Finding Hope in Prevention

The only good news about addiction is that it is preventable. The families in Louisville, Kentucky and beyond deserve a new approach to prevention education. Consider these two important statistics:

90% of addicts begin drinking, smoking or using illicit drugs before age 18
Parents remain the greatest influence in the lives of their children and teens trust what their parents say (and don’t say).

These two statistics make it easy to determine when to begin prevention and who to target. Prevention needs to start well before the age of 18 (our prevention efforts begin in elementary school), and parents need to be the primary recipients of prevention education. Educated parents can stop addiction before it begins. Operation Parent is strategically positioned to lead the charge in delivering prevention education in a new way. We are capitalizing on the ease of access and daily use of technology by today’s tech-savvy parents to deliver critical prevention information.

Our goal is to dramatically reduce the number of families impacted by addiction by providing ongoing prevention education on alcohol, drugs, and underlying issues early in elementary school and during critical transition into middle and high school.

Quote

It’s not an easy job… raising healthy kids in today’s tough culture. But if we stick together, we can do it. We might even have some fun along the way!

-Jean Schumm, President of Operation Parent

Parent Handbooks

The Operation: PARENT Handbook uniquely addresses over 40 of the toughest issues affecting today’s parents and their teens. Printed in full color, this 64 page resource raises awareness immediately and educates readers on the latest trends, misconceptions and warning signs associated with each issue. The Operation: PARENT Handbook is being used by parents, schools, churches and drug-free coalitions to help prevent issues such as addiction, violence and suicide across the United States. Over 75,000 copies have been sold.

Community Presentations

For the past decade, Operation Parent has traveled the nation to talk to parents, counselors, employees, and others on youth substance abuse and the often over-looked underlying issues:

Shedding Light on Prescriptions, Opioids & Synthetics: This presentation covers risks of use and abuse, how to identify the signs and symptoms of substance abuse and next steps if you find signs of use.
Shedding Light on Alcohol & Marijuana: Here we discuss why teens use alcohol and/or marijuana, the risks associated with adolescent use and practical prevention steps to take in your own home.
Social Media Mania – Setting Boundaries: Attendees will learn how to raise a digitally responsible child, how to establish Internet and social media boundaries for their family and the difference between parental controls and spyware products.
Social Media Mania – Nothing but the Apps: Learn about the most popular social media sites being used by teens and preteens today. Specifically, the recommended ages for these sites and the conversations parents need to be having with their child about privacy, usage, friends and posts.
Tech Talk – Cyber bullying & Sexting: Attendees will learn ways to protect their child from cyber bullying and how to detect if their child is a victim of cyber bullying, the legal issues surrounding sexting and steps to take if your child receives a sext.
Helping your Child Cope with Fears & Worries: Learn how to identify signs of stress in your child, things we (as parents) say or do that are not helpful and ways to build confidence within your child.

21st CENTURY PREVENTION

Operation Parent is currently partnering with Oldham County schools and JCPS to implement a new district-wide prevention initiative targeting every 4th, 6th, and 9th grade family with a parent handbook, pending funding. The information in the handbook will be reinforced with short, educational videos released throughout the school year.

Parents will also have access to ongoing webinars and communication through social media. For more information: jean@operationparent.org