NEWS ARCHIVE 2006
Teen Drug Use Drops, with Exceptions
Dec. 21, 2006
This article first appeared in USA TODAYBy Donna Leinwand
WASHINGTON — Abuse of the painkiller OxyContin by younger teens hit record levels in 2006, a national survey says.
While most other teen drug and alcohol use continued a decade-long decline, teen abuse of pharmaceuticals, including prescription narcotics, barely budged, the survey says.
The annual survey of 50,000 high school and middle school students, released Thursday, was conducted by the University of Michigan for the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
Among high school seniors, the percentage reporting that they had used prescription narcotics, including OxyContin and Vicodin, in the past year declined from 9.5% in 2004, the peak year, to 9% in 2006, the survey found. Among younger teens, OxyContin use rose this year: 2.6% of eighth-graders and 3.8% of 10th-graders reported having used the drug, up from 1.8% and 3.2% in 2005.
For the first time, the survey asked teenagers whether they used over-the-counter cough or cold medicine to get high. One in 25 eighth-graders and one in 14 seniors said they had abused the medicines in the past year.
"Clearly, prescription drugs have become more a part of the problem," says the study's principal investigator, Lloyd Johnson.
High school seniors saw the largest drop in overall drug use. The percentage reporting any illicit drug use was 36.5% in 2006, compared with 38.4% in 2005.
Regular marijuana use among teens declined for the fifth year in a row. Among seniors, 31.5% said they had used the drug in the previous year, compared with 33.6% in 2005 and 37% in 2001.
"It's great to have one-quarter fewer kids using drugs than there were in 2001," said John Walters, director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy. His office will design an ad campaign targeting abuse of prescription drugs, he said.
Other drugs showing a decline include methamphetamine and crack cocaine. The use of LSD, inhalants, cocaine, crystal meth, heroin, narcotics other than heroin, tranquilizers and sedatives remained stable.
Researchers say they have new concerns about Ecstasy, inhalants and prescription drugs.
The survey noted a slight increase in inhalant and Ecstasy use among seniors and a continuing decline in the percentage of students who consider these drugs dangerous, Johnston said. "It's a little disturbing, and we wouldn't want to see a rebound," he said.
Older students showed the sharpest drops in drug use, which reflects declines in previous years among eighth- and 10th-graders who have carried their lower drug use with them as they age, Johnston said.
The survey shows that federal policies have little effect on drug use in the USA, says Rob Kampia, executive director of the Marijuana Policy Project, a Washington, D.C.-based organization that wants to legalize marijuana.
"Our suggestion is to face the facts, to acknowledge that this war on marijuana users has failed to prevent teenagers from using marijuana," Kampia says. "The federal government hasn't had a new idea in 30 years. … What we've been doing for decades isn't working."
December is National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month
Dec. 5, 2006
(from www.cdc.gov)
Impaired
driving will affect one in three Americans during their lifetime.
Alcohol related motor vehicle crashes accounts for 39% of all
traffic-related deaths in the United States. December is National Drunk
and Drugged Driving Prevention Month by Presidential Proclamation.
Quick Facts About Drunk and Drugged Driving
- An alcohol-related motor vehicle crash kills someone every 31 minutes and nonfatally injures someone every two minutes.
- Drugs other than alcohol (e.g., marijuana and cocaine) are involved in about 18% of motor vehicle driver deaths. These other drugs are generally used in combination with alcohol.
- Each year, alcohol-related crashes in the United States cost about $51 billion.
- Most drinking and driving episodes go undetected. In 2004, about 1.4 million drivers were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or narcotics (Department of Justice, 2005). That’s less than one percent of 159 million self-reported episodes of alcohol-impaired driving among U.S. adults each year.
- To further decrease alcohol-related fatal crashes, communities need to implement and enforce strategies that are known to be effective, such as sobriety checkpoints, 0.08% BAC laws, minimum legal drinking age laws, “zero tolerance” laws for young drivers, and others.
For more facts or information contact:
National Center for Injury Prevention and Control
Mailstop K65
4770 Buford Highway NE
Atlanta, GA 30341-3724
Phone: 1.800.232.4636
E-mail: cdcinfo@cdc.gov
MADD Tie One on For Safety
Nov. 1, 2006
The
busy Holiday season is here - a time when spirits are high,
celebrations thrive and travel increases accross America's roadways.
Tragically, drunk driving is on the rise during this special time.
That is why MADD conducts the Tie One On For Safety holiday ribbon campaign throughout November and December.
This
program was started in order to encourage the public to become actively
involved in the fight against drunk driving. Encourage community
members to join the fight by tying a red ribbon to a visible place on
their vehicles. This campaign urges people to never, ever drink and
drive and to educate the public on the risks of driving while under the
influence.(MADD)
CASAC Awarded $100,000 for 2006-2007
Drug Free Community Grant Renewed for 8th YearJohn Walters, Director of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), awarded $10.5 million in Drug-Free Communities (DFC) grants to 107 communities across the country. An additional $58.8 million will support the continuation of awards to 602 existing community coalition projects operating in 49 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. The goal of the 709 local coalitions is to work together to prevent and reduce drug, alcohol, and tobacco abuse among youth.
