Hi, CV!
Red Ribbon Week (Oct. 23-31) was kicked off by a well-attended event on Thursday evening at Roosevelt Middle School. The event was the idea of Glendale police and Kevin Cordova-Brookey, Glendale Council PTA member and local dad. The tone of the evening was set by two young women living at Phoenix House, a nearby residential rehab, who shared their stories.

“Who needs meth when you have heroin?” asked one of the women.

The other said, “I had no childhood. My mom was an alcoholic. My dad was a workaholic.” Both stories were gripping and we all wished the women well.

Attendees also were inspired by Henry Lozano, founder of Red Ribbon Week who was instrumental in creating the Drug Free Communities Support Grant which benefits CV Alliance.

Scott Anderle, Ed.D., is in charge of discipline for Glendale Unified. He said that all of the students who have problems only attend school. They are not involved in any activity that connects them to school and others in a positive way. So, please – get your children involved in something.

Ann Ortega of Didi Hirsch suggested that parents role play with their children to help them say no in a variety of ways. Ann handed out a “safe home pledge” for attendees. It includes promises that they will not allow their home to be the party house and that they will keep an eye on visiting children.

The night closed with Officer Joe Allen of the Glendale Police Dept. who gave an update on current drug news. Two things stood out for me: today, the percentage of THC, the active ingredient in marijuana that gets a person high, is about 27.5%. The amount in medical marijuana is about 19%. Compare these levels with pot smoked in the ’70s – 7% to 9%. And Joe also talked about liquid nicotine, something I hadn’t heard about but should have known. It’s what is in vapes, e-cigs, etc.

One theme from our Tuesday night parent sessions is the importance for parents to get their own lives in order. Whether it’s time management, use of technology, chores or alone time, our kids watch us. Please be mindful of your  actions. And have fun. (That didn’t come up but it’s important!)

And, on that note, Google Touchdown Baby to see Ace, my great-nephew.

Suzy Jacobs
is the executive director of
CV Alliance located at
3131 Foothill Blvd. Suite D
La Crescenta, CA 91214
(818) 646-7867  http://cv-alliance.org/

  Suzy JACOBS