Leadership to Keep Children Alcohol Free

Leadership to Keep Children Alcohol Free, a unique coalition of Governor's spouses, Federal agencies and public and private organizations, is an initiative to prevent the use of alcohol by children ages 9 to 15. It is the only national effort focusing on alcohol use in this age group.

On this coalition's web site are some alarming statistics:

The Child

• Each day, 7,000 kids in the United States under the age of 16 take their first drink.
• Of the people who begin drinking before age 14, 47% become dependent at some point.
• 63% of 8th graders and 83% of 10th graders believe that alcohol is readily available.
• Almost 20% of 8th graders and 41% of 10th graders have been drunk at least once.
• Ninth grade girls now report consuming about as much as ninth grade boys.
• 33.9% of ninth graders reported consuming alcohol before they were age 13.
• 5th through 11th graders exposed to alcohol advertisements have favorable beliefs about alcohol and say they are more likely to consume more alcohol.

The Family

• Before the age of 18, 25% of children are exposed to family alcoholism, addiction or alcohol abuse.
• Children of alcoholics are more likely to initiate adolescent drinking and develop alcohol disorders.
• Parents drinking behaviors have initiated adolescent drinking.
• Children are less likely to drink with positive parent interaction and clear expectations.
• Drinking during pregnancy presents a risk to the fetus.
• Older siblings alcohol use influences younger siblings

Teachers, principals, coaches, guidance counselors and school resource officers play important roles in preventing underage drinking. Schools must establish alcohol awareness and policies that set clear expectations and consequences. Students must be keenly aware that underage drinking is not acceptable behavior.

Click to visit Leadership to Keep Children Alcohol Free

Steroids: Dangerous, Damaging, Dishonorable

Steroids in professional, college and high school sports are a dishonorable contradiction to the integrity of athleticism that demands character as the heart of competition. Yet some athletes persist in abusing steroids for self-serving hypocrisy that serves as an unfair competitive advantage, which, quite simply, is cheating, unethical, and unjust.

Aside from the moral high ground society must take in regard to steroids, there are physical and mental side effects that demand prevention:

• Sexual Dysfunction
  
• Bloated Appearances
  
• Rapid Weight Gain
  
• Clotting Disorders
  
• Liver Damage and Cancers
  
• Premature Heart Attacks and Strokes
  
• Elevated Cholesterol Levels
  
• High Blood Pressure
  
• Weakened Tendons
  
• Depression
  
• Delusions
  
• Eating Disorders
  
• Severe Irritability and Hostile Emotions
  
• Premature Halting of Growth in Adolescents

Players, coaches, trainers, parents and doctors need to know about the "Russian Roulette" hazard of abusing anabolic steroids. Education to counteract steroid abuse is critical on the professional, college and high school level. Complimenting this education, implied approval by any individuals associated with sports must be strongly responded to by educational campaigns, testing and serious consequences that serve as a deterrent and punishment. Click here to read more about steroid abuse...

Cocaine: Available, Addictive, Abused

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), cocaine is a powerfully addictive stimulant that directly affects the brain.

Cocaine is normally sold on the streets, and also available through networking in American schools, as a fine, white, crystalline powder, known as "coke," "C," "snow," "flake" or "blow."

The short term effects appear almost simultaneously with the usage and last for minutes to possibly hours. It can make the user feel euphoric, energetic, talkative and mentally alert through an increased sensitivity to touch, sight, smell and hearing.

Long term effects may include tolerance whereby many addicts fail to achieve the euphoria first experienced and increase dosages which cause a self destructive cycle of irritability, restlessness and paranoia. Losing touch with reality through a full-blown paranoid psychosis is also possible.

When abused in combination with alcohol, the toxic interaction is extremely dangerous since it is the most common two-drug combination resulting in a drug related death.

Click here to read more on Cocaine Abuse from the NIDA

Liberation Monument: American Military Compassion, Character, Courage and Community

Surrounded by the historic significance of Ellis Island, the Statue of liberty and the New York skyline, is the Liberation Monument. Designed by sculptor Natan Rapaport, this inspirational statue depicts a World War II American Soldier carrying a survivor from the Auschwitz concentration camp. This image moves the soul to reflect on the values of compassion, character, courage and community.