In addition, 17 new grants totaling $1.18 million were awarded through the DFC Support Mentoring Program. These funds will advance existing DFC grantees to develop more self-supporting community anti-drug coalitions. Under the Mentoring Program, $1.57 million has been awarded to support 21 continuation grants.
CASAC sought to strengthen its role as a catalyst for community involvement for substance abuse prevention in the Capital Region of Connecticut through a new, comprehensive strategic planning effort for the CASAC Board and the creation of a five-year action plan for the agency. This effort - in its strategic planning process - is moving towards completion, with the creation of a five-year action plan for the agency expected to be drafted and approved by the Board of Directors by the end of the project year.
CASAC has made substantial progress in fostering stronger collaborations among public agencies, schools, faith-based organizations, and statewide prevention programs this year. CASAC has devoted significant time and energy assisting in the needs assessment and comprehensive planning process initiated by the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services through its SAMHSA grant. These efforts continue and have great implications for the achievement of CASAC and the Department’s long-term goals of reducing substance abuse among youth and adults in the region and the state.
CASAC also has met all timelines and objectives for its middle school intervention program with young girls in Suffield, Connecticut. This program is important and a developing model for other LPCs (Local Prevention Councils). Finally, CASAC has made progress in increasing its visibility in the region through redevelopment of the CASAC web site, and the initiation of a CASAC newsletter.
CASAC Holds Annual Meeting
Oct. 18, 2006
The
Capital Area Substance Abuse Council celebrated another year in
substance abuse prevention at the Annual Meeting which was held October
18th at the West Hartford Town Hall. Don Trinks, Board President,
began the evening welcoming everyone and thanking those individuals who
had done outstanding work within their communities in the past year.
Susan
Campbell, Lifestyle Columnist from the Hartford Courant, sent a
compelling message as the guest speaker. She spoke about communities
needing to take more responsibility about substance abuse by talking
more about it in our homes, schools, and faith communities.
The
meeting continued with Mirelle Freedman, CASAC’s Executive Director
presenting the Annual Report and then with the Awards Committee handing
out awards to deserving individuals. Charlie Margolis and Linda
Peterson handed out awards to the following individuals: Kate
Grabowski-Clark and Virginia Wolf, from Farmington, for Community
Awareness; Phil Livsey, from Granby, for Community Intervention;
Matthew Cook, from Rocky Hill, for Community Volunteer; Karen Telesca,
from Rocky Hill, for Youth Education; Stephen Guest, from West
Hartford, for Community Mobilization. The following received awards
for Outstanding Youth Model: Akiana Molina, Samantha Cortes, Ishmael
Gracias, and Eddie Rodriguez, students from Hartford’s Family Life
Education under the direction of Angie Cruz; Brian Barnicle, from
Newington; Jason Hale, from Rocky Hill; and Jeremy Bersin, from West
Hartford. Lastly, Sharon Guglielmone received the Volunteer of the Year
Award for her hard work and dedication to CASAC.
Outgoing
Board Members, Charlie Margolis, Fred Hesketh, and Linda Peterson
received awards for their dedication and service. Executive Director,
Mirelle Freedman, then presented the slate of officers for 2006-07:
- President - Martha Jackson
- Vice-President - Scott Guay
- Treasurer - Wally Gracia
- Secretary - Peter Black
Pat Devendorf, Betsy Hard, Ingrid Helander, Hebe Kudisch, Mark Luster, Chris McCarter, Faith McMahon, Alex Monico, Laurie Mucciacciaro, Lori Stanczyc, Joanne St. Peter, Michael Bright, Christine DeVore, Nilda Fernandez, Marcus Fink, Jane Johnson, Mark Kaczynski, Scott Lingenfelter, Carla Marciano, Laurie Maulucci, Catherine Moreton, and Dr. Walter Willett.
The evening concluded with Don Trinks, outgoing Board President, receiving a plaque thanking him for his encouragement, loyalty, and his tireless efforts on behalf of substance abuse prevention and CASAC and with new Board President, Martha Jackson inspiring everyone to keep talking to our youth about substance abuse prevention as CASAC moves along for another year!
Celebrate Red Ribbon Week - Oct. 23-31
lea en españolWant
to protect your children from drugs? October 23-31 is Red Ribbon Week
is a time to show your support for creating a drug-free community.
Surveys show that children whose parents warn them about the dangers of
alcohol and other drugs are less likely to use them.
Talk to your
child about drugs today, and pin on a red ribbon to demonstrate your
commitment to supporting a drug-free lifestyle.
For
some really terrific ideas on celebrating Red Ribbon Week in school, in
your home and in the community, join us at CASAC's Community Meeting.
RSVP: 860.286.9333 to reserve your town's Red Ribbon package (1 per
town) and enjoy a delicious buffet breakfast and great networking of
ideas.
