Drug-Free Coalition of Tippecanoe County

Study: Alcohol in Movies May Lead to Underage Drinking

2012-02-21T18:47:00.000-08:00

Watching movies with scenes that feature alcohol consumption doubles the likelihood that teens will start drinking alcohol, according to a new study published in the journal BMJ Open. The two-year study of more than 6,500 American kids, ages 10 to 14, also found that teens who are exposed to alcohol-fueled movies are more likely to progress to binge drinking (five or more drinks in a row) HealthDay reports.

Study findings show that the proportion of kids who started drinking alcohol more than doubled from 11 percent to 25 percent, and the proportion of those who started binge drinking tripled from 4 percent to 13 percent.

Teens being exposed to movies that feature alcohol use led to 28 percent of kids drinking alcohol and of those teens, 20 percent moved on to binge drinking, noted the survey. Researchers also underscored that the association was not only seen with movie characters who drank on-screen, but also with alcohol product placement throughout the movies.

Other factors that were associated with underage drinking were, coming from a family where parents drink and where alcohol was available in the home, but this finding was not linked to progression to binge drinking.

“Product placement in movies is forbidden for cigarettes in the U.S.A., but is legal and commonplace for the alcohol industry, with half of Hollywood films containing at least one alcohol-brand appearance, regardless of film rating,” James Sargent, of Norris Cotton Cancer Center, Dartmouth Medical School and colleagues wrote in the report.

This article published by The Partnership at drugfree.org.

A closer look at prescription drug abuse, addiction, and recovery

2012-02-20T09:59:00.000-08:00

Entertainment news reports during the past week have centered the Nation’s attention on substance abuse, addiction, and the vital need for recovery by millions of Americans. Positive stories of recovery are all around us in everyday life, but it’s always tragic when someone’s life is cut short.

During these times it is important that we remember the success stories of those in recovery because they provide a truer perspective of the real hope treatment can provide, and can spur individuals, families and communities toward taking effective action to prevent and treat the disease of addiction.

In 2010, 20.4 percent of Americans aged 12 or older reported using a prescription drug for nonmedical purposes at some point during their lifetime, according to SAMHSA’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health. The first priority is to educate people about the risk of prescription drug misuse, because while most people do use prescription drugs safely and appropriately, some people wrongly perceive the use of prescription drugs by someone or for some reason other than as prescribed to be safer than using illegal drugs. After all, people sometimes think, these drugs are prescribed by physicians, so they must be safe, right? This is a dangerous and sometimes deadly misperception.

We also know that most often, friends and relatives can sometimes, often unintentionally, become the source of prescription drugs for those who become addicted to them. That’s why all of us need to be the eyes and ears that help keep our loved ones, especially our young people, and our friends and communities safe.

If someone you know may be abusing or addicted to prescription drugs, speak up right away. Resources such as SAMHSA’s Treatment Referral Line, 1-800-662-HELP (4357) or 1-800-487-4889 (TDD), or www.SAMHSA.gov/treatment are available to help anyone, at any time.

This article written by Pamela S. Hyde, SAMHSA Administrator, and can be found at blog.samhsa.gov.

This week is Children of Alcoholics Week

2012-02-15T07:18:00.000-08:00

February 12-18, 2012 is Children of Alcoholics Week – A Celebration of Hope and Healing – Across Generations. The week calls attention to the one in four children under the age of 18 who are exposed to a family alcohol problem, and the many others affected by parental drug abuse.

Children of Alcoholics Week “celebrates the recovery of the many thousands of children (of all ages) who have received the help they needed to recover from the pain and loss suffered in their childhood, and it offers hope to those still suffering,” according to the National Association for Children of Alcoholics (NACoA), which sponsors the week.

NACoA states that preschool children of alcoholics have poorer language skills. School-age children of alcoholics are at risk for being worried, distracted and absent, the group says. These children may be at greater risk of both mental and physical health risks.

For materials and resources on Children of Alcoholics Week, visit www.nacoa.org.

(article shared from The Partnership at drugfree.org)

Celebrate Youth Lafayette!

2012-02-10T06:00:00.000-08:00

Our community is full of young people who have many fine qualities and successes that deserve to be celebrated, and our community has a responsibility to support youth and help them develop to their fullest potential. Celebrate Youth! does just that.

What kind of students should be nominated?

All will have overcome obstacles in their personal life to achieve success. These students don’t often receive traditional recognition, but are worthy of celebration nevertheless.
Students will complete a detailed application and a sponsor (teacher, coach, mentor etc) will complete a reference.
Initial eligibility will be determined by Bauer’s executive staff. An outside, un-biased committee of professionals in educational/developmental fields will evaluate applicants to select winners.

How will students be celebrated?

Students experiencing success in spite of great odds will be recognized in the following categories (all $1,000 award):

Citizenship
Creative Self-Expression
Sportsmanship
Commitment to Learning
Bouncing Back
Youth of the Year (overall award: $2,000 award)

Award money should be used to assist the student and his or her family in achieving educational goals.

Visit the Bauer site to download the application and learn more.

The mission of Bauer Family Resources is creating brighter tomorrows by strengthening children and families today. In the spirit of our mission, we are launching an annual event to tell the community that overcoming obstacles is worth celebrating. Everyday, students overcome obstacles, in pursuit of their own brighter tomorrows. Our Celebrate Youth! banquet puts the spotlight on students who have overcome obstacles and flourished despite the odds.

