Archive for the ‘General’ Category
DARE to Go Green!
DARE has found an innovative way to combine the challenges for environment with the impact of the recession. Recycling!!
The charity has taken steps to reduce the amount of paper used in its operation by using as far as possible IT and sees recycling as an additional way of contributing to the environment. CEO David Gilbert said “We see this new measure as an ecologically friendly way for people to support DARE.”
DARE can now arrange for the recycling of old printer cartridges through a national recycling centre, and by doing so is helping to make a few pennies in what are challenging times for those in the charities sector.
The main benefits are:
• Recycle cartridges to reduce landfill
• Manufacture in the UK, reducing CO2 emissions
To recycle your old cartridges through DARE you can find their website at www.dare-uk.org and order your freepost return recycle bag or box. Just enter a few details and your items will be shipped out straight away and free of charge.
Posted in General, News, Press Release | 
Tags: Campaigns, DARE (UK), DARE in the News | 
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‘Getting away from drugs and crime as young as I did is a rare thing’
There’s a fascinating article by Caspar Walsh over on the Guardian website.
Caspar speaks frankly of his ‘Write to Freedom’ project. The Write to Freedom project’s focus is on supporting socially excluded individuals and groups, offering them a safe place for reflection, connection to nature and a positive model of creative community.
Hit the banner to check it out!
Teenagers blameless for inability to concentrate
Here’s something we knew already!
Teenagers have difficulty concentrating on lessons and homework because their brains are less developed than was previously thought, a new study claims.
Despite having the physical appearance of young adults, teenagers have brains more similar to those of younger children, meaning they are more disorganised and susceptible to distraction than older people, experts said.
The brain does not become fully developed until the late twenties or early thirties according to the research, published in the Journal of Neuroscience.
Dr Iroise Dumontheil, one of the joint authors of the research, from University College London’s Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, said: “It is not always easy for adolescents to pay attention in class without letting their minds wander, or to ignore distractions from their younger sibling when trying to solve a maths problem. “But it’s not the fault of the teenagers that they can’t concentrate and are easily distracted. It’s to do with the structure of their brains. Adolescents simply don’t have the same mental capacities as an adult.”
MRI scans were used to measure the mental activity of a group of teenagers as they were asked to solve a problem while trying to ignore a number of distractions. Scientists found a surprisingly high amount of activity in the prefrontal cortex, an area at the front of the brain which is used for making decisions and multitasking, showing that the brain was operating less efficiently than an adult’s.
Dr Sarah-Jayne Blakemore, who led the study, told The Guardian: “We knew that the prefrontal cortex of young children functioned in this chaotic way but we didn’t realise it continued until the late 20s or early 30s. “The part of the brain needed to complete this sort of process is still very much developing throughout adolescence. This means it continues to do a lot of needless work when making these sorts of decisions.”
She said teenagers’ brains contain too much grey matter, the parts of the brain that carry messages, meaning their thought process is more chaotic than that of an adult.
The amount of grey matter in the brain decreases with age, meaning the thought patterns of adults are more efficient and ordered, making the brain work more effectively.
Dr Blakemore said: “What our research has shown is that there is simply too much going on in the brains of adolescents. The result is that their brain energy and resources are wasted and their decision-making process negatively affected.”
Article taken from
A DARE Graduation
In May, King Edwin Primary School held their graduation ceremony for their year six students.
You can check out their article here at their website.
Well done everyone!
Gordon Brown’s biggest health failing?
Gordon Brown’s refusal to ban cheap booze is biggest health failing, claims chief doctor
Gordon Brown’s refusal to clamp down on cheap alcohol is the biggest public health failing of the last decade, England’s chief medical officer has said.
By Laura Donnelly, Health Correspondent
Sir Liam Donaldson, who is about to retire as Whitehall’s most senior doctor, said the Government’s rejection last year of his proposal for minimum prices constituted his biggest disappointment in the role.
He spoke out in an interview ahead of his final annual report, to be published on Mar 15, in which he will say that grandparents are often the best people to instill healthy habits into a younger generation, giving advice to their grandchildren on diet, exercise and the dangers of smoking and drugs.
Last year Sir Liam, 60, said that supermarkets and shops should not be allowed to sell alcohol for less than 50 pence per unit. His recommendation would have doubled the price of many beers and placed a minimum price of £4.50 on a bottle of wine.
Gordon Brown rejected the proposal instantly, saying the “sensible majority” of moderate drinkers should not be punished for the excesses of binge drinkers. The Conservatives also ruled out the idea.
Sir Liam’s proposal had the backing of many senior doctors, including the British Medical Association.
In January the Commons health select committee criticised Mr Brown’s decision, saying: “It is time the Government listened more to the Chief Medical Officer and the President of the Royal College of Physicians and less to the drinks and retail industry.”
The medical adviser said the rejection of his proposal had been his greatest disappointment during his 12 years in post, all with Labour in power.
The majority of his most significant recommendations – including a ban on smoking in workplaces, allowing embryonic stem cell research, and changes to the way doctors are regulated – have been introduced, though some involved major battles.
