“Back to School” Tips for Parents from DFYIT

August, back to school time. This month, as children across the nation prepare for the start of the school year, hundreds of thousands of children will be faced with new surroundings and new dangers, including peer pressure to “fit in” and “be cool.” DFYIT is a school-based club that teaches and helps students to stay above the influence of peer pressure, and stay drug-free.

Miami, FL (PRWEB) August 10, 2006 -- This month, as children across the nation prepare for the start of the school year, hundreds of thousands of children will be faced with new surroundings and new dangers, including peer pressure to “fit in” and “be cool.” DFYIT is a school-based club that teaches and helps students to stay above the influence of peer pressure, and stay drug-free.

Some “Back to School” Tips for Parents from DFYIT

•    Be aware of the challenges that your teen will face while entering high school. Teens’ acceptance of marijuana use increases dramatically when they enter high school. In fact, various national studies indicate that the most dramatic increases occur between 7th and 8th grade and continue to increase well into 10th and 11th grade.

•    Find out what measures your teen’s school is taking to keep tobacco, alcohol and drugs off campus. Every school district is responsible for making safety their number one priority.

•    DFYIT advises parents to ask school administration what drug education/prevention programs are available at their school. Approximately 91% of youth nationwide participate in a school-based or community-based activity each year. It has been proven that those who participate for a month in a club such as DFYIT are less likely to abuse substances than those who have not been involved.

•    Check in with your teen after school. The danger zone for drug use is anywhere between the hours of 3:00 and 6:00 pm. Be sure to know what your child is doing after school and who they are with. If possible, establish a routine for them to call you during these hours and have them supervised by a responsible adult – not an older sibling.

•    DFYIT recommends that you talk with your teens about the risks of giving into peer pressure. In fact, use this time to talk with them about the negative effects of abusing drugs. Kids who learn a lot about the risks of drugs from their parents are up to 50 percent less likely to use.

•    Watch for a drop in your teen’s performance at school. Students with a “D” average are five times more likely to have used illicit drugs in the past month than those with an “A” average.

•    Know the warning signs of drug use. Changes to take notice of are: acting distant from family or friends, hanging out with a different crowd, changes in moods or attitudes, lack of interest in personal appearance, changes in clothing, and dramatic changes in eating or sleeping habits. A full list of resources for is available for parents at www.dfyit.org Parents’ page.

NEW DRUG TRENDS

Last month, DFYIT (Drug Free Youth in Town), Florida’s leading drug prevention organization issued a warning to parents and adults about prescription drug abuse amongst teens, and provided tips and advice on how to keep children safe and aware of the dangers of drug (and alcohol) abuse. Barbara Zohlman, Executive Director of DFYIT is also alerting parents, educators and children of several new dangerous drug trends which are currently making their way around the country;

CHEESE    Although it sounds harmless enough, Cheese is a new type of drug that is infiltrating communities around the nation. A lethal mixture of Heroin and Tylenol PM is combined to produce a “cheesy looking” mixture, which is snorted or injected. Aimed at younger adults, selling at $2 - $10 a “lump,” Cheese is highly addictive and debilitating.

MOTHBALLS Cleaning products have long been associated with the manufacturing of drugs, but now mothballs are being used by some teens to get high. It’s reported that mothballs are placed into a bag and their fumes inhaled. The side effects of mothball use include anemia, liver and kidney failure, as well as mental impairment.

For more information about DFYIT, please visit their website at www.dfyit.org or www.dfyit.org/backtoschool

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