The Dangers of Tobacco Use by Children and Teens

The non-profit organization Rock In Prevention uses music to address various matters impacting youth. Rock In Prevention is particularly active in dealing with bullying and abuse of substances such as alcohol, drugs, and tobacco.

Every year, nearly half a million Americans die from cigarettes, including 41,000 from secondhand smoke inhalation. Diseases and other health conditions caused by tobacco cost Americans in excess of $300 billion. Understanding the dire health and financial consequences of tobacco use, it becomes critical for parents, teachers, and other role models to educate youth on the dangers of smoking before they develop the habit.

There are several ways to approach the subject of tobacco use with children, including by setting a good example for them. Because children are impressionable, it can be difficult to dissuade them from engaging in a behavior or an activity practiced by a family member or other role model.

Adults must also understand that smoking is often a form of social interaction and that many teens try it as a way to fit in with their peers. Since most educated children understand the dangers of smoking, adults must also address the social reasons behind its initial use.

While smoking might be socially acceptable to some, adults can point out that, because it results in bad breath, poor body odor, unattractive skin, and yellow teeth, it is a turnoff for most children and teens. Similarly, adults can highlight the fact that it is an expensive habit.

Bullying in the Latino Community

Pat McManus and his team at Rock in Prevention work to empower students to resist bullying, speak up on behalf of others, and avoid using drugs and alcohol. They are currently involved in creating a new program to teach mentors across the country to share the group's messages through workshops, music, and other activities. The programming features exciting music and digital content designed to foster positive socio-emotional experiences and awaken empathy in participants. Rock in Prevention’s recent Spanish-centered educational initiative, Rock Latino, expanded this successful evidence-based model into new communities.

Bullying knows no cultural boundaries, and it continues to be a major problem for children and teens everywhere. More and more schools have recognized in particular the recent rise in ethnically based bullying targeting Latino youth, as well as the in-group bullying among Latino students. New school-based counseling and emotional support programs are growing in response to an increased demand for assistance with such problems. 

One recent study showed 26 percent of Latino students afraid of being bullied by their age-mates. Another report found that at least 17.2 percent of Latino young people responding had actually been bullied on their school campuses.

For students from immigrant families, the problem may be most acute. Because of their imperfect knowledge of the English language and their newness to teen customs in the United States, these students may be particularly vulnerable to bullies.

Some experts point out that bullying can also have an extremely detrimental effect on the lives and academic success of the highest-achieving Latino and African-American students than on their majority peers, perhaps in part because their success defies widespread negative stereotypes and results in their being singled out.

A Quick Look at Rock World Empathy

Established in 1990, Rock In Prevention uses music and other innovative methods to educate children on issues of bullying and drug use, among other important, contemporary issues. Rock In Prevention addresses these issues through several programs, including Rock World Empathy.

Empathy is one of the most important qualities a child can develop. Rather than judging a person for the location of their birth, their appearance, or their economic status, parents and guardians should attempt to raise children who can place themselves in another person’s situation and understand how life might be different from their own, not to mention more difficult.

Rock World Empathy, one of the organization’s newest programs, is geared towards fostering exactly this attitude. Furthermore, the organization seeks to improve children and family’s media literacy and the understanding that most people are not simply embodiments of the current political landscape, but our neighbors and peers who deserve respect and understanding. Individuals interested in following the development of Rock World Empathy can visit the organization’s website, www.rockinprevention.org.

ASCA National Model Outlines Standards for School Counseling Programs

Serving thousands of children across the country, Rock In Prevention provides educational workshops and activities that teach character development and prevention for bullying, alcohol abuse, and substance use. Rock In Prevention’s programs use music as a teaching tool to help school counselors meet the goals of the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) National Model.

The ASCA National Model provides a framework for the structure and development of comprehensive school counseling programs that improve student achievement. According to the ASCA, school counseling programs are an integral component of a student’s educational environment and require collaboration among parents, students, school faculty, and school counselors. Particular emphasis is placed on ensuring that counseling programs make a direct difference in students’ lives through personal and educational support. 

Effective school counseling programs encompass three areas: student outcomes, student competencies, and professional competencies. Program focus is established by identifying beliefs as to how students can benefit from school counseling programs and creating a vision statement that outlines desired student outcomes. These outcomes should address a student’s academic, career, and social-emotional development. 

Furthermore, the ASCA Model encourages school counselors to take steps to maintain their professional competencies as outlined by the ASCA School Counselor Competencies. The guide details the knowledge, attitude, and skill sets necessary to meet the profession’s rigorous demands and specifies the principles of moral behavior.

NBA Coach Endorses Rock In Prevention

Rock In Prevention is a youth development organization headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa, that addresses issues of bullying, drug use, and other aspects of strong character education. Rock In Prevention was established in 1990 by Pat McManus, a national certified addiction counselor (NCAC).

