Prevention comes with collaboration

February 24, 2011

Eden Prairie News, February 11, 2011

By Randy Thompson

Are you concerned about a teenager in your life that is showing signs of chemical abuse? Or have you wondered if you’re doing enough to empower youth against drugs and alcohol? Maybe you’re looking for resources to learn more? Look no further than EP4Y (Eden Prairie for Youth).

Each month, members of EP4Y – a community coalition that exists to prevent underage drinking and drug use – will highlight local people, ideas and programs that promote healthy decision making among the youth of Eden Prairie. Look for a new article submitted by Eden Prairie parents, students and community members each month. Learn more about us at EP4Y.org.

How did EP4Y start? It started years ago as Eden Prairie Prevention Advisory, which was a group of parents, school staff, community members, local clergy and other members of youth organizations. This group met monthly to discuss youth drug and alcohol use and think of new ideas for prevention and development. At a spring meeting in 2007, it was proposed that the advisory group move to the next level of collaboration, and it was from this momentum that the EP4Y coalition came to be in 2008. Read more

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Youth scholarships

February 7, 2011

EP4Y is committed to healthy youth development, and part of this goal is to ensure that all youth have access to programs.

We have helped raise money for youth scholarships which are distributed through PROP, our local social service agency. Scholarships for qualifying youth may include areas such as

  • school sports
  • summer enrichment programs
  • leadership clubs
  • music classes
  • tutor support
  • other activities that promote student involvement

This is a collaborative effort of Eden Prairie service providers. A need is identified by a provider or a parent, and PROP provides supportive solutions including financial grants. To make a donation to PROP for youth scholarships visit www.propfood.org and specify the youth scholarship fund with your donation.

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Links and PDFs

Websites for PARENTS
Websites for YOUTH
Helpful PDFs
Our prevention NEIGHBORS

A new take on “Under the Influence”

Hear what Eden Prairie students report about drinking and drug use, and the important influence of parents: Tuesday, March 6, 7:00 to 8:30 p.m., at the EPHS Performing Arts Center.
Whether you parent a kindergardener or high schooler, you may have questions on how to support your child in making good decisions and help guide them away from risky behaviors.
Learn about what Eden Prairie’s 6th, 9th and 12th graders report in our Minnesota Student Survey regarding decisions around alcohol, tobacco and other drugs. School staff and community representatives will then share the important role parents play and what you can do to influence decisions from elementary through high school years.
Bring your questions and a friend! Free, no registration required.


Did you know?

  • 3 in 10 eighth graders drink alcohol.
  • 1 in 5 teens binge drink.
  • Only 1 in 100 parents believes their child binge drinks.
  • Teen alcohol use kills about 6,000 people each year, more than all illegal drugs combined.


EP4Y guest articles in Eden Prairie News

Know the warning signs

Emotional
• Mood swings
• Flat affect
• Out of touch with feelings
• Extreme anger, depression
Family
• Arguments
• Withdrawal
• Fighting
• Irresponsibility
• Coming in late or not at all
• Scapegoat behavior
• Physically or verbally abusive
• Dishonesty, sneakiness
• Defiant, hostile
• Secretive, silent
• Destructive
• Money or articles missing or disappearing
• Finding drugs or paraphernalia
Work
• Chronic late arrival
• Inability to get along
• Irresponsibility
• Missing work regularly
• Accidents on the job
• Working below potential
• Getting fired
Law
• Minor consumption
• Possession charges
• Getting arrested
• Shoplifting
• Stealing
• Vandalism
Mental
• Poor concentration, distracted
• Memory loss
• Lowered attention span
• Lack of motivation
Physical
• Lazy, lethargic
• Change in appearance
• Tired
• Hangovers, sick
• Broken bones
• Car accidents
• Red eyes or using Visine
• Blackouts or passing out
• Weight loss or gain
• Getting beat up or in fights
• Suicide talk or behavior
• Overdosing
• Caught high or drunk
School
• Skipping school regularly
• Chronic tardiness
• Drop in grades
• Getting busted
• Change in attitude and behavior
• Conflict with school staff and students
• Suspension or detention
Sexual
• Negative change in sexual values
• Promiscuity
• Seductive dress, talk, behavior
• Negative change in values
• STDs

1 in 10 U.S. kids have alcoholic parent

More than 1 in 10 U.S. children live with an alcoholic parent and are at increased risk of developing a host of health problems of their own, according to a new government study.
Researchers at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Admin (SAMHSA) analyzed national survey data from 2005-2010 and found that 7.5 million children (about 10.5 percent of the country's under-18 population) lived with a parent abusing alcohol during any given year.
Most of those (6.1 million each year) lived in two-parent households where one or both of the adults had a drinking disorder. Of the 1.4 million children who lived in a single-parent home where the adult had a drinking issue, the overwhelming majority (1.1 million) were in female-headed households.
The researchers said children living with alcoholics were at greater risk of suffering from a number of mental health problems, including depression and anxiety, and four times more likely to develop alcohol problems of their own.
SOURCE: http://1.usa.gov/yokgaa, 02/16/12.


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