Local Community Efforts Keep Teen Alcohol Use Down

Posted by Drug Free in Alcohol Abuse on April 26th, 2012

At the recently held Marshfield Area Parent Network dinner, the results of the 2012 Youth Risk Behavior Survey were presented and one encouraging development emerged — that alcohol use among Marshfield-area teens has declined, and is steadily declining since 2008.

teen drinkingThe survey had both local public and Catholic middle and high school students as participants. The Marshfield Area Coalition for Youth (MACY) claimed that the decline in alcohol use among teens could be attributed to their continued efforts in working with other partner agencies to curb underage drinking.

MACY member and Marshfield Clinic substance abuse program manager Dorothy Chaney confirmed that since 2005, their organization has been driven to control teen drinking. “The survey shows alcohol use among youths is steadily declining, and this is amazing,” Chaney stated.

The survey showed that 64.6% of students admitted to consuming alcohol, down from 2008’s figure of about 68.9%. On the other hand, students’ perception of risks and dangers upon use of alcohol increased, with 73% of them saying they could get in trouble with just one or two drinks a day. In the same survey done four years ago, the same condition only yielded 59%.

Marshfield School Board president Tim Deets was positive that underage drinking rates will continue to drop as far as their area is concerned. “This increase in the perception of risk is a good thing. Ultimately, these are decisions that youths make, and if their perception of risk is increasing, then when the time comes to make a decision, they will understand the risk enough to not do it,” Deets added.

Chaney also proudly shared to the 840 parents gathered at the dinner event that Marshfield local teens’ risk behavior levels were below the national and state averages. She attributes this situation to the initiatives of local agencies, police department, schools, and even businesses in their area all helping to keep kids safe. “All the key community leaders are involved in these issues. The community is coming together to make a change.”

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Most Young Smokers Develop Into Pot Users

Posted by Drug Free in Marijuana Use and Abuse on April 25th, 2012

If earlier studies recorded 35% of cigarette smokers also experimenting with marijuana, today’s latest findings has put 50% of young smokers aged 18 to 25 as weed users too.

smoking marijuanaA research conducted at the University of California yielded the result which is considered a big leap from the previous data gathered. Experts say that studies as such are very important in determining what programs are necessary to control present conditions. “The importance of getting accurate data like these cannot be stressed enough, as treatment programs and the financial support required for them are often guided by studies that demonstrate both prevalence and risk.”

Study author Danielle Ramo from UCSF Department of Psychiatry said they took advantage of technology and social media to gather data for their research. Ramo said they were surprised with the results. “…. rates were much higher, which shows the problem might be larger than we realize.”

The study was done with 3,500 participants all considered regular smokers. They remained anonymous and were asked to confirm any marijuana use in the last 30 days. After recording their answers, it was found out that from the 68% who smoked cigarettes on a daily basis, 53% of them also smoked pot within the last month.

Study senior author Judith Prochaska made it clear that being in a medical marijuana state was not a factor in the prevalence of marijuana use or the use of both tobacco and marijuana by their sampling population. There was no significant difference in results too when age, income, or gender factors were taken into consideration.

For Bruce Goldman, director of Substance Abuse Services at Zucker Hillside Hospitals in Glen Oaks, the findings of the study was what he actually expected. He also emphasized the need for new methods in developing treatment programs for substance abuse.

The same sentiment was heard from study author Prochaska. “Adapting the social media aspect into intervention and incorporating the social environment are new ways to approach finding the most effective means for treatment.”

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Government Promotes Selective Drug Testing in the Workplace

Posted by Drug Free in Drug Testing on April 24th, 2012

In the latest National Drug Control Report for 2012 released last week, the government wants businesses to conduct a drug testing program for their workers to maximize productivity and minimize health-related costs.

Yet not all employees will be subjected to the drug testing procedure and the US Labor Department has not released guidelines pertaining to the matter.

drug testing employeesAdministration spokesperson Rafael Lemaitre from the Office of National Drug Control Policy said that they believe in drug testing as an effective way to help employees who are affected by substance abuse but “…. it is certainly not our policy that every employer in America ought to test and punish employees.”

Last February, Congress allowed states to drug test unemployed welfare recipients who want to get back in the work force. Information gathered from the Society for Human Resource Management claimed that about 57% of industries and businesses require drug testing for applicants.

Sen. Steve Smith (R-Maricopa) who has sponsored a drug testing bill said that most industries today already implement drug testing  for employees. “For a vast majority of very large companies, or private and public sector jobs in general, drug testing is something that’s mandatory. As far as I’m concerned, if you’re on drugs, you probably won’t make the best applicant or interviewee.”

As expected, advocates against drug testing were quick to respond and shared their thoughts on the government’s initiative. Drug Policy Alliance representative Bill Piper commented that “Drug testing has nothing to do with what goes on in the workplace. Drug testing is all about finding out what people did in their time off, and they’re only detecting past marijuana use.”

