Social Networking has become a popular vehicle for helping friends and family stay in touch. The idea of Social Networking seems harmless, but there are many dangers posed by these public, internet-based sites. Users must be mature and responsible to ensure their safety online. The unfortunate reality is that most users don't find the harm in putting personal information about themselves out there for the world to see, such as their phone number, address, and other such important personal information that shouldn't be shared publicly. Investigator Jennifer Frank with the Plymouth State University Campus Police Department's Crimes Against Women Unit presents a wonderful presentation regarding keeping yourself safe online as well as the legalities of cyberbulling and tips for stopping it, titled "The Many Faces of Facebook."

 

Investigator Frank visited the North Country on May 25th, 2012 presenting her "Many Faces of Facebook" presentation to Colebrook's Middle and High School students as well as Groveton's High School students. Students were given tips on what NOT to do in regard to what is posted online. The idea that the Internet is forever was confirmed using an example of a web crawling archive site, the "Way Back Machine", showing both schools' websites in years past that don't even exist anymore, but were available online. Students were also shown how just a small piece of personal information can lead a predator to them using online directories and tools such as Google Earth. The presentation is very informative and provides realistic tips for ensuring safety online.

Investigator Frank informed students the the top four ways youth are accessing the internet today is much different than they were years ago when parent's simply had to monitor the family's computer. Today, youth are primarily accessing the internet using their cell phones, Ipods/MP3 players, and gaming systems, such as the PS3 and X-Box.

 

Students were left with these golden rules to follow when using the internet.

Colebrook Academy SADD is doing their part to educate the community about the dangers of teen drinking and hosting a party for underage children. They recently posted stickers on all the classroom windows warning that "Parents Who Host, Lose the Most".  A group of club members also visited LaPerles IGA this weekend to stamp the same warning on the beer boxes. We hope to visit other establishments as well. The cafeteria tables at the Academy are adorned with table tents that state that "87% of your North Country peers think it is wrong for someone your age to drink alcohol". 

There are several negative health consequences of underage drinking, including increased risk of addiction, changes to the still developing teen brain, increased sexual activity, unlawful behaviors, and truancy. Surely no parent wants to play a role in promoting any of these.

Help us to make prom and graduation season one that will bring only happy memories. SADD wants everyone to have a great time!

 

The U.S. Senate last week passed a bill that would prohibit the sale of synthetic drugs. The bill had been held up in the Senate for months by Kentucky Senator Rand Paul. New York Senator Charles Schumer was able to get the bill passed by attaching it to a larger Food and Drug Administration bill, the New York Daily News reports.

 

The bill passed 96-1, the article notes.

 

"Let this be a warning to those who make a profit manufacturing and selling killer chemical components to our teens and children: the jig is up," Senator Schumer said in a statement. "This bill closes loopholes that have allowed manufacturers to circumvent local and state bans and ensures that you cannot simply cross state lines to find these deadly synthetic drugs."

 

Often marketed as legal substances, synthetic drugs are sometimes labeled as "herbal incense" or "bath salts" and sold in small pouches or packets over the Internet, in tobacco and smoke shops, drug paraphernalia shops, gas stations, and convenience stores. In December, the National Institute on Drug Abuse released new information indicating that one in nine high school seniors had used "Spice" or "K2" over the past year, making synthetic marijuana the second most frequently used illicit drug, after marijuana, among high school seniors. Poison control centers operating across the nation have also reported sharp increases in the number of calls relating to synthetic drugs.

 

A similar bill passed the House last December. Senator Schumer said he expects the ban to be on President Obama's desk by July 4. When it is signed into law, the bill will make it illegal to sell synthetic marijuana and bath salts anywhere in the United States, regardless of local laws. First-time offenders will receive up to 20 years in prison, and repeat sellers will receive up to 30 years.

 

To learn more about Bath Salts, the New England Poison Center offers a free two-part webinar for prevention and health care professionals:

http://www.nnepc.org/poison-prevention-education/lectures/bath-salt-webinar    

Coos County Coalition:
The Coos County Coalition is comprised of three Community Action Teams from the Colebrook Area, Lancaster Area, and the Berlin Area. All interested parties are welcome to attend. The 2012 meeting schedule for the Community Action Teams will be (*please note that meeting locations will be announced once confirmed*): 

• Colebrook Area Community Action Team Meetings will be held on Mondays from 12-1:30pm:
• October 8th, 2012: 12-1:30pm at Upper Connecticut Valley Hospital, Colebrook, NH    


• Lancaster Area Community Action Team Meetings will be held on Fridays from 8:30-10:00am:
• October 12th, 2012: 8:30-10am at the White Mountains Regional High School     


• Berlin Area Community Action Team Meetings will be held on Wednesdays from 12-1:30pm: 
• October 17th, 2012: 12-1:30pm at Androscoggin Valley Hospital, Berlin, NH 

Littleton ATOD Task Force:
The Littleton ATOD Task Force meets at the North Country Health Consortium located at 262 Cottage Street, Suite 230. All interested parties are welcome to attend. The 2012 meetings will be held on Wednesdays from 9-10:30am. The meeting schedule will be:

• October 11th, 2012: 9-10:30am  
• December 13th, 2012: 9-10:30am  

http://www.nchcnh.org/CSAP_parents.php