The Story
The
annual celebration of National Red Ribbon week starts October 23rd with
communities and students across America committing themselves to
drugfree lives. It is very appropriate
for The Capital Area Substance Abuse Council to support the dreams and goals of our children,
and to commemorate Special Agent Enrique "Kiki" Camarena, who was kidnapped and brutally
tortured and murdered by drug traffickers in Mexico.
This event produced an immediate outpouring of grief, but over time has generated a
sense of hope across America. That hope is being kept alive through the hard work of
thousands of Americans - particularly our young people - who participate in Red Ribbon
events during the last week in October.
Be part of the solution for a drug free community.
Join your Local Prevention Council TODAY! Call 860.286.9333 for more information if you live in: Avon, Bloomfield, Canton, East Granby, Farmington, Granby, Hartford,
Hartland, Newington, Rocky Hill, Simsbury, Suffield, West Hartford,
Wethersfield, Windsor or Windsor Locks.
Regional Town Hall Meeting on Alcohol, Other Addictive Behaviors
Sept. 8, 2006As youth across the state head back to school, The Capital Area Substance Abuse Council brought over 50 community members together for a day of learning and networking about what youth today are thinking and doing about alcohol and other addictive behaviors in their towns.
The day started with keynote speaker David Pease, a self appointed activist, prevention advocate, and founder of Get a G.R.I.P. Connecticut, working to inspire “Greater Responsibility In Parenthood” by conducting workshops, like CASAC’s, across the state. David gave an emotional, and eye opening presentation on how substance abuse took the lives of two out of his three sons. “In a split second, my heart, and my life as I knew it, had stopped,” he expressed. He spoke about making presentations across the country urging parents to get a grip on the warning signs of a drug problem, on their need to be personally involved in the life of their teen, and on getting a grip on the battle of youth substance abuse.
David’s opening remarks began the day-long awareness of the risks today’s youth encounter. Through a wide range of workshops participants learned about the importance of understanding different issues youth face in today’s society and how they can potentially lead to substance abuse. Participants heard from a number of experts who disseminated information about topics on underage drinking, gambling, self-cutting, and Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgendered, and Questioning youth.
Gambling
Gambling has become increasingly popular with young people. For most it is recreation but for many, including youth, it is a risky behavior that can bring severe consequences to the individual, family, and community. Susan McLaughlin, M.P.A., CPP-R, of the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services moderated a morning panel discussion that included Patricia Devendorf M.S., LADC, NCGC II, Program Coordinator, Better Choice Gambling Treatment Program at Wheeler Clinic; Scott Guay LADC, NCGC, Wheeler Clinic, and a recovering youth gambler who talked about his struggles with gambling and how it affected his entire family and college career.GLBTQ Youth
Conference participants then gained insight on the factors that place Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgendered, and Questioning (GLBTQ) youth at risk for use and abuse of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs. Presenter Robert Brex, Executive Director of Northeast Communities Against Substance Abuse, provided tools and resources for community professionals to make their communities safer and more accepting for GLBTQ youth so it can minimize their risk with substance abuse. As participants learned about protective factors that can buffer GLBTQ youth from risky behaviors, Geralyn Laut, from The Governor’s Prevention Partnership; The Connecticut Coalition to Stop Underage Drinking, offered new information about the new Connecticut Legislation, referred to as the “house party bill” which goes into effect on Oct. 1.The day concluded with Jim Wuelfing, CPP-R, owner of the New England Training Center, speaking about ways to infuse gambling into ATOD prevention efforts. While Nancy Eiswirth, P.h.D., discussed warning signs of teen cutting and provided ideas on how to intervene and give youth alternatives to physically hurting themselves.
Conference participants not only gained insight and advice, they also learned about a variety of topics and practices in the substance abuse field. It was an exciting day for prevention and community professionals to join together to become more empowered in keeping our youth safe and away from the dangers of substance abuse and other risky behaviors.
2nd Annual Soy Unica! Soy Latina! Event a Success
June 19, 2006Other guest speakers addressing similar issues included Marilyn Alverio, from Ethnic Marketing Solutions; Gloria Searson, Abbott Labs; and Angie Cruz, from Family Life Education.
Workshops included sessions for the women and girls on maintaining a positive self image, staying drug free, and understanding stereotypes among gay and lesbian youth sponsored by the following organizations: True Colors, the Match Coalition, City of Hartford, Hartford Action Plan, Family Life Education.
Knowledge is power and youth today are overwhelmed with peer pressure to make
unhealthy decisions for themselves. Though this was one event, it
served as an opportunity to bring the community together and provide
information to women and girls on how to be resilient enough to make
healthy, positive choices.
This event was made possible with federal funding from the Drug Free Communities Grant and from the following sponsors:
- Area Health Education Center
- Match Coalition
- City of Hartford’s Department of Human Services
- Connecticut National Guard
- Big Y
- Institute for Hispanic Families