Today, as in generations past, courageous Americans are making great sacrifices to serve our country and preserve our liberty. It is important for those who benefit from the valor of American service personnel to always remember and appreciate their dedication to our nation. Especially during the holiday season, their sacrifices are intimately shared by their loved ones and especially their children. It is critical to be mindful of their challenges and support American military and their families in every way possible.

The legacy of America urges a rebirth of patriotism that will transform us once again into a nation destined to be a hope for the world through its commitment to moral leadership, persevering vigilance and generous collaboration.

Click here to visit America Supports You...

Leadership Training: Creating a Shared Vision through Community Policing

The San Jose, California Police Department has a history of pursuing a number of department-wide initiatives to cultivate community policing.

These initiatives include:

• A professional development course for all 300 sworn and civilian supervisors to teach the skills critical to implementing community policing.
• Training for command personnel through an executive retreat that allowed the chief of police to develop the top leaders of the department.
• Consultants to help create a strategic plan to develop the importance of community partnerships and collaborative leadership.
• Site visits to Baltimore and Boston to observe community policing programs and to Los Angeles to evaluate a West Point Leadership Model.
• Expansion of the intranet to allow delivery of information, updates and curriculum to personnel at individual work sites.

The San Jose Police Department was in desperate need for transformation and community policing allowed the emergence of these strategies for growth:

• Regular detailed communication about the scope and intent of community policing activities and initiatives
• Ongoing department meetings to discuss progress
• Inclusion of community members, key school personnel and government partners in community policing discussions
• Empowerment of individuals to take responsibility for projects
• Development of a culture of community policing demonstrated daily through the entire chain of command
• Encouragement of "champions" within all levels of the department who support community policing and value change and innovation.

Click to read more about Community Policing in Action!

Spotlight On: FBI Supervisory Agent Rhonda M. Glover

Rhonda M. Glover is an Intelligence Program Coordinator with the Federal Bureau of Investigation who oversees the Community Outreach Program and Victim Assistance Program as well as the Intelligence Program. The FBI Community Outreach Program provides a comprehensive effort that deals with multiple interrelated societal programs, including crime, drugs, gangs and violence in support of the bureau's investigative mission.

Supervisory Agent Glover graduated from Old Dominion University with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice and a master's degree in management from the Johns Hopkins University. She holds a certificate in Nonprofit Executive Management from Georgetown University.

Rhonda is a Life Member of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE) where she was elected to the NOBLE Executive Board from 1999-2002. She also serves NOBLE as the National Youth Initiative Chairperson. Ms. Glover is also a Diamond Life Member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and on the National Advisory Committee for The Tavis Smiley Foundation which is the premiere Youth Leadership training and development program for African American youth.

Click to read about the Youth to Leaders program...

Franklin Delano Roosevelt: An Enduring Icon of Leadership

As the 32nd President of the United States (1933-1945) Franklin Delano Roosevelt, commonly referred to as FDR, led America through an intensely challenging historical period (World War II and The Great Depression) and he did so despite his own personal challenges.

Although stricken with polio in 1921, FDR had the determination, optimism, courage and perseverance to lead America through the war and the depression.

It is a profound experience to visit the home of FDR in Hyde Park, New York and to walk the upstairs hallway where FDR, who could not walk, would pull himself into a box and, using his upper body strength, lower himself via a makeshift pulley system to the main floor.

Today, while working out in my gym, I witnessed a moving encounter between a personal trainer and his client who was bound to a wheel chair. He assisted her with supportive compassion and dedication. It was an inspiring vignette which reminded me of the determination and character of FDR, as well as of all of America's unsung heroes. Despite their challenges, there are countless Americans who quietly respond with determination, courage, optimism and perseverance and serve as an inspiration to all of us.

Read More:
http://www.nps.gov/fdrm/fdr/struggle.htm

River Vale Junior Police Academy Graduation

On Monday evening, December 18, 2006, over 300 parents, students, law enforcement officials, community leaders and families attended the River Vale New Jersey Police Departments Junior Police Academy Commencement Ceremony. The commencement was held at the Florentine Gardens in River Vale, New Jersey.

Thanks to the leadership of Chief Aaron Back and the coordinator of the academy, Detective John J. DeVoe of the River Vale Police, this program was an outstanding success.

