I speak to a parent or student who has been hurt by the disease of addiction on a daily basis. The damage that this disease causes to families and communities is devastating. I would like to suggest one tool all parents can use to lower rates of illegal substance use...
The data is in that medical marijuana laws have not significantly increased the number of youth using marijuana. However there is concern that newer blasé attitudes towards marijuana amongst adults and kids have resulted in more frequent use among youth and an...
Myth: E-cigarettes contain "only harmless water vapor" Fact: Studies are finding that unregulated electronic cigarettes, or e-cigs, may not be as harmless for you after all and they may even cause lung cancer like normal cigarettes. E-cigs use a battery-powered...
Student Looking to Help Peers Make Smart Choices By Susan Parmelee, reprinted from the SC TImes | December 4, 2014 The Wellness & Prevention Center approached Leslie Schuda, activities director at SCHS, to spearhead the MADD "Tie One On For Safety" public awareness...
Keys to teen brain development to be discussed Thursday at event By Susan Parmelee Over the past decade, scientists have discovered that both the volume of gray matter and number of neural connections increase in the years from 15 through 25. It is not until this time...
Dear Parents, Last night I sat through a heartbreaking presentation by the parent’s of Connor Eckhardt – a 19 year old youth California native – who died after taking his first hit of spice. Please take some time to watch this video and have a meaningful conversation...
SCHS Vol Drug testing Dowload I encourage you to sign up for the voluntary drug testing program (the red flyer). Your teen may suggest otherwise and may even ask “don’t you trust me?” but, as parents, we know it’s not about trust. It’s about giving our child a...
While most San Clemente youth make the choice to not use alcohol or illegal substances, there is problematic substance use among youth and adults in San Clemente. Of course, the substance abuse epidemic is not unique to San Clemente but we should all be aware that our...
If your child goes to a party where alcohol and drugs are being used and one of their friends begins to seizure or show other signs of distress, what would your child do? What would you want them to do?” Because drug and alcohol overdoses are devastating California’s...
Dear Parents and Community Members, If you have any questions or concerns please email or call me – 949-680-0516 About 5% of children and adolescents suffer from depression at any given point in time. “The behavior of depressed children and teenagers may differ from...