What To Do if You Think Someone is Being Trafficked
Human trafficking is a transnational, organized crime that affects millions of victims and happens in almost every country in the world, including the United States. Anyone can be a trafficker regardless of social, ethnic, or racial group. Traffickers exploit victims for sex and forced labor by using tactics such as grooming, emotional exploitation, physical restriction, […]
Don’t Wreck the Holidays with Impaired Driving
It’s National Impaired Driving Prevention Month! This campaign, started in 1992, raises awareness about the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or distractions. December is particularly risky, with impaired driving accidents peaking during the holidays. In fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that an average of 300 people die […]
Beating the Holiday Blues
Mental wellness is important at all times of the year but especially during the winter holidays. The cold winter months may affect your mental well-being more than you realize — and the holiday festivities can just add to the stress. It’s not uncommon to feel that you are in a “funk” during this time of […]
Understanding Adult Alcohol Use
For most people, moderate alcohol use is not considered harmful. However, alcohol consumption is linked to a variety of short- and long-term health risks, including vehicular crashes, violence, sexually risky behaviors, high blood pressure, liver disease, mental health challenges, and various cancers, such as breast and liver cancer. Research confirms that these risks increase proportionally […]
7 Things Everyone Should Know About Fentanyl
The opioid crisis has been making headlines recently, with fentanyl as a particularly hot topic. If you work in education or in the justice system, you’ve probably heard or seen some of the damaging effects of this drug. 1. What is Fentanyl? Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that was originally developed for medical purposes. It’s […]
Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month
February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month (TDVAM). The reality is that only 33% of teens who are in abusive relationships ever tell anyone. Teens often don’t know how to initiate a conversation about it or are unaware they are in an abusive situation. As a parent or someone who works with teens, you can change […]
Tips for Maintaining Mental Health over the Holidays
If the thought of the holidays doesn’t exactly fill you with cheer, don’t worry – you’re not alone. Around 64% of people with mental illness report that the holidays make their conditions worse. Moreover, according to the American Psychological Association, roughly 38% of people overall say their stress increases during the holiday season, which can […]
The Lowdown on Medical Amnesty Laws: Why Educating College Students Matters
Unfortunately, there is a stigma attached to alcohol and drug-related emergencies. Students may hesitate to seek help due to concerns about judgment or reputational damage— especially if they are underage drinking. They are often afraid, ashamed or they simply don’t know who to call in the face of these emergencies. According to the Medical Amnesty […]
Strategies for Fostering Positive Relationships With School Resource Officers
As students, educators and staff, we all want to feel safe in our schools. One way that schools try to ensure this is by having School Resource Officers (SROs) on campus. SROs are law enforcement officers who are assigned to work in schools to help maintain a safe and secure learning environment. Not only can […]
The Impact of Legalized Marijuana on College Campuses
The jury is still out on whether prohibiting or decriminalizing marijuana has increased the use of the drug among young people. Although studies have shown that recreational use has increased in states where it’s been legalized by 20 percent, marijuana use is still highly debated. As more and more states legalize marijuana for both medicinal […]