Honoring the eighty-two students of River Vale Public Schools who graduated from the academy, was the Paramus NJ Police Department Honor Guard and the Rockland County NY Police Emerald Society. Superintendent David C. Verducci, Ph.D., of the River Vale Public Schools was present to congratulate the students. The students, dressed in their police academy uniforms, received diplomas from community representatives after weeks of training by various agencies including:

• Bergen County Prosecutors Office
• Bergen County Police Department
• Bergen County Sheriffs Department
• Hillsdale Police Department
• Lyndhurst Police Department
• Mahwah Police Department
• New Jersey State Police
• Passaic County Sheriffs Department
• Rutherford Police Department
• Washington Township Police Department
• Westwood Township Police Department

The River Vale Township Council, Board of Education and PTA also supported the academy. River Vale Police Department instructors included:

• Officer Dino Dinelli
• Officer Valeri Guglielmotti
• Officer John Guglielmotti
• Intern Abigail Parry Leo
• Intern Christopher Osenbruck

The youth police academy is a dynamic community policing initiative which cultivates partnerships between youth, the community and the police. The goals of youth police academies, which take place in communities throughout the United States, are:

• To enhance responsible citizenship among the nation's youth
• To provide positive interaction with the police and to educate youth about the challenges and responsibilities of law enforcement
• To build morale within the entire community through the enthusiasm, hope and energy of the young

Click to read more about Junior Police Academies

In Remembrance: 1st Lt. Mark H. Dooley

Recently, I had the privilege of addressing 300 educators of the Wallkill Central School District in Wallkill, NY. Although the presentation focused on School Security and Character Education, as with all my speaking engagements, I concluded my remarks with a tribute to American military personnel.

On December 15, 2006, I received a touching email from Marion Dooley, an attendee of the Wallkill venue. She expressed her pride and honor while viewing the tribute. It was especially moving for Marion because her only two sons are in the army and her youngest son, 1st LT. Mark H. Dooley, 27, was killed in Iraq, on September 19, 2005.

It is important that we honor all families whose loved ones make such great sacrifices. We honor Marion, a mother who lost her son in Iraq, her family and all families who have been affected, by paying tribute to Lt. Mark H. Dooley:

---

Mark H. Dooley graduated Norwich University in 2002, a private military college in Northfield, VT. Mark then became a Wilmington, VT police officer. Police Chief Joseph M. Szarejko said, "He was an outstanding young guy."

Prior to law enforcement and military careers, Mark worked for Walt Overfield, owner of a Pizzeria in Modena, NY, who said, "He was the best person I'll ever know."

Aside from his loving mom, Mark is also survived by his dad Peter who remembers his son as a man with, "a strong sense of right and wrong and the police and military structure felt right to him," and a brother, Pete, still serving in the army.

---

Click to see Marion Dooley's Tribute to her son Mark...

North Jersey Crime Prevention Awards

The North Jersey Regional Crime Prevention Officers Association held its annual award ceremony on December 14, 2006 at the Prospect Heights Care Center in Hackensack, New Jersey. Due to the leadership of Lt. Patrick Fay of the Hackensack Police, who is president of the association, over 100 community representatives attended.

The heart of the association is community which is clearly expressed in the principles of crime prevention which state:

• Crime prevention is essential for community
• A responsibility of all levels of government
• Central to law enforcement
• Inclusive of all elements of the community
• Dedicated to the quality of life for every community

Representatives from the community included:

• Teaneck and Hackensack High Schools including teachers, parents, students, administrators and family members
• Hackensack Police
• Englewood Cliffs Police
• Lyndhurst Police
• Fairleigh Dickinson University
• Bergen County Sheriffs Department
• Carlstadt Police
• Federal Bureau of Investigation
• Hamilton Police
• Fairlawn Police
• Jersey City Police
• Public Service Electric and Gas
• Teaneck Police
• Englewood Police
• American Association of Retired People
• Wachovia Bank
• Springfield Police
• Saint Anthony's Church
• Crime Stoppers
• Orange Police
• New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness
• American Muslim Union
• Community Policing Safety Center of New Jersey

Award recipients for 2006 were as follows:

• Officer Kenneth J. Martin
     Police Officer of the Year
• Neil Pitagno
     Law Enforcement Officer of the Year
• Deputy Chief Frank Zisa
     Chief's Exceptional Service Award
• Under Sheriff Alan Ust
     Chief's Exceptional Service Award
• Art Koster
     Citizen of the Year
• David Miles
     Community Partnership Award
• William Moyano
     Student Leadership Award
• Matthew Sanchez
     Student Leadership Award

Exceptional Service Awards

• Allen C. Kriney
• Officer Gary Boesch
• Jesse Thatcher
• Officer Joseph S. Careccio
• Dean Mattalian
• Vincent J. Bove, CPP

Aside from the presentation of the awards, one of the highlights of this extraordinary community event was a state of the art PowerPoint/Video presentation of the 2006 Hackensack Youth Police Academy. The Youth Police Academy is one of the nation's most dynamic community policing initiatives for it allows a strong bond to develop between the youth of the community and the police. This takes place in a highly educational environment that cultivates leadership, trust, dedication, perseverance, teamwork, courtesy, respect, character, discipline and patriotism.

