Hint: Two-thirds of teens actually believe this type of drug has little or no danger. It's easy to find, cheap to buy and deadly. More addictive than cocaine, it's not tobacco, alcohol or even marijuana. And it's found under your kitchen sink or in your garage

Answer: Inhalants.

Inhalants have vapors or gases that are breathed in to receive a high. They include aerosols, cleaners, felt-tip markers, fuels, glues, and solvents. Kids who would never consider doing illegal drugs find themselves huffing (inhaling) these toxic chemicals. Once inhaled, these poisonous fumes travel from the lungs to the heart and end up in the brain. Without being filtered through the liver or kidneys, they are extremely potent in killing brain cells which causes brain damage. The list of side effects is astounding: hallucinations, hearing and smelling loss, earning disabilities, memory loss, numbness, personality changes, severe mood swings, shaking, suffocation, tingling, and even leukemia.

Sudden Sniffing Death Syndrome can occur the first time a user tries huffing or the 100th time he inhales.

The chemicals cause the heart to beat irregularly and it simply stops pumping. So how do you talk to your adolescent about the overwhelming dangers of huffing?

Chances are he or she has already been exposed to inhalants either at school or at home and may know more about them than you do. However, they probably don't know all the facts.

Try talking about oxygen deprivation, body pollution, peer resistance strategies and inhalants being very real drugs.

However, be careful not to tell too much too soon.

You know what your adolescent will be able to handle.

At the same time, be aware of signs of inhalant use in your adolescent: chemical smell on breath, decreased appetite, empty spray cans, paint stains on body or clothes, poor memory, rags and plastic bags, red or runny nose and eyes, slurred speech, sores on mouth and throat and agitation or irritability.

If you would like additional resources or information about inhalants, call the National Inhalant Prevention Coalition at (800) 269-4237 or visit the Web site National Inhalant Prevention Coalition.

You really wanted to stick to those goals you set for the year 2007.

It didn't last long, did it? You were determined not to argue so much with your teenage daughter and son.

You shake your head as the bedroom door just slammed again. Will this bickering and fighting ever end?

If you are living with one or more adolescents, it's going to happen. Life is somewhat like driving through highway construction zones. There's no way around it. You have to go that direction, and putting on that extra layer of patience isn't helping. You sit there in your car that hasn't moved in ten minutes and you can't help but wonder.

Can I keep doing this everyday? Deep down inside you know the truth. You would rather sit it your car, stuck in traffic, than go home and face that teen turbulence again.

Conflict with teens is a part of your life now, and it's not getting any better. Not only is discord with adolescents normal, but is needed and actually healthy. Now before you invite me over to deal with these "healthy" interactions, please hear me out. It may not be a growing experience for you as parent, but it is for your teenager.

These heated debates are the result of adolescents becoming young adults. Parents want their adolescents to grow up to become independent, decision-making adults.

Many of the arguments parents have with their adolescent daughters and sons center around this striving to become individuals. Unfortunately, the teen is often ready for more independence that the parent is willing to concede.

Thus, the conflict arrives and seems to hang around longer than your out-of-town relatives. So, do you just accept this time of turmoil and keep plenty of antacids and aspirin on hand? I don't think so. Even though you don't have much control over this fighting, you can teach teens how to fight fair. Not only can this help your parent/teen relationship now, but will give your adolescent the skills that will assist with relationships they build in the future.

Counselors agree that one of the most important skills in the marriage relationship is the ability for husbands and wives to learn how to resolve conflict. Why not give your teen a head start? Learning to work through conflict now will be a long-term benefit. Here are some ground rules for resolving conflict:

