New synthetic drugs are now being marketed in Pennsylvania.  A new product named, “Jewelry Cleaner” (synthetic cocaine) is on the shelves of head shops and some convenience stores. It comes as a powder in a vile. Two that we know of are called “Eight Ballz” and “Cosmic Blast.”  There are probably others.  These are very dangerous chemicals and can cause hallucinations and body temperature increases up to 108 degrees.  (read more)

Dear Community,

The Alliance is planning to produce another educational video: “Listen II”.

For those of you who have not viewed our very first video, “Listen”, I encourage you to do so.

“Listen” tells the story through a mother’s eyes the pain and suffering families experience from the loss of a child to drugs.  This powerful video, produced in 2004, has been viewed by thousands of parents and children from 5^th grade through high school.

For “Listen II”, we will be looking for a variety of testimonials that address drug use, addiction, over dose and cyber bullying.  Participants for this video that we would like to speak with include parents, siblings, friends, grandparents as well as individuals who have recovered from drug addiction.  

This video will be used in Alliance town hall meetings, in-service programs for professionals, student/parent programs as well as streamed on the Alliance web site.

If you would be interested in sharing your story, please contact Debbie Kehoe to schedule an interview.  Interviews will be held mid November in the Alliance’s office. Not all interviews will be selected for the video.

Drug use and bullying are serious safety concerns that impact all of us. Your stories will assure that the message continues to be heard.

Thank you in advance for considering participating in this endeavor.

I remain sincerely yours,

Debbie Kehoe, Executive Director

(724) 612-5554

Dmkehoe14@gmail.com

Please forward this announcement to your church ministry, church youth leaders and other regional faith based organizations.

“Raising Awareness of Today’s Youth Culture”

A free luncheon/workshop for faith based professionals

North Way Christian Community, Wexford Campus

November 10, 2011

11:00 to 3:30 P.M.

Today’s youth face many challenges that involve serious safety concerns.  Drug and alcohol use, cyber bullying, sexting, increased symptoms of depression and potential threat of suicide are behaviors that impact everyone. We believe that providing workshops for faith based and school professionals is crucial to understanding and dealing with these serious safety issues.

Agenda

11:00 to 11:30  Registration
11:30 to 12:15  Lunch
12:15 to 12:30  Video: “Signs of Trouble”
12:30 to 1:00    Teen Challenge Testimonials
1:00   to 1:45    Drugs 101
1:45   to  2:00   Break
2:00   to  2:30   Cyber Bullying and Depression
2:30   to  3:30   Panel Discussion

Please click here for our on-line registration by November 3^rd. 

If you have any questions, please contact Debbie Kehoe at dmkehoe14@gmail.com 

Or by calling (724) 612-5554

Dear School Administrators, Faith Based Youth Leaders and Ministers, Community Agencies and Law Enforcement,

On October 19^th and 20^th, The Alliance will be hosting a drug impairment training for educational professionals.  Act 48 credit is available (bring your PDE number). This training will be presented by the PA State Police.  It is my sincere hope that all of our Alliance member schools will consider sending (at least) a team of three.  This invitation is extended to non Alliance member schools as well.  In addition, I believe this training would also benefit our faith based community, local law enforcement (including probation officers) and community agencies that work with children. 

Attached to this letter is a detailed description of the training and an on-line registration form.  Please complete your registration as soon as possible and reply no later than October 5^th.  I and a couple of my peers attended this training in July.  What follows are testimonials from that training experience.

I learned so much from the Drug Impairment Training classes I would go back again! There was so much useful information provided from lecture, videos, manuals, classroom participation, recourses and assessment tools. The instructors were knowledgeable and very helpful. This training is well worth your time. I would highly recommend this training. Sue Karn CSN, North Hills Junior High

I recently attended the “Drug Impairment Training for Education Professionals” and found the content to be interrelated to the work Gateway Rehab provides in adolescent/young adult substance abuse and addiction treatment.  In addition to comprehensive treatment, Gateway Rehab also provides Student Assistance Training and consultation to districts throughout Western Pennsylvania.  I believe the information provided by the PA State Police will enhance our training components and reinforce the ability to disseminate information to front line faculty and staff when faced with students who may be under the influence of substances.  Holly Livingston, Gateway Rehab Community Outreach, PA Commonwealth Student Assistance Trainer

I also had the opportunity to attend this training and was extremely impressed with the materials provided and the knowledge I gained concerning the 7 categories of drugs, signs and symptoms of use (including alcohol), assessment measures and communicating with parents. As a former student assistance counselor, I believe this is a must for counselors, nurses, administrators and youth leaders to attend. 