America's youth have voted :: Big Bowl Vote 2012

2012-02-08T10:19:00.000-08:00

While our students here in Tippecanoe County did not participate in the survey this year, we thought you may be interested in the 2012 survey results. The Big Bowl Vote survey is given to middle and high school students the Monday after the Super Bowl in 42 different states across the country. The survey is conducted by the Drug Free Action Alliance out of Ohio. Students are asked what their top three favorite commercials were and what top three commercials they remember seeing, either a specific commercial or a product. This year over 40,000 students participated. Here are the results:

Top 10 FAVORITE Commercials

Middle School Students (6th-8th grade)

1. M&M’s: Just My Shell

2. Doritos: Dog Buries Cat

3. Doritos: Sling Shot Baby

4. Bud Light: Rescue Dog Wego

5. Skechers: Dog Race

6. Coca-Cola: Fingers Crossed

8. Chevy: Apocolypse

9. VW: Dog Strikes Back

10. Dannon: John Stamos

High School Students (9th-12th grade)

1. M&M’s: Just My Shell

2. Doritos: Dog Buries Cat

3. Doritos: Sling Shot Baby

4. Bud Light: Rescue Dog Wego

5. Skechers: Dog Race

6. Chevy: Apocolypse

7. VW: Dog Strikes Back

8. Dannon: John Stamos

9. E*Trade: Fatherhood

10. Coca-Cola: Nice Catch

Top 10 Most RECALLED Commercials

Middle School Students (6th-8th grade)

1. Doritos

2. M&M’s

3. Bud Light

4. Coca-Cola

5. Pepsi

6. Chevy

7. NFL

8. Movie Trailers

9. GoDaddy

10. E*Trade

High School Students (9th-12th grade)

1. Doritos

2. Bud Light

3. M&M’s

4. Coca-Cola

5. Chevy

6. Pepsi

7. Skechers

8. E*Trade

9. VW

10. GoDaddy

Neilsen reports that a record-breaking 111.3 million viewers watched this year’s Super Bowl. Also, according to Neilsen, about half of those viewers likely tuned in more for the high-priced commercials ($3.5 million per 30 second slot) than the game itself.

While snacks beat out beverages and a candy treat took top spot, alcohol once again surfaced as a Big Bowl Vote favorite; appealing to both middle and high school students.

What does this mean? Research reveals that young people are drawn to advertising that features animal and people characters, tells a story and makes them laugh. If the target demographic for M&M’s is middle and high school aged youth, the advertiser was right on mark. What tween/teen wouldn’t appreciate a comedic chocolate character, who breaks into dance to, “I’m sexy and I know it,” a song that is all the rage among youth right now?

But what about the cute little rescue pup who fetches beer for his owner’s pool party guests? Wouldn’t the obviously savvy advertisers surely realize this too would be appealing to underage Americans? Of course they did.

Does this mean more kids will now start drinking alcohol because they liked the ad? Maybe. According to a study where researchers investigated alcohol advertising to learn what makes it attractive to youth; the alcohol ads that young people found to be appealing were more likely to elicit responses from them saying they wanted to purchase the brand and products advertised.We also know that the more youth are exposed to alcohol advertising, the more likely they are to drink (drink to excess and drink more often). Research clearly indicates that while parents and peers have significant influence on a child’s decision to drink, so too does alcohol advertising and marketing.

“Though the Super Bowl itself is likely gone from most young people’s thoughts, the commercials will linger on, as they continue to pop up on our televisions and computers for months to come,” says Marcie Seidel, Drug Free Action Alliance Executive Director. “While we cannot possibly shield our children from every alcohol advertisement, we can make it a Teachable Moment, by helping them to decode the message through Media Literacy.”

Whether they are tuning in to their favorite TV show, listening to their iPod or socializing online, youth are flooded with a mix of media messages every day. Simply put, Media Literacy is the ability to read between the lines to recognize the influence of media messages. Children who are media literate can look and listen with a critical eye and ear, helping them to make healthier lifestyle choices and avoid the pressures fueled by media messages to drink, smoke or use other drugs.

Play the most important position in the NFL this Super Bowl Sunday

2012-02-03T13:02:00.001-08:00

This Super Bowl Sunday will mark the end of the 2011 record-setting NFL season. That’s right, in 2011, 220,000 fans signed up to be designated drivers—a nearly 30 percent increase from 2010 and a new League record.

Nine NFL teams (the Chicago Bears, Buffalo Bills, Denver Broncos, Cleveland Browns, Arizona Cardinals, San Diego Chargers, Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles and Oakland Raiders) partnered with MADD to make sure that fans include a safe ride home in their game plan with a game-day designated driver program throughout the season.

The program enhanced the teams’ existing designated driver programs with a pre-game MADD presence in stadium parking lots, distribution of information cards throughout the stadiums, and an audio PSA urging fans to “sign up to play the most important position in the NFL: the designated driver.”

With Super Bowl Sunday being one of the deadliest times on America’s roadways, we hope that the designated driver trend will continue this weekend. If you want to be a champion host this Sunday, use these tips to help throw a party that sails into the end zone. But, no matter how you celebrate or who you cheer for, don’t ruin the day by getting a DUI, or much worse. If you're going to drink alcohol, remember to plan ahead and designate a sober driver to help get everyone home safe after the game.

Super Bowl Tweet Fest for Adults and Teens

2012-02-02T08:05:00.000-08:00

In order to engage students during the Super Bowl this year, we're stepping into their world of technology. What better way to reach the average teen than their cell phone (or home computer)! To gain access to instant feedback on the ads from youth, we will be encouraging middle and high school students to TWEET about their favorite and not-so-favorite commercials, during and after the big game.

We will also be tossing out some questions specific to the alcohol ads to gain further insight. But in order to bring the youth on board, we need your help by getting them to "follow" us. And if you want in on what they have to say, you'll need a Twitter account to follow us too.

You and your students can find us on Twitter @DrugFreeAction.

To set up your free Twitter account, click here

Need to get up to speed on what Twitter is all about? Check out Twitter 101, click here

For the Big Bowl Vote Toolkit that includes everything you'll need to quickly and easily implement your local student questionnaire, with additional ideas on student engagement and follow-up activities, click here.

