Synthetic Drugs: What You Need To Know
Synthetic drugs, sold under the names K2 or Spice at convenience stores, are becoming a popular way for children to get high. These products contain herbs sprayed with chemicals that mimic the effects of drugs like marijuana. Other products sold as bath salts contain chemicals that replicate the effects of cocaine or methamphetamine.
Q & A with Chasing James
There is a new local kids band that you need to meet. OKC-area musicians Lisa Curl and Laura Franklin have come together to form Chasing James and here is why your kids will love them: MFM: What led you to start Chasing James?
Laura: Lisa and I have been playing music together for eight years. When we each had our kids, it was a natural transition to play more kid-focused shows. Our little boys with a common middle name (James) and since we are usually “chasing” them about, it seemed like the perfect name for our new group. MFM: What do you hope to bring to your audience?
“These products are typically sold in gas stations, so teens and adults often wrongfully assume these products are safer, less harmful than street drugs,” warns Mark Woodward of the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics. “But over the past four years, the Bureau has seen a sharp increase in hospital admissions and deaths from these synthetic products, which can increase the heart rate, blood pressure, cause hallucinations and produce other effects that can lead to injury or death.” The Bureau encourages parents to be aware of suspicious behavior from their teens that might indicate they are abusing these synthetic drugs, including paranoia, sleeping for long periods of time, unprovoked mood swings and agitation. Woodward urges parents to look at website browsing history (these drugs are often sold online) and pay attention to store receipts for unknown product names. Parents can call 1-800-522-8031 or visit www. ok.gov/obndd to learn more or to report convenience stores in their communities that they suspect are illegally selling synthetic drugs.
Lisa: Fun! Confidence! We want everyone to know that they are creative and capable. Our shows and songs are geared towards crowd participation. MFM: What is the best part about playing music for kids?
Lisa: There’s nothing more joyful than seeing a child smile, sing and dance along to music. MFM: What are you most excited about with the new CD?
Laura: We wanted to create an album with traditional songs that kids were familiar with. Lisa and I also included a few songs that we wrote while singing to our own kiddos. Learn more at www.facebook.com/chasingjames.
Additions to Oklahoma A+ Schools Network
Cesar Chavez and Gatewood Elementary Schools in Oklahoma City and Lincoln and Reagan Elementary Schools in Norman are the newest additions to the Oklahoma A+ network of schools. Currently, the network includes more than 70 schools across the state and has a track record of improving test scores, reducing behavioral problems and creating more engaged students.
“We are creating lifelong learners, and we look forward to extending our mission to these four new schools,” said Jean Hendrickson, executive director of Oklahoma A+ Schools. “We focus on reaching students in the ways they learn best… we help our schools better engage students by presenting curriculum in a collaborative, hands- on way.”
Based at the University of Central Oklahoma, Oklahoma A+ Schools provides regular training and professional development opportunities for teachers and principals, networking opportunities with other schools, and access to resource materials. Schools in Oklahoma must apply to the program, which is free for those selected. For more information, call 405-974-3779 or visit www.aplusok.org.
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www.metrofamilymagazine.com | August 2012
Kids Crave Fun in Youth Sports
In a new national survey of children ages 8–14 who play team sports, 84 percent say they sometimes wish they had more fun while playing and 31 percent wished adults weren’t watching their games. The survey of 300 children was commissioned by the nonprofit arm of i9 Sports, the nation’s fastest growing youth sports franchise. Of the young athletes who participated in the survey, 47 percent say they quit a team or wanted to quit playing because it was no longer fun, 29 percent said teammates were mean and 23 percent say that practices that interfere with other activities. And why don’t they want adults to watch their games? Mostly because adults yell too much, are too distracting, and put pressure on them to play better and win.
The survey also reveals:
• 63 percent say they have fun even if their team loses. • 42 percent say they would rather play video games than sports. Why? 74 percent say gaming is more fun, 28 percent say sports can be too competitive, 20 percent say their coach doesn’t let them play as much as they want, and 17 percent say they feel too much pressure to win. “This survey clearly shows that America needs to reevaluate youth sports, which have become too cut throat and competitive,” says Brian Sanders, COO and President of i9 Sports. “We forget sports are teaching tools for life. Kids are learning behaviors picked up by teammates, coaches and parents. We need to be better teachers. We need to let kids have fun. ”