Debra Kehoe, Executive Director

The Alliance For Safe & Drug Free Children

P.S.  We will have various resource booths available both days of the training

2010-2011 Annual Report

The Alliance has just completed its 8^th year as an official 501 (c) 3 organization.  Over the course of time we have adapted to the ever changing economic times, the needs of our school community and the ongoing challenge of raising awareness of the safety concerns that impact our children. During the 2010-2011 school year, The Alliance has undergone numerous changes to assure its sustainability while raising to the challenge of providing the region and our members with vital programs and web site resources.  Read more ...

2011-2012 Alliance Calendar/Resource Guide Now Available

Artwork, poems and lyrics from last spring’s 7^th grade poster contest are featured along with “tips” on how to use the Alliance website resources.  Just send your name and address to dmkehoe14@gmail.com and we will send you this great calendar and resource guide. Enclosed will be a pre-addressed envelope to the Alliance for any donation you can give to help keep our children safe and drug free.

Upcoming 2011 Programs

·         September 27 – North Hills Parent Partnership Program for 5^th grade students and parents at the North Hills Junior High. Program begins at 7:00 pm.

·         October 19 and 20 – Drug Impairment Training for educational and community professionals.  

·         October 27 – Town Hall Meeting at Sts. John and Paul Catholic Church – Begins at 7:00 pm.

·         November 10 – Faith based in-service at North Way Christian  Community.

Alliance Book Recommendation

DRUGS OF ABUSE "FROM DOCTORS TO DEALERS, USERS AND HEALERS"

“Drugs of Abuse: From Doctors to Dealers, Users and Healers” is a new book that provides much needed information about the drugs that are being abused in our society. Illustrated and concise, this material is presented in a simplistic manner that will be appreciated by all, but will provide professionals in treatment and prevention, education and law enforcement, and all areas of healthcare with an excellent reference source. By combining historical information and photographs, with contemporary “street” information and data, this book covers all of the material necessary to gain a thorough understanding of the drugs of abuse. Author Michael Palladini, a registered pharmacist and certified addictions counselor, has written this book with the intention of increasing awareness and knowledge of substance abuse, and to bridge the gap between pharmacy and treatment. Learn More ...

Prescription Drug Addiction

A new national report shows that from 1999 to 2009 (the most recent year with available figures) substance abuse treatment admissions among those 12 and older have gone up for cases involving alcohol, opiates, and marijuana. The report by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) shows that one of the most notable shifts that has occurred in this period was in the rise of opiate admissions attributable mostly to prescription drugs – from 8-percent of all opiate admissions in 1999 to 33-percent in 2009 Read more ....

The National Drug Institute on Drug Abuse reports 48 million Americans have misused prescription drugs and its now the leading cause of fatal overdoses nationwide. Read more ...

Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) is offering a FREE webcast for community agencies and organizations on August 25, from 1-2 p.m. EST.  During the program, “The Blunt Truth: Communities Dealing with Marijuana,” representatives from various states will discuss how medical marijuana laws and marijuana legalization efforts are impacting their communities, and what they’re doing to tackle this issue. Pre-registration is required. 

Join host Mary Elizabeth Elliott, CADCA’s Vice President of Communications, Membership, and Information Technology, as the guests explore how coalitions can counteract the negative marijuana influence in their communities as laws and attitudes change – whether it’s medical marijuana or marijuana legalization, in general.

The panel will suggest ways to educate the public about marijuana’s harmful effects on the developing brain, and how some coalitions are working with local and state governments on legislation and ordinances.

Did You Know?

Did you know that the Alliance web site provides an opportunity for viewers to comment on Alliance programs, current thoughts and issues?  Read More

In May, Alliance Against Drugs representatives had the fantastic opportunity to speak to nearly 200 regional school football coaches at the USA Football Coaching School hosted by the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Alliance presentation focused on the important role of coaches in helping keep our youth safe and drug free.

Please watch a few minutes of the program,

“Just What Can Coaches Reasonably Do.”

Photos by Pittsburgh Steelers / Sue Pantano