Many parents wait until their children are in high school to talk about drugs and alcohol and that can be a mistake. Of course it’s better late than never, but the key when it comes to discussing drugs and alcohol is to start early and stick...
When the East Texas heat reaches its peak during the summer, playing in the water is a welcome relief. But when alcohol is involved, what should be a fun time can become dangerous. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAA), 70 percent of...
Nearly synonymous with the words Super Bowl is alcohol. From watch parties to highly anticipated commercials, it’s everywhere. Most parents don’t think twice about the alcohol exposure, but it can have serious, unintentional consequences on teenagers. Research shows that teens who are exposed to Super Bowl...
Suicide is the third leading cause of death among young people. And in many cases, it is preventable. “We know very clearly that, with proper identification, proper support and treatments that are suicide-specific, we absolutely can make a difference and save lives,” said David Jobes, head...
Marijuana is perhaps one of the most polarizing substances we’ll discuss on National Prevention Week. Opinions around the country cover a wide spectrum. Should marijuana be legalized? Should it just be decriminalized? Should it be used only for medicinal purposes? (P.S. Contrary to popular belief,...
Summer is approaching, and more teens take their first drink in June and July than in any other months of the year. But what’s the big deal if teens drink? Did you know that the average age of first use in Texas is 13, while the average age...
Out of all the health issues we face today, perhaps one that the public most misunderstands is mental health. According to the Centers for Disease Control, mental illnesses are “conditions that affect a person’s thinking, feeling, mood or behavior, such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia....
Many parents believe that it’s safer for kid to drink at home than to drink elsewhere. In fact, two-thirds of minors receive their alcohol from friends and family. Often times, parents or adults will host parties where they serve alcohol to teens. However, hosting underage drinking...
Social hosting refers to parents who knowingly provide alcohol to minors that are not their children or allow alcohol to be consumed by minors on property they control, like their house or a rented space. In effect, these parents are ‘hosting’ an alcohol party for...
A half-century ago, the U.S. surgeon general released a report on the health impacts of smoking that shaped the public and government’s attitudes toward tobacco for years to come. In November 2016, another surgeon general’s report was issued – on addiction and substance misuse and...