.
CPY Newsletter                                                     November, 2015 
Teen Stress Is An Important Health Issue
Many 13-17 year olds experience unhealthy levels of stress. According to a 2012 Placer County Student Survey:
  • 88% of 9th and 11th graders said they were stressed. 
  • More than half (54%) said they felt "always or a lot stressed".
  • Students said the main issues causing them stress included: school/grades (69%), college/future plans (52%), and family issues (31%).  
  • One in five (21%) said they felt sad or lonely.
  • 59% used alcohol or drugs to help them cope with feelings of anger, sadness, loneliness and stress.
Please join our community members to learn more about the sources of teen stress and how to help young people cope with the unavoidable challenges in their life.
  
CPY invites you to attend the November Partnership Forum and learn about the cause, effects and consequences of teen stress, and how adults can intervene and guide youth to healthy choices.  
  
The Forums are offered in Spanish on November 12th and English on November 19th.
  
Space is limited so register at   CIvazes@Placer.Ca.Gov or CALL TODAY!!  (530) 886-5409

See flyer below for details.  See Spanish flyer here  http://www.coalitionforplaceryouth.org/events 

Recognize Early Signs
We want to help parents  and teens recognize the  early warning signs  of stress, and  give them the tools to help them respond  in a healthy way.

Christina Ivazes, Coalition for Placer Youth Director/Coordinator, will co-facilitate the November workshops on Teen Stress along with family therapist partners from the Placer County Mental Health, Alcohol and Drug Advisory Board, and Lighthouse Counseling and Family Resource Center.
  
Christina has a Master's Degree in Public Health with an emphasis on Community Health Education. Previously her training and background was in behavioral biofeedback (the biology of stress responses).  She has worked with high school students teaching them healthy coping alternatives to tobacco, drugs and alcohol. 
  
"Working with the Coalition continually feels like such a great fit,"  says Christina.   "The work I did with youth and other community members as a teacher and volunteer in Nevada County, as a Rocklin resident with children and grandchildren that attend school in Rocklin, and my experiences working in the Spanish speaking community are all proving valuable in this position. The wonderful and dedicated CPY Leadership Committee and the collaborative partners throughout Placer County cause me to give thanks every day."
 
Substance abuse prevention for youth is about community prevention strategies that support the role of the parent in promoting healthy youth lifestyles, as well as provide accurate education about current drug use and abuse trends.
  
Ivazes explains, "CPY hosts free quarterly workshops and/or forums. We are working in collaboration with many agency partners to increase wellness equity in Placer County." 

Contributing author:  Joanna Jullien    www.bananamoments.com

CALY Celebration
 
In a short time, the Coalition for Auburn and Lincoln Youth (CALY) has made great strides mobilizing community leaders in both the Lincoln and Auburn areas with the goal of reducing youth substance use. 
 
The results of a comprehensive community assessment conducted over this past year were shared at a Community Forum and Celebration held October 20th
 
About forty Auburn and Lincoln community members and youth leaders came together to:
 
  •  Learn about the nature and scope of youth substance use in their community.
  •  Provide their  input on the role CALY can play in preventing youth substance use disorders.
  •  Consider how they and/or their organizations can become involved with prevention efforts.
  null
A key highlight of the forum was a presentation by CALY Leadership Team member, Sharon Behrens, on adverse childhood experiences and the role of prevention in a trauma-informed approach to community wellness.
 
Two partners were honored for their contributions and leadership:
"Partner of the Year" award was presented to Coalition for Placer Youth (CPY) for their valued partnership and support in the success of the CALY Coalition. 
 
"Youth Impact" award was presented to the Placer County Youth Commission for their leadership and outstanding work in support of the Social Host Ordinance and the many ways they are making a difference.
 
The meeting was a great success and provided essential input needed to guide CALY's next steps in developing the action plan for the Drug Free Communities Grant proposal to be submitted in March 2016. 

Get Involved - Join CALY
CALY would like to invite Auburn and Lincoln community members to join our efforts and help keep our youth free of substance use.

For more information contact Shelley Rogers, CALY Program Coordinator:  
530-273-7956   or    srogers@corr.us 

When a Teen Asks -  "Did You Do Drugs?"
Parents want to warn their children about the risks of using alcohol or drugs, but may be reluctant to start the conversation because of their own past use.
 