The Super Bowl is Sunday, February 5th (Kickoff is at 6:30 p.m. EST on NBC).

While you are at it be sure to "follow us" @drugfreetipp.

If you have questions contact Katy Travis, at katy@dftipp.org.

The Drug-Free Action Alliance is a statewide, 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization founded in 1987. We deliver up-to-date information and develop initiatives that serve the immediate needs of those working to prevent substance abuse throughout the State of Ohio and beyond.

New psychiatric hospital fills local services gap

2012-02-01T07:42:00.001-08:00

Written By: Dorothy Schneider :: Journal and Courier :: January 31, 2012

A new hospital facility opening today in Lafayette will help plug holes in the need for local psychiatric and substance abuse treatment.

Sycamore Springs, located at 833 Park East Blvd. on the east side of the city, will offer inpatient, partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient programs as well. The hospital will help serve local residents, adults and seniors, who have to seek treatment for substance abuse and mental health problems in Indianapolis, Crawfordsville or Lebanon.

"There is no such unit in the community at this point," said Nizar El-Khalili, a board-certified psychiatrist who will serve as the medical director at Sycamore Springs. "These are needed services."

Mental health advocates have decried the poor availability of services in Greater Lafayette for years. Leaders of psychiatric facilities have cited problems ranging from low Medicaid reimbursement rates, shifting state funding and a shortage of psychiatrists to staff the facilities.

Of the 48 beds being offered at the new facility, half will be available for geriatric mental health treatment and half will be for other adult substance abuse and psychiatric services. The building is laid out in two wings and also has a theater area that will be available for community education programs along with offering inpatient entertainment options, said Keily Mohler, director of business development at Sycamore Springs, a Louisville, Ky.-based company.

"We offer everything here at one hospital: inpatient and outpatient services all under one umbrella," Mohler said.

Patients can be hospitalized at the facility for up to 30 days, depending on the combination of services they receive. The goal of treatments offered there is to stabilize patients and adjust medications so that they can return to their former living environment.

"This will definitely be meeting some of the unmet needs here as well as providing more choices to people in need of services, particularly for substance abuse services," said Jennifer Flora, executive director with Mental Health America of Tippecanoe County.

Flora said the need for senior mental health services has been great for many years, given the aging population and changes in the family structure that often leave the elderly with less of a support network.

Many of the area's extended care facilities and nursing homes are not adequately staffed to manage patients with digressing Alzheimer's disease or psychosis, El-Khalili said. Having served as a consultant at Indiana Veterans' Home for 16 years, El-Khalili said there will be immediate benefits seen from not having to send patients like the ones there to out-of-town facilities for stabilization.

The mix of services offered at Sycamore Springs will complement other community offerings, such as the outpatient work done by Alpine Clinic -- where El-Khalili is on staff.

"This will cover a major piece" of the puzzle, he said. "We will have a lot of coordination going into providing the appropriate care."

Click here for a photo tour of the facility.

National Mentoring Month :: Big Brothers Big Sisters

2012-01-31T08:00:00.000-08:00

Do you have a friend that you think would make a great mentor? Now is a great time to encourage them to make a difference for youth in Tippecanoe County.

Step up and find out more about what it takes to be a mentor TONIGHT, January 31 from 7:30-8:30pm in the community room of Club Newtone.

For more information, contact Peggy Bylund, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Lafayette (peggy@bbbslaf.org, 765-446-2227).

Our Mission: Promoting the healthy development of at-risk youth in Tippecanoe County through professionally supported, one-to-one mentoring relationships.

If you would like to help BBBS out in other ways visit their site here or consider participating in their annual bowling fundraiser - Bowl for Kids' Sake. Learn more here.

Superbowl 2012 :: Teens and Twitter

2012-01-30T08:01:00.000-08:00

For the 2 years now the Drug-Free Coalition has encouraged schools to participate in the Drug Free Action Alliances, Big Bowl Vote, during the Superbowl. This year they are adding another dynamic to the conversation with teens about alcohol and advertising during the Super Bowl.

In order to engage students, the alliance is stepping into their world of technology. What better way to reach the average teen than their cell phone (or home computer)! To gain access to instant feedback on the ads from youth, they will encourage middle and high school students to TWEET about their favorite and not-so-favorite commercials, during and after the big game.

They will also be tossing out some questions specific to the alcohol ads to gain further insight. But in order to bring the youth on board, OUR help in needed.

Encourage teens you know to “follow” us.
If you want in on what they have to say, you’ll need a Twitter account to follow us too.
You and your students can find us on Twitter @DrugFreeAction.

To set up your free Twitter account, click here. Need to get up to speed on what Twitter is all about? Check out Twitter 101, click here. For the Big Bowl Vote Toolkit that includes everything you’ll need to quickly and easily implement your local student questionnaire, with additional ideas on student engagement and follow-up activities, click here.

This year Super Bowl Sunday is February 5th (Kickoff is at 6:30 p.m. EST on NBC)

2012 Legislative Update

2012-01-27T11:10:00.001-08:00

We want to continue to bring you updates from the Indiana General Assembly. Several bills that are being heard in committee meetings pertain to the mission of the Drug-Free Coalition of Tippecanoe County. This morning I spent time watching the House of Representative meet to discuss amendments and vote on and engross bills.

You can click here to download a word document outlining these bills.This document contains updates as of January 27th, 2012.

UPDATES:

SB 0274: Medical Amnesty: Bill passed the Senate on the 3rd reading, 50-0 and will move to the House of Representatives
HB 1149: Smoking Ban: An amendment was added during the House meeting today that allows an 18 month exemption to bars before transitioning to smoke free. The bill was engrossed with the amendment and will move to the Senate.
HB 1196: Synthetic Drugs: Bill passed the House on 3rd reading, 97-0. Will have an emergency order to be effective immediately. Will move to the Senate for vote.