• Attack the issue and not the person or personality. "You are so lazy!" is better replaced with specific behaviors you want changed. "You need to clean up the kitchen after you fix a snack. I know you are busy, but I have things to do as well. That's all I'm asking." If your teen insists on insulting you, redirect the discussion, "We are not discussing how mean I am. We are discussing your time to be home from a date."
• Compromising is okay as long as you don't compromise your values, and it comes with accountability. Let's say your teenage daughter wants to extend her curfew on a date. Now that she's older, you agree to change it from eleven to twelve. Make it clear. If she stays out beyond midnight, then it's back to eleven o'clock. Let her know this is a trial run and not written in stone. She shows you responsibility?fine. If not, then it's back to more restriction. The choice is up to her.
• It's okay to walk away and reload later. So many parents feel they have to finish an argument (no matter how angry everyone is) in order to show the teen you won't "lose". No one wins in a shouting match when anger overrules problem solving. If your teen is boiling over, simply walk away with the commitment to sit down a little later when tempers have calmed. If your adolescent stomps off, muttering the last word, leave it be. You can't calm anger by chasing them down the hall determined you will have the last say.
• Finally, don't give up. If at all possible, find the way to resolve the argument quickly. Nothing will lead to more stress, frustration, and anxiety in your home than unresolved conflict. Get issues resolved and enjoy the time you have before the next battle begins.

Dore Frances is a child rights advocate and independent educational consultant residing in Bend, Oregon. She currently writes this monthly newsletter, Family Solutions News, which addresses a variety of topics.

Dore is an experienced speaker, and enjoys talking with groups on issues dealing with adolescents and families. Have a question for Dore or a comment about this newsletter? Perhaps you are interested in Dore speaking to your church, civic group, or during your seminar or conference. E-Mail her at Dore@dorefrances.com.

Melissa Michaels, Ed.D., is the Founder and Director of Wild Life Productions, LLC., Surfing The Creative ® International Youth Rites of Passage Programs, & Golden Bridge, our recently birthed not-for-profit organization. She creates movement based cross-cultural educational opportunities focusing on the potential that is available at major life thresholds.

Mapping the journey from trauma to dynamic well-being, her work utilizes somatic & social arts to establish body and heart as resources for authentic expression. Rooted in rhythm and fueled by breath, this work inspires the sacred union between Spirit, flesh, psyche, and deed.

Melissa creates safe and provocative learning environments that support communities in the embodied exploration of how to creatively catalyze awakening and connection. Recognizing the essential need for the body in our conversations about how to serve the next generation, she developed these comprehensive programs for assisting youth, and the adults who serve them, as they access their kinesthetic intelligence and their inherent capacity to move with grace, focus, and freedom. Melissa mothers two daughters, one in college and one in middle school.

She also mentors youth across the globe as they navigate their way home to themselves and to their unique life gifts.

Golden Bridge Fundraising Event

Honoring Life

A Community Dance Celebration

With Melissa Michaels and The Wild Life Rhythm Keepers

Join us for this fun, moving and co-creative evening.

No dance steps will be taught. World beat music will fill the air. Ancient and contemporary ways of celebrating life, our Earth, and one another will be woven together into this full-bodied, re-wilding gathering.

Every body is welcome.

• Times and Dates: Friday, April 20, 2007 8-11 p.m.
• Location: Boulder Circus Center (4747 N. 26th St., Boulder, CO)
• Requested Donation: $12 - $35

When considering those negative effects, it is alarming to see some of the actual statistics concerning the amount of teen drug use in high schools and middle schools. In addition, many parents have felt that their teens alcohol use is ok because it isn't a harder drug like crack, or heroine. However, it should be noted that alcohol kills five times more teenagers than all other drugs combined(usually through accidents)!

Below are just a few of alarming statistics associated with teen drug use and the effects of alcohol on teenagers. Illicit teen drug use as of 2006:

• 8th grade -- 33.6%
• 10th grade -- 47.9%
• 12th grade -- 55.9%
• In the last thirty days 53% of teenagers report drinking with 35% being drunk at least on one occasion.
• Underage drinking costs the United States more than $61 billion dollars annually, enough for a new state of the art computer for every student.

Taken by the "Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration," teens who admitted to using marijuana in the past year self-reported the following behaviors:

• Adolescents who use marijuana weekly are 9 times more likely than non-users to experiment with illegal drugs or alcohol.
• Adolescents who use marijuana weekly are 6 times more likely than non-users to run away from home.
• Adolescents who use marijuana weekly are 5 times more likely than non-users to steal.
• Adolescents who use marijuana weekly are nearly 4 times more likely than non-users to engage in violence.
• Adolescents who use marijuana weekly are 3 times more likely to have thoughts about committing suicide.
• Adolescents who use marijuana are more prone than non-users to be involved in destruction of property.
• Adolescents who use marijuana are more prone than non-users to physically attack other teens.

