News
Mentor Foundation Chairman addresses WFAD conference
On the May 21st, Mentor International's Chairman, Yvonne Thunell addressed the World Federation Against Drugs (WFAD) Conference in Stockholm.
The Conference was opened by Her Majesty Queen Silvia of Sweden, President of the Mentor Foundation, and was attended by delegates from around the world. Ms Thunell gave the closing input to the meeting, providing an international perspective on prevention; sharing the ways in which Mentor is responding to the need for effective practice around the world.
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News
Mentor celebrates World Drug Day-26th June 2012
We are celebrating World Drug Day by adding a further 300 entries to Mentor's on-line international data-base of organisations working in the field of drug prevention. This growing list is just one element in Mentor's Drug Prevention Hub. Here is a wealth of information for everyone working in the field, from parents to commissioners, policy makers to community workers and more!
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Research
Prevention of student alcohol misuse should focus on adolescent well-being
This study is based on over 2,500 university freshmen from Germany, Poland, Bulgaria, the UK and Slovakia. Among other findings researchers discovered that perceived stress and depressive symptoms were associated with problem drinking. The authors conclude that prevention programmes should focus on adolescent well-being and teach adaptive coping responses and problem solving skills.
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- Are perceived stress, depressive symptoms and religiosity associated with alcohol consumption? A survey of freshmen university students across five European countries Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, and Policy
News
Young smokers successfully targeted by 'Camel Crush'
Despite warnings on the danger of menthol cigarettes, particularly for young people, the latest available figures suggest that Camel's menthol flavoured 'Camel Crush' might be responsible for a 20% increase in US market share among 12-17 year olds and 60% among 10-25 year olds in 2010. The menthol flavour is released as the filter is pinched. Huffington Post gives other recent examples of young people being targeted. Tobacco companies continue to diversify and to fight attempts to restrict their freedom to market cigarettes. The makers of 'Marlboro' are planning to sell a mint flavoured nicotine lozenge with milder health warnings.
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Camel Crush Cigarettes Favored By Teen Smokers, Increasing Market Share By Over 20 Percent Huffington Post
From Altria, Nicotine in Lozenges The Wall Street Journal
Research
Young adults who are not strictly heterosexual or homosexual more likely to misuse alcohol
A new study found that students who are not strictly heterosexual or homosexual tend to misuse alcohol more frequently than people who have a firmly defined sexual orientation. Students whose sexual orientation was in flux reported drinking to relieve anxiety, possibly due to stigmatisation from the other groups. The findings could be important for the provision of alcohol prevention support networks for this vulnerable group.
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Patterns of Alcohol Use and Consequences Among Empirically Derived Sexual Minority Subgroups - Abstract - Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs
Sexual Orientation Fluctuation Correlated to Alcohol Misuse - Science Daily
Resources
'Play Safe' - an intriguing form of drug prevention education
An intriguing form of drug prevention education has recently been presented in ‘Play Safe’, an educational and at times shocking anti-drug documentary that paradoxically shows open and honest graphic lessons on how to use drugs. It strives to encourage young people to think about what they are doing before they do it. The dangers of ‘Play Safe’ are that it could convey a twofold message. It can give young people inclined to misuse drugs a false sense of security. However, according to Jeremy Orbach from Students for Sensible Drug Policy, the movie will have a positive influence as it shows how to minimize the risks of substance misuse and also teaches the youth how to recognize danger signs in their drug-using friends.
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Drug documentary delivers potent mix of fear and facts - Chicago Tribune
Mentor has not undertaken a thorough review of the resources mentioned as to their ultimate value and worth, however we welcome reader and user feedback.