiting harassment, intimidation, or bullying on school property, while at a school-sponsored function, or on a school bus. The policy must include a definition of bullying behavior, consequences for engaging in such behavior, a procedure for investigation of reports of such behavior, a statement prohibiting retaliation or reprisal against persons reporting bullying behavior, and consequences for making a false accusation.
The law also requires school employees, students or volunteers to report any incidents of bullying, intimidation, and harassment to appropriate school officials. The law also grants immunity from any cause of action for damages arising from a failure to remedy the reported incident to persons reporting these incidents. In 2007, New Jersey also passed a new cyber-bullying law, which essentially adds electronic bullying to the issues schools must address in their anti-bullying policies.
Bullying affects us all. The media has given us a window of opportunity to act before this issue once again fades into the background. The legislature has given us the tools to make our schools safer. Now, it’s up to the rest of us to ensure the safety of our youth everywhere else.
Sources:
- http://www.selfgrowth.com/addict.htm
- www.olweus.org/
- www.njbullying.org
- http://lis.njleg.state.nj.us
- www.safeyouth.org
- Journal of Clinical Child and Family Psychology. Sept 2008
- www.entalone.com
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