|
The following is a collection of "Experts' Advice" column that is distributed through the Red Deer Express. We have included pieces from past issues and will be updating this area as time progresses.
We have broken the topics into categories for easy referral. At anytime on the page you can click on the Top of Page link to come back to this area.
Victim of Crime
Drugs
Bullying
Abuse - Elder, Spousal, Child
Safety & Vehicle Advice
Victim of Crime
What information are you entitled to receive?
Upon request you shall be provided with the following:
•The offenders name
•The offence and the court whick convicted the offender
•The sentence commencement date and length of sentence
•The offender's eligibility and review dates for temporary absences, day parole and full parole
You may be provided additional information where, in the opinion of the Commissioner of Correctional Service or Chairperson of National Parole Board, your interest in the disclosure clearly out weighs any invasion of the offender's privacy resulting from the disclosure.
Drugs
Why is "Crystal Meth" extremely dangerous and a growing community concern?
Crystal Meth is a very addictive drug that stimulates the central nervous system of the body. There is a 42% addiction rate after one use; 96% are hooked after a second try. It has an appearance of clear, shiny crystals. It is cheap to buy and easy to make anywhere.
Common ingredients that are used to make it are acids (sulphuric / muriatic ), lye. iodine and phosphorus. The key ingredient is ephedrine, a component of cold medicines. Crystal Meth can be smoked, snorted, ingested, injected, or hooped. Paraphernalia used: hollowed out by pen tubes, broken glass from light bulbs, and pencil torches. These objects are often stored in eyeglass cases.
Side effects: Drug users can go without sleep and food for days, get aggressive and anxious, then crash. Some health hazards of using this drug are lung, liver, kidney, brain, and heart damages, as well as paranoia, violence and depression.
What are the warning signs of Crystal Meth for teachers and parents?
• person feels alert, energetic, talkative and emotional
• acne-like sores on face, arms and torso
• sleeping problems
• weight loss over a short periods of time
• confusion, paranoia, irritability, anxiety, shakiness, sweating, blurred vision and dizziness
• snorting increases chances of damaging the inside of the nose
• smoking meth can cause lung damage
• headaches, depression and violent, aggressive and suicidal behavior
• out of control rages triggered by paranoia
• long-term effects of thinking, memory, concentration and movement problems
• overdose can cause delusional, hallucinations, seizures, stroke, heart failure, coma and death
More information is available from AADAC
What should I expect when my child is withdrawing from crystal meth/crack/cocaine?
Crystal meth / cocaine/ crack are stimulants, they give the user a false sense of energy. Your child perhaps hasn't slept or ate properly for days, weeks or even months. The severity of the withdrawal symptoms depends on how long or how much they used. The following symptoms may last for about 5 days: physical exhaustion - dehydration- headache - sore/stiff muscles and bones - sores covering their face, arms or torso - anxiety/paranoia - the emotional withdrawal symptoms can last for weeks. These include depression, anxiety, paranoia, loss of motivation and energy.
For parents, watching and supporting their child while they are withdrawing from drugs can be frightening and they may feel helpless. Help them get plenty of sleep, fluids, warm baths, and a healthy diet. More information is available from AADAC.
Bullying
As a parent how can I recognize the traits of a common bully?
Although there are ways and means of bullying may differ, bullies have 10 traits in common.
They all:
1 - Like to dominate other people
2 - Like to use other people to get what they want
3 - Find it hard to see a situation from the other person's point of view
4 - Are concerned only with their own wants and pleasures and not the needs, rights and feelings of others
5 - Tend to hurt other kids when parents or other adults are not around
6 - View weaker siblings or peers as prey
7 - Use blame, criticism, and false allegations to project their own inadequacies onto their targets
8 - Refuse to accept responsibility for their actions
9 -Lack foresight - that is the ability to consider the short-term, long term and possible unintended consequences of their current behavior
10 -Crave attention
Refer to Barbara Coloroso's Book, The Bully, the Bullied and the Bystander
How can I tell if my child is a target of a bully?
Kids have many reasons for not telling adults about a bullying situation.
• They are ashamed of being bullied.
• They are afraid of retaliation if they tell an adult
• They don't think anyone can help them
•They don't think anyone will help them
• They have bought into the lie that bullying is a necessary part of growing up.
• They may believe that adults are part of the lie, since it is not only kids who are bullying them
• They have learned that "ratting" on a peer is bad, not cool, "juvenile" - even if that that peer is bullying them
"Sucking it up" and just letting it go is supposed to be a more mature response to getting verbally abused, physically abused or shunned.
