Some child-abuse reports won't be probed immediately

The Arizona Department of Child Safety plans to stop assigning lower-priority cases, bringing echoes of a recent scandal.

The state's child-welfare agency, at the direction of its new chief, has stopped assigning lower-priority cases of child abuse and neglect for investigation.

The policy shift echoes a practice that threw the system into turmoil nearly 1 1/2 years ago.

The discovery of the practice by investigator Greg McKay prompted sweeping changes to the child-welfare system and catapulted McKay into the Department of Child Services' top job.

Lawmakers, state officials and law enforcement reacted with shock to McKay's findings in November 2013. Many, including McKay, noted state law requires 100 percent of such reports to be investigated.

But in an April 1 memo, McKay said a heavy workload makes it necessary to set aside some cases.

"My first priority is to stop assigning cases which we all agree cannot be served due to overwhelming demands," McKay wrote. "... This insurmountable volume and accompanying liability of unassigned reports should be owned by the Department, not the already decimated field force."

His office clarified that the cases will be assigned and investigated eventually, but the delay is needed to relieve pressure on already overburdened caseworkers.

Instead, supervisors — and, more broadly, the agency — will monitor the unassigned cases, spokesman Doug Nick said.

Nick said assignment of lower-priority cases will happen when supervisors deem it best. In the meantime, the supervisors will monitor these cases, but how that works is unclear.

Until the April 1 memo, the department's stated policy required a response on lower-priority cases within three days in some instances and seven days for others. It is unclear whether that policy is still in place, and there are no details on how unassigned cases will be monitored or accounted for.

"It's incumbent on the department to take on this role," Nick said. "We don't want to just foist this off on the caseworker."

The new policy appears similar to the practice McKay criticized in November 2013, when he blew the whistle on a Child Protective Services practice of designating low-priority cases "not investigated" to cope with a heavy workload.

"This is clearly an attempt by CPS to lessen the already overburdened investigative arm of the agency," McKay wrote to then-Gov. Jan Brewer in November 2013. "It accomplishes two goals; reduce investigator caseload and reduce the number of unassigned reports. This medicine is truly worse than the disease."

His discovery, as head of a unit that investigated criminal cases, prompted Brewer to call for an overhaul of the state's child-welfare operation, creating the Department of Child Services and making it a Cabinet-level state agency.

McKay was not available Thursday to discuss his decision. But later in the memo, he rebuffs suggestions that the new approach is similar to the maligned "not investigate" process.

"In the end, we must physically assess all children reported to the department and we will accomplish this based on the vulnerability of the children and on time," he wrote.

State law requires all reports of abuse and neglect get a "prompt and thorough investigation."

Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery, who was closely involved in the creation of DCS, said he believes McKay wants to allow complaints involving alleged criminal conduct to be handed over to the agency's Office of Child Welfare Investigations. Their review could clear a case, making it unnecessary to assign it to a caseworker, Montgomery said.

He bases his interpretation on his conversations with McKay, as well as those with former agency director Charles Flanagan, during last year's work on establishing the new department.

McKay's approach is a logical triage in a system that is flooded with abuse and neglect reports of varying severity, Nick said. The agency received 1,045 reports a week to its child-abuse hotline, according to the most recent statistics available. They cover the six-month period ending Sept. 1, 2014.

Nick said the previous director, Flanagan, had a policy of ensuring every report was assigned by 3 p.m. on Fridays, a move that Nick said stressed out caseworkers by giving them "an impossible workload."

But Flanagan, whom Gov. Doug Ducey fired in February and replaced with McKay, said he ended the practice of leaving cases unassigned last year "because it is NI (not investigated) by another name."

The only difference, Flanagan said, is that the new practice is being done in the open, and not hidden.

Assigning all cases brings greater transparency to the admittedly heavy workload the agency faces, Flanagan said.

"It allows them to be and stay in the mix to be investigated directly, rather than hiding in the unassigned pile unaddressed," he wrote in an e-mail in response to a query from The Arizona Republic.

Flanagan also cautioned that low-priority cases that linger without an investigation can blow up into more serious problems, something he saw as he directed a complete review last year of all 6,600 "not investigated" files. In several dozen cases, children had to be removed from their homes due to dangerous situations that might have been averted if caseworkers had seen the children when earlier reports came in.

Rep. Kate Brophy McGee, R-Phoenix, said she would need a better understanding of the triage process McKay is following before commenting in detail. But she questioned how cases could be tracked if they weren't assigned, and she reiterated concerns that setting aside lower-priority cases could allow small problems to fester into a crisis.

"Knowing as we know, and as Greg McKay has pointed out, cases that are not tended to immediately tend to become higher priority," she said.

Brophy McGee co-chairs a legislative committee assigned to oversee the agency's operations. A bill to extend that committee through 2016 is now on Ducey's desk awaiting action.

Rep. Debbie McCune Davis, D-Phoenix, said the plan "sounds like NI to me."

"I don't think it's acceptable," said McCune Davis, who also sits on the oversight committee. "But I'm waiting for Greg McKay to do what he said he'd do in the oversight committee: produce a plan that will keep kids safe."

For its part, Ducey's office expressed "complete confidence" in McKay's direction.

"Given his reputation for blowing the whistle on problems within the agency over the years, no one has a better understanding than Greg McKay of what it takes to ensure cases don't slip through the cracks," Ducey's office wrote in a statement after The Republic sought comment on the move.

Reach the reporter at maryjo.pitzl@arizonarepublic.com or at 602-444-8963.

 

http://www.azcentral.com/story/news/arizona/politics/2015/04/10/child-welfare-agency-falling-behind-stop-assigning-cases/25562909/

Police again pick up children of 'free range' parents

Associated Press

4:53 AM, Apr 14, 2015

10:53 AM, Apr 14, 2015

 

SILVER SPRING, MD - A mother in suburban Washington, D.C., says it's "beyond ridiculous."
Danielle Meitiv is talking about the actions of police who, for the second time in four months, yesterday picked up her six-and-ten-year-old children as they walked home alone from a park that is nearly a mile from their house.

This time, instead of bringing the children home, police took them directly to Child Protective Services.
Meitiv and her husband, Alexander, believe in "free-range" parenting, which includes letting their children play and walk alone in the neighborhood to teach them self-reliance and responsibility. She says, "The world is safer today, and yet we imprison our children inside and wonder why they're obese and have no focus."
Danielle Meitiv says she and her husband started worrying yesterday when the kids weren't home by 6:30 -- a half hour after they were told to be home. But she says Child Protective Services didn't call them until 8 p.m. to say the children were in their custody.
As they did in December after the first incident, the couple had to sign a temporary safety plan saying their children would be supervised at all times until a follow-up visit.
Police say a decision will be made later about whether any charges will be filed against the couple.

Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

 

 

 

 

http://www.abc15.com/news/national/police-again-pick-up-children-of-free-range-parents

How to discipline a two year old boy?

BreeSkee asks:
Q:

I have a two year old son who does not listen.  He hits his sister and pulls her hair.  He gets angry and lashes out by hitting or throwing what ever object is closest to him.  He continues to do everything he knows he is not supposed to it seems just to spite.  I know he knows that it is wrong because right before he does something naughty he asks if it is a no no.  I have tried time out and after two hours of constant struggle finally gave up.  Swatting on the bum does not work either.  He looks at me and says "ow"  then proceeds to do whatever prompted the spankings.  I have no idea what to do next.