• anxiety and depression
• attention problems
• more social withdrawal
• physical complaints
• thoughts of suicide

Easy to read and understand, practical tips and excellent ideas for working with kids, a must read for those who work with children of all ages. ~ Janet Chan, Phoenix, Arizona


In my experience, it only took about two to three days to see real results. To be sure, other parents may have more difficult situations. This book is really valuable because it organizes and presents the information in a way that is easy to understand and implement. ~Lisa Bain, Little Rock, Arkansas

• Teenage deaths due to motor vehicle accidents occur weekends 53% of the time.
• Teen drivers killed in motor vehicle accidents had a youth passenger in automobile 45% of the time.

• Of teen drivers fatally injured in automobiles, more than 1/3 were speed related accidents.
• On the basis of current population trends, there will be 23% more 16-20- year-old drivers on the road in 2010 than there are today -- 26.1 million.
• This age group makes up 7% of licensed drivers, but suffers 14% of fatalities and 20% of all reported accidents.
• The 16-year-old population alone will increase from 3.5 million to over 4 million by 2010.

Drive Home Safe.com
Phoenix, Arizona
DriveHomeSafe.com is a dba of Feljas, LLC)
Telephone: (623) 256-4542
Email Address is: support@drivehomesafe.com

Every tabloid at the supermarket has details on the hottest celebrity fad diets.

Whenever you turn on the TV, there's another infomercial raving about a liquid diet plan or diet supplement. During gym class your best friend always complains about her "big" hips and how she's going on a diet to get rid of them. This constant focus on dieting and weight may leave you wondering whether you need to go on a diet yourself. The truth is that not all teens who diet actually need to lose weight.

Many times, family, friends, and society influence the way we see our bodies. Pressures like these can prompt some teens to take drastic dieting measures, leading to malnutrition and eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia. Because teens are still growing, drastic dieting can be especially harmful to their developing bodies.

Other teens may mistakenly think that in order to be in top form for their chosen sport, they need to be as thin as possible. These pressures are one of the reasons why the best person to see when you have a question about dieting is your doctor. Your doctor can help you determine what is a healthy weight for your body size and shape. He or she can help you decide whether you need to be on a diet at all. When necessary, your doctor can refer you to a dietitian or nutrition specialist.

Building a Healthy Body

There are healthy and unhealthy ways to lose weight, and in the long run you are better off taking the healthy route.

If you and your doctor do decide that going on a diet is the right thing for you, he or she can help you come up with a plan. Even without seeing your doctor, you can make smart food choices that will keep you healthy. Rather than drastically cutting calories, try substituting healthy food choices for not-so-healthy ones. Instead of chowing down on chips when you get home from school, try a piece of fruit or some vegetables. Simple low-fat substitutions can make a huge difference in your calorie intake as well.

For example, skim or low-fat milk or water are better drink choices when you're thirsty ? soda and fruit drinks are loaded with calories and sugar and short on nutritional benefits. Another thing to keep in mind is that exercise can help you feel and look better. Regular exercise tones your muscles while you burn calories and fat, and it makes you look sleeker and slimmer. Remember that toning up takes time. Running the mile in gym class once a year won't make a difference in overall weight loss, so start slowly and work up to it. Whether you go on a diet or not, exercising and healthy eating are excellent ways to keep your body in great shape. Cutting down on the time you spend in front of the computer or TV can help you boost your activity level and may even help you snack less.

Research shows that people who exercise regularly are more likely to maintain their new weight if they've lost weight. So, get moving and keep your health on track!

Reviewed by: Mary L. Gavin, MD
Medical Editor, KidsHealth
Nemours Center for Children's Health Media
Division of General Pediatrics
Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children
Wilmington, DE

Everybody but me, that is.

I spend a lot of time in the office or taking classes during the summer, and being a melanoma survivor, I no longer desire to just spend time laying out by the pool. I have seen those commercials for the spray-on sunless tanners. I am a little skeptical about trying them. So, I tried out the Mystic Tan.

For the best results, I was advised not to shower or sweat for at least six to eight hours after the application. At first, I was a little unsure myself, but the owner, Jason Smith at Tropical Beach Tanning, was very helpful and sure about his product. Jason showed me in detail how to work the machine and what to do once I was in.

