The Family Guide Web site http://family.samhsa.gov) continues to offer new ideas and support to families and caring adults in their efforts to keep youth mentally healthy and drug free. Below are descriptions of new articles posted on the Web site and related resources that could be useful to adults involved in raising and mentoring youth. You can join the Family Guide Web site listerv to receive the enclosed issue and other timely updates by going to http://family.samhsa.gov/main/listserve.aspx. ******************************* Over the past year, the Family Guide Web site http://family.samhsa.govhas offered you many new ideas to help families and caring adults encourage youth to stay drug free and to create an atmosphere that sustains good mental health for youth. Now that the holiday season is here, we would like to offer you something special to help you celebrate. We created a set of Family Guide site holiday e-cards at http://family.samhsa.gov/ecards/ecards/default.aspxthat can be personalized and sent to children, other loved ones, and friends. These e-cards provide a unique and meaningful way for you to express care and affection to anyone during the holiday season. ******************************* December 16, 2004 Special issue: Family Guide site holiday e-cards ******************************* Send a Family Guide site holiday e-card with your own special message. The Family Guide site holiday e-card themes are: * A gift of love * A gift of friendship * Warm hugs and holiday cheer * A new beginning in the new year Tell your friends and colleagues about the Family Guide site holiday e-cards and include a link to the e-cardson your Web site so others may find them as well. Also, please encourage your friends to join the Family Guide Web site listservat http://family.samhsa.gov/main/listserve.aspx to get this and other timely updates directly. Thank you for your continuing contribution to keeping our youth mentally healthy and drug free! Have a very happy holiday! Here are some interesting links from the July 19, 2004 issue: In this issue: * Special Feature * New Articles * Coming Events ******************************* Special Feature ******************************* White House Unveils New Drug Prevention Program: Parent Corps Gives Parents the Tools They Need to Keep Their Kids Drug-Free http://family.samhsa.gov/main/press.aspx The Bush administration has unveiled a new initiative, Parent Corps, to help parents fight youth drug abuse. This July 14, 2004, press release details the strategies being used to encourage parents and communities to work together to prevent children from using drugs. ******************************* New Articles ******************************* Survey Shows Parents Need Facts About Ecstasy http://family.samhsa.gov/monitor/parentsurvey.aspx Many young people believe that ecstasy is a harmless, feel-good drug. While studies show that parents know the drug is dangerous, they are unlikely to talk about the risks of ecstasy use with their children. This article offers facts about ecstasy, signs of use, and details about the number of young people using the drug. Post-High School Parenting http://family.samhsa.gov/set/posthighschool.aspx High school graduation is an important time for young people, as they become more independent and head in varying directions. Graduation also is a crucial time for parents to re-address the harms associated with underage drinking, drug use, and other risky behaviors. This article explains how parents can guide children in the right direction. Prosecuting Parents for Underage Drinking http://family.samhsa.gov/set/prosecuting.aspx New social host liability laws across the country can hold parents and other adults responsible for providing alcohol to young people or for allowing youth to drink in their home. This article describes these new laws and some of the related penalties for breaking them. Link Between Underage Drinking and Brain Damage http://family.samhsa.gov/set/link.aspx Research shows that drinking alcohol can cause severe, and possibly lasting, brain damage in youth under age 21. In this article, learn about the specific damage that underage drinking may cause and how parents can teach their children to make healthy choices. Driving Toward Disaster? Steer Your Teen Away From Marijuana http://family.samhsa.gov/teach/driving.aspx Did you know studies have found that about one in six high school seniors has driven while under the influence of marijuana? This article explains the dangers associated with using marijuana and driving under its influence and suggests ways for parents to discuss this risky behavior with their children. ******************************* Coming Events ******************************* On July 25 , communities across the Nation will celebrate National Parents'Day. The Family Guide Web site's Hot Topics subsection will include related resources to help you celebrate these and other July events: http://family.samhsa.gov/hottopics/. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration developed A Family Guide to Keeping Youth Mentally Healthy & Drug Free http://family.samhsa.gov to support adults-parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, and other youth mentors-in their efforts to help children aged 7 to 18 make good decisions,feel safe and protected, and have successful lives. The ultimate goal is to promote youth mental health and discourage youth drug use.