Saturday, February 23, 2013

Newsletter: Multi-State Info Sharing & Analysis Center

MSISAC
Monthly Security Tips
NEWSLETTER

February 2013


Volume 8, Issue 2
How Do I Protect the Information on My Smartphone?

From the Desk of William F. Pelgrin, Chair

We’ve come to depend on our smartphones so heavily it is hard to remember what we did before we had them. If you have a smartphone, you now carry a fully functional computer in your pocket or purse. That’s a tremendous amount of information at your fingertips! Therefore, it is paramount that you safeguard the smartphone.

Common Risks for Smartphones

Take a moment to consider each of these areas:

  • Loss of device and information theft. Smartphones are small and can easily be lost or stolen. Unauthorized users may access your accounts, address lists, photos, and more to scam, harm or embarrass you or your friends; they may leverage stored passwords to access your bank and credit card accounts, steal your money or make credit card charges; gain access to sensitive material, and more.

  • Social Engineering. A common mobile threat is social engineering. Whether via text message, image, or application to download, an incoming communication may be an attempt to gain access to your information.  A current example consists of a text message that comes from an unknown number, telling you that if you click on the link provided, you’ll have access to thousands of free ringtones.  If this sounds too good to be true, that’s because it is.  The link is in fact a malicious link.  Clicking on it will compromise the security of your smartphone.

  • TMI (Too Much Information). Guidelines for protecting privacy, safety, and reputation when sharing via computers also apply when sharing via smartphones. Mobile devices enable instantaneous capturing, posting, and distribution of images, videos, and information. They may also broadcast location information.

  • Public Wi-Fi. Smartphones are susceptible to malware and hacking when leveraging unsecured public networks.

  • Bluetooth and Near Field Communications (NFC). Bluetooth is a wireless network technology that uses short-wave radio transmissions to transmit voice and data. NFC allows for smartphones to communicate with each other by simply touching another smartphone, or being in proximity to another smartphone with NFC capabilities or a NFC device.  Risks with using NFC and Bluetooth include eavesdropping, through which the cyber criminal can intercept data transmission, such as credit card numbers.  NFC also has the risk of transferring viruses or other malware from one NFC-enabled device to another.

Simple Steps to Protect Your Smartphone:

  1. Update the operating system. Smartphones are computing devices that need to be updated. Updates often provide you with enhanced functionality and enriched features, as well as fixes to critical security vulnerabilities. Your smartphone manufacturer should notify you whenever an update is available.

  1. Use of security software is a must.  As the smartphone market is increasing, so too is the amount of malware designed to attack smartphones. The software security solutions that are available for desktops and laptops are not as widely available for smartphones. A key protection is to use mobile security software and keep it up-to-date. Many of these programs can also locate a missing or stolen phone, will back up your data, and even remotely wipe all data from the phone if it is reported stolen.

  1. Password-protect your device. Enable strong password protection on your device and include a timeout requiring authentication after a period of inactivity. Secure the smartphone with a unique password – not the default one it came with. Do not share your password with others.

  1. Think before you click, download, forward, or open. Before responding, registering, downloading or providing information, get the facts. No matter how tempting the text, image, or application is, if the download isn’t from a legitimate app store or the site of a trusted company, don’t engage with the message.

  1. Understand the terms of use. Some applications claim extensive rights to accessing and leveraging your personal information.  If the app requires more access to your account and/or device than is needed to run the service, do not continue. In addition, be aware that terms can change over time.  Review your terms of use often.

  1. Be cautious with public Wi-Fi. Many smartphone users use free Wi-Fi hotspots to access data (and keep their phone plan costs down). There are numerous threats associated with Wi-Fi hotspots. To be safe, avoid logging into accounts, especially financial accounts, when using public wireless networks.

  1. Disable Bluetooth and Near Field Communication (NFC) capabilities when not in use. Capabilities such as Bluetooth and NFC can provide ease and convenience in using your smartphone. They can also provide an easy way for a nearby, unauthorized user to gain access to your data.  Turn these features off when they are not required.

  1. Enable encryption.  Enabling encryption on your smartphone is one of the best ways to safeguard information stored on the device, thwarting unauthorized access.

  1. Securely dispose of your device.  With the constant changes and upgrades in the smartphone market, many are upgrading their devices on a regular basis.  It is important that you wipe the information from your smartphone before disposal.  Additionally, make sure any SD cards are removed and erased. If you are not redeploying the SIM card to another device, then make sure your personal information stored on the SIM card is erased or destroyed.

