How to Raise a Drug-Free Kid

The Straight Dope for Parents

“I was so lost when my son became addicted – I didn’t know where to start. If I had a book like How to Raise a Drug-Free Kid, I would have had a road map,” David Sheff, Journalist & Author of Beautiful Boy.

The highly acclaimed comprehensive guide to getting your child through the formative pre-teen, teen, and college years drug-free—now completely revised and updated.

Nearly every child will be offered drugs or alcohol before graduating high school, and excessive drinking is common at most colleges. But the good news is that a child who gets to age twenty-one without smoking, using illegal drugs, or abusing alcohol or prescription drugs is virtually certain never to do so.

Drawing on more than two decades of research at The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University (CASAColumbia), founder Joseph A. Califano, Jr., presents a clear, common-sense guide to helping kids stay drug-free. All parents dream of a healthy, productive, and fulfilling future for their children; Califano shows which specific actions work and what parents can do to teach, protect, and empower their children to have the greatest chance of making that future come true. Teenagers who learn about the risks of drugs from their parents are twice as likely never to try them, and this book provides the tools parents need to prepare their children for those crucial decision-making moments. 

In this revised and updated edition, Califano tackles some of the newest obstacles standing between our kids and a drug-free life—from social media sites and cell phone apps to the explosion in prescription and over-the-counter drug abuse and the increased dangers and addictive power of marijuana. He reveals what teens can’t or won’t tell their parents about their thoughts on drugs and alcohol, and combines the latest research with his discussions with thousands of parents and teens about the challenges that widespread access to drugs and alcohol present, and how parents can instill in their teens the will and skills to choose not to use. Califano’s insightful and lively guide is as readable as it is informative.

To order, click here:http://www.simonandschuster.com/books/How-to-Raise-a-Drug-Free-Kid/Joseph-A-Califano/9781476728438

 

Watch the video here: http://www.thv11.com/news/health/city-of-hot-springs-joins-lawsuit-against-pharmaceutical-companies-over-opioid-abuse/500839294

 

Brejamin Perkins, KTHV 9:23 PM. CST December 19, 2017 

The opioid crisis across the nation and here in Arkansas continues to strike conversation and concern. 

Tonight, the city of Hot Springs may be next in line to join a lawsuit aiming to hold pharmaceutical companies responsible. The city would join more than 100 others on board with the Arkansas Municipal League.

Since 2011, Arkansas has lost 265 million in societal loses.

“In 2013, we had the highest rate of teenagers prescribed opioids of any state in the nation,” said Don Zimmerman, Director of the Municipal League.

State leaders, cities and counties are taking the opioid crisis into their own hands.

“Our nation is in a crisis and Arkansas is right at the forefront of it,” he added.

Zimmerman thinks rural states are targeted most by pharmaceutical companies.

“This is a map from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showing the number of opioid overdoses across the country,” said Zimmerman showing map of data that showed Arkansas at the center of it all.

The Association of Arkansas Counties is involved with the lawsuit as well. 66 have already been filed in federal court across the country.

“You probably saw the piece of 60 minutes on CBS the night before last where they were talking about this crisis and how the federal government tried to deal with one of the big manufactures. They got a small settlement,” he said.

Right now, Zimmerman isn’t sure if something similar could happen in Arkansas but hopes the lawsuit pushes positive action.

“We anticipate that we’re going to have the vast majority of cities and counties in this litigation. Hopefully we’ll have them all,” said Zimmerman.

Last year about 1.7 million opioid prescriptions were issued in the state.

“The highest in Arkansas is 177 prescriptions per 100 people in Green County, Garland County is right there with them at 176,” he added.

Next month there will be a meeting in Fort Smith, where the Arkansas Municipal League anticipates more cities and counties will join litigation.

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