What the Expert Says:

Parenting toddlers can be challenging as they push the limits to see what they can get away with.  It is a normal part of growing up, although it often makes us grind our teeth!
Sounds like you already tried time out and swatting the butt without any results.  Try positive reinforcement: reward your son with positive attention for good behaviors.  Most of the time children do not want to get in trouble with parents and if they get positive attention for doing something, they will be more likely to engage in the same behavior again.
Of course, "bad" or unaccepted behaviors must be followed by negative attention (negative reinforcement).  Continue time out, one minute per year of life, as a consequence for those behaviors that you do not approve of.  Make time out a place that is not fun.  That means, do not send your child to his room filled with toys.  Instead, make it a chair in the corner of the living room.  To help your toddler understand the length of time out, set a timer.  When it goes off, he can get up.  If he has a difficult time to sit in the time out, use the bear hug technique: have him sit in your lap for the duration of the time out.  If he fights you, embrace his arm with your arms, and legs with your legs.
Suggested readings:
Where do temper tantrums come from?
http://www.pluggedinparents.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=250&Itemid=0
Practicing healthy discipline
http://www.pluggedinparents.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=172&Itemid=0
Best regards.
Resources:
www.pluggedinparents.com



http://www.education.com/question/discipline-year-boy/

14 Ways to Stop Biting and Hitting

Biting and hitting are common and should be corrected early on

Growing teeth and hands often find their way into trouble. Toddlers often bite and hit with little regard for the consequences of their actions. Biting and hitting habits hurt and should be corrected, before serious harm is done to bodies and to relationships.

1. Understand the reason…

Babies bite and hit. Don’t take it personally. Babies do bite the hands (and the nipples) that feed them. Everything babies do revolves around their hands and mouth. The hands and teeth are their first social tools, and they learn how to use them from the responses they get. As soon as teeth erupt and hands flap, babies experiment and use these instruments on different objects to see how it feels. What could be more familiar and available then parents’ skin? Baby’s job is to use these tools; your job is to teach him how. These early nips and slaps, as awful as they look and feel, are playful communications, not aggressive, disrespectful conduct.

Aggressive biting and hitting is most common between the ages of 18-months and 2½ years when the child doesn’t have the verbal language to communicate his needs. Instead, he communicates through actions. Biting usually stops as the child’s verbal skills grow but hitting doesn’t.

Toddlers bite and hit. What are simply socially- incorrect gestures in infants can, if unchecked, become aggressive behaviors in children. That’s why you want to purge these from baby’s repertoire before they become part of the growing child. Children become aggressive in order to release pent-up anger, to control a situation, to show power, or to protect their turf in a toy squabble. Some children even resort to obnoxious behavior in a desperate attempt to break through to distant parents.

Most aggressive toddler behaviors will lessen once the child is old enough to communicate by words instead of actions.

2. Learn sources that trigger biting and hitting

Know what triggers aggressive behaviors. Keep a journal (at least mental notes) identifying the correlation between how a child acts and the circumstances prompting the action. For example: “Kate bit Suzie during play group. Suzie had Kate’s favorite ball. It was almost nap time. Lots of kids in a small place. Suzie is very bossy.”

3. Provide alternatives

Face-slapping is a socially-incorrect gesture babies experiment with. Redirect the slapper into a socially-acceptable alternative: “Give me five.” Likewise, redirect nipping: “No biting, ouchie, hurts Mama! (put on your unhappy face); then redirect the behavior: “Hug mama. That’s nice!” (smile and hug back). Once your child’s face-slapping becomes an expression of frustration (for example, the toddler in your arms becomes angry and hits you because you won’t let her have candy), you’ll have to show her the natural consequence. Firmly but calmly announce “You may not hit” and put her down. She’ll still be angry about the candy, so you can verbalize that for her. Do not allow your toddler to use you as a punching bag. Give her the message that you will not let her hurt you. If you don’t allow your child to hurt you when he’s very young, he will be less likely to let others hurt him when he’s older. You will be modeling to him how to say “no” to being hit, for example, by holding up a hand to stop the blow but not hit back. If your one-and-a-half-year-old bangs his toy hammer on the heads of other babies in the group, remove all objects that he can hit with. Show and tell him not to hit and give him an alternative gesture: “Be nice, pat baby” as you gently guide his patting hand.

4. Don’t bite back

“But the child needs to learn that biting hurts,” you may reason. Yes, but there’s no way your child will decide that she shouldn’t bite if you bite. Try this alternative tooth-for-tooth method: Take your child aside and ask her to let you show her how teeth feel on skin. Press your child’s forearm against her upper teeth as if she were biting herself, not in an angry revengeful way, but as a parent making a point, “See, biting hurts!” Give this lesson immediately after he bites you or someone else. You want your child to learn to be sensitive to how others feel – an early lesson in empathy.

5. Don’t present confusing and conflicting messages

Katie hits Tommy. Katie’s mother (embarrassed and irritated) quickly goes over and smacks Katie on the arm saying “Mustn’t hit.” Are you as confused as Katie is right now? Have you ever been driven by embarrassment or anger to do something illogical? We all have. So plan in your mind ahead of time what you will do when your child hits someone.

6. Encourage empathy

You notice one child hits (pushes or kicks) another to get a toy. Show and tell an alternative way to get the toy. “We don’t hit other people. If you want the toy, wait until your friend is finished with it or ask Mommy and I’ll set the share timer. When I want something from you I don’t hit you, I ask you nicely.” If the hitter doesn’t cooperate, ask the victim to say, “I’m not playing with you anymore until you say you’re sorry and stop hitting.” Two-year-olds may not be able to say all these words, but they’ll understand them; so you say the words for them and follow through with the consequence. Also, impress upon the biter: “How would you feel if Tommy bit you.”

7. Use time-outs to calm the situation

“Biting hurts, and it’s wrong to hurt. You are going to sit by me.” Usually by two years of age the child can make the connection between being aggressive and the consequences. Encourage your child to say “I’m sorry.” If he’s not angry anymore, he might want to give a kiss or hug.

8. Model nonaggression

A child who lives with aggression becomes aggressive. How do you communicate disappointment, handle conflicts, and get your point across? Aggression is contagious. Toddlers and young children also pick up aggressive behavior from older siblings. If the younger children see the older ones hitting each other, they conclude that’s the way you treat other people. Make this a teachable experience for the older children. Point out their modeling and tell them for their own benefit and the benefit of the little ones to clean up their act.

Grabbing is a common aggressive behavior in toddlers and young preschoolers. (Watch that you don’t unintentionally model this by snatching things from little hands) Calmly explain why he can’t have the item he grabbed and ask him to hand it back to the other child or give it to you. You may have to offer a replacement for what he has to give up. If your child is about to damage something valuable, or is likely to hurt himself with an object, use a no- nonsense voice and show by your body language you expect him to give it up immediately.

9. Avoid setups

Avoid situations that bring out the worst in kids. At a birthday party a mother setup a scavenger hunt for a bunch of boys — inside her house, of all places. To fuel the frenzy, she offered a prize for the winner. You can imagine what happened. Both the house and the children were a wreck. They hit and shoved each other and trashed the house in pursuit of the hidden treasures. Bruised skin and bruised feelings resulted.

10. Encourage gentle play

Watch the toddler who habitually bangs toys, bashes dolls, kicks cats, and pounds on walls. While some of this acting out is normal, it can be a red flag for tension and anger. The child is at risk for treating humans this way. Besides delving into the roots of the problem, encourage more gentle play: “Hug the bear,” “Pet the kitty,” “Love the doll.”

11. Reward positive behavior

Children over three respond well to rewards, such as a no-hitting chart: “Every day you are nice to your friends, put a happy face on the chart. When you have three happy faces we’ll go out to lunch together.”

12. Program self-control

Some impulsive children hit before they think. For children over three, help them control these impulses by suggesting substitute behaviors that the child clicks into at the first thought of hitting: “As soon as you feel like hitting, grab a pillow and pound on it or go run around the yard.” You can model impulse control for your child. For example, next time you feel like hitting, let your child see you think your way out of it. Grab your hand and talk to it: “Now, hand, you should not hit people.” He’ll pay attention, especially if he’s the one you felt like hitting.