Jason was absolutely helpful in preparing me for what I was about to experience. He led me to the private room, went step-by-step over the instructions once more, then left me alone.

I nervously undressed, applied the gel he recommended and lotion for my hands and feet, covered my hair, stepped into the booth, and took a deep breath. I planted my feet on the edges of the metal oval plate on the floor, which acts as a magnet to ensure even body coverage. I pushed the green button and braced myself for the worst.

Suddenly, a burst of cool air shot out of the nozzle, lasting for about 15 seconds. There I stood in what felt like a human car wash. The air stopped, and I quickly turned around, bracing myself for the frontal spray. When it was done, I opened my eyes, stepped out of the blue booth filled with a white hanging mist, and toweled off the brown balls of mystic residue. At first, I wasn?t sure what to think. The solution had a starchy smell to it, and I felt like I hadn?t gotten any darker. But I followed the instructions Jason gave me. In just four hours I definitely saw the results and the next morning I looked naturally darker, not drastically, however I had a noticeably different coloring. Several people said I had a nice tan. These were people who didn?t know that I had gone to paint on my tan the day before. So how do you get the best results for your hard-earned cash? Shower, exfoliate and shave before you tan to expose the freshest layer of skin. Don?t wear any lotion because the minerals in it can cause your skin to be less absorbent. If you plan to do it repeatedly, go every 7 to 10 days.

Mystic tans are supposed to last for about a week.

According to Jason Smith, Tropical Beach Tanning owner, Mystic Tan is becoming more popular because it works faster, it is more effective, isn?t cancer-causing, and it looks more natural. I also read online while doing my research that these tans are backed by the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders, Jessica Simpson, and the Baywatch cast. I would definitely recommend this product to a friend.

With spring and summer fast approaching, many teens are looking forward to spending hours in the sun to acquire a tan. However, before going for that tan, whether au natural from the sun or at a tanning salon, there are important facts you should know.

The World Health Organization has expressed concern that tanning, whether naturally or artificially is dangerous if taken to extremes.

Despite popular belief, teens face an increased risk of skin cancer even from using tanning beds.

Tanning salons use ultraviolet light to create the desired golden glow so prized by teenagers.

This UV radiation like the sun?s, is made up of UVA and UVB lights. UVB from tanning beds can be as much as three times stronger than that from the sun; some sources state that it is much higher.

This is especially dangerous for teens as their skin is still changing, moving from that of a child to that of an adult. To control the prevalence of teenagers using tanning beds and hopefully mitigate the increasing cases of sun skin cancer among adolescents, many states have begun imposing new laws.

Disadvantages of Tanning

• Lots of teenagers have a problem with acne and are using medication to treat the condition. Ingredients in these medications can react negatively with the ultraviolet light resulting in blisters and burns. Other medications can result in photosensitivity as well.
• There is no doubt that excessive exposure to the sun (ultraviolet radiation) causes skin cancer.
• Too much sun exposure (tanning) results in age spots, premature aging and wrinkles as we age.

• Apart from the cosmetic benefit of a healthy-looking skin, tanning also provides other benefits as well.
• Persons who suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder are treated with light therapy, that is, the person is exposed to light.
• Tanning provides the body with Vitamin D, which is needed for calcium absorption and therefore maintaining bone health, and endocrine health among other benefits.

• If using a tanning salon, do not spend more than the recommended amount of time under the lamps.
• If tanning naturally outdoors, remember sun protection. Apply frequently and do not skim, use lots.
• Protect your eyes. If outdoors wear sunshades with UV light protection, if in a salon use goggles.
• Remember that it is best to avoid the sun during the hours when its rays are strongest, that is, between noon and 3:00 PM.
• Substitute a bronzing cream or self-tanning spray, used properly you can still get that perfect tan.
• Use an after tan lotion to moisturize your skin.
• Wear a hat when outdoors.

New law in effect June 12, 2006: Under the new law, tanning beds will be off limits to children, 16 and under; and , a parent or guardian of a 16 or 17 year old must provide written permission in person at the salon. Tanning facilities will also have to post warning signs and provide educational information to all prospective users.

Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.

Everyone has seen the numerous articles regarding teen obesity.

There is little doubt that we have a problem among today?s youth.

It is a problem of inactivity, of convenience and of laziness.

