Tobacco/Alcohol/Drug Prevention

The National Institute on Drug Abuse has discovered that 12 - 17 year olds who smoke cigarettes are:

• 14 times more likely to abuse alcohol
• 100 times more likely to smoke marijuana,
• 32 times more likely to use cocaine or other illicit drugs than their non-smoking peers. 

Since tobacco is a gateway drug whose use consistently occurs early in the sequence of risky behaviors that lead to alcohol and other drug abuse, PPMES is committed to providing education and activities that promote prevention & cessation of tobacco use of youth and adults. (See Tobacco Prevention & Cessation)

Alcohol and drug prevention education is available and can coincide with tobacco prevention education and activities.

 Youth and adults who have  serious alcohol & drug dependencies receive referrals to agencies that have the expertise to service their need.

HIV/AIDS/STDS Education

"My people are destroyed

 for lack of knowledge"

              (Hosea 4:6)

   is a familiar biblical passage that speaks loudly about the current HIV disparities in the black community. In the United States, the HIV/AIDS epidemic is a health crisis for African Americans who make up about 13% of the USA population, yet account for over 56% of newly diagnosed HIV cases.

Positive Perspective Mentors & Educational Services is committed to providing the following services that increase awareness and prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS/STDS;

• HIV/AIDS/STDS Education Workshops/Seminars
• Present Prevention and Risk Reduction Strategies
• Provide Testing Opportunities To Know Your Status
• Referrals And Linkage To Other Support Service Agencies
• Offer Faith-Based Sexuality Education For Youth
• Train Volunteers/Churches/Community Leaders who will join the fight

Childhood Obesity

The National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion reports that the prevalence of obesity, over the past 20 years, among children aged 6 to 11 has more than doubled and the rate among adolescents aged 12 to 19 has more than tripled. An estimated 61% of obese young people have at least one additional risk factor for heart diesase, type 2 diabetes, stroke, joint problems, and cancer during their youth and into adulthood.

Being obese or overweight disproportionately affects low-income and minority children and, in particular, African American and Hispanic children.

Healthy lifestyle habits, such as healthy eating and physical exercise, can lower the risk of becoming obese and developing related diseases. If we don't act to reverse current trends, children will live with more illnesses and die earlier than previous generations. One method Positive Perspective Mentors & Educational Services (PPMES) uses to address the problem is with health education to influence better nutrition and food menu choices.

        Nutrition 

Nutrition is the largest cause of obesity. The two main factors contributing to poor nutrition are a lack of parental knowledge and impoverished neighborhoods. Healthy eating contributes to overall healthy growth and development. PPMES provides the following services;

(a.) Structured Health Education for Families with Obese Children

(b.) Nutritional Advice

(c.) Food Preparation training

   Physical Exercise 
 

Lack of physical exercise is common among obese families. Children have a tendency to snack on high calorie foods while watching television or using the computer. Soon, they become "juvenile couch potatoes.

The US Surgeon General recommends that children get at least 60 minutes of physical activity each day. PPMES is committed to helping children and their families engage in physical activities as a form of treatment for obesity.