Read More:
North Jersey Regional Crime Prevention Association

Spotlight On: Deputy Sheriff Jim Lambert

Jim Lambert is a deputy sheriff in the East Bay Area near San Francisco, California. Jim is 46 years old and has worked the streets as a public servant for almost 27 years. His extensive career includes a couple of years on the back of a fire truck, 8 years as a paramedic assistant and 17 years as a street cop. Most recently, Jim has been assigned to his departments Marine Patrol and Air Support Unit. Two days per week he patrols portions of the 1,000 miles of waterways in his county and two days per week he flies as a flight officer aboard a patrol helicopter.

Jim has run the gamut of law enforcement assignments working in areas known to be violent crime zones to affluent peaceful communities.

"I've seen everything from juvenile crimes and domestic violence to flat out cold-blooded murder. I worked 6 years as a K-9 handler, 2 years on a uniformed SWAT team and I've even done my time working behind bars in our jail system."

Yesterday, I received an email from Jim Lambert expressing his concern over the lack of parental involvement with children and the tragic consequences of a society with shattered families. Jim wrote:

"Vincent, I don't know what it will take for parents to wake up and be parents again. A few weeks back, my agency responded to a call in the middle of the night. A 16-year-old on crack had beat his mother to death with a baseball bat. It was a horrific and violent scene that deeply disturbed several of my partners... This 'condition' didn't just happen overnight, and I know there were probably many 'warning signs' ignored, but nobody wants to pay attention to those important signs, and everybody wants to be a kid's best friend instead of a kid's best parent."

Jim continued with a story expressing the importance of personal safety awareness in a society that is open season for violence:

"I went to the bank late last night to use the ATM, locked my car and was alert to my surroundings. A lady pulled in alone with a brand new Lexus, got out, left the door open and the engine running and went to the machine around the corner. She was out of sight for more then one minute. All of the while, she was oblivious to her surroundings as she spoke on a cell phone."

This lady was lucky to have Jim there, in other circumstances, she could have easily become another tragic statistic.

Read More:
http://www.netcopspsi.com/meetus.html

Protecting American Youth:The Amber Alert Plan

The Amber Alert Plan is a voluntary, cooperative program between law enforcement agencies and local broadcasters which initiates an emergency media alert when a child is abducted and believed to be in grave danger.

Purpose
The Amber Plan sparks a rapid response to the most serious child abduction cases allowing immediate assistance from the community through radio and television.

History
Following the kidnapping and murder of 9-year-old Amber Hagerman in Arlington, Texas in 1996 was the creation of the Amber Plan. Dragged from her bicycle, Amber's body was found 4 days later. The news of the child's murder outraged the community and motivated mobilization and action.

Benefits

• Develops law enforcement and media partnerships
• Protects the public
• Provides rapid response capabilities
• Increases case solving statistics
• Engages community concern and involvement
• Assists in recoveries and serves as a deterrent
• Credited with saving the lives of numerous children

Click to view the AMBER Alert website...
Click to view the AMBER Alert Plan PDF document...

Abraham Lincoln: An Enduring Icon of Leadership

Americans of all ages continue to be captivated by the life, death, legacy and message of Abraham Lincoln.

During speaking engagements with students, educators and law enforcement personnel throughout the country, I am continually astounded at the detailed information individuals have on Abraham Lincoln including specific dates from his life, the Civil War, the Gettysburg Address, the Emancipation Proclamation, his second inaugural and his assassination by John Wilkes Booth at Ford's Theater in Washington, DC on April 14, 1865.

During recent character education presentations, students from a 3rd grade class were able to recently quote to me with admirable precision President Lincoln's words from Gettysburg on November 19, 1863:

"that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."