WATCH LIVE::

You can watch the hearings live by going to this website and clicking in the upper right hand corner on "watch live." You will need to use Internet Explorer.

FIND UPDATES::

You can find updates for particular Bills by visiting this website and typing the bill number in to the box on the left side. Once you get to the bills page you can see updates under the link "action items." You can read the entire bill under "latest printing."

GET INVOLVED ::

The coalition's Policy Advocacy Committee, led by Tammy Loew, will be meeting regularly to discuss these issues and create a plan of action. We are always looking for new members to join this committee.
Please consider contacting your legislators and sharing with them your thoughts about these bills. If you need contact information for your legislator please contact us or click here to find your legislator.

We will continue to use Facebook and our blog to keep you updated on the bills as they pass through legislation.

National Mentoring Month :: Why All Parents Need Mentors

2012-01-26T08:20:00.000-08:00

Often we focus on the need for adults to mentor teens but sometimes we forget the other end of the equation, adults need mentors too. In an article published by Parent Further, a product of Search Institute aimed at educating families, Jolene Roehlkepartain writes,

"Every parent needs mentors. Each one of us needs wise, helpful parents as we journey through parenthood. We’ll be more successful if we have other parents who mentor and support us.

As a parent, it’s too easy to take the parenthood pathway alone. Everyone is busy. Sometimes it can seem like too much just to keep up with the daily schedule of getting kids out of bed and to school, doing your work or volunteer work, getting kids to and from activities, feeding the family, getting kids to bed, and having family time. Some days can feel like an insurmountable challenge to meet.

That’s why parents need mentors. We need other parents to talk to, brainstorm with, get advice from, and serve as wise guides and supports. I’ve always worked hard to network with other parents. True, not all are helpful, but when you find the mentors, the wise sages, that’s when you know that you’re not alone and that you always have someone who has thoughtful things to say.

I remember having trouble with one of my kids at the preschool age. My child was headstrong and would not listen. When he got upset, he would hide under the dining room table and wail for 45 minutes straight. Right through dinner.

I was stumped. I was frazzled. I “googled” for advice and tried it, without any success.

Then I called one of my wise sage parents. This was a parent who was now a grandparent, who had raised four kids and had encountered all kinds of issues. Her advice? Well, she had two. The first one was: Let him wail. Eat dinner. Then do the dishes. Keep an eye on him, but let him scream it out until he was exhausted.

Her second bit of advice? Crawl under the table and sit with him. Be as calm as possible. Just be with him. Let him know that you’re not afraid of his tantrum and that you’re always there for him.

What amazed me was how both bits of advice worked. I didn’t do them at the same time, but I began to realize that sometimes it was better for me to give him space and other times, it was more effective for me to crawl under the table and be close to him.

Once my son was calm, we took the plate of food out of the refrigerator and warmed it up. When he wanted something else to eat, we were firm. This was what we were having for dinner. We really wished he would eat with us, but we also understood how hard it is to eat when you’re upset. We were compassionate but also set boundaries.

The tantrums didn’t subside quickly, but gradually they did. I believe this sticky situation in our household changed because of my parenting mentor. She had been through all kinds of situations with her kids and grandkids. She was patient and wise and knew how to show a better path for this rookie parent.

Since I have two kids, I’ve seen how I’ve needed parenting mentors at different times during my parenting journey. When my kids became teenagers, I sought out the wise counsel of a couple of parents who I considered mentors. We never used the word mentor, but it was obvious that these parents were doing just that—mentoring me.

Besides having parenting mentors for myself, I now try to be a mentor for other parents. I never give unwanted advice, but I get to know the parents around me. I build relationships with them. I find out what they love about parenting—and what baffles them. I talk about what I enjoy about parenting and what has bewildered me. I then encourage them to find a wise parenting mentor. A few have come to me, and I know others have found other mentors.

It doesn’t matter who the mentors are. What matters is that you don’t feel alone as a parent, that you build meaningful relationships with other parents and find parenting mentors who can make the parenting path much easier and smoother."

Sources:

Eugene C. Roehlkepartain, Peter C. Scales, Jolene L. Roehlkepartain, Carmelita Gallo, and Stacey P. Rude, Building Strong Families (Minneapolis: Search Institute, 2002), http://www.search-institute.org/content/building-strong-families-2002

Liability Laws Make Parents Responsible for Underage Drinking in their Home

2012-01-20T08:38:00.000-08:00

Recently the Partnership at drugfree.org posted the following on their jointogether blog.

ARTICLE: "Parents who allow their teens to have friends over to drink, thinking it’s a safe way to keep them off the roads, may be surprised to find they are subject to liability laws that make them vulnerable to lawsuits, fines and jail time.

Parents in some states can be liable even if they were not aware that drinking was going on in their home, according to the Associated Press. One Stanford University professor was arrested in November after his 17-year-old son had a party in the basement. The professor, Bill Burnett, said he had forbidden alcohol at the party and had twice checked on the teens. He spent one night in jail and was booked on 44 counts of suspicion of contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Each count carries up to a $2,500 fine and almost a year in jail.

Eight states have “social host” laws that make parents liable if underage guests in their home are drinking, even if no harm comes to anyone, the AP reports. In some of the states, parents are allowed to serve alcohol to their own children in certain situations.

In 16 other states, laws hold parents responsible for underage drinking in some circumstances, such as if a teenager who drank in their home was in a car accident.

Research conducted by Students Against Destructive Decisions, and co-sponsored by the insurance company Liberty Mutual, found 41 percent of teens say their parents allow them to go to parties where alcohol is being served, compared with 36 percent two years ago."

