Category: Safe Communities Corner

April was first observed as Child Abuse Prevention Month in 1983 after a proclamation by then president Ronald Regan. The road to that point, however, was long. While the topic of child abuse had been discussed by the medical field as early as 1850, it wasn't until 1962 that how child abuse was addressed finally started to change.It was an article written by Henry Kempe, published in the Journal of American Medical Association, that got the attention of the medical community and lawmakers. This publication became a turning point for battered children. When presenting his article to  the medical community,…

It's ok to be a quitter! You won't hear that often in your life, but when it comes to vaping, we won't just say it's ok to quit, we will encourage a quitter's attitude! Let's deal with the elephant in the room first: withdraw. Yes, once you decide to quit, this is a reality you've got to deal with. Headaches, mood swings, and irritability are all an inevitable part of the body's response to nicotine withdraw. BUT, consider this, by the time you start feeling the symptoms of withdraw, your body has already begun to heal itself. Within just 20…

Wouldn't it be nice if the foods with the best flavor provided the best health benefits? Parents would no longer have to try to come up with clever ways to get vegetables into their children's bellies if a candy bar provided all the nutrients they need. No more turning up their noses at a healthy dinner. No more counting down the spoonsful of vegetables. If only it were that simple. Many young vapers incorrectly believe that vaping is simply breathing flavored air. With flavors like mango and raspberry, its easy to believe that this "air" can't hurt them. The truth…

In an earlier blog we mentioned that e-cigarettes were touted as a safe alternative to smoking traditional cigarettes. Sure, they eliminated the need to burn tobacco, which meant a smoker wasn't ingesting things like carbon monoxide and tar but is it really safer, or are you just trading one harmful habit for another?So what exactly are you ingesting through e-cigs? The American Lung Association has provided a break down of the chemicals found in these products:Nicotine – a highly addictive substance that negatively affects adolescent brain developmentPropylene glycol – a common additive in food; also used to make things like antifreeze, paint…

It used to be that nicotine addiction alone drove the cigarette industry. Sure, each brand had their own slogan or spokesperson to draw business their way, but a cigarette was a cigarette. Aside from choosing between brands and filter options, there just wasn't much thought that was put into the habit. The early e-cigarettes looked just like a traditional cigarette but as the market evolved, companies began to draw users, both adults and teens alike, by making the devices visually appealing and by offering ways to customize the delivery of whatever product you decide to ingest. Let's talk about the…

Step back, even as early as the 70's, and there was a time when Joe Camel, the Marlboro Man, and many "doctors" assured us that smoking was not only cool, it was a safe and effective way to relieve stress. We all know now that we were grossly misinformed. Lung cancer became the leading cause of cancer deaths and the message had to change. Government regulations and a campaign against nicotine addiction made an attempt to reclaim the health of America. By the 1990's, the incidence and mortality rates of lung cancer had largely declined. Enter e-cigarettes. Initially, electronic cigarettes were…

Have you noticed the signs of an abusive relationship in your child? Maybe your intuition is telling you that something about your child's new relationship is 'off'. Do you feel like you are in a tug-of-war battle over your child with a boy/girlfriend? If you notice any of these things, your child is probably in an unhealthy relationship. If your child is dating an unhealthy person, keeping a close relationship to her/him is the best thing you can do. The brutal truth is, that's easier said than done. An abusive partner will do everything possible to alienate your child from…

Trying to get out of a harmful relationship once it starts can be an incredibly difficult process for both the victim and the people who love him/her. Having conversations about the warning signs of abusive relationships BEFORE they occur will give your teen a powerful tool in preventing abuse...knowledge.Here are 10 warning signs to look for as red flags to dating abuse:Using insults, intimidation, or humiliation: This is part of the mental breakdown of a victim.Extreme jealousy, insecurity, or controlling behavior: This might not always seem extreme at first. It starts out very subtle. A "joke" about what they want…

It's no secret that children who have parents who not only take an interest in their activities, but help guide good choices through boundaries and consequences, tend to make healthy decisions throughout their lives. Most parents take an active role in their children's school career and financial habits. While many discuss dating and relationships (in fact, more than they talk about drugs and alcohol), many leave out conversations about unhealthy relationships and dating abuse. Parental involvement in this area provides a protective barrier to safeguard children from engaging in risky relationships. What are steps you can take as a parent…

Nobody wants to imagine that young teens could be anything but smitten and the kind of significant other that fairy tales are made of. The fact that there is a month dedicated to raising awareness for teen dating violence, however, should be enough to peak our attention and have us asking 'why'. This is an issue that not only impacts the children involved, but parents, educators, friends, and the community as well. One in three teens will experience dating abuse before they become adults. To begin, let's take a look at what defines dating violence. Dating violence can happen in…