I do realize that the reason behind this proposed new law is the threat of school shootings. After all, people just want to make sure that children are safe while they attend school. Kids shouldn’t have to be afraid to go to school; it should be a safe, normal part of life. But surely allowing teachers to carry a gun in school exposes students to the very thing they should be protected from - possible gun violence? Surely, seeing a teacher carrying a loaded weapon serves as a constant reminder of that violence? Maybe the reminder of the possibility would disturb students so much that they wouldn’t be able to concentrate and learn in class...

After all, I may be wrong but I don’t believe that a teacher is exactly equipped to act as a law enforcement officer even if they are allowed to carry a loaded weapon and have had some sort of gun safety training on a firing range. There is no substitute for a seasoned police officer during a violent situation whether on school grounds or elsewhere.

Maybe a teacher carrying a gun would help in the fight against an armed stranger coming onto school grounds but what about the danger that may already exist in a school?

Normally, adolescence is a time when teens experience life-changing situations. But to “add fat to the fire”, consider that many other issues may impact teen behavior and cause teens to react in a more volatile, impulsive, and sometimes dangerous manner. During adolescence some teens are known to experience aggression; conduct disorders; the effects of mind-altering ADD / ADHD prescription medications; mental illness; substance-induced rage or psychosis; gang violence; and school schooter ideation, etc. so the problem may intensify. So, who's to say that a teacher carrying a gun in school wouldn’t give a troubled student a bad and terrible idea? Who’s to say that it won’t provide the impetus for a certain kind of student to try and take the gun from the teacher and do something they might never have thought about before or have been fantasizing about for a while?

It would almost be like dangling a carrot before a horse. Allowing teachers to carry a gun would make an already tense situation worse. And some students might even see the gun as their big chance to become famous like other school shooters. Do we really want to take that chance? It has taken a while but most of us finally see youth exposure to guns and violence as detrimental to their development so why now expose them to that very thing that might hurt them - and in a classroom no less?

Don’t get me wrong, I believe that people have the right to defend themselves and bear arms in certain situations but not in the classroom. What do you think?

She sat down and read it and when she was done, she said that she thought the book was too violent and too graphic because one of the main characters was hurt very badly at the end. So, she didn’t think that her school could use a copy of the book. This was a major disappointment since we were all excited about the book and about how it would be a great teaching tool for teachers and/or parents who want to have those tricky discussions with children. We know there is a need for conversation and discussion about how curiosity, a sense of danger, peer influence, and decision-making can impact our future and that of our families.

Obviously, we don't think the “Brothers” Storybook is too violent or too graphic because, in the world today, our children are exposed and conditioned to every day violence, bullying, gang activity, and death and destruction in movies, video games, anime cartoons, TV shows, music, peer conversation, and even the evening news. Many fairytales are violent and do not end well for children. If it is too sugar-coated and happy, it is not realistic enough to encourage our young people to think, or more importantly, to express what they think, or fear, or see in their surroundings.

We think this is a well thought out and very well told animal fable about a brother, Milo, who worries and experiences many feelings and expresses those feelings very well, which generates many opportunities for kids to visualize how this story can and does play into their thought process and their lives. We need to prepare kids for what goes on in the world around them. They are better protected when they are better prepared to think through what they know ---- Kids know if there is gang activity in their school - just like they know if someone may pose a danger to themselves and to other students; if someone is carrying a gun on school grounds; when and where a fight is going to take place; if someone is being bullied; or if any of their friends or classmates is using drugs.  

The “Brothers” Storybook was illustrated by one of our local Fine Arts students and it is graphic… But sometimes graphic content is exactly what kids need to get their attention. After all, that’s why movie, cable, video game, and anime cartoon executives use it. Except, in this case, graphic content that is not bloody or deadly is being used to encourage kids to think and to learn something valuable while perhaps preventing them from becoming involved in a very dangerous lifestyle in which there are consequences for the entire family… Because in real life decisions, peer influence and running with the wrong pack can be dangerous and life-changing and to treat it as anything less would be to sugar-coat it and not really relate the message of a cautionary tale…. We would love for you to get a copy and read it for yourself or maybe come by our office and read it here. Let us know what you think…

Maybe they have been given too much in their short little lives and so think they deserve to have whatever they want at the moment despite the consequences it may bring. Or, maybe their parents never told them there were any consequences for their actions or never enforced any consequences against them. Or, maybe it could be that their parents actually shield them from suffering the consequences because, “Heaven forbid that their precious child should be unhappy. That just wouldn’t do!”

These kids actually have a “laissez fair” attitude about everything that they do – even if it verges on the illegal like underage drinking and drug use; texting while driving; or driving under the influence.