There is a bill making its way through the general assembly in Indiana that has to do with this very thing. It is Senate Bill 0134 and it states:

Synopsis: Social host liability. Requires a person at least 21 years of age who knows that a minor is in possession of an alcoholic beverage on the person's property to: (1) prohibit the minor from possessing the alcoholic beverage; (2) confiscate the alcoholic beverage; and (3) immediately contact the minor's parent, guardian, or custodian; unless the alcoholic beverage is possessed in connection with a religious observation, in the presence of the minor's parent, or at a postsecondary educational institution. Makes a violation a Class C infraction, or a Class B infraction if the person knows that six or more minors possessed an alcoholic beverage or if the person has been adjudged to have committed a prior violation. Provides that a person may be charged with a violation not more than one time per day. Specifies that a judgment for a violation is in addition to any criminal penalty that may be imposed for contributing to the delinquency of a minor. (The introduced version of this bill was prepared by the commission on mental health and addiction.)

It has been assigned to the Committee on Corrections, Criminal and Civil matters. We will keep you posted as this bill moves through the system.

Last year Indiana's first social host ordinance was enacted in the town of Pendleton in Madison County. Adults providing alcohol and hosting parties for minors are the target. Police now have a new enforcement tool to cite parents and adults for furnishing alcohol to minors. Watch a video about the ordinance here.

If you are interested in talking about an ordinance here in Tippecanoe County contact us!

Editorial: Smoke ban's inevitable state march

2012-01-19T07:29:00.000-08:00

Journal and Courier :: January 19th, 2012

Here in Greater Lafayette, we've been through the smoking regulation debate twice.

Each city waded through similar health findings, hard science, anecdotal evidence and free market rhetoric to come up with guidelines all their own. And from what we can see, the two sets of rules - West Lafayette with the stricter ordinance, Lafayette with looser rules that add exemptions for businesses that cater to the over-21 crowd - seem to be working the way they were intended.

So watching, for the fifth or sixth time, the Indiana General Assembly debate the same set of indoor, workplace smoking regulations has a certain redundant feel, for sure.

The stated aim this year by advocates of a uniform, statewide law is to cover Indiana with a single blanket, as opposed to the patchwork of ordinances in place now. And that includes in Tippecanoe County, where different rules apply, depending on whether you visit a business in Lafayette, West Lafayette or just outside those city limits.

The added benefits, advocates say: Smoking rules would give the state a more progressive feel. And, if done quickly enough, the law would toughen the rules in place for Indianapolis in time for the Super Bowl on Feb. 5, when visitors from around the world will be in the state.

Here's the plea from those pushing hardest for House Bill 1149 - if the General Assembly can get past a right-to-work fight that ground the session to a halt again Wednesday: Tie it to the Super Bowl or don't, there's a compromised deal on the table. Go with it.

The compromise in House Bill 1149 is a shortened list of exemptions, banning smoking in all indoor workplaces except casino gaming floors, existing cigar and hookah bars and private clubs whose memberships vote to approve smoking.

Our stance in the past has been that while we would prefer people didn't smoke, smoking bans are best left to local and county jurisdictions, not the state.

Still, we've been worn down over countless debates and are willing to compromise a bit, too, and concede that the time for uniform guidelines has come for Indiana.

Track the bill

To read and track the progress of House Bill 1149's proposed smoking regulations for the state, go to go to www.in.gov/apps/lsa/session/billwatch/billinfo.

2012 Legislative Update

2012-01-18T06:37:00.000-08:00

You can click here to download a word document outlining these bills.This document also contains updates as of January 17th, 2012.

UPDATES:

SBSB 0234: Synthetic Drugs: Bill passed out of committee with a vote of 11-0. The bill will add two dozen chemical compounds to the already existent bill. It was to be voted on in the full Senate Tuesday but no update is available.
SB 0274: Medical Amnesty: Bill was heard in committee this morning. Amended to provide immunity to the caller only and not the person who is being treated.
HB 1149: Smoking Ban: Passed out of committee by a vote of 9-3. Private Club language was changed to strengthen it and to allow only those 18 and older to enter a club that allows smoking. An exemption was added for tobacco retail stores. The signage language was clarified to mandate that a sign be posted outside that smoking is not allowed withing 12 feet of any entrance to the business. Bill has not been voted on in the House.

WATCH LIVE::

You can watch the hearings live by going to this website and clicking in the upper right hand corner on "watch live." You will need to use Internet Explorer.

FIND UPDATES::

GET INVOLVED ::

The coalition's Policy Advocacy Committee, led by Tammy Loew, will be meeting regularly to discuss these issues and create a plan of action. We are always looking for new members to join this committee.
Please consider contacting your legislators and sharing with them your thoughts about these bills. If you need contact information for your legislator please contact us or click here to find your legislator.

We will continue to use Facebook and our blog to keep you updated on the bills as they pass through legislation.

National Mentoring Month :: One2One Mentoring at Cary Home

2012-01-13T07:06:00.000-08:00

1:1 Mentoring is a program designed to match youth from Cary Home for Children in Lafayette Indiana with positive role models from the community. This mentoring program was started in 2010.

Participants in the program are matched in a one-to-one relationship based on similar interests. Mentors and mentees will meet a minimum of one hour per week at Cary Home and participate in activities of mutual interest. Participants are expected to commit at least one year to the match.

Mission:

* To encourage personal & educational growth.
* To build healthy relationships between youth & adults.
* To strengthen developmental assets in our youth.
* To reduce recidivism by encouraging youth to make better choices.

1:1 Mentoring has been matching mentors and mentees since August of 2010. They have had 16 total matches since the beginning of the program. Currently they are looking for mentors for 4 boys who are on the waiting list.