13. Apply double discipline

When hitting becomes disrespectful and undermines your authority, it deserves a double-dose of correction from Mom and Dad. Four-year-old Timmy got angry and hit his mother. She immediately sat him down, looked him squarely in the eyes, and impressed on him that under no circumstances was he ever to hit his parents; that behavior was intolerable and would be firmly corrected. She sent him to his room. After this time-out they talked about his anger. Later that day she shared this incident with her husband who had a talk with Timmy. He reinforced the seriousness of this situation and told Timmy that it would not be tolerated: “I will not allow you to hit the woman I love.” This wise father got some extra mileage out of his discipline by communicating his feelings for his wife.

14. Supervise actively

It’s neither fair nor safe to allow aggressive toddlers to play with potential victims in close quarters without a parent on watch. If your child is aggressive, share your concern with the other parents or teachers in the playgroup, and seek their help in tempering your child’s aggressive behavior. Don’t hesitate to tell them about the problem. You can bet they have also struggled through an aggressive stage with their own children. Your candidness shows your concern for the other children. Otherwise, aggression, especially biting, may destroy friendships. The parents of a biter are embarrassed, while the parents of the bite are angry that their child has been hurt. The biter’s parents get blamed for the child’s misbehavior (“bad parents of a bad kid”), and the adult friendship cools.

Teachers and day-care providers also need to be vigilant in supervising the aggressive child, lest this attitude infect the whole group. In a group setting children learn what is socially-acceptable behavior. If they see and feel that aggressive behavior is tolerated — especially if the biter is in the spotlight (“Watch out, he’s a biter”) — they pick up on this label and may try making it part of their repertoire. While the aggressor’s behavior requires immediate attention, be careful not to give the other children the idea that this is the way to get attention. Be sure to find opportunities to praise the other children for their good behavior.

http://www.askdrsears.com/topics/parenting/discipline-behavior/bothersome-behaviors/biting-and-hitting-16-ways-stop-it

DHCF and Drug Testing for Alcohol

 

 

(Name Withheld)

Hi I came across Your blog and I had a question about the dcfs drug testing - I gave birth to a baby that tested positive for cocaine - now dcfs is involved and is getting me into substance abuse outpatient treatment. One place denied me services because I am not a frequent user. In fact the last time I have used was 8 yrs prior. Can dcfs order that I cannot drink alcohol and also do you think they are testing my urine screenings for it ? Yes I do have a newborn but my bf is also here to watch the baby thru the night if I do drink

a few seconds ago

Ok quick question the last time you had used was 8 yrs prior, then how did your unborn child test positive for cocaine? If I am not mistaken cocaine only stays in the system for 1 week depending on frequency of use up to two. DCFS can order you to do what ever they deem necessary for reunification with your child. (Is your child still with you and are you doing in home care?) The only way they can get any result of alcohol in your urine tests there would have to be quite a lot of alcohol that you would be consuming. Like I said they can order you what ever they want. And since you signed a case plan you agreed to do what ever they want. I do not know this but, when you signed the case plan you also admitted to all the allegations that were brought up against you. My best advice to you is to stop drinking and comply every way they ask. Another quick question, if there is no issue with drinking addiction why are you so worried about not being able to? I am not judging you, at all and please dont think that I am, I am not. All I am saying DCHS usually does not get involved if there is no underlying issues. I wish you only the best, and I pray you will remain strong and get through this. Do it for the kids, they are all that matters.

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Some research on cocaine and the length it stays in your system

Cocaine generally stays in your system for about 2-4 days. In fact, this is the detection window for urine for most casual users. However, chronic or heavy cocaine users may have a much longer detection window. Main cocaine uses, detection time frames and other aspect of cocaine use here. And if you still have questions about cocaine in your system, you are more than welcome to ask them in the comments section at the end.

 

How Do You Take Cocaine?

The principal routes of cocaine administration are oral, intranasal, intravenous, and inhalation. Snorting cocaine occurs when the cocaine powder is inhaled through the nose. There, cocaine is absorbed through the nasal tissue to the bloodstream.

Injecting cocaine, or IV cocaine use, releases the drug directly into the bloodstream and heightens the intensity of its effects. Smoking involves inhaling the cocaine vapor or smoke into the lungs. The absorption after smoking cocaine is as fast as by injection.

Main Cocaine Uses

Cocaine is used mainly for recreational purposes to increase alertness, relieve fatigue, feel stronger and more decisive. Often, cocaine is abused for its intense euphoric effects.  Rarely or seldom is cocaine used as a topical local anesthetic for ear, nose and throat surgery. Traditionally, the coca leaves are chewed or brewed into a tea for refreshment and to relieve fatigue.

Peak Levels And Half Life Of Cocaine

Cocaine is a powerfully addictive stimulant drug made from the leaves of the coca plant.Cocaine has a short half-life of about 0.8 to 0.2 hours. The half-life of benzoylecgonine, the main cocaine metabolite though is 6 hours.

However, the most important factor for cocaine performance in the body is the route of administration. For example, snorting 160 mg of cocaine results in peak levels at 30 minutes; the peak of benzoylecgonine, is around 3 hours. After oral administration of 140 mg cocaine, peak levels occur in plasma concentrations at 1 hour. And while a single dose of 32 mg IV injected cocaine produces peak plasma concentration within 5 minutes, smoking reaches the peak at 45 minutes.

Cocaine Drug Testing: How Long Does Cocaine Stay In The Body?

Cocaine is extensively metabolized to a variety of compounds which are centrally inactive. Most of it metabolizes within 4 hours. But cocaine is still detectable on most drug tests up to a week later and can be “visible” for up to three months in other specific kinds of testing.

How Long Does Cocaine Stay In Blood?

Small part of a cocaine dose may stay in the system and be detected in blood for 48 hours after use. Many users may develop cocaine tolerance, and the changes in cocaine concentrations in storage are also crucial for blood testing. Unlike other drugs, cocaine has a large overlap between toxic, lethal and therapeutic concentrations. There are cases when no cocaine presence in the blood was measured, even after prolonged use.

How Long Does Cocaine Stay In Hair?

As with other drugs, cocaine concentrations in hair are visible for at least 90 days after dosing. However, cocaine does not leave its marks at the root of the hair, but to specific areas. That means that it is there until the hair falls out or is cut off.

How Long Does Cocaine Stay In Urine?

As with other drugs, there is no exact window of detection for cocaine in urine. Cocaine metabolites may be excreted in the urine for up to several weeks after use.

Very low concentrations may be detected during the initial few hours, however, benzoylecgonine persists in urine at detectable concentrations from 2-4 days.  Chronic, heavy use of cocaine can result in detectable amounts for up to 10 days following a binge use.

How Long Does Cocaine Stay In Saliva Or Sweat?

Saliva elimination of cocaine has a half-life of 2 hours, while some cases have reported cocaine concentrations in the saliva even after 19 hours. Generally. the peak level of cocaine concentrations in sweat is at 4.5 to 24 hours.

Cocaine And Addiction

People often underestimate how cocaine can be addictive. Defined as a desire for more of the drug despite the negative consequences, cocaine addiction happens very often to drug users, including all routes of administration.

Problems With Cocaine?

Are you using cocaine and experiencing some problems, strange symptoms or extended side effects? Maybe you want to know more about the cocaine testing procedures?

Please feel free to ask your questions about cocaine use here. We will do our best in giving you a personal and prompt answer.

http://drug.addictionblog.org/how-long-does-cocaine-stay-in-blood-hair-or-urine/

 

Posted: May 09, 2011 | Report This |

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How long does cocaine stay in your system?

