Western New York Teacher Center

 

Alateen/Al-anon 856-2520 Call for local information and meeting times for those who live with family members who are actively alcoholic. 

Alcoholics Anonyous site lists meetings in Buffalo area. 

SOS - Save OurSelves 636-4869 stands for Secular Organizations for Sobriety which is similar to AA but without religious or spiritual overtones.    

Narcotics Anonymous for WNY offers local support that is based on the AA model for those who want to commit to a life that is drug-free. 

Sober Recovery offers help and support.  

 

Prevention and Outreach programs for children and teenagers are offered by Kids Escaping Drugs which is located on the Renaissance Campus. Horizon Health Services has numerous locations with a variety of services, including strong substance abuse programs. Spectrum Human Services also offers general counseling and other support, but is especially recognized for its substance abuse programs.    

Health Alliance on Alcohol addresses numerous topics regarding teenage drinking.

A medical site lists articles on alcohol and alcholism.

Al-Anon groups in WNY support and help family members of those with addictions.

On lower right-hand side of the second page is a listing of meetings for teenagers. 

 

Renaissance Campus - (for adolescents 12 - 20) 821-0386 is a nationally recognized rehabilitation center for adolescents.  Click on the right-hand box to enter the site. The left-hand box opens to Kids Escaping Drugs which offers many programs and services. Horizon Village may be an option for those who need a residential setting to recover from alcoholism or chemical dependency.    

 

Horizon Health Services has intense counseling services that address addictions and related issues.

Spectrum Human Services offers not only counseling services but also intense outpatient programs that treat substance abuse or a dual diagnosis of substance abuse and a mental health issue. 

 

So-called "date rape drugs," also catagorized as a type of club drug, refer to substances that render a person incapapble of "saying no" or assertig oneself in order to stop sexual advances. Although alcohol and other substances may impact a person's resistance, date rape drugs usually refer to rohyponol, gamma hydroxy butyrate (GBH) and ketamine hydrochloride which can also cause memory loss. The person, usually a young woman, may wake up knowing that she has been assaulted and raped but often is unable to remember any details. Getting immediate and competent medical attention is vitally important for psychological, medical and legal reasons.   

Less common but also possible, males can be victims. These substances also may be ingested by choice as part of "geting high," especially in gay clubs but also at raves, concerts and other parties.  

As illegal, immoral and unethical as these "predator" substances are, they are prevalent. Being attentive and protecting oneself may not feel natural but is essential to personal safety.

 

Health Alliance on Alcohol is a website that offers support to parents concerned about underage drinking;  included are articles, toolkits and free brochures.

 

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

SAMHSA offers many free articles, brochures, current research findings and other information.

The National Institute of Health (NIH) has a specific department, the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), devoted to substance abuse. NIDA has a page dedicated to parents and eductors with numerous links and resources. Specific pages provide information about specific substances, such as marijuana, heroin, MDMA (ecstacy), alcohol, club drugs and other drugs.     

The Foundation for a Drug-Free World offers resources, links article and short videos (mentioned above).  

An outstanding research institute that offers information, training and services, is located in Buffalo: Reseach Institute on Addictions. Newsletters with research reports are highly informative.