WNY Family Magazine May 2019 | Page 45

derly steps to create a fair and reason- able agreement. Visit their web site to find accredited mediators in your area, or call 516-227-2595. that may be harmful to the health, safety and welfare of young people. DRUG & ALCOHOL ABUSE n Greater Buffalo Food Allergy Alliance www.gbfoodallergy.org The mission of this local support group is to share information, tips, and experi- ences to ease the challenges of living with food allergies, as well as raise the awareness in the community; meets the 3rd Monday of January, March, May, July, September and November, 7pm- 9pm, at the Cleveland Hill Fire Hall, 440 Cleveland Drive (near Harlem Rd), Cheektowaga. You can also find them on Facebook. n Partnership for Drug-Free Kids Toll-Free Bilingual HELPLINE for Parents of Kids Using Drugs or Drinking: 1-855-DRUGFREE or 1-855-378-4373 (speak to a Parent Specialist, Monday-Friday, 9am to 5pm EST) www.drugfree.org. A 2015 national study determined 1 in 20 adolescents and 1 in 6 young adults were classified to be in need of sub- stance abuse treatment. Prescription medicines are now the most commonly abused drugs among 12 to 13 year olds. More Americans die from drug overdoses than in car crashes, and this increasing trend is driven by prescrip- tion painkillers. In 2015, 16% of 8th graders, 31% of 10th graders, and 45% of 12th graders reported having used marijuana at least once. This national helpline helps parents take effective action before their child’s drug use or drinking reaches a point where treatment is required. Research has shown that substance abuse prob- lems can be reduced by intervening early. Encouraging parents to take im- mediate action is therefore a main goal of the helpline’s team of parent support specialists who offer expert advice to help parents plan a course of action and can supply a list of local resources or treatment facilities. Their website is an excellent one-stop resource where you can educate yourself about specific drugs, teen behavior, and ways to talk to your kids to prevent abuse from ever happening in the first place. n UNDERAGE DRINKING TIPLINE 1-800-851-1932 Erie County Sheriff’s Office anonymous, confidential, and free hotline. Con- cerned adults, teachers, students and friends now have a number to call 24 hours a day, to report planned under- age drinking parties; underage drinking parties taking place or other activities FOOD ALLERGIC FAMILIES Saints Peter & Paul School “Our Tradition: An Education for the Future, Values for Life” 5480 Main Street Williamsville, NY 14221 716.632.6146 Among our 8th grade graduates, we have a 100% acceptance rate to local, private high schools. SSPP is consistently ranked among the top 10% of middle school programs in WNY. In 2018, we were 19 of 191 and recieved honors recognition for our English program. Sports participation can begin as early as Kindergarten and thanks to a generous donor there are no sports fees for 2019-2020. We create confident public speakers who begin honing their skills in Kindergarten. NOW ENROLLING PREK 3 - 8th GRADE for FALL 2019 We invite you to attend one of our Spring Open Houses: KINSHIP CAREGIVERS Among the many changes in society today is the growing incidence of grand- parents raising their grandchildren, or other relatives or family friends taking on the primary role or raising a child in the absence of biological parents. Check with your church, your town’s senior services center, or your county’s mental health association for currently active support groups or counseling services. Here are several area re- sources: n Catholic Charities of Buffalo Kinship Preventive Services 1325 Main St. Buffalo, NY 14209 Contact: Emily Mehltretter 716- 854-3622 A specialized unit serving families in- volved with the Child Welfare system with kinship placements, that is, chil- dren being cared for by a relative in Erie County. n Family Services of Erie County 330 Delaware Ave. Buffalo, NY 14202 716-842-2750 www.childfamilybny.org Among their many services is a Rela- tives as Caregivers Coffee & Chat Hour. – continued next page Thursday, May 9th from 5:30-7:30pm Wednesday, May 29th from 9:00-11:00am Watch our school video from your smartphone @SCHOOLSSPP www.ssppschool.com/openhouse  Parenting Resources  Parenting Resources  45