This week, millions of Florida students headed back to school. The beginning of a new school year is an exciting time, but it can also be stressful and overwhelming.
To help families start the school year on the right track, we launched our #BacktoSchoolOAG campaign. This week-long campaign is providing information directly to parents and students about internet safety, risks associated with vaping and more.
One of the most pressing issues facing high school students is drug use. Using opioids just one time can lead to an overdose or even death. Even prescription drugs can be highly addictive and deadly. Drugs like marijuana can be laced with other dangerous drugs, like fentanyl, which are incredibly potent and can easily kill those that come in contact with it.
As we begin another school year, parents should talk to their children about the risks associated with drug use. To help get the conversation started, visit the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids tip page, here.
Parents should also monitor their children’s online activity. Recent criminal cases handled by statewide prosecutors involve teens lured online by human traffickers. Online predators will use messaging apps, social media and even online games to contact children.
For more information about cybersafety, check out the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Chatting with Kids about Being Online Booklet from the Stop.Think.Connect campaign by clicking here.
These are just some of the helpful resources we are sharing through our #BacktoSchoolOAG campaign. You can check out all the action here.
By educating your family about challenges facing our children and playing an active role in helping them avoid risks, we can build a stronger, safer Florida.
In The News
Ashley Moody Stresses Back to School Safety in Florida, Florida Daily
Schools turn to air-quality monitors to crack down on student vaping, WFTV Orlando
Attorney General Ashley Moody Fights Teen Vaping as Students Head Back to School, Space Coast Daily
Ashley Moody Continues Effort to Cut Down on Teen Vaping, Florida Daily
Delta donates more than 100 flights, $2.5 million to help human trafficking survivors, USA Today
Protecting Floridians
Attorney General Moody Encourages Parents to Talk to Students About Drug Use as #BacktoSchoolOAG Campaign Continues
As millions of Florida students head back to school this week, Attorney General Ashley Moody is encouraging parents to talk to their children about the dangers of drug use. As part of the #BacktoSchoolOAG campaign, Attorney General Moody is sharing tips and resources to help get the conversation started. Drug use among minors continues to be a concern exacerbated by the opioid crisis. The influx of lethal fentanyl increases the odds that using opioids will lead to an overdose or even death.
Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “As we begin another school year, I want students to be fully aware of the devastating risks associated with drug use. One of the best ways to prevent students from giving in to peer pressure to try drugs is for parents and guardians to have meaningful conversations with their children about the risks involved. Not only are drugs illegal, they are addictive and can be deadly. Even some prescription drugs can be highly addictive. Please talk to your children about the dangers of drug use, the opioid crisis and how to say no.” Read More
Attorney General Moody Fights Teen Vaping as Students Head Back to School
As the #BacktoSchoolOAG campaign continues, Attorney General Ashley Moody is taking action to stop teen vaping and asking parents to talk to their children about e-cigarettes. Attorney General Moody, along with 42 other state attorneys general, is urging leading-streaming companies to limit tobacco imagery content on their platforms. The attorneys general are encouraging leaders in this new and growing industry to adopt practices to protect young viewers from tobacco imagery in video content.Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “As a mother, it is very important to me that our kids are not turned onto harmful habits, and that is one reason why I am conducting a statewide fact-gathering mission into student vaping. I am also proud to stand with 42 of my peers in encouraging streaming services to eliminate tobacco-related imagery in content gear toward children. Parents, as your students head back to school, please talk to them about the risks associated with nicotine and e-cigarette use.” Read More
Events
This week, Attorney General Ashley Moody reached out directly to parents and students through her #BacktoSchoolOAG campaign. The campaign focused on some of the challenges facing students as they head back to school for another academic year.
Nearly one in four Florida high school students admits to vaping. Attorney General Moody stressed that underaged vaping is not a harmless habit and that most e-cigarettes contain nicotine and other chemicals harmful to children.
Attorney General Moody also shared cybersafety tips. As students spend more time online, they become increasingly vulnerable to online predators targeting them through various messaging and gaming apps.
Attorney General Moody with Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco and Martin County Sheriff William Snyder.
Attorney General Moody visiting the State of Florida's Division of Emergency Management Emergency Operations Center in Tallahassee.
FDEM Chief of Staff Jon Bussey, Deputy Director and State Emergency Response Team Chief Kevin Guthrie, AG Moody and FDEM Chief of Response Ashley Davis
FDEM Chief of Staff Jon Bussey, Deputy Director and State Emergency Response Team Chief Kevin Guthrie, AG Moody and FDEM Chief of Response Ashley Davis