Sometimes, I think the media plays a part in this attitude… Teens go to the movies or watch TV Shows where teens are the center of the universe and parents only exist on the sidelines so teens can have a mansion to live in; gourmet food to eat; designer clothes to wear; the ultimate cell phone to talk /text on all day; an expensive car just to drive to school in; and the ability to come and go as they please. So, teens may also be getting this attitude towards life from watching what they perceive as their “peers” on both the small and big screen. Ah, the magic of Hollywood... It takes me back to those “Brat Pack” Movies of years past, which were said to actually mirror teen angst...

Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like teen attitudes are going to change any time soon because some parents are either in denial about what’s going on; don’t seem to be too inclined to do anything about it; are making excuses about having to work all day so they don’t have time to parent their own kids; think that their son / daughter is old enough to take care of themselves; or think that teachers or other adults need to parent their kids.

In spite of the impression this gives, I still think that the majority of young people out there don’t have an attitude; aren’t disrespectful to their parents and other adults; excel in school because they value education and want to succeed in life; think that cheating is wrong no matter how you look at it; and don’t drink or use drugs because they are aware of the consequences. But we don’t hear about these teens because you don’t make the news for doing positive things. You don’t get attention when the media focuses on negative not positive behavior - and bad news sells. So, the bad behavior of a few puts the majority in a negative light. I don’t think that’s right, do you? I still believe there are a lot of good kids out there who will one day run this country but sometimes it’s hard to think that when teens are perceived so negatively.

It’s tough to get the truth out there... What do you think?

Firstly, the working environment is excellent and my fellow interns are extremely kind, hard-working and just the right amount of comical. There is never a boring day at GFP. One day, you’re cutting up in a meeting for the Youth Summit and the next, scrambling to meet deadlines for the upcoming "OutRAGEous Fest". Secondly, I’ve learned a lot about the world today, that I never knew about. For example, just the other week, I finally learned what “twerking” was and believe me, I was shocked! Next, there is a carefree atmosphere about the office, no uniforms, no yelling, and you can take a little break if needed. On top of this, we have no definite schedules - our working hours depend completely on our projects and meetings that we need to attend. Finally, a day at GFP is always fun. One day, you could come in completely upset and leave that day with a smile on your face. The second you come in, you’re greeted with smiles, a friendly “hello”, and the little cat that stays by the door never fails to make you smile.

As for the interns, I have yet to meet all of them, but the ones I know are extremely pleasant to be around. Whether you’re just cutting up around the office, or helping each other out with a project for an upcoming camp or for a presentation, they’re always here to help you. Not only that, but in between our work, we have a good time and relax. What job do you know of that would allow you to take a break and just browse the internet for a few minutes? Although the interns can be serious, they can also be silly. Last week, a few of our interns actually “prank-called” our boss, Carol! How many bosses do you know of that would actually laugh at a prank call from one of their employees? Not many!

While many teens complain about not having a job or having to drag their feet into work each day to clock in and do all these boring things, I sit back and just think of how good I have it to be able to love my job. To be able to come to work and actually enjoy what I do is priceless. I thought that when I did get a job as a teenager, I would hate it and only stay to make money for things I need, but it’s the exact opposite with GFP. I would actually volunteer for this, if needed. In conclusion, I love working as an intern for GFP and in my opinion, this is the coolest job a teenager could have.

I have always admired those who have a commanding knowledge of the world of chemistry. They can synthesize anything and have an abundance of handy hints from Eloise-type knowledge. (Did you know that if you’re out of dishwashing powder you can substitute tetra sodium phosphate? But don’t try this at home, just go buy Calgon.)

Chemistry, especially the organic flavor, was the albatross of my college classes. Ironically, my first job after graduation was as a chemist.

Thus, just one year removed from the “sulfur-scented” hallways of Brackett Hall, I was once again shaking beakers and assembling glassware to effectively contain exothermic chemical reactions and prevent explosions in the real world of chemical manufacturing. The environmental movement didn’t move very fast, so 10 years later, I was a bonafide chemist who belonged to the American Chemical Society.

Those chemical memories returned today as I read a study on the hazards of “third hand smoke”. It reminded me of my organic chemistry final exam because it had enough supporting information to give my chemistry professors group migraines.

The study shows that when residual nicotine from tobacco smoke is absorbed by indoor surfaces, there is a reaction with ambient nitrous oxide to produce tobacco specific nitrosamines (TSNA’s) which are carcinogenic. If you’re planning on handling TSNA’s be sure to do it in a fume hood with ventilation and wear OSHA approved personal protective equipment (nitrile gloves, goggles, impervious lab suit).

Some places where TSNA’s can be found are car interiors, furniture, clothing, restaurant menus, food and human skin. This lingering residue, called “third hand smoke”, can get into the body by absorption through the skin, by inhaling dust particles in the room or eating an apple in the room where someone has smoked.

