HUFFING FREON: THE NEWEST WAY TO GET HIGH

HUFFING FREON: THE NEWEST WAY TO GET HIGH
THE NEW TREND- Every few
months a news story breaks
about the newest/ legal way
for teens to get high. This
summer, strong warnings and
emergency bans were issued
for over the counter bath
salts. ABC News reported
that huffing Freon, the gas
found in air conditioning
systems, has become the newest way to get a buzz amongst
teens who are looking for a quick high.
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Joe Jonas
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TV Dads
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Movie Night
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Questions
THE DANGER- Huffing Freon freezes the lungs and causes a
rapid high that resembles alcohol intoxication. Doctors say that
this is so dangerous because even a single use can result in
sudden death. The latest American Association of Poison
Control Centers report says Freon huffing killed at least two
teens in 2009 and sent more than 2,000 others to the hospital.
The Parent Source
is composed by:
Upside Down Ministries
www.ud4christ.com
Teen Culture Specialist
Robert Smith
P O Box 232
Lawton, Ok 73502
robert@ud4christ.com
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HOW THEY GET IT- According to officials, teens are stealing
Freon out of existing air conditioning units and then huffing it.
Air Conditioning business owners say this is a common
occurrence. People think they have a leak but what really is
going on may be a theft.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?- Parents can have a locking cap
installed to prevent Freon from being taken. Only an air
conditioning service person can install one on the compressor.
This will prevent Freon from being let out without a key. The
caps cost about $25.
JOE JONAS DITCHES OLD IMAGE.
The Jonas Brothers name has become
synonymous with family friendly entertainment.
They were the stars of their own short-lived
Disney TV Show “Jonas L.A.” and were featured
in several made for TV Disney movies. Over the
years, their music has been fun, and lyrically
clean. Not to mention that these guys have been
very outspoken about their faith in God and
appeared to hold themselves to a high moral
standard. In fact, they all received much media
attention for wearing purity rings that they said “symbolized their commitment to
God and their future spouses.” As you can imagine, they have a huge teenage
and kid following. They have also earned the approval of many parents. However,
it seems as if the Jonas Brothers are going off in separate directions. They have
not made an album as a band in several years. Each of the brothers seems to be
pursuing their own personal careers at the moment.
It also appears that they may be headed in different directions morally as well. The
oldest brother Kevin, married his long time girlfriend and he says he remained true
to the purity vow he made. However, middle brother, Joe just released his new
music video for his single “Just in love with you.” In a recent interview published
on MTV.com this is what Joe said about his new video “I think it's a little bit, well,
I'll just say it's a little bit older than anything I've done before." The video features
several scenes where he and a girl he just met are passionately kissing and
undressing each other. They are seen almost naked in the bed and in the
bathtub. The lyrics to this song seem
relatively innocent and not very sexual. But,
the video gives it a completely different
meaning. His new CD has yet to release, but
he definitely seems to be shedding his
“innocent image.” In fact, MTV news
reported that he intends to “play into a
sex-symbol role” on his new album. This
may be an attempt to gain a new audience
but parents should know that Joe Jonas still
has a large teen and kid following and they
will be interested in his new CD.
This could spark a great conversation with
your kid about purity. According to culture it
is strictly a “Sex thing.” It also appears to be
something that many of these stars say they have “outgrown.” See what your
teen has to say about this.
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The Evolution of Dad according to TV.
The 1950’s-1960’s— These Dad’s were the classic image of what
a good father looked like. They worked a steady 9-5 job to provide for
their families. While they were at work their wives stayed at their
middle-class suburban homes and took care of the kids. In the days
of “Father Knows Best” and “Leave it To Beaver,” the fathers were the
head of the house. They were involved in the nurturing, advising and
disciplining of their kids. At this point in television the kids valued
their fathers.
The 1960’s-1970’s — introduced a different version of Dad that reflected what was
happening in many homes across America. After the Vietnam War, the American dream
was shattered for many families. Fathers were no longer portrayed as strong and
respectable. Take Archie Bunker of “All In The Family” as an example. He was flawed and
carried bitter prejudices. This was accurately portraying many fathers across the country. In
the late 70’s early 80’s, shows like “The Brady Bunch” and “The Cosby Show” began to
showcase the diversity of fathers and families. The role of the wife had drastically changed
and these shows reflected that. Bill Cosby maintained the role of a wise and loving father.
However, unlike the fathers of the 50’s and 60’s, he was not portrayed as perfect and he was
not the only spouse who worked outside of the house.
The 1980’s– 2000’s —- Introduced us to the idiot Dad. At this
point, TV Moms became the heads of their homes and fathers
were made to look like morons. “The Simpsons” started the trend
of moronic fathers that need the mothering of their wives just as
much as their kids did. Homer Simpson, Al Bundy and many
other fathers were searching for opportunities to be anywhere else
other than with their family. This role evolved a little in the early
2000’s but it still portrayed fathers as relatively clueless. In the
past, Dads ruled the roost but in many shows they come home
and are like ‘Oh man, what have I come home to?”
Modern Day— we’ve gone from wise Dads to clueless Dads. As
television attempts to portray reality TV, Dads of today are very diverse. Shows like “Modern
Family” portray a mixture of fathers, one who is clueless, yet highly involved in his kids life.
A same sex couple that struggles through adoption and fatherhood and an older father with a
start-over family. Many shows also portray Dad as the primary parent and the mother as the
bread winner. Most Dads are portrayed as willing, loving fathers who may not know what
they’re doing, but they’re willing to give it a try.
We often talk about how culture affects teens view of reality. This is true but, in this case
these shows influence the adults who watch just as much. If television is trying to reflect what
is going on in the real world, then we should examine this message and see what parts of it
measure up and what parts do not. Even though cultures view of parenting and fathering
may change God’s expectations of Fathers does not. Circumstances may change exactly
what this looks like for a Dad, but it does not change his God-given responsibility and
privilege to raise his kids.
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FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT
5 TIPS TO MAKE FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT A SUCCESS
It's important to get involved in your kids media lives -– and your kids love it too. But
helping them become critical media consumers can be easier said than done. What’s
a sure-fire way to stay involved with your kids' media picks and create an opportunity
to discuss them? Host a family movie night!
Some tips for making it work:
Schedule it. Make it a regular date and time and don't
break it. Turn off cell phones and ban multi-tasking during the
show.
Take turns choosing the movie. If you've got little kids,
pre-select a group to choose from (to avoid watching Care Bears IV over and over
again). If you've got teens, tell them you'll watch anything they choose as long as
they return the favor when it's your turn. Enforce a "no
complaining" rule.
Location, location, location. Hang a sheet in the
backyard, rent a projector or borrow one from the church, and
sit on beach chairs to celebrate a classic like “The Wizard of
Oz.” Or take family movie night on the road during vacations or
at the grandparents’ house.
Make it a theme night. This can be simple or elaborate, depending on
what you can handle. Eat popsicles with “March of the Penguins” or try an exotic
cheese with “Ratatouille.”
Talk about it. When credits roll or the next day,
make time to chat about what you watched. Kids might
be interested in learning more about animation or
Hollywood history. Visit the library to follow up on
interests piqued by the movie. Talking with kids about
how movie characters handled fictional situations can be
a subtle way to reinforce your family's values or get kids
to open up about their lives.
Adapted from commonsensemedia.org
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Parent Discussion questions:
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3.
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5.
How often do kids at your school talk about using drugs?
Why is it dangerous to use drugs?
What is your definition of purity?
Is purity something you can out grow?
Other than movie night what are some things you would like for us to do together as a
family?
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