If you are interested or know of someone who may be interested in becoming a mentor please contact Emily Kraska at Cary Home with any questions. You may reach her by phone at 765.474.4616 x233 or by email at ekraska@tippecanoe.in.gov.

CDC releases 2012 Vital Signs Report

2012-01-13T07:03:00.000-08:00

The first issue of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s 2012’s Vital Signs includes the latest findings on binge drinking from the 2010 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) which included combined landline and cellular telephone respondents.

The report found that U. S. adults binge drink more frequently and consume more drinks when they do.

Some key points include:

• Thirty-eight million U.S. adults binge drink an average of four times a month.

• On average, the largest number of drinks consumed is eight.

• While more 18–34 year olds binge drink, binge drinkers aged 65 years and older binge drink more often than other age groups—an average of five to six times a month.

• Although more people with incomes above $75,000 binge drink, those with incomes less than $25,000 drink more when they binge. The largest number of drinks consumed averages between 8 and 9 in the lower income group.

• Adult binge drinking is most common in the Midwest, New England, the District of Columbia, Alaska and Hawaii. However binge drinkers in the southern Mountain states (Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah), Midwest, and some states where binge drinking is less common - including Louisiana, Mississippi, and South Carolina - consume more drinks when they binge.

• Binge drinking is a costly and deadly behavior. Drinking too much, including binge drinking, is responsible for 80,000 deaths each year and cost the U.S. $223.5 billion in 2006, or $1.90 a drink. These costs include health care expenses, crime, and lost productivity.

• Evidence-based strategies exhibited every day by coalitions, can help prevent binge drinking. Binge drinking, defined as consuming four or more drinks for women and five or more drinks for men on an occasion, put themselves and others at risk for many health and social problems, including car crashes, other unintentional injuries, violence, liver disease, certain cancers, heart disease, sexually transmitted diseases, and both unintended and alcohol–exposed pregnancies.

“Binge drinking causes a wide range of health, social and economic problems and this report confirms the problem is really widespread,” CDC Director Thomas R. Frieden, M.D., M.P.H. said in a news release. “We need to work together to implement proven measures to reduce binge drinking at national, state and community levels.”

“Binge drinking by adults has a huge public health impact, and influences the drinking behavior of underage youth by the example it sets,” said Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administrator Pamela S. Hyde. “We need to reduce binge drinking by adults to prevent the immediate and long–term effects it has on the health of adults and youth.”

Click here to read more from this report.

Smoking Bill moves forward in the General Assembly

2012-01-12T11:57:00.000-08:00

INDIANAPOLIS — An Indiana House committee has approved a bill for a broad statewide smoking ban that’s tougher than a proposal that failed in the Legislature last year.

The House health committee voted 9-3 in favor of the bill Wednesday after adding an exemption for retail tobacco shops. The bill would prohibit smoking in most public places and workplaces, including bars. The proposal would allow smoking only on the gambling floors of casinos, fraternal and veterans clubs and cigar and hookah bars.

Its sponsors expect some legislators will try to add exemptions for bars when the bill is debated in the full House.

A Senate committee chairman says a bar exemption that the House approved last year might be needed for the restrictions to win passage.

For more information on the bill go here.

National Mentoring Month :: I am a Mentor Day

2012-01-10T14:06:00.000-08:00

Today, January 11th, join with youth mentors and mentoring programs around the country to help inspire others to learn about mentoring and how they can make a difference in the life of a child.

Now in its 11th year, National Mentoring Month focuses attention on the need for mentors, as well as how each of us—individuals, businesses, government agencies, schools, faith communities and nonprofits—can work together to increase the number of mentors to assure brighter futures for our young people. Together, the Harvard School of Public Health, MENTOR: The National Mentoring Partnership and the Corporation for National and Community Service are working to focus national attention on the need for mentors. This year’s National Mentoring Month theme is Invest in the future. Mentor a child.

Join the I am a Mentor social media page on Facebook and share about how being a mentor has impacted you!

Consider changing your profile picture to the image above and help spread the news about being a mentor to others using social media.

2012 Legislative Surveys for Tippecanoe County Legislators

2012-01-10T05:52:00.001-08:00

As you know we work closely with our legislators here in Tippecanoe County. Our policy advocacy committee works to educate them on issues that have to do with the coalition's mission and goals.

The new session has started up in the General Assembly and as a staff we will work to keep you updated on the bills that are being presented in regard to alcohol, tobacco and other drug issues.

In the meantime you can help out our legislators by going to their websites and taking part in their 2012 legislative surveys. These surveys help them know what issues are important to you as community members. You will find links to the surveys below:

State Representative Tim Brown

State Representative Sheila Klinker

State Representative Randy Truitt

State Senator Brandt Hershman

State Senator Ron Alting

Free the Bowl Video Contest

2012-01-09T06:29:00.000-08:00

The Free the Bowl video contest deadline has been extended to January 23rd.

Whether you sing, dance, rap, write poetry, or simply enjoy making videos, this is your chance to use those skills for good.

Consider submitting a video PSA to the "Free the Bowl" contest. The goal is to free the superbowl from beer ads and reduce alcohol-related violence.

The prize is $1,000 cash!

Visit the website here for more details!

How to Prepare for a Drug Intervention with Your Teenager

2012-01-04T08:00:00.000-08:00

If you’re concerned about your teen’s drug or alcohol use, then it is time to take action. You can never be too safe or intervene too early — even if you believe your teen is just “experimenting.”

Here are 8 step-by-step ways on how to prepare for a drug intervention with your teenager:

1. Make observations. Note changes in your teen’s usual behavior, appearance, personal habits, health, and school work. The teenage years are a physical and emotional roller coaster, so no one change is a definite indication of drug or alcohol use. But if your child has ditched her friends for a new crowd, let her good grades slip, or stopped caring about her looks, these are warning signs that may be cause for concern.