Over the course of nearly three decades, the program has received endorsements from a number of high profile individuals and organizations, including Nick Nurse, an assistant coach for the Toronto Raptors National Basketball Association (NBA) franchise. Nurse has more than a decade of experience working with the program and has been particularly vocal about the enthusiasm both children and adults can experience when taking part in the unique, musically-driven lesson plans. Coach Nurse also pointed out and praised the organization’s history of training high school age mentors who go on to teach younger children, who view the older kids as role models and strive to be like them. Coach Nick Nurse is a seasoned, winning coach and has won two NBA D League Championships as Head Coach prior to being hired by the Toronto Raptors. Nick has been involved with the Rock Golf Classic for several years and serves on the Rock Honorary Board. 

More information regarding Rock In Prevention services can be found online at www.rockinprevention.org.

Resources for Achieving Standards of Success from ASCA

Founded to prevent youth addictions, Rock In Prevention continues to support children and adults in making choices to gain successful careers and to live happy lives. Rock In Prevention also associates itself with other organizations pursuing similar goals such as the American School Counselor Association (ASCA).

The ASCA promotes the healthy development of students academically, emotionally, and socially, helping them to achieve success in school and in their careers through support of school counselors. The organization's services to school counselors range from professional development to online resources.

Among other resources, the ASCA provides a searchable database to help counselors support students in achieving expected standards. Known as the ASCA Mindsets & Behaviors for Student Success: K-12 College- and Career-Readiness Standards for Every Student, this resource offers in-depth descriptions of the attitudes, knowledge, and skills students in each grade need for success.

To access the ASCA Mindsets & Behaviors database, or to learn more about the organization's efforts to assist school counselors, visit www.schoolcounselor.org.

ASCA Is an Advocate for School Counselors

Leveraging more than three decades of experience in the field of addiction treatment, Pat McManus established Rock In Prevention to educate young people and adults about health and wellness, drug use, and bullying. Using music as a teaching medium, Rock In Prevention is exceptionally skilled at helping schools meet the goals and objectives of the American School Counselor Association (ASCA).

As a professional membership organization, ASCA is an advocate for school counselors and is focused on identifying and enhancing school counseling practices which have been shown to be effective at promoting student success at home, in school, and throughout their communities. To accomplish this ASCA ensures the availability of timely and relevant information, supports legislative policies and research that positively impact its members and the welfare of young adults, promotes strategic partnerships, and supports local, state, and national leaders who champion change initiatives.

Additionally, ASCA has created, reviews, and updates ethical and professional standards that articulate the professional behavior and code of conduct of school counselors.

Celebrating 2017 National Addiction Professionals Day

Since its establishment in 1990 by National Certified Addiction Counselor Pat McManus, Rock In Prevention has focused on using music to help children and adults avoid addiction and bullying. Pat McManus, Rock In Prevention maintains certification with professional organizations such as NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals (formerly called the National Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors).

As part of the commemoration of National Recovery Month, NAADAC will recognize those who serve people with addictions by celebrating National Addiction Professionals Day on September 20, 2017. The executive director of NAADAC, Cynthia Moreno Tuohy, invites all to join on this day in honoring professionals who work in the field of addictions.

Also on National Addiction Professionals Day, NAADAC will announce the winners of its 2017 awards. Recipients of these awards will receive further recognition at the 2017 NAADAC Annual Conference in Denver, Colorado, later in September. To search for local celebrations of National Addiction Professionals Day or to find out more about NAADAC and its work to support those with addictions, visit www.naadac.org.

Rock In Prevention | Rock In Prevention Says Thank You

Inclusion-Focused Rock Latino Program Launched

For the past 27 years, Rock In Prevention has combined music, the arts, and an evidence-based curriculum in educating children in the skills and methods to prevent bullying and the dangers of alcohol, tobacco, and illegal substances. In October, 2016, Rock In Prevention founder Pat McManus, a certified substance abuse counselor and recording artist, announced the launch of a new “Rock Latino” educational program.

Mr. McManus is well known as a musician and launched training for the Spanish-language program along with fellow recording artists Margaux Hovda and Marcelo Arevalo. The training was held at the Austin Convention Center as part of the Association for Middle Level Education (AMLE) Annual Conference.

Speaking of the impetus for the Rock Latino effort, Mr. McManus described a need for education on pressing social issues in a way that breaks through cultural and language barriers with core messages of personal responsibility and inclusion. He went on to note that, in order to thrive, children require a safe and supportive environment that extends to the home, school, and neighborhood.

Rock In Prevention's Rock LIVE Workshops

Rock In Prevention was established in 1990 by National Certified Addiction Counselor (NCAC) Pat McManus and television executive Ray Johnson. To date, Rock In Prevention (Rock) has used music and peer mentors to help more than 1.5 million children and adults with an array of personal and social issues. The organization maintains a number of programs, including Rock LIVE.

Through the Rock LIVE program, trained mentors provide in school workshop services to both teachers and students. Common topics addressed at these workshops include bully prevention and character building, as well as the prevention of alcohol, tobacco, and drug use.

The live workshops represent just the first step in the program, as teachers and parents are provided with a wealth of follow-up information and activities to further engage students and reinforce important lessons. Most notably, teachers receive insight into using music as a shared platform for discussion. Similarly, families can use Rock CDs as a launching point for discussions on everything from anger management to unhealthy media influence on children.