In our troubled times, so besieged by violence, turmoil and scandal, Abraham Lincoln remains an icon of dedication to country. From his early days of studying by the fireside as a young boy to his rise to the presidency, the character of Lincoln is worthy of emulation. Lincoln's courage and perseverance in the face of great adversity serve as an example that what is needed in America's response to the current crisis of violence, scandal and division is newfound perseverance, unity, strength and transformation.

Read More:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/presidents/al16.html

Leadership: Opening Doors to Resources and Collaboration

Resources are essential for educators and law enforcement officials and leadership is the primary quality that develops resources and collaboration.

One excellent resource is the National Criminal Justice Reference Service which is administered by the Office of Justice Programs of the U.S. Department of Justice. The NCJRS is a federally funded resource offering justice and substance abuse information to support research, policy and program development worldwide.

NCJRS is sponsored by a major collaboration of Federal sponsors of the U.S. Department of Justice including:

• Office of the Assistant Attorney General
• Community Capacity Development Office
• Bureau of Justice Assistance
• Bureau of Justice Statistics
• National Institute of Justice
• Office for Victims of Crime
• Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention
• Office of Violence Against Women
• National Institute of Corrections
• Office of Community Oriented Policing Services

Read More About NCJRS:
http://www.ncjrs.gov/whatsncjrs.html

Community Policing: Hope for America

There is an American crisis of shattered communities as indicated by broken families, gang activity and serious incidents of school and community violence.

The concept of community policing and its proper development into the culture of a police department prior to its practical application in the community is more critical then ever to the nation. The U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Community Oriented Policing Services explains community policing:

"Community policing focuses on crime and social disorder through the delivery of police services that includes aspects of traditional law enforcement, as well as prevention, problem-solving, community engagement, and partnerships. The community policing model balances reactive responses to calls for service with proactive problem-solving centered on the causes of crime and disorder. Community policing requires police and citizens to join together as partners in the course of both identifying and effectively addressing these issues."

Over the past several weeks, I have had the privilege of conducting a security vulnerability assessment for middle schools and a high school with a combined population of over 3,000 within a school district, address 1,500 high school students on leadership, present character and patriotism education to over 300 elementary students and deliver presentations to hundreds of educators, emergency management and law enforcement officials at various venues throughout the United States entitled "School Security, Character Education, Emergency Planning, Lockdowns and Evacuations."

During these opportunities, I have had open interaction with an extraordinary cross section of America. To a person, Americans from throughout the nation have stated without reservation that the hope of America is community; the community of the classroom, the community of the family, the community of the school, the community of the corporation, the community of the law enforcement agency, the community of the neighborhood, the community of the town and ultimately the community of the nation. American educators, law enforcement officials, company employees and the students of our nation's schools are calling out with full force firm conviction that community is the answer to the American crisis of brokenness and it is through the leadership, vigilance and collaboration of these members of society, particularly through American schools, that America will be restored to its rightful destiny of strength of purpose, hope to the world and rise again, admired as a nation dedicated to community.

Read More:
http://www.cops.usdoj.gov/Default.asp?Item=36

Washington School Patriotism Presentations

Over 300 students from the 3rd to the 8th grade met class by class throughout the day in the Washington School Library in Carlstadt, NJ on December 6, 2006 to hear presentations on patriotism. The presentations were organized through the collaborative leadership of Superintendent Frank J. Legato, Principal Steve Kollinok, Chief Thomas Nielsen and Sgt. Walter M. Beese of the Carlstadt Police Department.

The presentations were critically important since United States Marine Michael Schwarz, a graduate of Washington School, would have his wake and funeral in town over the next few days. Marine Michael Schwarz, 20, was killed by a sniper in Iraq and his death has set an emotionally somber mood at Washington School and throughout Carlstadt. The students took time to honor Marine Schwarz during the presentations and discussed the importance of appreciating those who have served America and those currently in harms way.

As the speaker for the student groups, I stressed the importance of dedication to study and used a PowerPoint to highlight patriotism by reviewing books on George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Franklin Roosevelt, Dwight Eisenhower, Lou Gehrig, The Gettysburg Address, Iwo Jima's Flag Raising, The Civil War, World War II, Winston Churchill, The Vietnam War and the D-Day Invasion.

Each presentation also focused on characteristics of patriotism which included reverence for the American Flag and the importance of developing civic qualities of honesty, teamwork, dedication, gratefulness, character, hard work, perseverance, courage and community service.

