Hello from the Alliance,

We are hoping that early in 2013 your school or organization will help promote the prevention videos available for viewing on the Alliance website.  This year, we added the “Listen II” video. We have used this video for viewing by 8^th or 9^th grade students together with their parents. We have made it very easy for parents to access several prevention videos to help them keep their children safe and drug free.  We need your help by sending parents the link to the “Multimedia” page on the Alliance website.   Please send the following notice to parents in your email database and post on your organization’s home page:

The Pennsylvania Alliance for Safe and Drug Free Children has asked us to promote the prevention videos available for viewing “on-demand” at the Alliance website.  Several prevention videos ranging from 15 to 25 minutes in length are available.  Many have downloadable “talking points” to help you hold conversations with your child.  It is very easy to access these videos (please click here).

If your school or organization has not scheduled an Alliance program this school year, please call or email Deb Kehoe at 724-612-5554 or email her at dmkehoe14@gmail.com  Please schedule now, thank you!  Call us, we can help you plan programs relating to drug prevention,  bullying and other child safety issues.

Upcoming Programs

• Pittsburgh Public Schools - Nurses Training, January 29
• Hampton Wyland Elementary School - Parent Council, March 5
• North Allegeheny - 5th Grade "Listen" program - March 5
• Pine-Richland - 5th Grade "Listen" program - March 13
• Pine-Richland - 8th Grade "Listen II" program - currently being scheduled
• St. Alexis - Transition program fo 7th and 8th grade students - April 17
• North Allegheny - Parent Program (details to follow) - April 16
• Fox Chapel - Program currently being planned - April 18
• Central Catholic - Program currently being planned - April 23
• High School Student Summit - April 19
• Quaker Valley Parent Program -

Completed Programs

• North Hills - 5th Grade "Listen" program
• St. Alexis - Teacher In-Service program
• Regional Administrator's Training program
• North Hills - 9th Grade "Listen II" program
• Cornell School District - Town Hall Meeting
• Safe Schools Conference - Conference Participatant
• Regional School and Agency Nurses Training
• Shaler School District - Town Hall Meeting
• New Community/Spina Bifida Resource Fair Participant

Confusing messages being presented by popular culture, media, proponents of “medical” marijuana, and political campaigns to legalize all marijuana use perpetuate the false notion that marijuana is harmless. This year’s election has created a serious challenge in our efforts to prevent youth drug use. With the popular vote in the states of Washington and Colorado legalizing the use of recreational marijuana, we must be prepared to address the questions, issues and debate that will follow.

We can address the “recreational use of marijuana” by using “research based facts” and information provided by a recognized regional expert. Dr. Neil Capretto, Medical Director for Gateway Rehabilitation, was asked for his expertise and he graciously offered his advice on what our response could be when dealing with this serious debate:

According to Dr. Capretto:

1. Marijuana is still considered a Schedule I drug which makes it illegal by federal law to use for recreational purposes. What we don’t know is how much effort the federal government will make to block the use of marijuana in all states.
    
2. Marijuana is marijuana whether it is grown by the state government or local drug dealer.  Use of marijuana by youth with developing brains can have a variety of negative consequences:

• It lowers IQ rates
• Contributes to increased rates of depression, suicidal ideation, suicidal attempts
• Increases the chance of developing schizophrenia and makes it much more likely to have a psychotic disorder later in life
• It can reduce motivation and school performance
• The use of marijuana CAN lead to greater rates of drug addiction
• Driving under the influence of marijuana is as dangerous as driving under the influence of alcohol.

Synthetic marijuana (K2 Spice) is also a serious concern. Although now illegal in Pennsylvania, synthetic marijuana is sold underground in stores and on the Internet.   Information provided Nicole Kurash, Clinical Director of Gateway Rehabilitation Adolescent Unit, and Elaine Surma, Special Agent for the Office of the Pennsylvania Attorney General should be helpful in addressing this matter in our efforts to keep our children safe and drug free:

1. K2/Spice products are a mixture of herbal/spice plant products sprayed with potent psychotropic drugs, often contaminated with unidentified toxic substances which contribute to various adverse health effects.  The synthetic marijuana “high” is NOT similar to real marijuana.  Rather, this high is more similar to that of chemical hallucinogens such as LSD, PCP or crystal meth.
    
2. Marketed under variety of names including: K2, Spice, Pep Spice, Spice Silver, Spice Gold, Spice Diamond, Smoke, Sence, Skunk, Yucatan Fire, Genie, and Zohai. It is usually sold in variety of colors/flavors, often in foil packaging.  Symptoms/side-effects may include:

• a marijuana "high"(often induced more quickly/more intensely than "real" marijuana)
• hallucinations
• seizures/tremors
• coma/unconsciousness
• vomiting
• numbness/tingling
• increased respiration rate
• elevated blood pressure (reported up to 200/100-medically dangerous)
• elevated heart rate (reported up to rate of 150-medically dangerous)
• increased level of anxiety/agitation leading to panic attacks (possible suicide attempts)

3. Depending on the synthetic compound in specific commercial brands it can be anywhere from 4 times to 100 times more potent than regular marijuana (THC).
    
