Alcohol and the life of James

James is a 13-year-old boy who has been hanging around with friends that have parents that throw drinking parties every weekend. Now James parents drink but not very often, so he is not a stranger to alcohol. One weekend he asks his parents if he can go and spend the night at his friend Tom’s home. They agree. Tom’s parents are having a party as usual. James is introduced to the taste of his first beer. In addition, he really likes the taste and how it makes him feel. James is now on the road to alcoholism. Of course he doesn’t know it as of yet. Let us fast forward a few years.
James is now out of high school and in his first year of college. He has learned that a couple of beers will make him able to talk to other people without being shy or reserved, that it makes him feel better than he has in a long time, and that it helps him sleep. He has a few friends that drink with him but he always drinks them under the table and he never seems to get enough. James only drinks on weekends because of his schoolwork so he feels that it is not affecting him any. Fast forward, another year or two he is about 21 now and drinks on weekends and on Wednesdays just to get by. He hates the feeling that he has when not drinking and at this age it already hurts not to drink and just a day or two between drinking is just about all he can stand. James, at this point does not yet realize he is an alcoholic.
At the age of 23 he has been in his first car wreck and his first DUI, spent the night in jail, and has to call his parents to bail him out. James experiences for the first time how it feels to be a criminal. His car is a wreck but drivable but what do you think happens? Do you think that this first experience with the law will stop him? No, he is remorseful, sorry, upset at himself but after a few weeks he is back to drinking again.

The month of April is national child abuse prevention month. It is a time to raise awareness about child abuse and neglect and to encourage individuals and communities to support children and families.
Child abuse and neglect often takes place in the home and comes from a person the child knows -- a parent, relative, baby-sitter or a friend of the family. A child of any age, race, or socioeconomic background can become a victim of abuse and neglect. Nine out of ten children are hurt by their own parents. Children suffer the pain, parents suffer the shock and guilt of their own behavior.
Some of the reasons for physical and psychological mistreatment of children within the family are parental feelings of frustration, stress such as marital, financial problems, substance abuse and or isolation from the support of family and friends.
The types of abuse include Emotional, physical, sexual abuse and negligent treatment of a child under the age of 18. Neglect is the failure to provide the child with basic needs this also includes inadequate supervision, abandonment, or inattention to a special education need. Physical abuse is the physical injury inflected on a child as a result of shaking, burning, kicking, hitting, beating or
otherwise harming a child. Sexual abuse of a child may include indecent exposure, fondling,incest, rape, or the production of pornographic materials. Emotional abuse is the failure to provide warmth, supervision, attention to the child, criticism, threats, and rejection,or otherwise normal life experiences. It impairs the child’s emotional development or sense of self-worth.
The impact of child maltreatment can be profound. The long-term effects can be physical,psychological, or behavioral. It can include mental illness, substance abuse,domestic violence,social problems with other children and adults, teen pregnancy and lack of success in school.
The first step in helping or getting help for an abused or neglected child is to recognize signs and symptoms that may signal the presence of child abuse. The child that is possibly suffering from neglect is frequently absent from school, lacks sufficient clothing for the weather, states there is no one at home to provide care, poor hygiene, or begs or steals food or money from school. The child that is possibly suffering from physical abuse has unexplained bruises,bites,burns, or welts, or the child appears frightened of a parent or caregiver and is afraid to go home. The child that is possibly being emotionally abused can show extremes in behavior,ranging from being overly aggressive to overly passive. Self-destructive, or has habit disorders. The child that is possibly being sexually abused can display age-inappropriate sexual play with toys,self,or others. Or can have age inappropriate knowledge of sex.
The following are some things that you can do to help prevent child abuse and neglect. Be a friend to a parent you know. Ask how their children are doing, if a new parent seems to be struggling offer to baby-sit, run errands, or offer a friendly ear. Make an effort to look out for one anothers children. Teach children their rights,children should be taught that no one should touch them in areas covered by a bathing suit, tell them to say no and report to an adult right
away. Anything you do to support kids and parents in your family and community helps reduce the likelihood of child abuse and neglect. Children often drop hints in an attempt to feel out an adult’s reaction before sharing a situation. Do not push the child to tell you more than he or she is willing to share, and let the child know that telling about the abuse or neglect was the right thing to do. Avoid overreaction or criticizing, and keep your own feelings under control. Above
all be supportive.
Wear a blue ribbon and tell people it stands for the prevention of child abuse and neglect. If you suspect a child has been abused report it. If you witness a child being harmed or see evidence of abuse. Contact your local law enforcement.

We can all help prevent child abuse by recognizing the risk factors, protecting children who are at risk and supporting families.

Resources for parents and children

Call 1-800-4-A-CHILD for The Childhelp USA National Child Abuse Hotline. You can call any time day or night, and an expert will be able to help you. www.childhelpusa.org.
Call 1-800-621-4000 for the National Runaway Switchboard. If you have left home because you find life too tough there, call this number. www.nrscrisisline.org.

Youth & Family Resource Center, Inc.
326 West Eleventh Street
Shawnee, Oklahoma 74801
405.275.3340
Fax 405.275.3343
mailto:info@hopehouseonline.org
URL: http://www.hopehouseonline.org/

Project Safe
Director: Ann Lowrance
PO Box 465
Shawnee, OK 74802
405-273-9953
Crisis: 405-273-2420
Crisis: 800-821-9953
Fax: 405-273-8890
Email: ann.lowrance@sbcglobal.net