teen-proof your home - presentation at spencer middle school, 11/15/16

Spencer Butte M.S.______11/15/16

Julie Hynes & Emily BearLane County Public Health / PreventionLane

“TEEN-PROOF”What it is:

–10 Tips: BASICS on various risky behaviors in ‘tweens and teens

–Extra resources

What it isn’t:–All of the answers–One-size fits all approach

are the #1 INFLUENCE in your teen’s life.

Image source: http://www.abc.virginia.gov/Education/underagedrinking/UnderAgeDrinking.pdf

Impulse controlDecision makingMemory

The PREFRONTAL CORTEX is the LAST PART to develop.

years old!

The brain is still

developinguntil

Just like the use of alcohol & other drugs, kids who start gambling at early ages have more problems with addiction later in life. Have the conversation about #braindevelopment!

ALCOHOL is the #1 drug used by youth

Source: Student Wellness Survey 2012

11th Grade Students –Past 30 Day Use

8th Grade Students –Past 30 Day Use

Source: Oregon Student Wellness Survey.

Understand ALCOHOL.

Youth who drink are 8 times more likely to smoke cigarettes and 10 times more likely to smoke marijuana.

Even occasional

heavy drinking injures young brains.

Most teenswho drink

do it at their homes

or peers’ homes.

Alcohol Dependence

Rate that people become dependent based on age that drinking starts

• Availability• Potency• Effects

Short-term effects of marijuana

• Impact on learning • Impact on short-term memory• Likelihood of addiction increases

Prescriptions

•Monitor & lock them up.•Buy only what you need.•Dispose unused meds.

One in four 6th graders have used inhalants.• Keep track of your household products.• Watch for warning signs.• Educate on no mixing – some ingredients

produce deadly fumes.

• One teen in every classroom (4-6%) already has problems with gambling

• Online most popular with young people• Related with other problem behaviors…

• Monitor, monitor, monitor• Keep device use in open

areas when possible• Consider restricting mobile

browsing hours or plan• Mobile:

• Activate GPS• Make random checks• Apps, etc

to your

advantage.Remember what we talkedabout with drinking. Zero.

xo

Be home by 11. Have fun & text if you need a ride.

Yep got it

ok thanks mom

Jordan10:49PM

5:11PM

involve guns

• If possible, remove• Store in LOCKED cabinet • Store UNLOADED & keep

ammo separated• Use trigger LOCK

• Suicide is the second-leading cause of death among 15-25 year old Oregonians.

• Psychological issues & substance abuse are the biggest factors.

http://public.health.oregon.gov/HealthyPeopleFamilies/Youth/Documents/HP2020Suicide.pdf

THE TAKE-HOMESUMMING things up

Although you can’t “teen-proof” your teen…

• You can set clear limits/communicate expectations.

• You can be consistent.• You can communicate with your

teen, staying engaged.

Ask & Listen

• Ask– Who– Where– What– When

• Listen– Without

judging – Allow venting

And use technology as part of this!

Monitor & Act• Set a good example. • Pay attention to clues: restless,

withdrawal, lack of interest, different friends, etc.

• INTERVENE if you see warning signs. (Get intervention tips: http://www.drugfree.org/think-child-using/your-first-step-ask/)

TEENS are

LOOKING...

are the #1 INFLUENCE in your teen’s life.

Image source: http://www.abc.virginia.gov/Education/underagedrinking/UnderAgeDrinking.pdf

Thank you!Other “teen-proof” tips and more:

@preventionlane