Walk into any school on any given school day and you've entered a mini-city brimming
with children and/or teenagers. As with any school, or mini-city, a wide range
of issues can crop up, from bullying to drug use and abuse. The following topics
are just some of the topics that affect schools.
Bullying
Any time a child is harassed by another child, the harassed child's behavior
can change and his/her school grades decline. Adults must work hard to listen
to children and identify any potential bullying situations. Adults must then
take appropriate action to intervene in the situation. The following site,
maintained by the National Crime Prevention Council, will provide you with
information on dealing with bullying.
Bullies: A Serious Problem
for Kids
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Teen Dating Violence
When teenagers begin dating, a lot of issues can crop up along the way. Teen
dating violence is a serious problem that must be watched for in any relationship.
The following brochure, provided by the National Crime Prevention Council through
their website (www.ncpc.org),
gives teenagers and adults valuable advice on how to identify dating violence,
as well as how to help others you may think may be involved in a violent relationship.
Teen
Dating Violence
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Teen Alcohol Use
Alcohol use and abuse by teenagers continues to be a problem that plagues
every city and Gallatin is no exception. Research that was conducted in 1998
indicated that one in five teenagers were current alcohol drinkers and that
one in thirteen teenagers were binge alcohol drinkers. The following brochure
offers valuable information on the dangers of drinking and ways that someone
can find help for one who abuses alcohol.
The
Dangers of Drinking
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Drug Use
After alcohol, marijuana usage is the second most popular drug among children
in the United States today. However, inhalants, cocaine, heroin, and other
drugs have also been seen not only in the homes of children, but in the schools
these children also attend. The following brochures, provided by the National
Crime Prevention Council through their website (www.ncpc.org),
offer both children and adults several recommendations about reducing drug
abuse, as well as identifying children and young adults who may be abusing
drugs.
Marijuana-Common,
Dangerous, and Still Illegal
Don't Lose
a Friend to Drugs
Sniffing
Your Life Away (Information about Inhalants)
Methamphetamines:
Nothing to Rave About
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Children and the Internet
The Internet is quickly becoming a popular tool and that is especially true
with today's tech-savvy kids. The following brochures, as offered by the National
Crime Prevention Council, provide a variety of important tips and tactics in
ensuring that your children will be better equipped as they use the Internet
to view webpages, send e-mail, and chat with friends.
Safe and
Secure in an Electronic World
Safe Surfing
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School Violence
Turn on the television or read a magazine and you're likely to read a story
about a recent school shooting in the United States. While such violence has
not been documented in the City of Gallatin, everyone in the community must
do their part to prevent such violence from coming into our schools. The following
brochures and websites, as maintained by the National Crime Prevention Council,
offer information on how to keep our schools safe.
A Dozen
Things Principals Can Do to Stop School Violence
A Dozen
Things Teachers Can Do to Stop School Violence
Tips
for Working Together to Create Safer Schools
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Learning to Drive
Becoming a teenager has its ups and downs, but ask any teenager and he or
she will probably tell you that the biggest "up" comes in the form of getting
a drivers license. One of the following websites provides valuable information
on the "rules of the road," as offered by the National Crime Prevention Council.
Another website will connect you to the State of Tennessee's website on the
State's drivers license handbook and study guide.
Road Rules
Tennessee
Department of Safety -- Driver Handbook and Study Guide
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Basic Safety Recommendations
Every day, our children go to school or go out to play with friends. It's
important that as adults, parents, grandparents, and guardians, we teach our
children important safety lessons that they can use when they are "out in the
real world." The following websites will give the reader important information
on safety rules for kids and teenagers, as well as way that children can play
a role in preventing crime in their community.
Streetwise:
The Way to Be
National Teens, Crime,
and the Community Program
Youth As Resources Program
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Gangs
Gangs are a problem in most communities and Gallatin is no exception. The
Gallatin Police Department has worked hard to remove gang members from our
community and will continue to do so in the future. The following brochures,
provided by the National Crime Prevention Council and the Gallatin Police Department,
will provide the reader with valuable information in identifying potential
gang members and how to deal with potential gang issues.
The Reality
of Gangs
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Shoplifting
While school violence often gets mentioned in newspapers and on television,
property crimes, particularly shoplifting, account for most crimes involving
juveniles. The following brochure, created by the National Crime Prevention
Council, gives several reasons why kids shoplift, as well as possible outcomes
for people who are caught shoplifting.
Shoplifting
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Vandalism
Vandalism can be different things to different people. For elderly people
in a neighborhood, vandalism can be an eyesore. For kids, vandalism can be
anything from an artistic representation or revenge on someone who offended
the vandal. For gang members, vandalism can actually be a way for various gangs
to communicate within the community. Regardless of the meaning, vandalism is
a serious problem in most communities. The following brochure, created by the
National Crime Prevention Council, offers the reader valuable information on
vandalism and graffiti and how to deal with and prevent it in our community.
The Scoop
on Vandalism
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Babysitter Safety
Becoming a teenager means more than just getting older, it also means gaining
more responsibilities. For many teenagers, more responsibilities can include
babysitting younger brothers or sisters or even babysitting someone else's
children. The following websites, maintained by the National Crime Prevention
Council and the Gallatin Police Department, offer valuable tips and instructions
on being a safe babysitter.
Babysitter
Safety Outline
National
Crime Prevention Council's "Baby Sitter's Guide"
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Teen Smoking
According to recent surveys, 36% of 12-17 year olds have already tried smoking
cigarettes. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), tobacco use
results in 419,000 deaths each year and costs society more than $50 billion.
The following brochure, created by the National Crime Prevention Council, provide
information on juvenile smoking and how to prevent it.
Don't
Go Up in Smoke
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