National Study: Teen Misuse and Abuse of Prescription Drugs Up 33 Percent Since 2008, Stimulants Contributing to Sustained Rx Epidemic

IN THE NEWS

New, nationally projectable survey results released today by The Partnership at Drugfree.org and MetLife Foundation confirmed that one in four teens has misused or abused a prescription (Rx) drug at least once in their lifetime – a 33 percent increase over the past five years. The Partnership Attitude Tracking Study (PATS) also found troubling data on teen misuse or abuse of prescription stimulants. One in eight teens (13 percent) now reports that they have taken the stimulants Ritalin or Adderall when it was not prescribed for them, at least once in their lifetime.

Contributing to this sustained trend in teen medicine abuse are the lax attitudes and beliefs of parents and caregivers. In fact, nearly one-third of parents say they believe Rx stimulants like Ritalin or Adderall, normally prescribed for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), can improve a teen’s academic performance even if the teen does not have ADHD. Parents are not effectively communicating the dangers of Rx medicine misuse and abuse to their kids, nor are they safeguarding their medications at home and disposing of unused medications properly. (Read the full report here)

 

BHS Peer Leader Receives Youth Leadership Award

PEER LEADERSHIP NEWS

BHS Peer Leader Receives Youth Leadership Award
March 20, 2013 — The 84 Movement recognized Brookline High School Senior Kervin Hilaire for his outstanding leadership in youth tobacco prevention. Kervin was the sole winner of the Metrowest Regional Youth Leadership Award. He was recognized during the tobacco prevention event, Kick Butts Day 2013, at the Massachusetts State House on Wednesday, March 20th. He and fellow Brookline Peer Leaders had the opportunity to meet with legislators to raise awareness about tobacco use among Brookline youth. Kervin is a leader of BHS student committee advocating for extending the non-smoking zone around the school.

B-PEN FORUM ON TEEN ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION

COMMUNITY FORUM

APRIL 2, 7-8:30 p.m.  BHS Auditorium

March 13, 2013 — On April 2 at 7 p.m., B-PEN is hosting a special evening forum for parents on “Adolescent Anxiety and Depression – What Every Parent Needs to Know.” This depression awareness event will include a presentation by Children’s Hospital “Break Free From Depression” program that includes a powerful and illuminating film featuring real adolescents talking about depression in their own words. The event also will include information on how to recognize depression symptoms, understand the contributing factors, and develop healthy coping skills. A Q&A features a panel of mental health experts, Brookline Mental Health Center and BHS staff, as well as a teen from the film and her mother sharing their stories. For more information and to register for the event, go to www.teenstress.eventbrite.com 

Peer Leaders host Taylor’s Message and A Promise to Adam

PEER LEADER CAMPAIGN

March 5, 2013–BHS 1200 Day is a day on which students are encouraged to commit to joining the 1200 of their BHS peers who choose not to drink or use drugs but find other ways to have fun and relax.   Invited guests included Taylor’s Message and A Promise to Adam.   Both programs encouraged students to make better choices and decisions.  Kathi Sullivan told freshman and sophomore students about a series of poor choices that lead to her daughter Taylor’s death in 2008.  Howard London and Barbara Spivak, whose son Adam died in a car accident in 2010, spoke to students about the dangers of distracted and buzzed driving.  Peer Leaders hosted activities in the cafeteria including trivia contests and special activities, such as game playing wearing Drunk Driving Goggles.

Jennifer A. Lynch Committee Against Domestic Violence announces 2013 Domestic Violence Essay Contest

IN THE NEWS

Jennifer A. Lynch Committee Against Domestic Violence

2013 Domestic Violence Essay Contest

February 13, 2013

The Jennifer A. Lynch Committee Against Domestic Violence is seeking submissions for its 2013 Domestic Violence Essay Contest. The contest is open to:

1. Brookline High School Students 9th through 12th grades
2. High school students of town employees who attend high school outside of Brookline
3. High school students who are residents of Brookline but attend high school elsewhere.

Only one submission per person will be allowed. Submissions may be sent electronically (PDF) or by mail. Please note that submissions will not be returned and will become the property of the Jennifer A. Lynch Committee Against Domestic Violence.

The topic of the essay is Domestic Violence.  

Concerns About A.D.H.D. Practices and Prescriptions

IN THE NEWS

Concerns About A.D.H.D. Practices and Prescription

February 2, 2013 — Drowned in a Stream of Prescriptions Every morning on her way to work, Kathy Fee holds her breath as she drives past the squat brick building that houses Dominion Psychiatric Associates.  It was there that her son, Richard, visited a doctor and received prescriptions for Adderall, an amphetamine-based medication for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. It was in the parking lot that she insisted to Richard that he did not have A.D.H.D., not as a child and not now as a 24-year-old college graduate, and that he was getting dangerously addicted to the medication. It was inside the building that her husband, Rick, implored Richard’s doctor to stop prescribing him Adderall, warning, “You’re going to kill him.”

8th grade SADD events coming up

STUDENT EVENT

8th grade SADD pizza events coming up

January 27, 2013 — 8th grade SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) is a program designed to promote a safer, healthy community for Brookline youth. These monthly meetings during the academic year feature informative discussions, led by Peer Leaders on relevant social, emotional and health issues facing teens today. PIZZA at every meeting! 

When?    6.30 PM, February 6, March 6, April 10, May 8
Where?  Room 385A Brookline High School

Questions? Hope Schroy at 617-713-5149 or Hope_schroy@brookline.k12.ma.us.