4. Sold in tobacco shops, head shops, and convenience stores.
    
5. Sold as "incense" marked "not for human consumption".
    
6. Price averages $45 for 3 grams (about equal to 3 sugar packets)-higher than good grade marijuana.
    
7. Most often smoked but can be mixed in with food or drink.
    
8. Most likely users: 14-27 yr. olds. However, drug rehabilitation centers are also seeing an increase in adult usage.
    
9. Likely users are more often involved with the criminal justice system and are being screened on a routine basis for chemical use.  Since the test for detecting the use of synthetic drugs is expensive and not used frequently, those on probation are more likely to use synthetics.

As I investigate these issues in further detail, I will keep you informed. Please feel free to share your insight on my BLOG page so we can all be better prepared to address these alarming concerns.  Alliance Executive Director, Debra Kehoe

Produced by Michael Bartley for The Alliance, this video is suitable for students transitioning into high school and their parents. The traumatic effects of the progression of drug use and overdose as seen through the eyes of parents who have suffered the tragic loss of their children.  This video also provides a list of what every parent should look for and be aware of in dealing with youth drug use and prevention. (Click Here)

Dear Colleague,  

October is National Anti-Bullying Awareness and Cyber Security
Awareness Month, and the FBI Citizen's Academy Alumni Association -
Pittsburgh Chapter,  is serving as one of the Conference Partners for
the InfraGard 2012 Safe Schools Statewide Conference!  Registration for
this event is free, however space is limited.    

Save the date -  October 24, 2012 and register today at:  
http://infragard-2012-safeschools.eventbrite.com/

The  InfraGard Pittsburgh 2012 Safe Schools Statewide Conference brings
together federal, state and local law enforcement, schools and many
non-profit organizations to discuss current and developing trends
relating to cyber, physical and human security issues affecting Pre
K-12, Colleges, Universities, Trade Schools , Businesses (Private and
Public), Parents, and others that have an impact on our nation's
resilience. The conference will provide presentations and an interactive
forum, which focuses on Anti-Bullying Awareness and Cyber Security. This
conference is being provided at no cost to the attendees.

The statewide conference will provide valuable information for: school
administrators, educators, and counselors (PreK-12); university
instructors and students in the education field; business and industry
leaders concerned about organizational resilience and today's youth;
homeland security, public safety and law enforcement officials; and last
but certainly not least – parents

The Pennsylvania Alliance for Safe and Drug Free Children is partnering with an electricity power supplier to raise funds for the Alliance. Duquesne Light purchases power from several power suppliers. Due to deregulation of the power industry, Duguesne Light customers can change energy suppliers to possibly save money on their energy bills. Please consider changing your supplier to Stream Energy. If you do, when you pay your bill to Duquesne Light, Stream Energy will pay a commission to the Alliance at no extra cost to you. You can make this change by visiting the Alliance Power Up! Program web page.

Regional auto dealers are helping keep our children safe and drug free! Throughout May, the following dealers are donating $10 to the Alliance for every new and used car sold:

• Wright Automotive
• Baierl Automotive
• Billco Motors
• Bowser Pontiac
• Day Automotive
• Lexus of North Hills
• Shults Ford
• West Hills/East Hills Nissan

PA ADDICTION PROJECT Group Meeting – Sunday January 22, 2012 at 1:00.   The Post Gazette will be joining us to see what the determination of a Group of people can accomplish!   If you are amazed or appalled about how Addiction is dealt with in our society, please join as we work towards a change - Jade Wellness Center    4105 Monroeville Blvd.  Monroeville, PA

Forty years of the U.S. “War on Drugs” has evolved to the point where we spend billions of dollars in the futile attempt to keep drugs from entering our country, and we spend much less money to help the estimated 23 million Americans currently addicted to drugs.

With little more than 4% of the world’s population, the US has more than 70% of the world’s illicit drugs.

Too many people have someone in their lives who is addicted to drugs or alcohol, but they have no idea what to expect next or how to help their loved one.  As a group, we are raising awareness about addiction and related problems, and we are working to educate people on the subject of addiction as a disease.  If you would like to help advocate for a change and join our group please contact (Lucy@myjadewellness.com) OR call Jade Wellness at 412-380-0100.      

Additionally, JADE Wellness offers Free Addiction Educational Seminars to those trying to deal with the chaos of Addiction in their Families and Lives.   Learn about the Disease of Addiction.   Questions and Answer Sessions by Experts in the Field.            

Schedule of Educational Seminars are as follows:

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

TIME: 6:30 — 8:00 p.m.

4105 Monroeville Blvd Monroeville, PA

Lucy@myjadewellness.com   or call 412-380-0100.

About JADE Wellness Center

JADE Wellness Center is located in Monroeville, PA and committed to provide an outlet to drug addiction through individualized treatment plans, which include Medication Assisted Treatment and counseling.

Our doctors, nurses and staff are among the best in western Pennsylvania and the country. The most talented, experienced and compassionate professionals in the addiction treatment world are at JADE Wellness Center, ready to help you face your situation and prepare to move on with your life. Take a moment and read about each of them.

Jade Wellness accepts the following insurance:

·         Highmark

·         UPMC

·         Health America

·         Cigna

·         Aetna

·         Gateway

·         UPMC for You

·         United Healthcare

Our Offices

We're just a short ride from Pittsburgh, PA, JADE Wellness is located in Monroeville, PA right off of 376-E or the PA Turnpike.