For More Information:

For additional information about securing mobile devices, please utilize the following resources:
  
<!--[if !supportLists]-->·       <!--[endif]-->About.com 14 Ways to Find a Stolen or Lost iPhone: http://ipod.about.com/od/iphonetroubleshooting/tp/14-Ways-To-Find-A-Lost-Or-Stolen-Iphone.htm
<!--[if !supportLists]-->·       <!--[endif]-->FTC – How to Dispose Your Mobile Device Securely: http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0200-disposing-your-mobile-device
<!--[if !supportLists]-->·       <!--[endif]-->University of Northern Colorado:  http://www.unco.edu/cybersecurity/students/mobile.html
<!--[if !supportLists]-->·       <!--[endif]-->US-CERT – Cyber Threats to Mobile Phones: http://www.us-cert.gov/reading_room/cyber_threats_to_mobile_phones.pdf
<!--[if !supportLists]-->·       <!--[endif]-->Sophos – Android Tool:  http://www.sophos.com/androidsecurity
<!--[if !supportLists]-->·       <!--[endif]-->Microsoft – Secure Your Smartphone: http://www.microsoft.com/security/online-privacy/mobile-phone-safety.aspx

National Service Agency: 205 organizations receive Senior Corps grants through competitive process

National Service News (banner)
For Immediate Release   Friday, February 22, 2013
Samantha Jo Warfield 
sjwarfield@cns.gov; 202-606-6775  

National Service Agency Grants to Support 80,000 Senior Volunteers 

205 organizations receive Senior Corps grants through competitive process


WASHINGTON, DC – The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) today announced more than $14 million in funding to support organizations and nonprofits across the country. The organizations will leverage the experience and talents of RSVP Senior Corps volunteers in schools, conservation projects, disaster response, veterans’ services, and other priorities.

Nearly 80,000 new senior volunteers will have the opportunity to serve through 205 organizations receiving awards in 35 states. These funds were awarded as part of the first grant competition since 1971 for RSVP, one of three Senior Corps programs administered by CNCS.  Grantees selected will address a wide range of community issues, from disaster response and early childhood education to veterans and military families and environmental stewardship.

A complete list of grants is available here.

“Today, more than ever, communities need the talents and skills of all citizens to help solve our most pressing challenges,” said Wendy Spencer, CEO of CNCS. “Americans age 55 and over are a powerful resource to help communities achieve real change. These new RSVP grants will provide the bridge to connect seniors to meaningful service opportunities, so that they may deliver the enormous social and economic benefits we know are good for our nation.”

Established in 1971, RSVP engages Americans age 55 and older in volunteer opportunities across the country, allowing citizens to be a part of the solution to community challenges. RSVP volunteers provide support to veterans and their families, help seniors to live independently in their homes, mentor at-risk youth, and provide critical support to communities recovering from disasters. While serving, RSVP volunteers also improve their own lives, by staying active and civically engaged.

In 2012, 320,000 RSVP volunteers delivered more than 47 million hours of service in their communities.  Through community and faith-based organizations, RSVP volunteers served more than 563,000 veterans, mentored more than 82,500 children, and provided independent living services to more than nearly 742,000 elderly adults. 

“Older Americans bring a lifetime of skills and experience as parents, workers, and citizens that can be tapped to meet challenges in our communities,” said Dr. Erwin Tan, Director of Senior Corps at CNCS. “Given the many social needs facing our communities – and the growing interest in service by 55+ American citizens – this is a moment of unprecedented need and opportunity for our programs to take advantage of an extraordinary wave of human capital that has the potential to transform our nation.”

As part of the agency’s focus on driving greater innovation and impact, organizations receiving 2013 RSVP grants will report their progress using the performance measures CNCS adopted as a result of the bipartisan 2009 Serve America Act.  CNCS has embraced competition and performance measurement for the RSVP as a way to achieve greater impact in communities and the nation and to encourage innovation through adoption of new ideas and services.

The next Senior Corps funding opportunity will open sometime mid-year. Americans who seek to volunteer with a Senior Corps program can search for local opportunities in their area at seniorcorps.gov.

Security Clearance: Watch your credit report

A study on credit report accuracy recently found that 1 in 5 of the participating consumers had an error on at least one of their three credit reports.

