IN THE NEWS: Light a candle for AIDS awareness

Light a candle for AIDS awareness

The 27th Annual International AIDS Candlelight Memorial Day celebrated on May 16 is the largest grassroots movement against the disease that creates awareness and hope with a single gesture: light a candle.

Over 1,200 community organizations in 115 countries will host local memorials to honor those that lost the fight and raise awareness about AIDS. "33 million people living with HIV today, the Candlelight continues to serve as an important intervention for global solidarity, breaking down barriers, and giving hope to new generations."

This year's message is "Many Lights for Human Rights" and the initiative has individuals and organizations dedicating virtual candles globally from Eritrea to Russia and tweeting messages to get involved like:

"Commemorate the lives of those lost and affected by AIDS by using #AIDSCandlelight from now until Sunday" - PATHtweets, May 14

"How Will You Remember Those Lost to AIDS?" - DukeGHI, May 14

To find out what is taking place in your area or to dedicate a virtual candle, go to: http://www.candlelightmemorial.org

READ MORE: http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/light-a-candle-for-aids-awareness-1974017.html

Brutal bullies: What makes kids cruel?

From MSNBC: Case of tormented teen raises disturbing questions

The last few months of 15-year-old Phoebe Prince's life were filled with unrelenting torment, according to reports by fellow students.

Classmates at the Irish immigrant's Massachusetts high school called Prince a "whore" and an "Irish slut," students said. They defaced her school photo with obscene drawings, sent her threatening text messages and whispered — or shouted — insults in school hallways.

On Jan. 14, witnesses say, she was taunted by a group of classmates in the library and hit with a can of Red Bull thrown from a moving car. That afternoon, Prince went home and hanged herself with a scarf.

Nine students have now been charged with harassment and other bullying-related crimes, spurring national debate about the role of the justice system and the culpability of the school administration. But Prince's case raises another, more elemental question: Why are kids so cruel?

Beginnings of bullying research

Research into bullying didn't start until the 1970s, when psychologist Dan Olweus began to study the phenomenon in Norwegian schoolchildren. In fact, much of the study was triggered by the suicides of several young victims of bullying, said René Veenstra, a sociologist at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands.


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Since then, decades of research have shown that the power differential between bullies and victims is a crucial component of the interaction.

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Lifeforce: AIDS Awareness and Prevention Comic Book

AVAILABLE NOW: Lifeforce AIDS Awareness and Prevention Comic Book

To Order CLICK "ADD TO CART" TO PURCHASE - $3.00

AIDS Awareness and Prevention Comic Book - Lifeforce Comics

In the latest Lifeforce comic book, the adventure continues as five super-powered teenagers - Lightning Bolt, fearless leader and possessor of electricity, Firestone - dynamic fiery warrior, Counterstrike - crimefighter with ability to reverse any attack, Reactor - armor-clad powerhouse and Lightspeed - energy-powered super-speedster - must stand against the threat of Agent AIDS, the villainous embodiment of the deadly disease that's has plagued the world for decades. - 16 pages; magazine size; $3.00

In the process of the adventure, information about the disease and its dangers are featured. Beginning with a brief look at each hero just before they face off with a boasting Agent AIDS trying to take over the world, Lifeforce make their presence known. Afterwards, they must use teamwork carefully or face defeat.

Can this team of teen heroes overcome the power of Agent AIDS or, at least, this time? And who is the mysterious Captain Life and what is his connection to the team? Is he friend or foe?

Lifeforce: AIDS AWARENESS AND PREVENTION edition is a landmark in the comic book series whose goal is to both educate and entertain. This edition comes in both magazine and digest sizes with color cover and 16 b/w interior pages. Also features U.S. State-by-State AIDS Awareness and Prevention contact information and resources on the backcover. An excellent graphic novel/comic book series for Schools, Libraries, Community Centers and Health Facilities.

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AIDS Awareness Video

ONE.org  TV

Prescription Drug Abuse is Increasing Among Teens

The newest drug addicts are prescription drug addicts

Atlanta, GA 4/02/2010 07:28 PM GMT (TransWorldNews)

Teen drug abuse is on the rise. In a recent report from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) it states seven out of the top 11 drugs abused by 12th graders are prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications. The newest drug addicts are prescription drug addicts.

TV and movies are prime entertainment for teens. These are also flooded with drug promotions. "In the movie" ads and prescription drug taking implications are constantly promoted. Television ads are always showing cheery people on some prescription drug and assert "ask your doctor" if this drug is right for you. However, as Narconon Georgia points out, most drug takers are seldom the cheery people seen in the drug ads and far too many become chronic drug takers.

The average American is bombarded at every turn with magazines, TV and radio all promoting some sort of drug advertising. Congress unleashed the flood gates a few years back succumbing to drug company lobbyists to make it legal for drug companies to advertise their wares on television. The result: 23.1 million Americans in need of drug rehabilitation according to the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy and increasing numbers of teens are using prescribed and over-the-counter medications to get high according to the DEA.

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Nine Charged in Bullying of Massachusetts Teen Who Killed Herself

Associated Press:Nine teens charged in the 'unrelenting' bullying of girl who killed herself, and two of them charged with statutory rape.

NORTHAMPTON, Mass. -- Nine teens have been charged in the "unrelenting" bullying of a teenage girl from Ireland who killed herself after being raped and enduring months of torment by classmates in person and online, a prosecutor said Monday.

Northwestern District Attorney Elizabeth Scheibel said 15-year-old Phoebe Prince of South Hadley was stalked and harassed nearly constantly from September until she killed herself Jan. 14. The freshman had recently moved to western Massachusetts from Ireland.

"The investigation revealed relentless activities directed toward Phoebe to make it impossible for her to stay at school. The bullying for her was intolerable," Scheibel said.

Six teens -- four girls and two boys -- face charges including statutory rape, assault, violation of civil rights resulting in injury, criminal harassment, disturbance of a school assembly and stalking. Three younger girls face delinquency charges.

Scheibel said the harassment began in September. She said school officials knew about the bullying, but none will face criminal charges.

"The actions of these students were primarily conducted on school grounds during school hours and while school was in session," the prosecutor said.

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