Child trafficking gangs to be targetted

The Stop Child Abuse web site has a very good article on the rise of child trafficking and UK efforts to bring it under control.

The Consitutional Affairs Minister Lord Falconer claimed today that the Government intends to bring forward legislation which will target gangs involved in UK child trafficking.

The increasing exploitation of young people from around the world will be the subject of a plan which is being drawn up by the Home Office and is due to be announced shortly.

Lord Falconer was speaking at a conference in Belfast today which is discussing steps to protect the welfare of children.

The minister added that the development of the internet and the increasing mobility of people made it easier to smuggle young people into the country.

Give them a little space

I think the best thing you can do for a kid is to let him or her have some self-determinism.

It really isn't the end of world if the kid doesn't like liver (hell. I don't like liver either). To enforce that a child eat what you serve him/her is to rob him of his self determinism over his body.

On the other hand if a child is sick because of not eating the proper nutrients, or needs medicine or a transfusion etc. to not enforce that he/she get what he needs because "he is upset about it" is crazy as it will harm the child.

This requires judgment, but I always try to let people have as much freedom as they can have within the bounds of safety.

Tools to help kids

There is a very practical book that I found helpful when my kids needed help. Kids can be a challenge when they get upset for what seems to be no reason, or even when there is a real reason.

There are a number of different things that can be done and I found out about them in the Scientology Handbook. It is very easy to read and following the actions laid out in that book made both my life and my kids much calmer.

Children in India

I saw this article about what children go through in India - there is work to do to help set this right.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,3766808a12,00.html

Drug-Free Ambassadors of Australia

The Drug-Free Ambassadors in Australia.

How to be a Successful Parent

Having patience with children isn't always easy. There are many trials and tribulations one has to go through.
I know for me it was a challenge on many occasions, however, my children are grown now and are fabulous people who never had to turn to drugs and are very happy and stable.

I put it down to the techniques I used as a Scientologist. L. Ron Hubbard was very understanding of what was going on with children (he had four of his own so spoke from experience as well as observation).

If you take a look at this page - it tells you about a simple course - especially for parents.

How to be a Successful Parent

Teen Screen

I am adamantly opposed to teen screening. CCHR has put a great deal of information together on this practice and why it is so destructive. It's absolutely NOT a matter of finding something wrong with kids and fixing it. It is manufacturing something as "wrong" when there's nothing wrong and stigmatizing kids for the rest of their lives, not to mention butting them on very powerful narcotics to "cure" something that isn't wrong with them.

Drug-Free Marshals of Los Angeles

Here are some brand new Drug-Free Marshals who celebrated National Night Out with a pledge ot stay off drugs.

Children Promoting Human Rights

I mentioned on an earlier blog entry that there had been an event on the Freewinds ship and that a anti-drug program had been announced. Well, at that very same event hosted by Mr. David Miscavige there were 30 public service announcements released to the public. They are already airing and being widely distributed by Scientologists internationally. Each PSA is a graphic depiction of each of the 30 points of the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights. They definitely communicate - children cannot be ignored and their message is very meaningful.

Drug Free in LA

I love this photo from the Scientology Anti Drug site
Proclaiming "Drug-Free is the Way to Be," two Drug-Free Marshals show the anti-drug banner they helped create at Mel's Health Fair and Block Party. The Los Angeles Drug-Free Marshals are sponsored by Church of Scientology of Los Angeles. For more information contact the Community Affairs Office at the Church of Scientology of Los Angeles at 323-953-3200.

National Night Out

Today (or tonight more correctly) is the 23th National Night Out. Cities and towns all over the country will be participating, showing their solidarity on the issue of helping kids choose a drug-free lifestyle.

The No to Drugs Yes to Life web site and Scientology News Room have lots of stories and ideas about drug prevention and the work Scientologists are doing to combat drug abuse.