Related Topics: Cocaine

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Matthew Hoffman, MD

Internal Medicine

Emory University

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A.

Cocaine provides its high by quickly achieving high levels in the bloodstream during use. Smoking or injecting cocaine results in peak blood levels and effects on the body within a few minutes. After snorting cocaine, blood levels and effects of the drug reach their peak after about fifteen15 minutes. During this time, cocaine produces an intense high (and an increased risk of  damaging effects on the heart and blood vessels, and sometimes other organ systems).

Blood tests can detect cocaine itself for about 12 hours after use. Urine tests check for metabolic byproducts of cocaine, and in infrequent users a urine test is positive for up to two to three days after cocaine use. However, in those who use cocaine regularly, a urine test may be positive for two weeks after the last use. Hair samples can detect cocaine for several months after using.

http://answers.webmd.com/answers/1198208/how-long-does-cocaine-stay-in

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What You Should Know About Testing for Alcohol in Urine

In This Issue

User Group Attendance Triples
Harris Corporation Leverages Net Reference to Ensure Timely, Quality Hires
What You Should Know About Testing for Alcohol in Urine
Drugtec Improves Client Experience
Nationwide Canadian Criminal Checks
E-mail Encryption for MRO Verified Drug Testing Results
Compliance Corner
CSR Spotlight
FAA Issues Final Rule Regarding Refusals to Submit to DOT Testing
Office of Drug and Alcohol Policy and Compliance Issues Q and As

Please Note: The following is presented as general educational information. It is not legal advice, either expressed or implied. Consultation with your legal counsel is recommended for all matters of employment law.
Introduction
Of all the drugs tested in workplace drug testing programs, the most abused drug and the one that poses the greatest hazard is the only one that is legal without a prescription - alcohol.
Alcohol is the most commonly abused drug in this country, and it is also the only one where a legislated impairment level exists. This legislated impairment level creates a unique situation because it makes alcohol the only tested drug for which there is a direct relation between test result and impairment. For an employer, it is relatively easy to decide what to do when it is known that a tested employee is legally impaired, but it may not be so easy to decide what is to be done when testing indicates presence of alcohol below that 'legal impairment threshold'.
There are many questions to be addressed, but two requirements must be present at the start and throughout the process:
1. A scientifically and forensically valid testing technique that produces a clear result, and
2. The ability to reliably compare that result to blood alcohol, which is the benchmark for legal impairment.
Before testing begins, employers should decide whether the intention of the testing is to detect only the presence of alcohol or to detect impaired employees. Each goal has its own set of difficulties and advantages, and this decision should be primarily based upon the employer's needs and philosophy. Clearly the choice of specimen type to be used in the testing is to some degree dependent upon the goal of the testing. Urine alcohol levels do have some relationship to impairment, but impairment is much more easily and forensically discovered using breath or blood specimens.
Disadvantages of Testing for Alcohol in Urine
Urine alcohol testing has the advantage of being inexpensive and easy to do in cases where urine drug testing is already in place, but it also has a sizable number of disadvantages.
The limitations of urine alcohol testing become clear when taking a broad look at what happens to alcohol in the human body after it has been consumed. The alcohol metabolic pathway is divided into stages:
1. Absorption (30-60 minutes after ingestion)
2. Distribution
3. Metabolism
4. Elimination
Distribution, metabolism and elimination may be grouped together and called the post absorption stage. As noted, absorption may take as long as 60 minutes depending on many factors, but the post absorption stage may be much longer since alcohol is removed from the body at a rate that is constant over time but which may vary from 0.003-0.030 ml/hour. The population average is 0.015 ml/hr. Alcohol that has been removed from the blood to the urine may pool in the urinary bladder for hours after its metabolism has been completed.
Given the above, the main disadvantage to testing for alcohol in urine is the difficulty in relating the urine concentration of alcohol to the legal benchmark, which is blood alcohol. There are computations that can be used to do this when the urine sample has been collected according to an established protocol that requires a two void collection over a 20-30 minute period of time. These computations can give an estimation of blood alcohol level during the post absorption phase of alcohol metabolism, but they are very collector dependent. The collector must exactly follow a very specific collection protocol; and must collect a very accurate history from the donor about the time of the last alcoholic drink and the time of the last urine excretion. Either of these things may be complicated to obtain, and by their absence or inaccuracy may cast doubt upon the computations relating the urine result to the blood alcohol level and therefore upon the level of impairment of the donor.
Another complicating factor which diminishes the value of urine alcohol results to the employer is called "Tolerance". "Tolerance" allows heavier drinkers to metabolize and excrete alcohol more quickly than light or non drinkers. If tolerant and non-tolerant drinkers have urine specimens collected for urine alcohol testing at the same time after the same number of drinks and using the same collection process, the heavy drinker is likely to have a very different result than the light or non-drinker.
The timeline of alcohol metabolism independent of tolerance is a further complicating factor. It is possible that a urine drug test specimen collected in an early morning void will still contain alcohol consumed the evening before. How will this be addressed in the workplace when there is no indication of impairment and when the alcohol has been consumed legally during non-work hours?
With the ease, availability and forensic history of blood and breath alcohol testing, urine alcohol testing should be used today only for those employers who are already collecting a urine specimen for other drug testing and for whom cost, time, or other constraints determine that urine alcohol testing is the only viable alternative. Given the aforementioned problems with urine alcohol testing, how these employers handle the results of the urine alcohol test may vary widely and should be clearly explained in company policy.
There are more reasons that urine testing is not generally accepted as the best way to conduct alcohol testing. The concentration of alcohol in urine is generally accepted as 1.3 times the blood concentration when measured after peak absorption, but there are two factors which impact the authenticity of this value:
1. The ability of a tolerant individual to metabolize alcohol more quickly than a non-tolerant individual, and
2. The possible presence of Candida Albicans in the urine specimen.
Candida Albicans is a ubiquitous yeast that is known to ferment sugar into alcohol. Sugar is frequently present in the urine of diabetics and sometimes transiently present in non-diabetic urine. Most laboratories that conduct urine alcohol testing automatically test for and report the presence of sugar in the urine specimen. When that presence is reported to a Medical Review Officer (MRO), in the vast majority of cases the MRO overturns the result and reports a negative result because there is no way to definitely know the real source of alcohol in a urine specimen. While the impact of tolerance and the presence of Candida in results cannot be determined, it cannot be ignored. MROs and employers using urine alcohol results as the basis for disciplinary action need to be prepared to scientifically and legally defend those actions. Such defense may not be easy.
Best Uses for Urine Alcohol Testing
A clear and specific policy statement needs to be in place before any drug test results are acted upon. This is especially true for urine alcohol. What is the goal of the testing? What testing is to be done? What will be the employer action if a positive test result is received?
The best use of urine alcohol testing may be in situations where abstinence is a requirement. This is obviously the case in substance abuse treatment programs. It may also be the case where employers and employees have entered into a return-to-work contract or a last-chance agreement that demands abstinence on the part of the employee.
If urine alcohol testing must be used, the employer must have confidence that the result is indicative of alcohol use and not indicative of a fermentation process, such as that done by Candida Albicans in urine. A specific alcohol metabolite called ethylglucuronide (EtG) has been suggested as useful in this process, but use of this metabolite is very controversial.
EtG is an ethanol metabolite, and it is not found in urine as the result of yeast fermentation. EtG is present in urine up to 80 hours after the alcohol has either been consumed or contacted. Although this long urine detection period renders EtG testing useless in identifying impairment, the long timeline may be a benefit when the testing is used in abstinence requiring programs. There is no relationship yet discovered between EtG and blood alcohol, so it can only be an indicator of alcohol exposure, not impairment.
For EtG to be used as an indicator of alcohol use, it is necessary to have confidence that the detection cutoffs effectively eliminate the possibility of positive results coming from any form of innocent use. Currently there is no scientific agreement about what cutoff level should be, if indeed such a cutoff even exists. Indeed there is some data showing EtG positives from ingestion of orange juice that has been kept past the expiration date and undergone a small amount of fermentation, and from alcohol absorption through the skin after the use of alcohol-based lotions and skin creams.
SAMHSA has just issued an advisory warning against the use of EtG as the "sole evidence that an individual prohibited from drinking in a criminal justice or regulatory compliance context, has truly been drinking."¹
EtG testing is conducted in the same general manner as all other workplace testing for drugs of abuse. An initial or screening test is performed using an immunoassay technology, and then a screening positive is confirmed by a separate technique. The best confirmation technique is LC-MS/MS (liquid chromatography, tandem mass spectrometry). This has been shown to be superior to the standard GCMS confirmation used in most forensic workplace testing because of the chemical properties of EtG, however, not all testing laboratories employ this technique. Before any EtG program is implemented, it should be verified that the chosen testing laboratory employs LC-MS/MS.
Additionally, not all laboratories test for EtG in any manner. Costs also vary widely, with one laboratory charging $115 per test, another charging $21. Urine alcohol may be added to an existing forensic panel for as little as a $.50 laboratory fee. Of course, this does not take into account the increased collection costs both in time and collector effort due to the two void collection protocol. In addition, MRO time and effort to compute a valid blood to urine alcohol result must be considered. In most cases of urine alcohol testing today, the two void collection is not used, and the MRO may or may not be asked to equate the urine result to blood. One must question, therefore, the value of such a result.
Conclusion
From a scientific perspective, there is no compelling reason to do urine alcohol testing in a workplace setting. While arguments can be made relating urine alcohol concentration to blood alcohol concentration in conducted and processed in a highly controlled setting, it is a labor intensive means of determining blood alcohol. A more definitive and defensible result can be obtained by collecting blood or breath alcohol.
In programs requiring abstinence where the only interest is detecting any alcohol consumption whatsoever, EtG may be preferable to urine alcohol testing. EtG does not have the attached risk of yeast fermentation causing a false positive, but currently it cannot be said definitively that EtG presence is caused only by the prohibited consumption of alcohol.
¹ http://www.kap.samhsa.gov/products/manuals/advisory/pdfs/0609_biomarkers.pdf
Questions related to this information may be directed to Verifications, Inc. Compliance Department at 763-420-0600. For information about Verifications, Inc. employment screening products and services, please contact Verifications at 1-800- 247-0717, visit our website at www.verificationsinc.com, or email us at client.services@verificationsinc.com.

