If you wanted to keep from getting sunburned, would you apply sunscreen for only one day? Or would it be enough to eat balanced meals for just one week each year if you wanted to be really healthy? Those would be ineffective ways to deal with serious issues. Maintaining your health or preventing skin damage [...]
'Guest Columns' Archive
Every Day of Every Week
Published December 1, 2008.
It’s Easy for Teens to get Alcohol by Kathy Sandberg
Published November 15, 2008.
That’s what a recent nationwide poll of teens says about underage youth and alcohol use. The poll, conducted by the American Medical Association (AMA), shows two out of three teens reporting they get alcohol from their homes without their parents’ knowledge. Perhaps more disturbing, one-third said that it is also easy to obtain alcohol from [...]
Adults Providing Alcohol to Kids by Kathy Sandberg
Published November 1, 2008.
Last week when a local man went to court on charges connected to teens drinking on his property, a group of local community members went to court, too. They went to watch what would happen and to send a message to the court system that underage drinking is a serious risk to our youth. Court [...]
Alcohol and Drug Use New Support for Youth and Families by Joan Janusz
Published October 1, 2008.
How did this happen? What can we do? Are others dealing with the same issues? These are common questions when a loved one struggles with alcohol or other drug use. Not only is the individual using chemicals affected, but also friends, family and the whole community. Dealing with alcohol/drug use is a challenging journey; support [...]
Voices of Recovery from Addiction: Real People, Real Recovery by Joan Janusz and Kathy Sandberg
Published September 1, 2008.
I have a disease that started when I was about 14. Without meaning to, I made choices as a teenager that contributed to my disease. I have battled with my disease for years. It has caused difficult things to happen to my health, my job, my family and friends. I try to deal with my [...]
Our Youth – Keep Them Healthy and Safe by Joan Janusz
Published August 1, 2008.
Youth are our most precious asset. It is alarming and troubling to learn about or live with young people who put themselves in harms way with risky behaviors such as the use of alcohol and drugs. The recent excellent and “sobering” series in the Northfield News is a harsh reminder that drugs are out there [...]
Youth Alcohol Use – (ZAP) Message for Adults By Kathy Sandberg and Joan Janusz
Published July 1, 2008.
It’s a hot summer night, teens are gathering, and a party is gearing up. Imagine such a gathering hosted by your son or daughter. It often starts innocently with a few friends, especially when parents are not home. Once word gets out, attendance can get out of control and alcohol appear on the scene. If [...]
Youth and Drugs: A Community Call to Action by Joan Janusz
Published June 1, 2008.
Alcohol and drug use—rite of youth passage or dangerous game of roulette? The untimely loss of several young people in the past months due to drug related causes is a catastrophic tragedy for their families and friends, and also for the whole community. Losing a life due to drugs should wrench our collective community hearts [...]
March 2008 Article By Sharon Henry
Published March 1, 2008.
On March 5 members of the community came together to provide some background about the events of the summer leading to the development of a coordination of the response to the youth substance abuse in the community. This group discussed what we could do to better our community by helping youth. A grid with ideas [...]