The article continues here…
Article taken from
‘Grossly irresponsible’
‘Grossly irresponsible’ Robbie Williams blasted after describing cannabis as ‘lovely’ during an interview
By Liz Thomas
Robbie Williams was yesterday accused of being ‘grossly irresponsible’ for encouraging his young fans to try cannabis after he described the illegal drug as ‘lovely’ during an interview.
The controversial singer, who has battled addictions to cocaine and prescription drugs, said he was still smoking the illegal substance last year and claimed it was ‘a shame’ that it ‘did not mix well’ with him.
But charities and campaign groups have reacted with fury at his comments and claim he is effectively promoting a Class B drug that has been linked to the development of mental illness and psychosis.
The majority of the stars fans are in their teens and his new song Morning Sun has just been selected as the official Sport Relief song, which aims to raise money for disadvantaged people – many of whom will have been affected by drug abuse.
In an interview in the Radio Times Williams told how the tendency to binge eat after smoking marijuana had caused the pounds to pile on.
He said: ‘Have a look at [me] last year. Yep. Year of the Munchie 2009.
‘Weed, it’s such a lovely drug. It is such a lovely drug. But it doesn’t mix well with me – at all.
‘It doesn’t take much to trigger – I mean, I’ll get psychosis from having this cup of tea! Seriously. The caffeine in that is enough. A cup of tea will make me feel like s***. But it’s just a shame about weed, because I did love it.’
David Gilbert, chief executive of drugs education and awareness charity DARE, branded Williams comments ‘disgusting’.
He said: ‘This is grossly irresponsible. He is a role model. Young people look up to him, they admire him, they want to emulate him so saying something like this is thoughtless.
‘His comments make it sound like he is promoting cannabis use – even though it is known that it is harmful and has links to mental illness.
‘In saying cannabis is a ‘lovely drug’ young people who had not previously tried it – may be tempted to – and others may believe that there are no ill effects.
The article continues here…
Article taken from
Smoking Killed Me
Dead smoker has ‘Smoking Killed Me’ signs placed on hearse
A life-long smoker had his dying wish honoured today when he had the words ”Smoking Killed Me” placed on signs in his hearse.
Albert Whittamore, known as Dick, died last month aged 85 after suffering for years from emphysema, a progressive lung condition he blamed on his habit.
He wanted the ill-effects of his smoking to act as a warning to others and dictated in his will that the signs be placed inside his hearse as it passed through his home town of Dover in Kent.
One of the signs was also placed at Mr Whittamore’s graveside, according to his wishes.
Paul Sullivan, of Sullivan & Son funeral directors, said: ”Although he had reached the age of 85, he had been suffering for a while and wanted to do his bit to warn others about smoking.
”He specified that that’s what he wanted in his will. We gave it some thought but after a while we decided that that’s what he had requested.”
Mr Whittamore, who ran a small printing business in a shop below his home, was forced to use a motorised wheelchair in his later years as his health faltered.
A spokesman for the stop smoking charity Quit said: ”We understand Dick had emphysema, which is a lung condition caused by smoking which results in people struggling for breath.
”Dick is sending out a strong message to smokers as he doesn’t want others to suffer.”
Article taken from
Parents underestimate their influence on children’s drinking
Parents are underestimating their influence on children’s drinking habits, according to a Government campaign.
More than half of young people who have drunk alcohol say they are usually given it by their parents, according to a study commissioned by the Department for Children, Schools and Families.
And children in households where adults drink heavily are more likely to drink themselves.
Under the Why Let Drink Decide? campaign, new cinema adverts targeted at young people will show the risks associated with alcohol.
Local authorities will be handed ”good practice guides” to help them work with other services, such as the police, to stop under-age drinking from becoming a problem in their area.
More than 2,000 youngsters are today playing in a Kickz football tournament, which will encourage those taking part to have discussions about the dangers of under-age drinking.
Parents will also be given advice on under-age drinking to allow them to talk to their teenagers about the issue, ministers said.
The new research, which questioned more than 4,000 parents, children and young people, reveals one in four (26%) of youngsters said their parent had never talked to them about alcohol.
Almost one in ten (9%) are unaware that their child has ever drunk alcohol.
Some 17% of parents said they had thought about what to do if drinking was becoming a problem for their child, but eight in ten (80%) said they would just deal with it when it happens.
Schools minister Vernon Coaker said: ”Today’s research shows that parents underestimate their influence over their child’s drinking and attitudes to alcohol, yet a quarter of young people have never spoken to their parents about the issue. That’s why through the ‘Why Let Drink Decide?’ campaign we are giving parents and young people the confidence to have open conversations about alcohol, to ultimately delay the age at which young people start drinking.
”Some young people need more help, support and fun alternatives to drinking, which is why we are launching the Kickz Cup 2010 today.”
Article taken from
Why Let Drink Decide
Check out the new government campaign to make us all more drink aware. There’s something for everyone from facts and figures to games and guidance.
Hit the logo to check it out!