Today?s youth seem to fall into two categories - the over committed and the under-committed.

The former don?t have time for physical activity and the latter spend all their time on the computer, watching TV or playing video games. I applaud the efforts of our schools to try and do something about it, but they are only tackling part of the problem and walking a fine line as they do it.

There was an article in the paper about an East coast school that is sending home ?obesity report cards?. They are using the basic Body Mass Index (BMI), a factor of weight and height, to determine if a teen is ?normal?, ?above normal?, or ?obese?.

As a result of this ?report card?, a 6 year old girl is now refusing to eat dinner because she was on the upper end of normal. Six years old!

The BMI is not a valuable tool in determining obesity or risk of becoming obese. It fails to recognize body composition, and therefore can be high due to a large amount of muscle mass, higher bone density, etc.

Body fat measurements combined with circumference measurements, height and weight measurements as well as a general assessment of overall fitness (strength, cardio endurance, flexibility) would be a much better indicator of a youths physical condition and subsequent health risks. If a teen is in fact at risk, telling that teen or their parents that they are ?obese? is counterproductive when we continue to cut PE programs, limit healthy food choices in the cafeteria lines, and sell soda and ?rock star? type beverages in the hallways. Kids skip PE, because they fail to ?dress down? and yet they still pass.

The amount of PE needed to graduate has been cut to two semesters over four years. There is no clear answer, but I think we can and should do a better job of educating and finding solutions.

Parents, coaches, teachers, trainers, counselors, Dr?s - together we should be able to find a solution that works.

Parents - do you know who is on your child's IEP Team?

Students IEP Team

An IEP is an individualized education program for children who receive special education or special services in the public school system. Each IEP must be written for one student and be a custom plan describing his or her educational goals, services provided, modifications to curriculum or classroom setting, and other specific information particular to his or her needs. Although the forms may vary from state to state each IEP must include certain requirements established in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

Who needs an IEP?

Any child who receives special education or services in the public school system must have an IEP. There are several ways children are identified for special education. Parents or teachers may request an evaluation of any child that is suspected of having a disability; however, any evaluation must be done with parental consent. An evaluation must be completed within a reasonable amount of time after consent is given. Children are also identified through the ?Child Find? system.

The state is responsible for identifying children with special needs and conducts ?Child Find? activities to find children who need evaluation for a possible IEP. Any time a child is evaluated by an IEP team there must be parental consent.

IEP Basics

• Evaluation: The first step of the IEP is the evaluation. All children will first have an evaluation to assess their current levels and determine goals and services necessary for them. The evaluation results will serve as a guide for writing the IEP and determining what services the child needs. After the evaluation, the IEP team will review the evaluation and determine whether or not the child qualifies as a ?child with a disability?. If the parents disagree with the decision they have the right to receive an Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE). Furthermore, parents may request that this is paid for by the school system. Once it is determined that the child qualifies as having a disability, the IEP will be written. The IEP team must meet to write the IEP within thirty calendar days of establishing disability.
• IEP Meeting: Who is involved in the IEP meeting? The IDEA requires that certain people are involved in the IEP meeting. These people include parent/s, at least one of the student?s special education teachers, at least one of the student?s regular education teachers, an individual representing the school system or educational agency, a member who can interpret the evaluation results, and any other personnel who have expertise related to the child?s needs.
• When the IEP meeting is scheduled the school system must provide notice to the parents and other participants. The parents must be given early enough notice to be able to attend the meeting or make other arrangements. The meeting must be scheduled at a time and place that is agreed upon with the parents and the school. Moreover, the parents should be informed of who will be attending the IEP meeting.
• Writing the IEP: The IEP will serve as a plan for the child?s educational goals and include certain details including how the child is currently performing at school, specific goals for the child that can be measured, any special education or services, any modifications that will be made for state or district wide tests, the dates and locations of services to be provided, as well as a statement explaining how progress will be determined. The IEP will also include any other specific details that apply to the child and his or her particular needs. Once the child turns 14, a transition statement must be included in the IEP stating how the student will transition to reach goals after he is through with school. At 16, a statement of transition services must be written to describe how the school will prepare the child to move from school into adult life.

Sources:
U.S. Department of Education
Disclaimer: All material provided are for educational purposes only.