Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Parents, College Presidents Need Your Help - Are You Ready?

Here is a draft of a letter I am writing to the group of College Presidents advocating to lower the legal drinking age to 18...

Dear 100 College Presidents,

I am writing regarding your recent action to support lowering the drinking age to 18. Your reasoning and rationale did not mention anything about BRAIN DEVELOPMENT.

You as the recognized leaders in America to whom we in trust our youth during their critical and dangerous years (18-21) must know the brain is not fully developed until age 25!!!!! Drinking alcohol before age 21, especially binge drinking, is like pouring hot water on a jello mold. We trust you to lead and to educate our children which means you have to set boundaries and monitor their behaviors.

I know you are committed to providing an excellent academic education and want to invest your full time and resources into these endeavors.

I know that the drinking issue is huge and you must feel overwhelmed and like we as a society have just dumped the problem on you and expect you to solve something much bigger than the college campus.

You certainly need parents, polices and the entire community to help you reduce drinking on campus, at games, etc. We pledge our support and help to you and ask you to reconsider your decision. Building healthy brains is a big part of your job and you can not succeed by reducing the drinking age to 18.

Sincerely,
Peggy Sapp


Parents, are you ready to help set boundaries and monitor behavior? The problem they are responding to can be prevented by parents taking action at a much earlier age. Parents, are you ready???

Monday, September 8, 2008

NFP's First Blog Post!


This is NFP’s first blog, but we have been spreading the drug prevention message for over 27 years. Wow, that’s a long time! When we started we thought the world would understand the dangers of drug use and chose to be drug free… it seemed like common sense. Do we have a shortage of common sense? Or maybe, we still don’t have the correct information and/or don’t like to make tough choices.

Most people don’t use illegal drugs and guess what??? Most people don’t drink alcohol, but you would never believe it to listen to the media. It is important to know that most people don't drink or use illegal drugs because WHEN WE THINK MOST PEOPLE DO, IT NORMALIZES THE BEHAVIOR AND PEOPLE (ESPECIALLY TEENS) ARE MORE LIKELY TO TRY USING ALCOHOL AND DRUGS.

Well, let’s keep it short…our mission is to help people (especially kids) reach their full potential and that is not possible if you fry your brain.

So our blog will try to answer your questions and give you the facts. Remember EMOTIONS ARE A FACT OF EACH PERSON'S LIFE - AND THEY FREQUENTLY DRIVE OUR BEHAVIORS. Hope you are feeling well and happy.
Peggy