As a tribute to Marine Michael Schwarz, the presentations ended with a photo tribute honoring the service of all who are in harms way making great sacrifices to serve America.

Click here to read The Leader article by Alexis Tarrazi

Alateen: Hope for Young People Effected by Another's Problem Drinking

Alateen is part of Al-Anon and is an extraordinary supportive program for young people effected by the negative consequences of living with the problem drinking of a relative or a friend. The program offers communities, law enforcement agencies, families and schools an appropriate program to deal with a serious problem of contemporary society.

Alateen is adapted from the philosophy of Alcoholics Anonymous and encourages youth to work collaboratively to:

• Share experiences, strength and hope with each other
• Discuss their difficulties
• Learn effective ways to cope with their problems
• Encourage one another
• Help one another understand the principle of the Al-Anon program
• Learn how to use the Twelve Steps and Alateen's Twelve Traditions

Read more:
http://www.al-anon.alateen.org/alateen.html

Bullying: Painful, Pervasive and Preventable

Bullying is unacceptable, abusive and the potential opening door to acts of serious violence.

Each day in schools throughout America, children are threatened, teased, taunted and tormented by bullies. Bullying is not an acceptable rite of passage for our nation's youth but harmful emotionally, physically and socially.

According to the U.S. Department of Education, examples of bullying are:

• Physical; which includes punching, poking, strangling, hair pulling, beating, biting and excessive tickling.
• Verbal; such as name calling, teasing and gossiping.
• Emotional; including rejecting, terrorizing, defaming, humiliating, blackmailing, ranking of personal characteristics such as race, disability, ethnicity or perceived sexual orientation, manipulating friendships, isolating, ostracizing and peer pressure.
• Sexual; which includes acts listed above as well as exhibitionism, voyeurism, sexual positioning, sexual harassment and abuse involving actual physical contact and sexual assault.

Leadership is required in schools to deal with the bullying problem and, to combat bullying, a collaborative effort of the government, state, community, neighborhood, school and family must be cultivated.

The U.S. Department of Education offers a five day facilitated event to enhance bullying understanding and to assist with the creating or refinement of a bullying prevention plan.

Click here to read about the program...

Where Have All the Parents Gone?

On a website developed by two California law enforcement officials who are brothers, in collaboration with a friend who is an active reserve police officer, is a compelling article entitled, "Where Have All the Parents Gone?"

The article is a testimonial of a law enforcement official with 24 years of experience vicariously being a parent to abandoned youth because their parents are virtually non-existent. In the article are some very disturbing photographs depicting the aloneness of very young children including:

• A six-year old walking home alone from school and crossing busy railroad tracks without supervision.
• Two very young children walking home alone from school amidst busy streets
• Three children approximately 8 to 9 years old swimming out to a channel buoy along a busy,deep water channel with no visibility, no life jackets and strong currents. The author's dog is photographed swimming in the shallow banks of the same river and is clearly wearing a life preserver while the children at peril in the deeper section are without life jackets. In the same river just two weeks earlier, a 7 year old drowned while swimming alone

Regarding crime, the law enforcement author expresses concern that the kids get younger, the violence gets worse and the hatred grows stronger as the parents remain oblivious.

Until American parents get back on track with responsibility, involvement and dedication to the lives of their children; educators and law enforcement officials will continue to be significantly impacted with this current societal dysfunction of too many parents who lack connectedness in the lives of their children.

Read the article...

Behavioral Signs of Substance Use and Abuse

Educators and law enforcement officials, especially those assigned to juvenile bureaus and school resource officers, are called to vigilance in recognizing the signs of youth needing assistance.  Leadership and collaboration are critical qualities of the committed educator and police professional. Understanding and utilizing the resources available in the information age is another dimension of collaboration.

Substance use and abuse is one of the issues affecting those entrusted to our care. The American Council for Drug Education website is an excellent resource and highlights the signs that should raise a warning flag:

1. Sudden decline in school achievement
2. Cigarette smoking
3. Shift in the child's peer group
4. Erosion of parental trust
5. Support of legalizing marijuana
6. Marked personality changes
7. Withdrawal from extracurricular activities
8. Cutting classes, tardiness or truancy
9. Deterioration in appearance
10. Increased secretiveness
11. Going out every night
12. Disappearance of family funds
13. Aggressive behavior
14. Heavy use of over-the-counter preparations

Read More:
http://www.acde.org/health/signsymp.htm