This playlist contains resources for parents who are interested in protecting the health of their children, and for school divisions tasked with sharing parent education resources within their region. All resources were produced in partnership with the Virginia Department of Education and Health Education experts.
What Parents Need to Know about Kids and Unsafe Behavior (Opioid focus -What it Takes Episode)
Description: For both parents and adults who care about children, one of the hardest things to do is to try to help a child in crisis. Whether it’s drugs, alcohol, sexual behavior, or other vices, it can be hard to be both helpful and compassionate while not either contributing the to the problem or causing a child to shut us out. Dr. Cheri Hartman was Roanoke’s Citizen of the Year in 2021 for her advocacy and outreach with children and adults. She is the Grant Project Director at Carilion Clinic Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health in Roanoke, and she joins host Tom Landon to discuss how to help kids avoid addiction and destructive behavior.
What Parents Need to Know About Opioids and Families (Parent Interview):
Description: Tess Henry was a promising young woman who lost her life to opioid addiction. Now her mother, Patricia Mehrman, shares the story of her daughter’s journey from honor student and published poet to her tragic murder in Las Vegas where she had gone to seek treatment. This story demonstrates that no child is immune from the dangers of opioids, and provides tips for parents for recognizing the signs of addiction in their children. Produced in partnership with the Virginia Department of Education by Blue Ridge PBS
What Parents Need to Know about Vaping Prevention:
Description: When New York mom Mimi Boublik learned that her high schooler had started vaping, she was ill prepared to discuss the consequences of e-cigarette use, so she joined up with a group of other moms who'd recently formed PAVe, Parents Against Vaping e-Cigarettes. Now, years later, the organization is still leading the fight against big tobacco's kid-centric marketing efforts. Boublik discusses the long term dangers of e-cigarettes as part of a collaboration with the Virginia Department of Education to provide Virginia parents with the tools they need to talk to their kids about harmful behaviors.
What Parents Need to Know About Vaping – Hidden in Plain Sight Presentation:
Description: Hidden in Plain Sight is a nationally recognized program where local health agencies partner with law enforcement to help parents understand the dangers their kids face when it comes to drugs. Vaping is considered by many to be less harmful than cigarettes, but often leads to nicotine addiction in kids. In this program, Radford City (VA) Police officer Thad Beasley walks parents through a typical child's bedroom to point out how kids might hide vaping materials "in plain sight", and how parents can check to make sure their kids are safe. This video was produced for the Virginia Department of Education by Blue Ridge PBS.
What Parents Need to Know about Problem Gambling – What it Takes:
Description: In 2022, Americans lost a record 55 billion dollars in casinos and on mobile gaming apps, over 13% more than in any previous year. The growth of sports betting and the arrival of casinos in the Commonwealth represents a huge opportunity for revenue generation, but for some gamblers the allure of big money can become problematic. Host Tom Landon is joined by Anne Rogers and Don McCourtney of the Virginia Office of Behavioral Health and Wellness to share ways to help those who suffer from gambling addiction.
What Parents Need to Know About Teen Gambling – Parent Interview:
Description: Gambling is now legal in Virginia, with the arrival of casinos to go along with the Virginia Lottery, Off Track Betting, and licensed online sports books. But it's still illegal for children to gamble. In this interview, two parents share their own journey of addiction and recovery, and how addiction affected their family, including a teenage son who also shared their family's secret addiction.
What Parents Need to Know about Student Betting
Description: Blue Ridge PBS is proud to partner with Gray Media and the Arnoldt Center for Investigative Journalism at Indiana University to air and share an excellent report that highlights the ways that teens get involved in sports betting and the consequences of doing so. The investigative package they have created includes video resources and written reports highlighting the dangers of teen gambling.