Why Do Credit Report Errors Matter?

Errors on your credit report can negatively affect your credit score, which is used to evaluate your applications for credit cards, loans, jobs, housing, insurance, and more.


What Can You Do?


Check Your Credit Report
Check your credit report with all three credit reporting agencies at least once a year (you are entitled to one FREE credit report annually from each agency (Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax)). Checking your report will help you 1) identify and correct errors that could be affecting your credit score, and 2) protect yourself from identity theft.


Dispute Errors

If you find an error on any of your credit reports, follow instructions on the report that explain how to dispute errors. If errors have not been corrected after you've disputed them with the credit reporting agency, you can file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Get more information about disputing errors on your credit report.




Thursday, February 21, 2013

Grenada opposition wins clean sweep in general election

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-21526209

Children among debris of their storm-damaged school in 2004 Grenada's failure to recover from the devastation of Hurricane Ivan was one of the election issues


Preliminary results of the general election on the Caribbean island of Grenada suggest a landslide win for the opposition New National Party (NNP).

Election supervisors said the preliminary figures showed the NNP had won all 15 seats.
The governing National Democratic Congress admitted defeat.

If the results are confirmed, Keith Mitchell, who served three terms as prime minister between 1995 and 2008, will return to power.


The main theme during the election was the economic crisis.

Grenada has a 30% unemployment rate and the Caribbean Development Bank recently warned Grenada that it had unsustainable debt levels.

During his campaign, Mr Mitchell promised to make job creation his priority.
After the preliminary results came in, catapulting his party from fours seats to 15, he said he would also strive to unite the country.

"The victor is the one who has to reach out, the one who lost can't be expected to reach out; national unity will be a serious platform," he said.

He asked Grenadians "to have patience" with the new government, and to give it a chance to implement policies he said would revive the stalled economy.

The country has been struggling to recover from major destruction caused by Hurricane Ivan in 2004.
Dozens of people were killed and 90% of the island's buildings were damaged or destroyed. Grenada's main export crop, nutmeg, was also devastated.

