Family Day on September 23rd- Study Highlights the Importance of Family Dinners

Teens that have infrequent family dinners are likelier to smoke, drink, and use marijuana according to the The National Center  on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University (CASA Columbia). CASA has been surveying teens for eighteen years. 

“Family Day is a national movement to encourage parents to frequently eat dinner with their kids and be involved in their children’s lives. Family Day will be celebrated nationwide this year on Monday, Sept. 23rd”, stated Joseph DeMarzo, Coalition Co-Chairperson. According to CASAColumbia’s report The Importance of Family Dinners VII, compared to teens who have frequent family dinners (five to seven per week), those who have infrequent family dinners (fewer than three per week) are:   

• Almost four times likelier to use tobacco  

•  More than twice as likely to use alcohol  

• Two-and-a-half times likelier to use marijuana  

The report also found that teens that have frequent family dinners are likelier to get better grades in school and to say they have an excellent relationship with their parents.  

The CASA Columbia family dinners report reveals that 58 percent of teens report having dinner with their families at least five times a week, a proportion that has remained consistent over the past decade. Having frequent family dinners also encourages healthy family relationships. According to the report, teens that have dinner with their families consistently are: 

One-and-a-half times likelier to report having an excellent relationship with their mother;  More than twice as likely to report having an excellent relationship with their father; and almost twice as likely to report having an excellent relationship with their sibling(s). 

“Family meals are the perfect time to have a conversation with your teen. It affords you the opportunity to spend time with your child, talk to them about their friends, interests and the dangers of drugs and alcohol. Parental engagement is the key, as this study proves.” stated Joseph DeMarzo, Coalition Co-Chairperson.

The study also states that teens that have infrequent family dinners have more access to alcohol, marijuana and prescription drugs (to get high) than teens who have consistent family dinners with their parents and siblings. 

“Having meals, even if they are on the go, with your child gives parents the opportunity to answer questions and recognize that they (the parent) have the power to help keep their children substance free. This is a very powerful study, and the best thing about it is that family dinners are an actionable goal for parents and teens to achieve. It’s not always easy because of busy schedules, but it is doable”, stated Elaine Santos, Putnam County Communities That Care Coalition Coordinator. 

For a FREE Family Dinner Kit please visit: http://casafamilyday.org/familyday/tools-you-can-use/family-dinner-kit/ 

Members of the Putnam County CTC Coalition are available if you have any questions or would like for us to do a presentation to your organization on this or any other substance abuse trends that affect our children  Please visit and join us on Facebook by searching “Putnam County Communities That Care – NY” or on Twitter at http://twitter.com/#!/PutnamCTCNY or call 845-225- 

4646. 

Attention Parents and Educators: Health Concern Over Club Drug ‘Molly’

Tragedy struck over Labor Day weekend at New York City’s three day Electric Zoo music festival, held on Randall’s Island, after two concert-goers, both in their twenties, overdosed and died at the event after consuming “Molly”. At least four others remain in critical condition at area hospitals.  Thousands of teens and young adults attend the festival each year, As a result of the deaths, the third day of the concert was cancelled.

Many parents are asking “What is Molly”? According to the Partnership for a Drug Free America, “Molly,” is the powder or crystal form of MDMA, which is the chemical used in Ecstasy. Some claim that Molly is less dangerous than other illegal drugs because it’s not physically addictive, more pure than other forms of ecstasy and will not cause cognitive impairment as it doesn’t kill brain cells. The reality, however, is that the use of Molly – a stimulant drug – comes with serious health risks. The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) notes that it can cause confusion, anxiety, depression, paranoia, sleep problems and drug craving.

Health risks and signs of Molly can include anything from involuntary teeth clenching, sudden loss of appetite, a loss of inhibitions, transfixion on sights and sounds, nausea, signs of depression and/or sadness, not being able to get out of bed for extended periods,  blurred vision and chills and/or sweating. More serious risks can even include increased heart rate and blood pressure and seizures.

Molly has been a popular drug at music festivals this year and is also mentioned in several popular songs including Miley Cyrus’ “We Can’t Stop”. Festivals are perhaps the most hazardous of settings, because when combined with the hot crowded conditions, intake of MDMA can lead to severe dehydration and dramatic increases in body temperature. This, in turn, can lead to muscle breakdown and kidney, liver and cardiovascular failure. An additional risk of taking Molly is the potential of it being “cut” or mixed with other harmful substances by someone else, despite claims of it being pure.

The Coalition advises parents to know the facts, talk with their kids and don’t take the use of Molly lightly.

If you suspect your child is using Molly (MDMA), please call 911 immediately or take to the Emergency Department of your local hospital. The Upstate Poison Control Center can also be reached at 1-800-222-1222.

Members of the Putnam CTC Coalition are available if you have any questions or would like for us to do a presentation to your organization on this or any other substance abuse trends that affect our children.  Please visit and join us on Facebook by searching “Putnam County Communities That Care – NY” or on Twitter at http://twitter.com/#!/PutnamCTCNY or call 845-225-4646.