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Personal Reflections
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Parents can help teens develop strategies
for combating peer pressure, such as role
playing certain situations and practic-
ing various responses. Nancy Reed, a
Bloomfield Hills mother of four, said she
started working on these issues when her
children were in kindergarten.
"I would ask them what they would say
if a friend encouraged them to do some-
thing risky," said Reed. "I wanted it [saying
no] to be the first thing off their tongu'
Rubin said home drug testing can help
kids handle uncomfortable situations.
She suggests getting a test kit — from her
organization or some police departments
— and letting your teen know you plan to
test when he comes home.
"That way, they can tell their friends
they can't use drugs because they are going
to be tested:' she said. "It gives them a way
out without feeling nerdy, and it's a good
deterrent:'
Urging kids to follow their instincts
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Sunday, May 18
11:00am
Temple Shir Shalom
3999 Walnut Lake Road, WB
Free & Open to the Public
Interviewed by
Jackie Schwartz
of the Holocaust
Memorial Center
Presented by The Walk for Israel
1907380
10
May 15 • 201z
locked container and count the pills on a
regular basis.
"Kids seem to feel because a doctor pre-
scribes a medication, even if was intended
for someone else, it can't be dangerous:'
Rubin said. "Mixing these drugs with alco-
hol can become a deadly dose"
According to information posted on the
website of the Greater West Bloomfield
Community Coalition, an organization
devoted to preventing illegal drug and
alcohol use and other high-risk behavior,
prescription and over-the-counter medi-
cations are the most frequently abused
drugs among high school seniors, next to
marijuana. A 2013 survey conducted by
the partnership at Drugfree.org and the
MetLife Foundation indicated one in four
teens has misused a prescription drug
at least once, representing a 33 percent
increase from 2008. Stimulants like Ritalin
and Adderall were among the most com-
monly abused class of drugs.
Peer Pressure
1, 1 A r
same
Teens from page 8
when they are in social situations can help
them resist going along with the crowd.
Cindy (not her real name) attended a
party where most of the other teens were
drinking alcohol and smoking marijuana.
"My friend and I left because we felt
uncomfortable she said, "and we found
out later the cops were called to break up
the party. We were very thankful we left
when we did:"
Parents, too, are affected by peer pres-
sure. According to Kaplan, parents often
follow the path of least resistance to avoid
disapproval from other adults, especially
when a parent is insecure or lacks self-
confidence. Guilt about a divorce or work-
ing long hours can lead to giving in to
kids' demands.
Kaplan has some advice for adults deal-
ing with their own form of peer pressure.
"Trust your gut:' she said, "and choose
not to engage in conversations with people
who will pressure you:'
She suggests building a support system
consisting of other parents you trust, pref-
erably those who share similar values.
"Ifs also OK to research a subject and
say you need time to think about it instead
of answering impulsively:' she said.
Planning ahead also is useful. Develop
an exit plan with your teen and provide
money for a taxi should it be necessary.
Kaplan said some families have a code
word or phrase a teen can use to avoid
embarrassment when he wants to be
picked up.
"Having a teen call and say `I'm ready to
go to Meijer with you now' lets the parent
know he wants to be picked up without
alerting his friends:' Kaplan said.
Tricky Tactics
Teens can be cunning when it comes to
hiding their drug and alcohol use, and
parents need to stay one step ahead. A
common ploy is filling water bottles with
Teens on page 12
Tips For Teens
• Use cameras with caution. Not all memories are worth preserving and
posting on Facebook or Instagram. Remember, when a photo is taken with
someone else's phone or camera, you have no control over where those
pictures may end up. Colleges and employers have been known to rescind
scholarships or job offers because of inappropriate photos or postings on
social media sites.
• Do not get into a car with anyone who has been drinking or using
drugs. This applies to teens and adults. If a driver, of any age, is impaired,
call your parents, another adult or a trustworthy friend to pick you up. If
no one is available and you are uncomfortable staying where you are, call
a taxi.
• Put safety first. If a situation seems risky or causes you discomfort,
do not be embarrassed to leave. If your friends invite you to go some-
where you know there will not be any adult supervision, don't go. True
friends will respect your values and boundaries.
• If you think someone may be experiencing alcohol poisoning, get
medical help immediately, especially if they have lost consciousness.