Prevention Articles

Here are articles on topics such as managing stress, alcohol and the prom, family meal time, and spring break safety. Click on a title to go to a pdf version.

Keeping Teens Safe Over Spring Break
Like all activities our teens participate in, parents need to monitor spring break trips to ensure that safe conditions are provided.

Smoke Is No Joke
Cigarette use has received a lot of attention lately, thanks to the recently enacted Minnesota statewide smoking ban. What sometimes gets lost in the rhetoric are the very real health risks posed by smoking. Here are some facts.

Alcohol and the Holidays
Parties abound, friends and families celebrate, and opportunities for drinking are greater than ever. As parents, it is important to role model healthy behavior and decision making. Teens learn from what we do as well as what we say. Here are some suggestions for parents who intend to include alcohol in their holiday celebrations.

Managing Stress
We are coming to the end of the school year, and our teens begin to think about the future. Many students are beginning to feel the pressure of applying for college and preparing for graduation. Adding that to the everyday pressures of adolescence,  students can easily become overwhelmed.

Keeping Teens Drug Free All Year Long
Experts agree that summer is the riskiest time of year for teens. Research shows that more teens use drugs and alcohol for the first time during the months of June, July and August than any other time of year. Now is the time to talk with teens about alcohol and drug use.

Meal Time is Family Time
When it comes to raising safe, healthy, educated young people, parents look for the best and latest information. One of the most important protective factors may also be the oldest. In today’s hurry-up world it is essential that we find time to establish habits and rituals that allow for families to spend time together.

MySpace, Your Space, Our Space
Social networking websites have become popular among young people. While there are privacy and safety concerns involved with these sites, there are also positives when used appropriately.

Planning for the Prom
Eden Prairie High School holds a formal dinner and prom each year. Helping your child plan for this special event can take a great deal of time and energy. There are so many things to remember: hair appointment, a dress, tux or other formal wear, flowers, pictures, dinner, and of course a date. Amid all the planning and excitement it is easy to overlook what may be the most important thing you can do to prepare your child for a safe, fun and healthy prom – talking to them about alcohol and drugs.

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