3rd Annual Greenville Youth Summit 2010!

Daniel Brown, GFP Youth Project Manager (1st on the right, 1st row), and GFP Interns, Ashley Wegherington (1st on the left, 1st row), Doug Phillips (1st on the left, 3rd row), Diamond Joseph (3rd on the left, 3rd row), and Graham Bichel (3rd on the right, 3rd row) pose with Youth Summit attendees.

As Margaret Mead once said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” With that thought in mind, the “3rd Annual Greenville Youth Summit: Viewpoints and Voices” was a great success this year despite the decrease in attendance.

Youth who attended the summit discussed obstacles and challenges - including education, social influences, and societal norms - that interfere with their ability to positively impact their community. Many of the topics discussed pointed back to perceptions and stereotypes. GFP intern, Diamond Joseph led summit participants in two activities that allowed them to witness firsthand the impact of privilege on the “haves and have-nots”, what it means to speak out and voice one’s opinion, and stereotyping.

To read more, click here.

Let's Stop Prescription Drug Abuse!

Prescription drug abuse is the fastest-growing drug problem in the US. Because prescription drugs are legal, they are easily accessible, often from a home medicine cabinet. Some individuals who abuse prescription drugs, particularly teens, believe they are safer than illicit drugs because they are prescribed by a healthcare professional and sold behind the counter.

Physicians, law enforcement officials, teachers, parents, grandparents, and youth need to know about the dangers of prescription drug abuse. A recent national survey of high-school students reported that among 12th graders, 7 of the top 10 abused substances are pharmaceuticals. Between 1997 and 2007, treatment admissions for prescription painkillers increased more than 400%. Between 2004 and 2008, the number of visits to hospital emergency departments involving the non-medical use of narcotic painkillers increased 111%. And according to the latest National Survey on Drug Use and Health, most people who abuse these drugs get them from friends and family or from a doctor.

To learn more, click here.

The Basics of Being a Great Parent!

1. Show your love as often as possible.
2. Be the best role model you can be.
3. Make time to be together.
4. Keep your promises.
5. Keep a photo memory book or scrapbook for each of your children.
6. Treat your children with respect.
7. Discipline with love.
8. Have patience.
9. Speak encouragingly.
10. Listen well.

To view basics nos. 11-26, click here.

Parenting Programs

Parenting Classes—enhance the parenting skills of parents, grandparents, and other caring adults; help in the development of positive discipline, communication & anger management skills, and increase the knowledge of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs.

GFP offers the following parenting classes:

• Parenting Awareness — enhances parenting skills & instills confidence

• The Parent Connection — how to answer tough questions

• Preparing for the Teen Years — how to meet future challenges

• Parent to Parent — learn skills that will help your kids through the teen years without significant alcohol, tobacco or other drug use.

• Back in Control — helps parents get “back in control” when their kid is “out of control” (Provided in Cooperation with the SC Dept. of Juvenile Justice)

• Raising Children in Troubled Times — how to overcome obstacles to raising kids and setting & enforcing rules of discipline

• Building Family Strengths — how to recognize and build on family strengths

• Guiding Good Choices – how to guide your child in making good choices about alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs.

• TransParenting - helps divorced parents communicate effectively in regards to children, thereby lessening the negative effects of divorce on kids; it is nationally recognized by courts and attorneys.

Parenting Classes may also be tailored to suit a particular topic or audience.

For more information or to schedule a parenting class, contact Lynn Hooper or Terry Taylor at 467-4099. Or, you may send an email to lynn@gfpdrugfree.org or terry@gfpdrugfree.org.

SAFE HOMES

A NETWORK OF PARENTS WORKING TOGETHER TO PROVIDE A SAFE HOME, A SAFE FROM ALCOHOL, A SAFE FROM DRUGS, AND A SAFE SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT

Join a group of parents dedicated to providing an environment where our youth can socialize and understand that we do not accept the underage use of alcohol and drugs in our homes and on our property.

Please visit the Safe Homes section and if you still have questions we will be happy to provide any information for you to join in or start your own group of parents who want to keep their homes safe and provide a SAFE environment free from alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs. Call 467-4099 or email melissa@gfpdrugfree.org.

THE PARENT KIT

If you are a parent who feels at a loss as to what to say when it comes to talking to your teens about alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs, then you may want to access the "Your Child Didn't Come with an Owner's Manual" Parent Kit.