Monday was International Overdose Awareness Day. An average of five people died of overdose every hour in the United States in 2011 and overdose is now the leading cause of accidental death nationwide, according to the Center for Disease Control. Sadly, most families...
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...
Sometimes parenting pre-teens and teens can be an “I love you/I love you not” experience. As frustrating as this can be, I encourage parents to (as one wise mom described) try to be that one rock that sticks up in the ocean – always be there in the exact same place,...
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...
Oct. 5-11 is Mental Illness Awareness Week This is an opportunity for conversations about mental health care ending the silence that often surrounds it and getting early treatment for those who need it. Howie Mandel, a long-time suffer of mental illness is an...
Your Teen is Motivated Many parents tell me their adolescent is not motivated. My usual response is that teens are very motivated, but only when they believe it is benefitting them. How we use this developmental stage to benefit everyone is an art form that is not...
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...