http://www.verificationsinc.com/newsletter/10152006/urinealcoholtesting.html

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1. eHow
2. Health
3. Conditions & Treatments
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5. How Long Is Alcohol Detectable by Urinalysis?

How Long Is Alcohol Detectable by Urinalysis?

By Chris Sherwood

eHow Contributor

Introduction

• Urinalysis is a common method for testing urine for signs of substances such as drugs or alcohol. Urinalysis is commonly done in drug treatment centers, but may also be used in places of employment where being under the influence of alcohol during a work shift can put yourself or other at harm. A urinalysis is one of the least intrusive forms of drug testing, but at the same time provides accurate results within a specific time frame.

EtG

• Urinalysis tests work by detecting a metabolite of alcohol called ethyl glucuronide (EtG). Ethyl glucuronide appears in the bloodstream and urine after drinking alcohol has been metabolized in the body. EtG can only be present in a urine sample if a person has been drinking. This is an important benefit, as traditional alcohol testing that searches only for traces of ethanol can sometimes bring back a false positive. This occurs when urine in the bladder has elevated sugar levels and interacts with yeast and bacteria. This is referred to as "ethanol in vitro." Since EtG is produced only when ethanol is metabolized by the liver, EtG will be detected only in test subjects who have recently been drinking.

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Testing

• Testing for alcohol is done in much the same way that any urine test is done. The testing subject will be given a sterile cup to urinate in, usually with a temperature strip on the side to insure that the urine is fresh and real. The cup will then be sealed and sent off to a lab to be tested for EtG.

Time

• In traditional alcohol testing methods that search for ethanol, alcohol can only be detected for up to three or four hours after consumption (depending on how fast the body can metabolize the ethanol). In EtG detection, alcohol can be tested for up to four days (about 80 hours after ethanol has been completely metabolized by the liver). There is also no worry for alcoholics who have recently detoxed. The test will only show positive if you have consumed alcohol within four days, regardless of how much alcohol you have consumed in the past.

Accuracy

• The detection of EtG in urinalysis is just as accurate as detection methods for other types of substances such as illicit drugs. Some oral hygiene products and over-the-counter medications may use alcohol in their active ingredients, and thus will come back with a positive result for alcohol consumption. However, most environments that employ random alcohol testing ask subjects to sign an agreement that they must refrain from using substances that could give a false positive.

Read more : http://www.ehow.com/how-does_5435817_long-alcohol-detectable-urinalysis.html

 

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One dead in shooting at North Carolina community college - media reports

 

Reuters

Man killed when Lamborghini crashes at Orlando racecar track

Md. parents who let kids walk alone being investigated again

April 13 (Reuters) - One person was killed in a shooting on Monday morning at Wayne Community College in Goldsboro, North Carolina, and the campus was on lockdown as authorities searched for the shooter, according to media reports.

At least one person was shot in a school library, Daniel Wiggins, assistant operations manager for Wayne County, North Carolina, told CNN. The suspect was believed to be a male, he said.

Wiggins told CNN that multiple law enforcement agencies were at the scene.

"This is not a drill," the college said on its website. "The entire campus is on lockdown."

http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/one-dead-in-shooting-at-north-carolina-community-college-media-reports/ar-AAaVXsI

Bullshit Link

88answers.com - What is illuminati? abigail lynn,:)?

Mar 15, 2015 ... What happened to aubri lynn macon. Who is Jessica Lynn Hepner? Answers ...
The Illuminati Cabal was a secret society in Bavaria in the late 18th century.

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Who is jessica murray affiliated with chacha?		Feb 2, 2015

 

So during my research of the Illumanti I stumbled across this link above.  I am quite uncertain as to how or why my name would be tied to them since I am strongly against them and their ideas.  And since I am bothered by the concept that someone might assume that I am pro illumanti just from the above link, I had to make it publically known, that I am not tied to the Illumanti nor do I  agree with them.

Transgender teen Leelah Alcorn: ‘My death needs to mean something’

By Maura JohnstonGLOBE CORRESPONDENT  DECEMBER 31, 2014

Early Sunday, 17-year-old Leelah Alcorn died after being hit by a tractor-trailer while walking along a stretch of Interstate 71 near her Ohio hometown.

The death was eventually ruled a suicide after a pair of social media posts, which the Kings Mill woman posted on the blogging site Tumblr, garnered notice and served as a flashpoint for transgender progress in 2014.

Alcorn’s suicide note, which she scheduled for posthumous posting, explained how she reached the breaking point: At 14, she came out to her parents as transgender, and they reacted by taking her to conversion therapy and cutting her off from social media. After protracted periods where she felt isolated and depressed, she wrote, “I realized that my parents would never come around, and that I would have to wait until I was 18 to start any sort of transitioning treatment, which absolutely broke my heart.”

Alcorn’s passionate post, which talked about the despair she felt and her hopes for a more inclusive future, had been reposted nearly 200,000 times on Tumblr as of Wednesday morning.

