Hi, CV! Tonight, Thursday, is our final Teen Trials & Tribulations for the school year. Tina Givrad, PhD, really likes kids and is fascinated by how their brains form and function. And she really likes CV because this is the third speech she’s given to us on this topic! She invites you to bring your […]
Hi, CV! We don’t want our daughter to drink, although I hope that she goes to at least one party where teens drink flavored vodka in Gatorade bottles while I’m a text away. Since April is Alcohol Awareness Month, and college acceptance letters are in, what’s going on after high school? According to the National […]
My husband Scott and I watched, “Out of Reach,” the documentary we showed on Tuesday night about teens abusing pills. I asked how he would describe it and he said, “Behind-the-scenes look” and he’s right! The filmmaker didn’t know what was going on in his own school so he made a movie for adults equally […]
At our March Strategic Partners meeting we heard an update on Prop 47, the Reduced Penalties for Some Crimes Initiative. In November 2014, 59.61% of voters supported Prop. 47 backers’ argument that it would reduce prison overcrowding by reclassifying most “non-serious and nonviolent property and drug crimes” from a felony to a misdemeanor. Sounds good […]
Hi, CV! We’ve had some terrific presentations lately, and since many of you were unable to attend, here are the salient points that I took away from both Arsineh Ararat and John Howell for your consideration: Food is really important. Eat dinner together at least twice a week. It’s really important for the family to […]
Hi, CV! We have the most diligent experts teaching our kids, like TUPE instructor Violet Mesrkhani, PhD. I may have confused you when sharing what a student said to her in one of the Tobacco Use Prevention Education classes, and she set the record straight. Violet warns that “the word ‘vaping’ or ‘vapor’ is usually […]
Hi, CV! Did you know four Marlboro Men died from smoking-related illnesses? I watch John Oliver’s HBO show, “Last Week Tonight” and learned this fact during his exposé on tobacco, specifically Big Tobacco. Google it for yourself. The language is raw; the facts are cold. While no mention was made of e-cigs, hookah or vaping, […]
Among the programs we have for parents, I want to encourage you to come to our top-notch parent sessions on Tuesday nights. You’ll learn something new, be reminded of something forgotten, and you’ll want to come back. Last week, Arsineh Ararat told parents that if you are doing your kid’s homework, you’re a friend. Be […]
Hi CV! In his talk, “Rehab & Relapse,” Ben Salazar, program director, GCC Alcohol/Drug Studies, explained the disease of addiction. Like diabetes, asthma and epilepsy, addiction is a chronic condition that cannot be cured. So, say someone goes to a rehabilitation facility for alcohol abuse treatment; what are the chances they’ll achieve sobriety? According to […]
Hi, CV! We learned much at “Is Your Home Safe for Teens?” presented by Didi Hirsch AOD Prevention and “Teen Anxiety and Depression” by Lisa Vartanian, PhD, chair, East L.A. College Addiction Studies Program. Use “I” sentences when talking to your kids. “I don’t want you to smoke marijuana because your brain isn’t fully developed.” […]