2. Keep track. Note (in your head or in a journal) when and how often your teen breaks the rules or does something suspicious. For example, if your teen comes home way past curfew, jot down the date so you can reference it later. You may also want to keep track of the alcohol and legal drugs in your home. If you know you have exactly 20 prescription pills in your medicine cabinet, it will be easy to tell if some have gone missing. If you suspect your child is taking Rx drugs from your home, lock your medicine cabinet, dispose of pills you are no longer taking.

3. Search for drugs and drug paraphernalia. Some parents are against snooping, while others believe they have the right to look through their children’s things. There is no correct answer, but if you want to collect concrete evidence of your child’s drug use before your intervention, here are some good places to look: dresser drawers, desk drawers, backpacks, the glove compartment of the car, the back of closets, corners of bed sheets, under the mattress or bed, small boxes, books/bookcases, makeup cases, over-the-counter medicine bottles and empty candy wrappers.

Remember: If you do find drugs in your child’s room or car, you will be accused of invading your teen’s privacy. Be prepared to defend your actions.

4. Talk with your spouse/partner. If your teen’s other parent or caregiver does not share the same beliefs and values that you do when it comes to drugs, you will certainly hear about it from your kid. So get on the same page as your spouse or partner before you intervene with your child. “Getting on the same page” doesn’t necessarily mean agreeing - it means committing to present a united front, even if the two of you disagree on the issue.

Remember: This is a stressful situation for both you and your spouse, and you will need one another’s support. Do not blame your partner for your teen’s drug or alcohol use, or allow him/her to blame you. Your teen’s problem is no one’s fault, but you and partner do need to work together to deal with it.

5. Recognize the significance of addiction in your family. For some, trying drugs or alcohol once or twice may just be part of the teen experience. But if there is a history of addiction in your family, your child is much more likely than other kids to become addicted.

6. Understand this serious risk and think about how you are going to explain this to your child in a way that will make him listen.

7. Set a desired outcome for your intervention. The “drug talk” is actually not one talk - it’s a series of conversations. Chances are, your first intervention will not resolve all problems - and that’s okay. But if you set a goal (even a small one) before you start talking, you will know where you want your conversation to ultimately lead. Would you like your teen to see a therapist? Stop binge drinking at parties? Obey curfew? Come up with a specific purpose for your intervention, and then work toward achieving it.

Remember: Don’t set your expectations too high. Your teen may not even admit to drug use the first time you intervene, let alone pledge to stop using or get help. Set reasonable goals, and realize that just expressing to your teen that you don’t want him using drugs or drinking is a small triumph.

8. Prepare yourself for your teen’s reaction. Your teen will not be happy that you’re approaching him about his drug or alcohol use. That’s to be expected. What you might not expect is to be called a liar, hypocrite or snoop. Think about how you will handle these accusations if they come up.

You don’t need hard evidence to begin the conversation - your intuition telling you something is wrong is enough. But having past incidents or observations to reference in your conversation will help you encourage your teen to tell the truth about her drug or alcohol use.

This is an excerpt from our Intervention eBook. For information on what to do if your child is drinking or using drugs download our Intervention eBook or read articles on Time To Act.

Two Key Questions are Focus of New Teen Alcohol Screener for Pediatricians

2012-01-02T08:00:00.000-08:00

By Celia Vimont | Jointogether.org

A new alcohol screening tool that focuses on two key questions is designed to help pediatricians spot children and adolescents at risk for alcohol-related problems. The doctor asks about the patient’s own drinking, as well as his or her friends’ alcohol use.

Alcohol Screening and Brief Intervention for Youth: A Practitioner’s Guide, available from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), walks the doctor through the steps to take when patients say they or their friends drink, and helps them assess the level of risk for current and future alcohol problems.

Screening for alcohol at a young age is very important because alcohol is by far the drug of choice among youth, says Vivian B. Faden, PhD, Director of the Office of Science Policy and Communications, and Associate Director for Behavioral Research at NIAAA. “Many kids drink, and when they do, they tend to binge drink,” she said. According to NIAAA, over the course of adolescence, the proportion of kids who drank in the previous year rose tenfold, from seven percent of 12 year olds to nearly 70 percent of 18 year olds.

The guide addresses two key obstacles to alcohol screening of children and teens: time constraints and pediatricians’ comfort level in talking about drinking with their patients, says Dr. Faden. “Our instrument is easy to use and brief, and provides direction for what to do if patients say they are using alcohol,” she says.

Depending on the patient’s age, the pediatrician selects from among three sets of questions – one for elementary school (starting at age nine), middle school (11-14) and high school (14-18) students. By using the guide, pediatricians can detect risk early, either before their patients start drinking, or at an early age, Dr. Faden says. It is empirically based, she notes. Both the screening questions and the scale that helps doctors determine a patient’s risk were developed by a panel of experts that analyzed national survey data on more than 166,000 youth and data collected over time on young people as they grew up.

The guide is the first alcohol screening tool to include a question about friends’ drinking. It can be easier for a pediatrician to start the conversation by asking a patient about their friends’ alcohol habits, rather than their own, particularly with younger children, according to Dr. Faden.

The new tool provides a chart to help pediatricians respond to patients who say they or their friends drink. The chart helps the doctor determine how at risk for unhealthy consequences the patient may be, based on age and how often the patient drinks. The tool also provides recommendations for next steps, ranging from a discussion about the risks of alcohol use to referrals for treatment for those who need it.

NIAAA collaborated with the American Academy of Pediatrics in developing the guide, which will be mailed to every pediatrician in the country. In addition to the full publication, NIAAA is providing a pocket guide for pediatricians to easily consult.

ReThink Holiday Drinking

2011-12-27T08:00:00.000-08:00

Alcohol-related Traffic Deaths Jump on New Year's Eve

Some holiday predictions are, tragically, very predictable. For example, more people are likely to die in alcohol-related traffic crashes during the holidays than at other times of the year.