In a subsequent note, Alcorn addressed her friends, with a particularly sharp rebuke to her parents. “You just can’t control people like that,” she said. “That’s messed up.” Shortly after her death, Alcorn’s mother Carla posted a short note to Facebook identifying Alcorn as “Joshua” (her name at birth) and with male pronouns; it has since been deleted and her account has been made private.

In the wake of Alcorn’s suicide note being made public, hashtags containing her name circulated widely on Twitter, as did more general-awareness ones like #protecttranskids.

The closing lines of Alcorn’s suicide note — “Gender needs to be taught about in schools, the earlier the better. My death needs to mean something. .... Fix society. Please.” — are a sobering coda to a year where transgender issues were treated with more gravity than in years past.

“Orange Is The New Black” actress Laverne Cox and Against Me! lead singer Laura Jane Grace both took the pop-culture spotlight for their groundbreaking work, and their matter-of-fact presentation of themselves as transgender. But, writer Parker Marie Molloy told the Globe by e-mail, there’s still a long way to go as far as true acceptance.

“I’ve learned to be cautiously optimistic about these types of things,” said Molloy, a Chicago-based journalist who frequently writes about transgender issues. “For example, ‘The New York Times’ declared 2010 ‘The Year of the Transsexual.’ This year, ‘Time’ proclaimed that we’ve reached a ‘transgender tipping point.’... Declaring a ‘tipping point’ is great for raising trans awareness, but it makes it far too easy to ignore the struggles — such as healthcare discrimination, poverty, unemployment, and increased risk of becoming the victims of violent crimes.”

The formation of gender identity during adolescence is also one of those struggles, as Molloy notes and as Alcorn’s death illustrates.

“Trans kids need love and acceptance for who they are,” said Molloy. “A 2011 National Center for Transgender Equality/National LGBT Task Force study found that trans children who are rejected by their families are 60 percent more likely to attempt suicide at some point during their lives, compared to children who were welcomed with open arms and the type of unconditional love parents typically afford their children. “Simply put, the single most important resource a trans child can have is a loving parent(s).”

Alcorn’s Ohio hometown is approximately 25 miles northeast of Cincinnati, which this year made strides in being inclusive toward transgender individuals.

“While Cincinnati led the country this past year as the first city in the Midwest to include transgender-inclusive health benefits and we have included gender identity or expression as a protected class for many years,” Cincinnati City Council member Chris Seelbach wrote in a response to Alcorn’s death on Facebook, “the truth is ... it is still extremely difficult to be a transgender young person in this country. We have to do better.”

Maura Johnston can be reached at maura.johnston@globe.com. Follow her on Twitter @maura.

http://www.bostonglobe.com/lifestyle/2014/12/31/transgender-teen-leelah-alcorn-death-needs-mean-something/4hw6uPd8NtjIbn8kAdyAbM/story.html

Troubled Teens Teens and Cutting

Being a teenager is probably the most confusing and difficult time of your life. Adults treat you like a child, yet expect you to behave like an adult, and there is nothing more frustrating. Every teen struggles with their emotions during this time, whether they admit it or not. Almost 50% of teens in the United States injure themselves intentionally, with most incidents involving a razor blade. Why Do We Cut? Perhaps the most frustrating thing about cutting is having no clue why you continue to do it. You know it is unhealthy and you spend a few moments promising yourself you will not do it, but then it ends the same as usual. In order to control your urges and emotions, we must first look at why, as humans, we cut. For starters, people often overlook teen emotions because they vary from hour to hour. Therefore, we feel as if we nobody is listening. When our emotions build up, that is when we fight the urge to explode. The human brain can only take so much emotional pain before it shuts down and becomes numb. Humans cannot function without emotions, so your brain tries to make you feel. In this case, we cut to feel something again. We feel by causing pain to us physically, that it may waken something in us emotionally. This develops an addiction where we literally feel high from cutting, and our body urges us to continue. Cutting for addiction usually triggers from something very specific and emotionally damaging. Some of us cut as a form of punishment, this derives from self-loathing and eating disorders. This situation is severe, but overcoming it is a badge of honor. Learning to love your own self is one of the best experiences life can offer. In this situation, professional help may be required. Cutting to seek attention is very common and unfortunately cast off as unimportant. However, if a human being is that desperate for attention, then they deserve just as much help as someone who cuts to feel again. Most teens that cut hide the scars under long sleeves or jewelry, sometimes even cutting the inner thigh instead of in visible places. When the cuts are for attention, they are usually on the arms in plain sight. How Do We Stop Cutting? The first thing to know is why you cut and address the issue according to your reason. If you suffer from self-loathing, outpatient therapy is ideal before trying to handle something of this magnitude on your own. If you cut for addiction, to feel something, or to release the urges then you need to pinpoint what is triggering the urge. The best thing to do for this is to write down what happened before you got the urge to cut. You make a plan to do something different when the urge flares up, and create a solid commitment with yourself to adhere to the policy. When cutting for addiction, it is important to stay away from media as it drowns us with triggers and rude comments from people who just do not get it. Find Music. To know that you are not alone makes all the difference in the world. Many musicians and actors have suffered through this as well and they openly talk about how they got through it. There are several bands that do not hide their struggle with mental illness. Find music that you love and remind yourself that you are not alone in this struggle and help is just moments away. Put yourself in a family member's position. Ask yourself what you would do if you saw someone you loved hurting themselves. When you see the pain from your own point of view, it helps you desire an end, not avoid it. Ways to pass a cutting urge: • Run for 30 minutes with music • Take a hot shower with music (ensure all razors are away as seeing one may set you off) • Playing with a pet • Drink two cold glasses of water

How To Parent Difficult Teenagers

Last Updated: Oct 24, 2013 | By Rose Erickson Parenting is a difficult task, especially when teenagers are difficult and disrespectful. Although it is sometimes hard to see, teenagers want love and support. They need patient parents who can help guide them through the trials of becoming an adult. Teenagers need to be provided with a healthy environment in which they can learn and experience their daily ups and downs. They also need parents who set limits, but are still willing to listen to their ideas and problems. Step 1 Stay calm and respond instead of react. When a teenager is being disrespectful, it is easy to react angrily. It is the body’s natural response. But it will not help anyone. In fact, it will more than likely result in fighting and resentment. Step 2 Explain how your teenager's actions make you feel. Be simple and specific when explaining what your teenager has done wrong and how it has made you feel. It helps her understand exactly what unacceptable behavior is and also teaches her to communicate her anger instead of acting it out physically. Step 3 Listen to your teenager. Let him speak his point of view, even if he is not being respectful. What he is saying might actually have merit. Feelings are always important to express, even if they are expressed unacceptably. This will show your teen that you will hear him out. Step 4 Do not call your teenager names or show resentment. Not only does this make your teen feel bad, but she will feel that it is OK to call you names back. Step 5 Stay focused. Sometimes a teen talks back to divert attention from his bad behavior. Acknowledge his feelings and repeat yourself. Step 6 Pick your battles. Some things are just not worth fighting about. However, if your teen’s safety is threatened, a parent is justified in standing strong. Step 7 Be negotiable. Invite your teen to suggest solutions to problems. Find solutions that are beneficial to everyone. This shows your teen that she is important and respected. Thus, she will be more inclined to trust and respect you in return. Step 8 Let it go. Sometimes it is easy to hold onto resentment, but it will not be beneficial to anyone. Instead, try to stay positive and save punishments for serious issues. Warnings Seek the help of a therapist or support group if nothing seems to help your teenager's disrespectful behavior. Tips A hug, positive words or other positive reinforcements can go a long way with your teen. Appreciation can help to improve a teen's self-worth and behavior. http://www.livestrong.com/article/75416-parent-difficult-disrespectful-teenagers/