In a report from the Huffington Post, the Obama Administration is strongly pursuing the idea of drug testing in the workplace. “Workplace programs that provide clear policies regarding drug use; offer prevention and education opportunities for employers and supervisors; conduct drug testing to detect and deter use; and support referral and treatment for those who have substance use disorders can play a large role in reducing the demand for drugs throughout our Nation and in helping drug users get into treatment.”

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Teens Get their Alcohol from Parents or Other Family Members

Posted by Drug Free in Alcohol Abuse on April 23rd, 2012

The Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) has released a report that suggests most teens get their alcohol from parents or from other family members.

MADD gathered data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) which shows that 26% of teen drinkers aged 12 to 17 years old have access to alcohol through their parents or other family members. It was also noted in SAMHSA’s survey that parents have the biggest influence when it comes to underage drinking as 3 in every 4 kids say their decision to drink depended heavily on their parent’s behavior towards alcohol.

drinking with parentsHere are the results of the survey conducted by SAMHSA with regards to alcohol sources of teen drinkers:

1) 26% say they get their alcohol from their own parents, guardians, or from other family members aged 21 years old and above.
2) 25% claimed they get the said substance from people of legal age with whom they aren’t related to.
3) Another 22% say people not related to them and below the legal age become their sources of alcohol.
4) 10% of teens say alcohol is available in their home.
5) 5% of the survey population get their alcohol from other people’s homes.

According to Bill Windsor, Associate Vice President for National Insurance Consumer Safety working with MADD, underage drinking is also a problem that involves adults. “This data shows that underage drinking prevention is not only a problem for our youth. It’s an adult problem too. More than half of teens who drink are getting their alcohol from adults.”

MADD was formed by a mother who lost her daughter due to drunk driving. Mothers Against Drunk Driving is one of the largest non-profit organization operating nationwide focusing on the safety of teens and their families as far as alcohol issues are concerned. MADD can be reached through hotlines 1-877-MADD-HELP or 1-877-ASK-MADD.

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Local Parents Urged to Help Fight Teen Drug Abuse

Posted by Drug Free in Drug Addiction on April 22nd, 2012

The Glendora Unified Parents Summit was held last Tuesday with educators, local police, and drug counselors calling for local parents’ help in keeping kids away from drug abuse.

teen drug abuseAt the event organized by the Glendora Unified School District together with the Glendora Police Department, teen issues including substance abuse and the effect of technology on family relationships were put on a spotlight.

Glendora Police Chief Rob Castro joined the said event and gave a tough message to the parents present during the forum. “We realized as police and school administrators we are not the panacea for helping our kids. It starts at home, it starts with you… It’s not our job, by the time we find out that something is wrong it’s already too late.”

The Glendora Police Department introduced the different types of drugs such as ecstasy, marijuana, prescription drugs, and alcohol. There were also new types of drugs emerging and making their way in the community such as Xanax and spice as well as the re-entry of heroin in the list.

According to Mike Schaub and Robin McGeough from the Charter Oak Recovery Program, teens today are experimenting with more potent drugs. With their work as drug counselors for Whitcomb High School, they have recorded that most teens under drug use or addiction do not only stick to one type of drug but a variety of dangerous substances.

Heroin is fast becoming a drug of choice for the youth again. Parents are warned that kids today do not necessarily need needles to use the drug as they now snort or smoke heroin believing it’s a much safer route.

At the end of the event, only one strong message was left to parents: that they have to be involved in their kids’ daily lives; knowing where the kids are, who they hang out with, and what they do after school are necessary if they don’t want their kids to get into trouble.

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Majority of Teen ER Admissions Caused by Alcohol or Drugs

Posted by Drug Free in Alcohol Abuse, Drug Addiction on April 21st, 2012

Most of the teens admitted at the Medical Center Hospital (MCH) have something in common: they almost always come from activities involving either drugs or alcohol, or even both.

teen hospital admissionsApproximately 75% of teens who are rushed in emergency rooms are usually intoxicated, and for MCH Trauma Outreach Coordinator Lisa Earp, the situation on hand is very alarming. “We need to do something about it and it’s imperative we do something now,” Earp added.

In the recent county health ranking released nationally for substance abuse, Ector County remained on the upper part of the list with excessive drinking rates by teenagers in the county placing way above the national average.

The MCH once again reiterated the need for parents to get involved in their kid’s activities and be good examples, since most of the time, teens tend to follow their parent’s behavior. “Most of your underage drinkers are a direct reflection of their parents, their friends and their family. They are the greatest influence on whether or not they drink.”

This is why the MCH has organized a town hall meeting on Saturday, 2 to 4 pm, to spread information and awareness not only to parents, but also to the kids, on the issue of substance abuse. There will be invited guest speakers from local law enforcement and from substance abuse treatment facilities.

Chief Medical Officer for MCH Dr. Bruce Becker warns parents not to disregard their instincts nor deny the truth that their kids might be in trouble. With countless encounters of teens’ drinking and taking drugs, Dr. Becker knows how things could go terribly wrong.

“I know a story [about a teen] that was doing something as simple as standing on a balcony after drinking when he tried to high five a friend across another balcony and lost his balance. He fell to the ground and died.”

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