Maryland Emergency Management Agency: 2013 Exercise & Training Events


maryland.govMaryland Emergency Management Agency

 Exercises and Training Events


2/20/2013 - 2/22/2013
G-393 ~ Mitigation for Emergency Managers ~ February 20 thru 22, 2013 (Free)
Management Virginia Department of Emergency 4975 Alliance Drive
Fairfax , VA. 22030
2/21/2013 - 2/22/2013
G-556 ~ FEMA Disaster Management February 21 & 22, 2013 (Free)(CG7)
Management Virginia Department of Emergency 4975 Alliance Drive
Fairfax , VA. 22030
2/23/2013
Formidable Footprint Tabletop Exercise: Tornado Scenario
Online
2/26/2013
Southern Region - Web EOC 7.4 Training February 26, 2013 Free (CG 7)
Calvert County EOC 175 Main Street
Prince Frederick , MD
2/26/2013
Business Continuity Planning Workshop: Afternoon~ February 26, 2013 (Free) (CG7)
Hampton Inn 157 Pamlico Drive
Charles Town , WV. 25414
2/26/2013
Business Continuity Planning Workshop: Evening ~ February 26, 2013 (Free) (CG7)
Hampton Inn 157 Pamlico Drive
Charles Town , W. Va. 25414
2/27/2013
Countering Violent Extremism: Partnering with U.S. Muslims ~ February 27, 2013 (Cost $45.00) (CG7)
Public Safety & Educational Training Center 6852 4th Street
Sykesville , MD. 21784
2/27/2013
Capital Region - WebEOC 7.4 (New Version) February 27, 2013 (Free) [CG7]
Montgomery County (OEMHS) Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security
1300 Quince Orchard Blvd.
Gaithersburg , MD. 20878
3/05/2013 - 3/07/2013
March Madness - Training Style G364 Multi-Hazard Emergency Planning for Schools 3/5 thru 7, 2013 (CG 7)(Free) 
Location: Public Safety Training Facility 3500 W. Northern Parkway Classroom 200
Baltimore , MD 21215
3/07/2013
March Madness - Training Style G367 Emergency Planning for Campus Executives 3/7/2013 (Afternoon)(Free)(CG7)
Public Safety Training Facility 3500 W. Northern Parkway Classroom 200
Baltimore , MD 21215
3/08/2013 - 3/10/2013
Firefighter 1, Sissonville Fire & Rescue School, March 8 thru 10, 2013 (NOT Free) 
Sissonville Fire School PO Box 13096
Sissonville , WV. 25360
3/12/2013 - 3/14/2013
March Madness Series: G 408: Homeland Security Government for Local Government
Public Safety Training Facility 3500 W. Northern Parkway
Baltimore , MD. 21215
3/12/2013 - 3/14/2013
PER 222 ~ Public Safety WMD Response - Sampling Techniques and Guidelines March 12 thru 14, 2013(Free) (CG 7) 
Level Volunteer Fire department 3633 Level Village Road
Havre de Grace , MD 21050
3/12/2013 - 3/14/2013
Incident Command System (ICS) 300 Tuesday 12 March, Wednesday 13 March and Thursday 14 March 2013 free (cg 7)
6501 Coastal Highway Public Safety Building - 2nd floor training room
Ocean City , MD, 21843
3/12/2013 - 3/14/2013
March Madness - G408 Homeland Security Planning for Local Governments March 12 thru 14, 2013 (Free)(CG 7) 
Public Safety Training Facility 3500 W. Northern Parkway Classroom 200
Baltimore , MD 21215
3/15/2013 - 3/17/2013
Firefighter II, Sissonville Fire & Rescue School, March 15 thru 17, 2013 (NOT Free)
Sissonville Fire & Rescue School PO Box 13096
Sissonville , WV. 25360
3/18/2013
MGT ~ 411 Planning for the Unique Evacuation and Shelter-in-Place Needs of People with Medical Dependencies during a Disaster Course March 18, 2013 (Free) CG-7
The Talbot County Department of Social Services 301 Bay Street
Easton , MD 21601
3/19/2013 - 3/21/2013
March Madness - Training Style G110 Emergency Management Operations Course (EMOC) for Local Governments March 19 thru 21, 2013 (Free) (CG 7)
Public Safety Training Facility 3500 W. Northern Parkway Classroom 200
Baltimore , MD 21215
3/21/2013 - 3/22/2013
Medical Preparedness and Response to Bombing Incidents March 21 & 22, 2013 (Free) [CG7]
Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute Headquarters, 4500 Paint Branch Parkway
College Park , MD. 20742
3/23/2013 - 3/24/2013
Medical Preparedness and Response to Bombing Incidents (Weekend)March 23 & 24, 2013 (Free) [CG7]
Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute Headquarters, 4500 Paint Branch Parkway
College Park , MD. 20742
3/25/2013 - 3/26/2013
March Madness - Training Style G775 EOC Management and Operations March 25 & 26, 2013 (Free)(CG 7) 
Public Safety Training Facility 3500 W. Northern Parkway Classroom 200
Baltimore , MD 21215
3/26/2013 - 3/27/2013
