Posted on February 1, 2011 by Frank Dito

First Dangerous Drinks, Now Bath Salts? Yes, Bath Salts Are the New New York High.

I have blogged about the dangers of four loko, a highly-caffeinated cheap alcoholic drink, and incense, widely available to all and known as the "legal pot." Through responsible government action, four loko was removed from store shelves in New York City. We are still waiting for the "zero tolerance" law to be passed which would prohibit the sale of synthetic marijuana. However, a new danger is facing Island parents - bath salts. Yes, bath salts have now been labeled a "drug of concern" by the DEA.

Don't let the name fool you. These salts contain a stimulant with effects similar to that of methamphetamine or cocaine With names such as Ivory Snow, Hurricane Charlie or Ivory Wave, these chemicals have raised concern with authorities throughout the U.S., with many lawmaker's preparing bills banning their sale. The effects of the drugs contained in the bath salts are so powerful that one user slit his face and stomach repeatedly while under its influence. Another is reported to have committed suicide after the bath salts caused three days of delirium.

These bath salts contain mephedron and methylenedioxypyrovalerone, or MPDV, drugs that are made in a lab and not regulated because they are not intended for human consumption. The salt powders are snorted, injected or smoked by the user and immediately affect the central nervous system. The salts can increase your blood pressure to dangerous levels, trigger a heart attack or stroke, and are highly addictive. They are also widely available on-line and in convenience stores. Once again, a life-threatening drug has been placed in easy reach of our children and we, as parents, are unable to do anything to stop it. Legislation banning this drug could take years before becoming effective. What will happen in the meantime? Will this drug become the designer drug of choice for many addicts? How many people will die and how many lives will be ruined before this drug is banned. Urge your senators and congressmen to act now, before more of our children are lost forever.

Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted on September 8, 2010 by Frank Dito

New York City School Children Have Protection Against Bully's

The Dignity for All Students Act was signed into law today by Governor David Patterson. The law protects students from harassment because of their race, color, weight, national origin, ethnic group, religion, religious practice, disability, sexual orientation, gender or sex. Schools are required to create an environment free from harassment and discrimination by revising their codes of conduct and designating staff members to prevent such behavior.

In signing the bill, Patterson noted that far too often, school children are ruthlessly targeted by bullies. The bill's sponsor, State Senator Thomas Duane, noted the bills intention; No child should be terrified to go to school due to bullying and harassment. In the technology age, bullying has subjected children to a 24/7 onslaught of harassment, with no escape. The proliferation of facebook, Myspace and text messaging has created a virtual world in which for bullies to work and to hide anonymously behind their actions.

The law is to take effect on July 1, 2012 but certain provisions will take effect before that date. Numerous other states have enacted anti-bullying laws, including Georgia, where an 11-year old boy committed suicide after being repeatedly being bullied at school. As a parent, you need to be aware of signs that your child is being bullied in school. Some possible warning signs are if your child comes home with torn or damaged clothing, appears sad or depressed when he comes home from school, has frequent bad dreams or seems afraid to go to school. If your child has any of these signs, talk with your child and then talk with the teachers at your child's school. If your child is being bullied, take quick action as bullying can have serious effects on children.

Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted on March 30, 2010 by Frank Dito

Bullys in the Classroom - Are We Doing Enough?

I am shocked to have read numerous recent articles about children who have committed suicide because of bullying at school or on-line through social networking sites.  Children as young as 9-years-old have taken their own life, an age when they should be enjoying each day instead of worrying about social pressures. I am the father of two beautiful children, ages 2 and 7, and could not imagine what could someday ever be so wrong in their lives that they would want to stop living. What is causing the unimaginable to happen? I feel that the problem is the influx of social networking sites and the "instant information sharing" society that we have become. Some of these children endure months and even years of verbal assaults, threats of physical violence, and cruel and malicious attacks strewn over the Internet.  

The list is horrifying: In January, a 9-year-old Texas boy hung himself in a school bathroom. It's hard to believe that a 9-year-old could even contemplate suicide, let alone commit it. Last April an 11-year-old Massachusetts boy, Carl Joseph Walker-Hoover, hung himself minutes before leaving to go to meet with school authorities to discuss the continued harassment about his sexual orientation. In January, a 15-year -old Massachusetts girl, Phoebe Prince, was found dead in her home, a victim of bullying that continued even after she died. A 17-year-old Long Island teen, Alexis Pilkington, committed suicide after reading cruel and malicious attacks against her on social networking sites.

The Internet and cell phones have brought to life a new form of bullying, known as cyberbullying, When we were in school, the bully was usually confined to the schoolyard and you could escape by standing up or fleeing into your home. Now, there is no place you are safe from the constant onslaught of the Internet and text messaging and no real way to stand up to the bully. Cruel posts were even made to some of the facebook memorials posted after their death.

Schools need to do more to prevent this growing problem. Social networking sites have given bully's the comfort of anonymity, being able to say such horrible things about someone without any consequences. The first line of defense is in our schools, where our children interact with their friends and encounter the "bully". New York City schools have enacted rules intended to deter intimidation and harassment based on ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation or disability. The rules require that every principal designate a staff member to whom students can report bullying, and schools will be required to report complaints to the Department of Education within 24 hours and to investigate the complaints and contact the families of students accused of bias-based harassment.

Watch your children. Get to know their friends, what their Internet habits are, what websites they frequent. Look for some of the signs such as your child suddenly being reluctant to go online or to use a cell phone; avoiding a discussion about what they’re doing online; depression, mood swings, change in eating habits; and aloofness or a general disinterest in school and activities. A child closing the browser or turning off the cell phone when a parent walks in the room can be a sign of cyberbullying. We need to protect our children.

Tags: , , ,