Refer to Barbara Coloroson's book, The Bully, The Bullied and the Bystander.
As a parent, how can I recognize the types of bullies?
7 types of bullies:
1) The "Confident Bully" fells good only when he feels superiority over others
2) The "Social Bully" Uses rumor, gossip and shunning isolating her target and excluding them from social activities
3) The "Fully Armoured Bully" is a vicious and vindictive towards his target, but charming and deceptive in front of others
4) The "Hyperactive Bully" struggles with academics and has poor social skills. He reads hostile intent into other kids innocent actions, and justifies aggression by blaming others.
5) The "Bullied Bully" is both a target and a bully. She bullies others to get relief from her own feelings of powerlessness and self_loathing.
6) The "Bunch of Bullies" is a group of friends, who collectively do something they would never do individually, in order to exclude or scapegoat someone.
7) The Gang of Bullies" is a drawn together as a strategic alliance in pursuit of power, control, domination, subjugations, and turf. Refer to Barbara Coloroso's book - "The Bully, The Bullied and the Bystander."
Abuse - Elder
Elder Abuse - Neglect - What is it?
Elder abuse or neglect is any action or inaction resulting in physical, mental or emotional harm of an elderly person.
• Financial or Material Abuse includes the withholding of finances by trickery or theft
• misappropriation or misuse of funds/property
• a forced will change or abuse of trusteeship/guardianship
• psychological or emotional abuse includes use of threats, humiliation, forced social isolation or intimidation
• treating like a child or removing decision making power
• physical abuse includes bodily harm or pain by hitting, scratching, cutting, burning, rough handling or sexual molestation
• inappropriate physical restraint
• neglect by intentional withholding of clothing, food, medications, personal or health care
• being left in an unsafe place
Abuse - Spousal
Spousal Abuse - What is it?
It is the deliberate attempt by a partner in an intimate relationship (married or un -married) to control or intimidate a partner and it can take many forms.
• Physical abuse or assault is the intentional use of force or attempt to use force against a person without their consent
• psychological abuse includes a variety of behaviors, such threats, constant criticism and put downs, control of activities and access to money
• sexual abuse includes any forced sexual activity
• physical and sexual assault is a crime under the Criminal Code of Canada whether it happens within families or among strangers
DO Not keep abuse a secret.
Abuse - Child
Child Abuse - What is it?
Child abuse is anything that endangers the development, security or survival of a child.
• Physical Abuse is the intentional use of force on any part of a child's body that results in serious injuries. It may be a single incident or series or pattern of incidents.
• Emotional Abuse is anything that causes serious mental or emotional harm to a child. It may take the form of verbal attacks on a child's sense of self, repeated humiliation or rejection, exposure to violence, severe conflict in a home, forced isolation, restraint or causing fear.
• Sexual Abuse is the improper exposure of a child to sexual contact, activity or behavior, including sexual touching, intercourse or exploitation.
• Neglect is physical or emotional neglect in a failure to meet a child's physical needs or emotional needs for affection and a sense of belonging.
Safety
What are YOUR seatbelt odds?
75% of people who are ejected from their vehicles DIE.
Seat belts reduce YOUR risk of fatal injury by 45%
Seat belts reduce YOUR risk of CRITICAL OR MODERATE injury by 50%
At ONLY 50 km/h a 176lb (80kg) person not wearing a seat belt strikes the inside of their vehicle with a force of 6215 pbs (2785 kg).
reference www.saferoads.com
P.S. If you don't wear your seatbelt, at least fill out your donor card.
How do I prevent theft from my vehicle?
Close the windows, lock doors and never leave key in the vehicle.
Place valuables in the trunk, do not leave credit cards in the vehicle.
Mark vehicles stereo equipment with license number, keep a record of all vehicle serial numbers.
Never hide a spare key under carpeting or over sun visor.
Park vehicle in well lit areas.
Do not leave vehicle unattended with luggage, skis or bikes on roof rack.
Do not mark keys with name and address.
Keep garage door opener with you.
A stolen car can lead to a home break-in.
If you leave a key with a parking attendant, leave only the ignition key.
Remove all documents (insurance, license) from car when not driving. Identification can be stolen and used in fraud or home burglary.
If your vehicle is stolen:
• Notify police immediately and provide vehicle identification, license number, year, make, color and distinguishing marks (decal, accessories etc.)
|
|
|