Law Enforcement Prevention & Deterrence of Terrorist Acts (AWR 122), March 26 & 27, 2013
Public Safety & Educational Training Center 6852 4th Street
Sykesville , MD 21784
3/27/2013
March Madness - Training Style G191 ICS/EOC Interface March 27,2013 (Free) (CG )7
Public Safety Training Facility 3500 W. Northern Parkway Classroom 200
Baltimore , MD 21215
3/28/2013
WMD Awareness Level Training (AWR 160), March 28, 2013 (Free)(CG7)
Public Safety & Educational Training Center 6852 4th Street
Sykesville , MD. 21784
3/30/2013
Formidable Footprint Tabletop Exercise: Earthquake Scenario
Online
4/06/2013
AWR147 ~ Rail Car incident Response, April 6, 2013 (Free) (CG7)
Howard County Department of Fire & Rescue Services James N. Robey Public Safety Training Center (PSTC) 2200 Scott Wheeler Drive
Marriotsville , MD 21104
4/08/2013 - 4/12/2013
The Basic National Planner's Course (NPC) Free (CG 7)
Old Central Communications Facility 7911 Anchor Street
Landover , MD 20785
4/09/2013 - 4/10/2013
Incident Command System (ICS) 400
Worcester County Government Building 1 West Market Street - 3rd floor training room
Snow Hill , MD 21863
4/09/2013
Public Safety De-Escalation Tactics for Military Veterans in Crisis~ April 9, 2013 ( Free)(CG7)
Public Safety & Educational Training Center 6852 4th Street
Sykesville , MD. 21784
4/09/2013 - 4/11/2013
G290 Basic Public Information Officer and G291 JIC Planning
Washington County EOC 16232 Elliott Parkway
Williamsport , MD 21801
4/10/2013
Western Maryland - WebEOC 704 (New Version) April 10, 2013 (Free) (CG7)
Allegany County EOC 701 Kelly Road
Cumberland , MD. 21502
4/13/2013
MD State Fireman's Association SATURDAY WebEOC 7.4 Training (CG 7)
SEOC 5401 Rue St Lo Drive
Reisterstown , MD 21136
4/22/2013 - 4/26/2013
ICS 300 400 April 22-26, 2013
Howard County Office of Emergency Management 6751 Columbia Gateway Drive Suite 400
Columbia , MD 21046
4/23/2013
PER300 ~ Social Media for Disaster Response and Recovery April 22, 2013(Free)[CG7]
Location: Public Safety Training Facility 3500 W. Northern Parkway, Classroom 200
Baltimore , MD. 21215
4/23/2013 - 4/24/2013
2013 Industry-Lead PREP Full-Scale Exercise
Salisbury , MD
4/25/2013
Social Media for Disaster Response and Recovery~February 25, 2013 (CG7) (Free)
Harford County Sheriff's Office Southern Precinct 1305 Pulaski Highway
Edgewood , MD. 21040
4/27/2013
Formidable Footprint Tabletop Exercise: Influenza Pandemic Scenario
Online
4/30/2013
Cyber Security Awareness ~ April 30, 2013 (Free) (CG7)
Howard County Public Safety Building 2200 Scott Wheeler Dr.
Marriottsville , MD. 21104
4/30/2013 - 5/02/2013
G 290- Basic Public Information Ofiicer & G291 JIC Planning for tribal, state and local PIO
Harford County Sheriff's Office Southern Precinct Community Room (ist floor) 1305 Pulaski Highway
Edgewood , MD 21040
5/08/2013
NCR Regional Communications Functional Exercise
Emergency Operations Centers (EOCs) throughout the National Capital Region
5/09/2013
(Closed/Full) Sovereign Nations and other Hate Mongering Anti-Government Groups, May 9, 2013 (Free) (CG7)
Bureau of Engraving and Printing, Center for Excellence 14thand C Streets, SW,
Washington , DC
5/13/2013 - 5/16/2013
ICS 300/400 May 13-16, 2013 (Free) (CG-7) (CLOSED)
Motor Vehicle Administration 6601 Ritchie Highway - room 4 of the main building
Glen Burnie , MD 21062,
6/17/2013 - 6/19/2013
L 550 COOP The Continuity of Operations (COOP) Planner’s Train-the-Trainer Course FREE (CG 7)
Hood University 401 Rosemont Ave
Frederick , MD 21701
7/17/2013
AWR 132 Understanding and Planning for School Bombing Incidents Free (CG 7)
Frederick County Sheriff's Ofice 8349 Reich's Ford Rd
Frederick , MD
8/06/2013 - 8/08/2013
MGT346 - EOC Operations and Planning for All Hazards August 6-8, 2013 - 24.00 Hours Free (CG 7)
Frederick County Sheriff's Office 8349 Reich's Ford Rd
Frederick , MD
8/26/2013 - 8/29/2013
L-449 Incident Command System Curricula Train the Trainer Course Free (CG 7) CLOSED
20633 Boland Farm Road,
Germantown , MD 20876
8/27/2013 - 8/28/2013
MGT 404: Sports & Spec. Events Inc. Mgmt., August 27 & 28, 2013 (Free) (CG7)
Public Safety Training Facility 2500 W. Northern Parkway Room# 200
Baltimore , MD. 21215
9/11/2013
CALVEX Dress Rehearsal
State Emergency Operations Center
Reisterstown , MD
10/22/2013
CALVEX Exercise
State Emergency Operations Center
Reisterstown , MD 