How should a parent respond if his/her child asks "How about you (mom, dad) - did you do drugs?"   Is honesty the best approach?  Will it come back to haunt you later - "but you did drugs".
 
Many experts recommend being honest while restraining from sharing too much information.  Parents risk losing credibility if they are not honest and the truth is somehow revealed later.    According to a 2009 study by the Hazelden Addiction Treatment Center, many teenagers believed that parental honesty about alcohol use was a positive influence.  

According to the Hazelden study:
More than 90 percent of teens view their parents as role models on issues of using alcohol and drugs and nearly two-thirds (63 percent) say hearing their parents' stories about past alcohol or drug use would make them more responsible about their own use of drugs.  
 
At the same time, teens don't need to hear every detail.  Most important is to tell them without glorifying it.  Welcome it as a teachable moment and focus on the lessons that you learned.  "Trying drugs was a bad mistake.  It made me do some dumb things.  I love you too much to see you make the same mistakes."

We know so much more today about the risks of experimenting with alcohol and drugs and the possibility of permanent damage to the developing adolescent brain.  If the question is about smoking pot, talk to them about the facts: marijuana today is much stronger than it was when you were younger, so the risks are much greater.  

Research is showing the negative effects of marijuana use on attention, motivation, memory and learning that can persist after the drug's effects wear off.  Regular marijuana users may lose an average of 8 points in IQ. Today's stronger marijuana is addictive - 75% of teens in substance abuse treatment are being treated for marijuana.  Emergency room visits for marijuana overdose are on the rise.  These are the current facts but results on IQ and other long-term impacts of today's more potent marijuana will not be known for years to come.  

Keep the conversation open and non-judgmental.  The reason they are asking the question may be more about what they are experiencing in their own peer group.  Make it a two-way conversation - ask what they think, what their friends are saying, what they are seeing/hearing at school. 
 
Most important is to be clear about your message - "I don't want you to use drugs or alcohol" and give your reasons why.     The Partnership for Drug Free Kids offers information and tips for parents.

Today's Marijuana is NOT the Same
Marijuana is much stronger than it was 20-30 years ago while its medicinal value is waning.  According to studies by Charas Scientific Lab in Colorado the average potency of marijuana has increased by a factor of at least three over the past.  
 
The lab studied over 600 medical and recreational marijuana samples and found the average potency to be around 20% with some values close to 30% THC.  That's a huge increase compared to the 4% level in 1980 and even greater than the 15% reported by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA).
 
According to the Institute, higher concentrations of THC in marijuana could mean a greater chance of an adverse or unpredictable reaction and a greater risk of addiction.  Officials believe the higher potency may account for the rise in emergency department visits involving marijuana use.
 
Nora Volkow , NIDA Director, agrees that it's the higher THC content that's driving the increase in marijuana-related emergency room visits. "The higher the THC content, the stronger the effects on the brain and the more likely you may end up with toxic reactions - like psychosis. Even the occasional user may end up in the ER."
 
The marijuana samples were also found to contain a number of contaminants including bacteria, mold, mildew, E coli, and salmonella as well as traces of heavy metal.  Some samples contained traces of butane, a highly toxic chemical used to extract THC from the marijuana plant.  When marijuana is smoked, these contaminants enter directly into the bloodstream.
 
A surprising finding is a decline in the marijuana's medicinal value.  Researches were surprised to find that the marijuana samples contained little or no cannabidiol (CBD), the compound believed to have a potential role in treating certain conditions such as Alzheimer , seizure disorders,  anxiety and schizophrenia.   The decline in CBD is concerning, since people who legitimately need its therapeutic effects may not be receiving them at all.

Marijuana Potency
  • Marijuana today is not the marijuana of the 80's or 90's
  • Extremely potent: one "joint" today is the equivalent of smoking 3 - 5 "joints" in the 1980's
  • THC levels are up to 35% Vs. the single digits of just a decade ago
  • Marijuana concentrate is readily available: highly potent (75% THC content or higher)

Marijuana Short and Long Term
Marijuana Use and Life Outcomes
 
Recent research shows the negative impact marijuana use has on the still developing adolescent brain.
 
Regular marijuana abuse by teens can lead to an IQ drop of up to 8 points and effect a student's academic success.
        
