Avoiding Substance Abuse in AdolescentsNewswise — What parent doesn't fear that their child may be tempted to use drugs, alcohol or tobacco? Generally the peer pressure to abuse substances starts at school when parents are out of sight, and often out of mind. John Knight, M.D., co-director of Adolescent Substance Abuse Program at Children's Hospital Boston, says, "The start of high school is a particularly critical time for parents to be vigilant about drugs and alcohol. This is when kids become mobile, that is, they begin riding in cars creating a very high risk." Dr. Knight adds that the best thing parents can do is talk to their kids, knowing that if their kids don't complain about such talks, then the parents aren't talking enough. He says it's also important for parents to know where their kids are each day after school; he suggests calling the homes of friends to make sure an adult is present. "It may seem harsh to the teenagers, but parents can maintain control. That way their kids stay healthy and alive, and they'll thank them for it later."
Backpacks: How big is too big?More and more children today are coming home with backpacks laden with several books, notebooks, calculators and school supplies, often bent over under the strain of carrying it all. Studies suggest that some students even end up carrying backpacks that are equal to 30 percent of their own body weight. So how do oversized backpacks lead to back problems? This issue is a bit controversial, as there is no specific proof as to whether backpacks are a direct cause of back problems. However, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the American Physical Therapy Association have set out guidelines that should be used with backpacks to reduce the risks associated with them. Children's Hospital Boston Sports Medicine specialist, Pierre d'Hemecourt, MD, maintains that with the right kind of backpack, back pain can be reduced or eliminated.
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