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

EPA fines six Arizona school districts for asbestos violations

BEMA Network Members: 

These types of violations should never have occurred with the confines of the U.S. within any state.

Federal guidelines for asbestos contamination and removal may be affecting schools, public meeting locations, and other facilities in your communities.

Zero tolerance for public safety.  Not only should the school districts be fined, but State public safety and & health agencies must be held accountable to absorb these fines and recovery effort for the community, with no reduction in school services for the education of our children.

Charles D. Sharp

Chief Executive
Black Emergency Managers Association.


For Immediate Release: Feb 19, 2013
Contact:  Rusty Harris-Bishop, 415-972-3140, harris-bishop.rusty@epa.gov
                                                                                        
EPA fines six Arizona school districts for asbestos violations
More than 15,000 students to be protected by additional inspections, asbestos plans 
                                                                                                                  
SAN FRANCISCO -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has fined six Arizona school districts a combined total of $94,575 for Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) violations. More than 15,000 children attend the 25 schools not in compliance with the federal AHERA in these districts.

During inspections conducted in 2011, EPA inspectors discovered numerous violations, from failing to inspect facilities for asbestos containing materials, failing to re-inspect campuses with known asbestos containing materials, and failing to have an Asbestos Management Plan. All of the school districts have since taken necessary actions to comply with the law, with the cost of compliance reducing the penalties in most cases to zero.

“Asbestos in schools has the potential to harm the health of students, teachers, and maintenance workers,” said Jared Blumenfeld, EPA’s Regional Administrator for the Pacific Southwest. “EPA takes these violations seriously, and we are satisfied the schools have now conducted inspections and put their asbestos plans in place.”

Each school district is allowed to subtract properly documented costs of complying with the regulations from the penalty amount. The six school districts are:  

  • Apache Junction Unified School District (Pinal County): fined $21,675, but this was reduced to $7,933 because of the school district’s      
  • Florence Unified School District (Pinal County): fined $31,705, but no cash payment was due because the documented costs of compliance exceeded the penalty.
  •  St. John’s Unified School District (Apache County): fined $14,195, reduced to $824 by the school district’s cost of achieving compliance.
  • Vernon Elementary School District (Apache County): fined $2,700, but no cash payment was due because the documented costs of compliance exceeded the penalty.
  •  McNary Elementary School District (Fort Apache Indian Reservation): fined $14,200, but no cash payment was due because the documented costs of compliance exceeded the penalty.
  • Round Valley Unified School District (Apache County): fined $10,100, but no cash payment was due because the documented costs of compliance exceeded the penalty.

Federal law requires schools to conduct an initial inspection using accredited inspectors to determine if asbestos-containing building material is present and develop a management plan to address the asbestos materials found in the school buildings. Schools are also required to appoint a designated person who is trained to oversee asbestos activities and ensure compliance with federal regulations. Finally, schools must conduct periodic surveillance and re-inspections of asbestos-containing building material, properly train the maintenance and custodial staff, and maintain records in the management plan.

Local education agencies must keep an updated copy of the management plan in its administrative office and at the school which must be made available for inspection by parents, teachers, and the general public.

For more information about federal asbestos regulations visit: http://www.epa.gov/asbestos/lawsregs.html

Friday, February 15, 2013

SAMHSA's Blog Update: Reaching Youth with Prevention Messaging

United States Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration - A Life in the Community for Everyone: Behavioral Health is Essential to Health, Prevention Works, Treatment is Effective, People Recover
 


02/14/2013 05:27 PM EST
By Frances M. Harding, Director, SAMHSA’s Center for Substance Abuse Prevention
According to a recent report from SAMHSA’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health (http://www.samhsa.gov/data/2k13/NSDUH099b/sr099b-trends-prevention-messages.htm), between the early 2000s and 2011, fewer adolescents were exposed to drug or alcohol use prevention messages in the past year through media and school sources.  In fact, in 2011, 25 percent of adolescents did not receive prevention messages through media or school sources and 40 percent of adolescents did not talk with their parents about the dangers of substance use. Adolescents are subjected to influences ...
02/14/2013 05:23 PM EST
By Frances M. Harding, Director, SAMHSA’s Center for Substance Abuse Prevention
A youth’s perception of risks associated with substance use is an important determinant of whether he or she engages in substance use. A recent SAMHSA National Survey on Drug Use and Health report (http://www.samhsa.gov/data/2k13/NSDUH099a/sr099a-risk-perception-trends.pdf) surfaced several important perceptions among adolescents aged 12 to 17. Binge drinking can be categorized as having five or more alcoholic drinks once or twice a week. The good news is that the percentage of adolescents who perceived great risk from binge alcohol use has increased from 38.2 ..

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