If you are a smoker who says, “I don’t smoke around my kids / family” you should take the following precautions. Don’t smoke around food or in an enclosed space where anyone may enter later (car, private office). After smoking, bathe, wash your hair and put on fresh clothes before picking up a baby or giving lap time to a toddler. Throw away any footwear that cannot be washed.

Or, you could become a nonsmoker. A good place to start is to call the South Carolina Tobacco Quitline (1-800-QUIT NOW).

As the saying goes, where there’s smoke there’s toxic residue.

Pardon the pun, but it is “high time” we take back the day and focus on the “Drug-Free” message and put an end to their misguided attempts to glamorize a drug that, contrary to their claims, is a harmful, addictive substance. Everyone but, especially, parents should be very aware of this day and the promotion that takes place. If your children recognize this day, then you may have a problem and need to have a very focused discussion about this drug that is being pushed by a few extremely wealthy individuals, the pro-drug lobby, and those who want to legally use and sell marijuana.

April 20th is a very special day in the lives of many people who celebrate their birthday or anniversary and I fall into that category. It is my wedding anniversary and the most important and memorable day in my life. It is ironic that the very day I will always remember, the day that started me on the most wonderful and meaningful journey of my life is also linked to this illegal propaganda message. It is sad that the date is hijacked by a destructive message about which there is nothing to celebrate. Numerous studies have repeatedly linked marijuana use to birth defects, respiratory system damage, cancer, mental illness, violence, infertility, and immune system damage and yet they so easily promote this to our children as the day to “light up” and take the chance to ruin your life. The latest information from the “U.S. Treatment Episode Data Set” reports that 16.1% of drug treatment admissions had marijuana as the primary drug of abuse, compared to 6% in 1992.

Can anyone explain or justify that smoking “anything” is a good or healthy activity and something to celebrate? I don’t think so, yet many keep pushing pro-drug legislation to justify their “pipe dream” of legalization. 420 can be a wonderful day to celebrate and begin a conversation with our children about the truth of how beautiful life can be without the chains of addiction or the cost and pain of dysfunction cause by marijuana use. While I celebrate my 45th wedding anniversary, I will also celebrate all the young people in this world who strive to live the good life—a drug-free life. This is not an action that will cost anyone a penny - it is an action that can save someone’s future and it may be your child or a child you know. What a wonderful return on an investment in our future!

Parents, we can take back April 20th and show the world we do strive to reach our full potential! If you would like more information about talking to your kids about drugs, please check out our website, visit our resource center or call us at 864.467.4099

So now, John stood before me, smelling of tobacco, his eyes watering with desperation as we talked.

John could remember with impressive recall the details of smoking that first cigarette.  It was just one. He had finally caved to pressure applied by his friend. They were 15 years old so there was plenty of time to quit. Old people who smoked were just too weak to quit. Before long,  he had become a daily smoker.

At first, it made him sick, but he was not about to give up smoking and face the horrors of harassment from his pals. To a teen, quitting would be worse than admitting you like your parent's music.

So, one a day became five. Then within a year, he was abounding with coolness and was smoking a pack a day. It cost a bit, but it was still cheaper than popcorn and soda at the movies, where he admired Audrey Hepburn and Cary Grant as they smoked what seemed like an endless chain of cigarettes.  And they didn't look sick as Granddad.

Fortunately, thousands of people have quit. For John, it will be his battle to win.  There's help: counseling, medications, hypnosis, support groups, etc. but they do not guarantee success.

Regina Benjamin, M.D, the current Surgeon General, has stated that nearly all tobacco use begins during youth.  No surprise there. We can make future generations tobacco-free if we engage them at an early age with prevention programs that focus on the social, environmental, advertising and marketing influences.

Let's create a world where seeing people smoke or use tobacco products is the exception, not the norm.

Let's do it for John's grandkids.

In one of our parenting classes, we have parents watch a video that shows why smoking around their kids is a bad idea and exactly what secondhand smoke does to a child in a way that most parents will understand. Even though this video forces parents to take a hard look at how their smoking affects their kids, after watching it only a few parents are actually concerned enough to consider changing their behavior by stopping smoking around their kids; smoking only outside the home; cutting down on their smoking; or actually quitting smoking.

Apparently, an eye-opening video isn’t enough to make the majority of parents see their smoking habit as actually detrimental to the health of their own kids. It’s as if they still see it as a matter of their own prerogative about what they will or won’t do with their own bodies but it’s more than that – not only is it a decision about whether or not parents will smoke themselves, it’s also a decision about whether or not their kids will smoke along with them.

This is my opinion, but it seems to me that some parents don’t really want to examine their own behavior in relation to raising their kids. They don’t think they need to quit smoking because their own behavior has nothing to do with raising their kids. They think that “parenting” involves telling their kids what they can and cannot do and not modeling positive behavior for their children, including quitting smoking or not smoking at all.

I believe it is contradictory to think that children can be healthy and drug-free if they are raised in an environment in which there is smoking and ongoing nicotine use.