Help for Parents of Troubled Teens Dealing with Anger, Violence, Delinquency, and Other Teen Behavior Problems

Improving Emotional Health Parenting a teenager is never easy, but when your teen is violent, depressed, abusing alcohol or drugs, or engaging in other reckless behaviors, it can seem overwhelming. You may feel exhausted from lying awake at night worrying about where your child is, who he or she is with, and what they're doing. You may despair over failed attempts to communicate, the endless fights, and the open defiance. Or you may live in fear of your teen's violent mood swings and explosive anger. While parenting a troubled teen can often seem like an impossible task, there are steps you can take to ease the chaos at home and help your teen transition into a happy, successful young adult. Normal teen vs. troubled teen behavior As teenagers begin to assert their independence and find their own identity, many experience behavioral changes that can seem bizarre and unpredictable to parents. Your sweet, obedient child who once couldn’t bear to be separated from you now won’t be seen within 20 yards of you, and greets everything you say with a roll of the eyes or the slam of a door. These, unfortunately, are the actions of a normal teenager. As the parent of a troubled teen, you’re faced with even greater challenges. A troubled teen faces behavioral, emotional, or learning problems beyond the normal teenage issues. They may repeatedly practice at-risk behaviors such as violence, skipping school, drinking, drug use, sex, self-harming, shoplifting, or other criminal acts. Or they may exhibit symptoms of mental health problems like depression, anxiety, or eating disorders. While any negative behavior repeated over and over can be a sign of underlying trouble, it’s important for parents to understand which behaviors are normal during adolescent development, and which can point to more serious problems. When Typical Teen Behavior Becomes Troubled Teen Behavior Typical Teen Behavior Warning Signs of a Troubled Teen Changing appearance. Keeping up with fashion is important to teens. That may mean wearing provocative or attention-seeking clothing or dyeing hair. Unless your teen wants tattoos, avoid criticizing and save your protests for the bigger issues. Fashions change, and so will your teen. Changing appearance can be a red flag if it’s accompanied by problems at school or other negative changes in behavior, or if there’s evidence of cutting and self-harm or extreme weight loss or weight gain. Increased arguments and rebellious behavior. As teens begin seeking independence, you will frequently butt heads and argue. Constant escalation of arguments, violence at home, skipping school, getting in fights, and run-ins with the law are all red flag behaviors that go beyond the norm of teenage rebellion. Mood swings. Hormones and developmental changes often mean that your teen will experience mood swings, irritable behavior, and struggle to manage his or her emotions. Rapid changes in personality, falling grades, persistent sadness, anxiety, or sleep problems could indicate depression, bullying, or another emotional health issue. Take any talk about suicide seriously. Experimenting with alcohol or drugs.Most teens will try alcohol and smoke a cigarette at some point. Many will even try marijuana. Talking to your kids frankly and openly about drugs and alcohol is one way to ensure it doesn’t progress further. When alcohol or drug use becomes habitual, especially when it’s accompanied by problems at school or home, it may indicate a substance abuse issue or other underlying problems. More influenced by friends than parents.Friends become extremely important to teens and can have a great influence on their choices. As teens focus more on their peers, that inevitably means they withdraw from you. It may leave you feeling hurt, but it doesn’t mean your teen doesn’t still need your love. Red flags include a sudden change in peer group (especially if the new friends encourage negative behavior), refusing to comply with reasonable rules and boundaries, or avoiding the consequences of bad behavior by lying. Your teen spending too much time alone can also indicate problems. Seeking professional help for a troubled teen All teens need to feel loved Teenagers are individuals with unique personalities and their own likes and dislikes. Some things about them are universal, though. No matter how much your teen seems to withdraw from you emotionally, no matter how independent your teen appears, or how troubled your teen becomes, he or she still needs your attention and to feel loved by you. If you identify red flag behaviors in your teen, consult a doctor, counselor, therapist, or other mental health professional for help finding appropriate treatment. Even when you seek professional help for your teen, though, that doesn’t mean that your job is done. As detailed below, there are many things you can do at home to help your teen and improve the relationship between you. And you don’t need to wait for a diagnosis to start putting them into practice. Understanding teen development No, your teen is not an alien being from a distant planet, but he or she is wired differently. A teenager’s brain is still actively developing, processing information differently than a mature adult’s brain. The frontal cortex—the part of the brain used to manage emotions, make decisions, reason, and control inhibitions—is restructured during the teenage years, forming new synapses at an incredible rate, while the whole brain does not reach full maturity until about the mid-20’s. Your teen may be taller than you and seem mature in some respects, but often he or she is simply unable to think things through at an adult level. Hormones produced during the physical changes of adolescence can further complicate things. Now, these biological differences don’t excuse teens’ poor behavior or absolve them from accountability for their actions, but they may help explain why teens behave so impulsively or frustrate parents and teachers with their poor decisions, social anxiety, and rebelliousness. Understanding adolescent development can help you find ways to stay connected to your teen and overcome problems together. Teens see anger everywhere Teens differ from adults in their ability to read and understand emotions in the faces of others. Adults use the prefrontal cortex to read emotional cues, but teenagers rely on the amygdala, the part of the brain responsible for emotional reactions. In research, teens often misread facial expressions; when shown pictures of adult faces expressing different emotions, teens most often interpreted them as being angry. Source: ACT for Youth Anger and violence in teenagers If you feel threatened by your teen Everyone has a right to feel physically safe. If your teen is violent towards you, seek help immediately. Call a friend, relative, or the police if necessary. It doesn’t mean that you don’t love your child, but the safety of you and your family should always come first. If you’re a parent of a teenage boy who is angry, aggressive, or violent, you may live in constant fear. Every phone call or knock on the door could bring news that your son has either been harmed, or has seriously harmed others. Teenage girls get angry as well, of course, but that anger is usually expressed verbally rather than physically. Teen boys are more likely to throw objects, kick doors, or punch the walls when they’re angry. Some will even direct their rage towards you. For any parent, especially single mothers, this can be a profoundly upsetting and unsettling experience. But you don’t have to live under the threat of violence. Dealing with angry teens Anger can be a challenging emotion for many teens as it often masks other underlying emotions such as frustration, embarrassment, sadness, hurt, fear, shame, or vulnerability. When teens can’t cope with these feelings, they may lash out, putting themselves and others at risk. In their teens, many boys have difficulty recognizing their feelings, let alone being able to express them or ask for help. The challenge for parents is to help your teen cope with emotions and deal with anger in a more constructive way: Establish rules and consequences. At a time when both you and your teen are calm, explain that there’s nothing wrong with feeling anger, but there are unacceptable ways of expressing it. If your teen lashes out, for example, he or she will have to face the consequences—loss of privileges or even police involvement. Teens need rules, now more than ever. Uncover what’s behind the anger. Is your child sad or depressed? For example, does your teen have feelings of inadequacy because his or her peers have things that your child doesn’t? Does your teen just need someone to listen to him or her without judgment? Be aware of anger warning signs and triggers. Does your teen get headaches or start to pace before exploding with rage? Or does a certain class at school always trigger anger? When teens can identify the warning signs that their temper is starting to boil, it allows them to take steps to defuse the anger before it gets out of control. Help your teen find healthy ways to relieve anger. Exercise, team sports, even simply hitting a punch bag or a pillow can help relieve tension and anger. Many teens also use art or writing to creatively express their anger. Dancing or playing along to loud, angry music can also provide relief. Give your teen space to retreat. When your teen is angry, allow him or her to retreat to a place where it’s safe to cool off. Don’t follow your teen and demand apologies or explanations while he