High school and college students who smoke pot are less likely to graduate and are more likely to earn less income or be unemployed.  

Rocklin Youth Give to Their Community

Crossroads Community Church in Rocklin is asking for food donations and volunteers to help with its Thanksgiving Food Baskets drive.
  
Members of the Crossroads Youth Group and students throughout the community will be helping with the can drive at their different schools as well as helping to assemble the food baskets on November 22 at 2:30pm. 
  
This is a great project for families to volunteer together to benefit their community. 
Volunteering to help others helps to build self-esteem and self-worth in kids and teens as they make a positive contribution.
  
For more information, or to submit a family who could benefit from receiving a Thanksgiving Food Basket, please contact 
 
Andrea Johnson
Sr. Pastor's Administrative Assistant
Crossroads Community Church
5190 Front Street Suite #200,   Rocklin CA 95677
916-624-8246 (ext 103)

2015 Teens Make Music
Above the Influence MusiCares ®and the GRAMMY Foundation® have teamed up for the sixth annual Teens Make Music Contest .
 
The contest invites young musicians ages 14 - 18, from across the U.S. to compose or create an original song and/or music video that celebrates life above the influence or brings attention to the real-life consequences of substance abuse.
 
To enter, participants must submit an original Music Video or original Music/Lyrics composition.  Deadline for submission is Monday, December 7, 2015.
 
Three winners will be selected to attend the 58th Annual GRAMMY Awards, and receive cash as well as other prizes.
 
See Teens Make Music Contest to view last year's winner and get complete contest rules and instructions on how to enter .
 
This is an opportunity to recognize local youth and encourage them to share their talent in support of a drug free lifestyle.
 
Pass this information on to a young  musician in your community.

Have You Taken? - The Parent Pledge

The Parent Pledge is entering its 5th Year of enrolling Parents, Guardians, Households and Families in our Campaign to do what ever it takes to STAND UP for Youth in our Community.
  
Please join the other responsible and dedicated individuals who have signed on to this important campaign!
  
Follow the link below to learn the details about what you can do to ensure that our Community Continues to become a safer place for youth to learn, grow and become the young adults we all want them to be!


Support CPY
All tax-deductible contributions are applied directly to programs that benefit the youth of Placer County.  Donors to the Coalition for Placer Youth can submit donations via check or PayPal.    
Events
El Estrés de la Adolescencia
Identificación Prevención Soluciones
12 de noviembre 2015  
5:30 - 8:00pm
Glen Edwards Middle School
204 L St. Lincoln, CA
para registrarse, llame al 530-889-7238

Teen Stress
Parent/Teen Workshop
Thursday  November 19th, 2015
6:30 - 8:00 pm
call Christina Ivazes 530 886-5409
see flyer for details

Parent Stress Intervention Sessions
Wednesdays   10/14 - 11/18  
5:30pm - 7pm
Contact: (530)886-5434 or  mhammes@placer.ca.go 
Parent
Resources
Partnership for  Drug Free Kids  - where families find answers
Answering your child's tough questions about alcohol
A Parent's Guide to the Teen Brain - Skills, Tools & Tips
Parent Tool Kit 

Small conversations can make a big impression

HELPLINE: 
1-855-DRUGFREE
Parents toll-free helpline 
1-855-378-4373
Mon. to Fri.  10 am - 6 pm ET
(English and Spanish)
Time to Act
Think your teen is using?
Step-by-step guide for parents who suspect their teen is using alcohol 
or drugs.
Spanish Language Parent
Resources
HablaConTusHijos 
free, bilingual online resource
Bilingual Toll-Free helpline
1-855-378-4373
(Monday-Friday 10am-6pm EST)
Teen
Resources
Placer County Youth Commission

PeerX
F acts for teens about prescription drugs

Placer Sheriff's Activity League (PSAL)
activities for youth - 
Mondays 2pm - 4:30pm
Wednesdays 3pm - 5:30pm
Fridays 3pm - 5:30pm
Rock Creek Elementary,Auburn    
Contact Detective Shon Schoer
(916) 652-2422
Rocklin Police Activities League
Activities program for Rocklin youth - coming soon!
For information contact Chris Osborne, Rocklin Police Dept.
Stay In Touch

       Facebook    Twitter