Welcome to the Straight Up blog! We are excited about this opportunity for teens and young adults to share their view points, opinions and experiences and to help facilitate important community dialog around the issues of underage and binge drinking and impaired driving. Read More »
Baylor University Medical Center cautions everyone about the dangers of binge drinking, especially mixed with the party atmosphere and outdoor activities of this upcoming holiday weekend.
“Drinking and boating, drinking and swimming, drinking and fishing—there are very few events that intoxication makes you better at,” says Dr. Michael Foreman, medical director of Trauma Service and Neurosurgical ICU on the medical staff at Baylor University Medical Center.
Enjoying time with family and friends, outdoor grilling, and fireworks are all part of summertime activities. However, sometimes the party is over before it starts.
Read more from Baylor University Medical Center’s blog.
Upcoming Reality Party for Parents
TWO REALITY PARTIES COMING UP – REGISTER TODAY
Just opened to the public!
Reality Party for Parents – Home Tour
Camarillo
Monday, May 20, 2013
Time: Tours start every half hour between 5:30pm-9pm. Reservations required.
Addresses will be given when a tour time is reserved.
Open to public. Adults only. FREE!
Reality Party for Parents – Home Tour
Simi Valley
June 1, 2013
Time: Tours start every half hour between 3pm-7:30pm. Reservations required.
Addresses will be given when a tour time is reserved.
Open to public. Adults only. FREE!
Register online! www.straightupvc.org/register
More info: 805-647-4622 or info@straightupvc.org
Many adults feel drinking and drug use is a rite of passage and think teen parties are the same as when they were young. Straight Up youth want parents to face the current realities and learn why and how we need adults to help change these dangerous social norms in Ventura County.
Teen actors portray scenes from a house party and voice the concerns expressed by local teens and young adults about trends in youth alcohol and drug use.
After each performance or tour we facilitate community dialogue with a panel to answer questions and discuss ideas for change.
About the contest
We asked entrants to create a short video about PRESCRIPTION FOR CHANGE– what they, their community, or their peers can do to increase understanding of the dangers and reduce the problems of prescription drug misuse and abuse in our community.
The winning videos already have been screened at two important prevention meetings attended by Ventura County Behaviorial Health educators, prevention providers, and leaders. All videos will be broadcast on local cable access stations.
Congratulations to all 25 of the young people who entered the 11 videos! We appreciate all your hard work! Read More »
Alcohol companies employ many tactics to keep drinking and alcohol use in everybody’s minds. Some of them might surprise you. Read More »
This article was written by Launch Education Asia Chidekel. Asia is a senior at New Community Jewish High School and will attend the University of Puget Sound in the fall. Click through to the Launch Education site for the whole article.
Performing the ‘Reality Party’: A Tool for Parents of Party-ers
The “reality party” is an experience that shocks, educates, and demonstrates for parents what the reality is today in the teenage partying world. These reality parties are created by an organization called “Straight Up”, located in Ventura County. The home page states, “Many adults feel drinking and drug use is a rite of passage and think teen parties are the same as when they were young. Straight Up Youth wants parents to face the current realities and learn why and how we need adults to help change these dangerous social norms in Ventura County.” Read More »
This post was written by a Ventura County high school student.
While his views are not necessarily the viewpoint of Straight Up, we are grateful for his honesty and openness about difficult subjects.
If you are struggling with alcohol or drugs, or have hopeless thoughts, please get help.
- In Ventura County, call the Suicide Prevention Center Crisis Line at 877-727-4747 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week).
- For children, call Casa Pacifica Centers for Children and Families’ Crisis Line at 866-431-2478 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week).
- In the U.S., call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (800-273-8255) to reach a trained counselor for free, confidential help, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
I am sitting here, thinking of ideas of something to write about, something meaningful. Writing about anti-drug work even though I don’t completely believe in all Straight Up says and is about. I sit here puffing on a E-cig, trying to think, A complete hypocrite of the organization I am making this blog for as I fill my lungs with water vapor, flavoring, and nicotine. Read More »
A California family lost their 13-year-old daughter to huffing — unfortunately, this scenario is not as uncommon as you may think.
Huffing is the act of sniffing chemicals (often sprayed into a bag) and inhaled. This may cause a reaction is similar to alcohol intoxication — drowsiness, lightheadedness, and a lack of inhibition. Read More »
Volunteer with Straight Up!
Straight Up volunteers (from left): Raquel, Laura, Natalie, Matthew and Ryan.
We’re looking for Ventura County residents ages 12-25 to get involved, in creative and interesting ways, to raise awareness about alcohol/drug use and other destructive behaviors that are dangers to young people. Read More »
Please read and TAKE ACTION to stop Leno’s 4am Bar Bill
Senator Mark Leno has introduced SB 635 to extend drinking hours in California from 2 a.m. to 4 a.m.
California already suffers $38.4 billion in alcohol-related harm every year, with 10,000 lives lost and hundreds of thousands of additional injuries. Two more hours of alcohol-driven profit for bar and restaurant owners will produce even more harm and loss. Read More »
Images of young people using smokeless tobacco products. Creative Commons license.
While teenagers across the nation have heard and embraced the “no smoking” message – smoking among teens has fallen more than 45 percent since 1997 – they don’t seem to equate the dangers of nicotine and other toxins with smokeless tobacco.
About 20 percent of teenage boys and 2 percent of teenage girls use smokeless tobacco, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Read more on the Patriot-News (PA) website
Read More »
More hours means more harm to our community
Please read and TAKE ACTION to stop Leno’s 4am Bar Bill
Senator Mark Leno has introduced SB 635 to extend drinking hours in California from 2 a.m. to 4 a.m.
California already suffers $38.4 billion in alcohol-related harm every year, with 10,000 lives lost and hundreds of thousands of additional injuries. Two more hours of alcohol-driven profit for bar and restaurant owners will produce even more harm and loss. Read More »