or she is still raging; this will only prolong or escalate the anger, or even provoke a physical response. Manage your own anger. You can’t help your teen if you lose your temper as well. As difficult as it sounds, you have to remain calm and balanced no matter how much your child provokes you. If you or other members of your family scream, hit each other, or throw things, your teen will naturally assume that these are appropriate ways to express his or her anger as well. Red flags for violent behavior in teens It only takes a glance at the news headlines to know that teen violence is a growing problem. Movies and TV shows glamorize all manner of violence, many web sites promote extremist views that call for violent action, and hour after hour of playing violent video games can desensitize teens to the real world consequences of aggression and violence. Of course, not every teen exposed to violent content will become violent, but for a troubled teen who is emotionally damaged or suffering from mental health problems, the consequences can be tragic. Warning signs that a teen may become violent include: Playing with weapons of any kind Obsessively playing violent video games, watching violent movies, or visiting websites that promote or glorify violence Threatening or bullying others Fantasizing about acts of violence he’d like to commit Being violent or cruel to pets or other animals Helping troubled teens tip #1: Connect with your teen Whatever problems your teen is experiencing, it is not a sign that you’ve somehow failed as a parent. Instead of trying to assign blame for the situation, focus on your teen’s current needs. The first step to doing this is to find a way to connect with him or her. It may seem hard to believe—given your child’s anger or indifference towards you—but teens still crave love, approval, and acceptance from their parents. That means you probably have a lot more influence over your teen than you think. To open the lines of communication: Be aware of your own stress levels. If you’re angry or upset, now is not the time to try to communicate with your teen. Wait until you’re calm and energized before starting a conversation. You’re likely to need all the patience and positive energy you can muster. Be there for your teen. An offer to chat with your teen over coffee will probably be greeted with a sarcastic put-down or dismissive gesture, but it’s important to show you’re available. Insist on sitting down for mealtimes together with no TV or other distractions, and attempt to talk to your teen then. Don’t get frustrated if your efforts are greeted by nothing more than monosyllabic grunts or shrugs; you may have to eat a lot of dinners in silence, but when your teen does want to open up, he or she will have the opportunity to do so. Find common ground. Trying to discuss your teen’s appearance or clothes may be a sure-fire way to trigger a heated argument, but you can still find some areas of common ground. Fathers and sons often connect over sports, mothers and daughters over gossip or movies. The objective is not to be your teen’s best friend, but to find common interests that you can discuss peacefully. Once you’re talking, your teen may feel more comfortable opening up to you about other things. Listen without judging or giving advice. When your teen does talk to you, it’s important that you listen without judging, mocking, interrupting, criticizing, or offering advice. Your teen wants to feel understood and valued by you, so maintain eye contact and keep your focus on your child, even when he or she is not looking at you. If you’re checking your email or reading the newspaper, your teen will feel that he or she is not important to you. Expect rejection. Your attempts to connect with your teen may often be met with anger, irritation, or other negative reactions. Stay relaxed and allow your teen space to cool off. Try again later when you’re both calm. Successfully connecting to your teen will take time and effort. Don’t be put off; persevere and the breakthrough will come. Helping troubled teens tip #2: Make healthy lifestyle changes The tips below can help put balance back in your troubled teen’s life, no matter the exact diagnosis of his or her problems: Create structure. Teens may scream and argue with you about rules and discipline, or rebel against daily structure, but that doesn’t mean they need them any less. Structure, such as regular mealtimes and bedtimes, make a teen feel safe and secure. Sitting down to breakfast and dinner together every day can also provide a great opportunity to check in with your teen at the beginning and end of each day. Reduce screen time. There is a direct relationship between violent TV shows, movies, Internet content, and video games, and the violent behavior in teenagers. Even if your teen isn’t drawn to violent material, too much screen time can still impact brain development. Limit the time your teen has access to electronic devices—and restrict phone usage after a certain time at night to ensure your child gets enough sleep. Encourage exercise. Even a little regular exercise can help ease depression, boost energy and mood, relieve stress, regulate sleep patterns, and improve your teen’s self-esteem. If you struggle getting your teen to do anything but play video games, encourage him or her to play activity-based video games or “exergames” that are played standing up and moving around—simulating dancing, skateboarding, soccer, or tennis, for example. Once exercise becomes a habit, encourage your teen to try the real sport or to join a club or team. Eat right. Healthy eating can help to stabilize a teenager’s energy, sharpen his or her mind, and even out his or her mood. Act as a role model for your teen. Cook more meals at home, eat more fruit and vegetables and cut back on junk food and soda. Ensure your teen gets enough sleep. Sleep deprivation can make a teen stressed, moody, irritable, and lethargic, and cause problems with weight, memory, concentration, decision-making, and immunity from illness. You might be able to get by on six hours a night and still function at work, but your teen needs 8.5 to 10 hours of sleep a night to be mentally sharp and emotionally balanced. Encourage better sleep by setting consistent bedtimes, and removing TVs, computers, and other electronic gadgets from your teen’s room—the light from these suppresses melatonin production and stimulates the mind, rather than relaxing it. Suggest your teen tries listening to music or audio books at bedtime instead. Helping troubled teens tip #3: Take care of yourself The stress of dealing with any teenager, especially one who’s experiencing behavioral problems, can take a toll on your own health, so it’s important to take care of yourself. That means looking after your emotional and physical needs and learning to manage stress. Take time to relax daily and learn how to regulate yourself and de-stress when you start to feel overwhelmed. Don’t go it alone, especially if you’re a single parent. Seek help from friends, relatives, a school counselor, sports coach, religious leader, or someone else who has a relationship with your teen. Organizations such as Boys and Girls Clubs, YMCA, and other youth groups can also help provide structure and guidance. Watch out for signs of depression and anxiety, and get professional help if needed. This won’t last forever It’s worth reminding your teen that no matter how much pain or turmoil he or she is experiencing right now, with your love and support, things can and will get better—for both of you. Your teen can overcome the problems of adolescence and mature into a happy, successful young adult. More help for parents of troubled teens Suicide Prevention: How to Help Someone who is Suicidal Parents' Guide to Teen Depression: Learn the Signs and How You Can Help Your Teen Dealing with Cyberbullying: Tips for Kids and Parents to Prevent and Stop Cyberbullying Internet and Computer Addiction: Signs, Symptoms, and Help for Balancing Your Time Online and Off Dealing with Bullying: Helping Bullied Kids and Teens and Those who Bully Them Helping Someone with an Eating Disorder: Advice for Parents, Family Members, and Friends Children and Divorce: Helping Kids Cope with Separation and Divorce Substance abuse Drug Abuse and Addiction: Signs, Symptoms, and Help for Drug Problems and Substance Abuse Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse: Signs, Symptoms, and Help for Drinking Problems The Dangers of Teenage Drinking: Understanding the Dangers and Talking to Your Child Resources and references Teenage behavior issues Teens and Violence Prevention – Tips for parents about reducing or eliminating teen violence. (Palo Alto Medical Foundation) Understanding Teens (PDF) – Information about typical adolescent development and how to handle common teen problems. (New Mexico State University) A Parent's Guide to Surviving the Teen Years – What to expect during the teenage years and how to handle typical adolescent behavior problems. (KidsHealth) Parenting Troubled Teens – Articles and resources for parents raising a troubled teen, including information on programs for troubled teens. (About.com) Teenage brain development Adolescent Brain Development (PDF) – Research from Cornell University, University of Rochester, and the NYS Center for School Safety about brain development in teens. (ACT for Youth) That Teenage Feeling – How Harvard researchers may have found biological clues to quirky adolescent behavior. (APA) Authors: Lawrence Robinson and Jeanne Segal, Ph.D. Last updated: February 2015. http://www.helpguide.org/articles/teen-issues/helping-troubled-teens.htm