Statistics show that during Christmas and New Year’s, two to three times more people die in alcohol-related crashes than during comparable periods the rest of the year.¹ And 40 percent of traffic fatalities during these holidays involve a driver who is alcohol-impaired, compared to 28 percent for the rest of December.

Myths Persist

Even though many of us are aware of these troubling statistics, myths about drinking and driving persist—myths that, for some, can prove fatal. Scientific studies supported by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) provide important information that challenges these widespread, yet incorrect, beliefs about how quickly alcohol affects the body and how long these effects can last.

Alcohol's Effects Begin Quickly

Holiday revelers may not recognize that critical driving-related skills and decision-making abilities are diminished long before they show physical signs of intoxication.

Initially, alcohol acts as a stimulant and if you drink you may temporarily feel upbeat and excited. But don’t be fooled. Inhibitions and judgment are soon affected, leading to reckless decisions behind the wheel.

As more alcohol is consumed, reaction time suffers and behavior becomes poorly controlled and sometimes aggressive—further compromising driving abilities. Continued drinking can lead to the slurred speech and loss of balance that we typically associate with being drunk. At higher levels, alcohol acts as a depressant, which causes people to become sleepy and sometimes pass out.

Even When Drinking Stops—Alcohol's Effects Do Not

Sobering Up—Myths and Facts

Myth: You can drive as long as you are not slurring words or acting erratically.

Fact: The coordination needed for driving are compromised long before the signs of intoxication are visible. Plus, the sedative effects of alcohol increase the risk of nodding off or losing attention behind the wheel.

Myth: Drink coffee. Caffeine will sober you up.

Fact: Caffeine may help with drowsiness, but not with the effect of alcohol on decision-making or coordination. The body needs time to metabolize (break down) alcohol and then return to normal. There are no quick cures—only time will help.

During a night of drinking, it’s also easy to misjudge alcohol’s lasting effects. Many revelers believe that they can drive safely once they have stopped drinking and had a cup of coffee. The truth is that alcohol continues to affect the brain and body long after the last drink has been downed. Even after someone stops drinking, alcohol in the stomach and intestine continues to enter the bloodstream, impairing judgment and coordination for hours.

Driving home late at night is especially hazardous because natural drowsiness is magnified by the depressant action of alcohol. Driving abilities may even be impaired the next day, when any alcohol
remaining in the system—or the headache and disorientation associated with hangovers—contributes to feelings of sluggishness, even though the person no longer feels drunk.

Before You Celebrate--Plan Ahead

Of course, we don’t intend to harm anyone when we get behind the wheel during the holiday season. Yet traffic fatalities persist and myths about drinking live on—even though scientific studies have documented how alcohol affects the brain and body.

Because individuals are so different, it is difficult to give specific advice about drinking. But certain facts are clear—there’s no way to speed up the brain’s recovery from alcohol and no way to make good decisions when you are drinking too much, too fast.

So this holiday season, do not underestimate the effects of alcohol. Don’t believe you can beat them. If you drink, pace yourself. Know what constitutes a standard drink and have no more than one per hour. Have “drink spacers”—make every other drink a nonalcoholic one.

And considering the consequences of an arrest or a potentially fatal crash, make plans to get home safely. Remember that a designated driver is someone who hasn’t had any alcohol, not simply the person in your group who drank the least.

Have a safe holiday season!

For more information on celebrating your holidays safely and tips for cutting back, visit:

http://www.rethinkingdrinking.niaaa.nih.gov.

5 Tips for Responsible Holiday Entertaining

2011-12-23T08:00:00.000-08:00

With the holiday entertaining just around the corner, we encourage you to follow these tips on how to host responsible holiday party where alcohol will be present.

1. Designate a bartender who can serve your guests and keep an eye on how much everyone is drinking. The Federal Dietary Guidelines define moderate drinking as up to two drinks per day for men and up to one drink per day for women.

2. Remember – alcohol is alcohol. It is important to understand that a standard drink of regular beer (12 fluid ounces), wine (five fluid ounces), and spirits (a cocktail with 1.5 fluid ounces of 80-proof spirits) each contains the same amount of alcohol, 0.6 fluid ounces of alcohol. (www.standarddrinks.com)

3. Make sure that you provide food to complement your cocktails.

4. Make available non-alcohol beverages for your guests. Create festive non-alcohol punch for those guests who choose not to drink alcohol.

5. Make sure your guests have a safe way home either through designated drivers or a taxi. Have local taxi service numbers available for your guests.

The Holidays, Your Family and Your Community

2011-12-21T12:36:00.000-08:00

The holidays can be a time of joy and celebration but they also serve as a temptation for young people to drink.

SADD Chairman, Stephen Wallace, writes,"Young people face added danger during this special season otherwise known for celebration and good cheer. The culprit? Often, it's alcohol."

School break offers up unstructured and perhaps unsupervised time and thus some significant risk - especially when we add in the propensity of some adults to promote alcohol-included events as a way to mark Christmas, Hanukkah or New Year's Eve."

You can read the rest of his opinion article in the Times of Trenton New Jersey Paper.

This Holiday season we encourage you set boundaries with your teens, check in on them, stay up until they arrive home, set a good example, consider having an alcohol free holiday party and spend time together as a family making memories.

Research tells us that, families who celebrate special occasions are more likely to raise kids who have a strong sense of identity, are healthy, have close ties to family members, and succeed in school. ¹

For more ideas from Parent Further on practicing meaningful traditions with your family this holiday season click here.

1 Barbara Fiese and others, "A Review of 50 Years of Research on Naturally Occurring Family Routines and Rituals: Cause for Celebration?" Journal of Family Psychology 16, no. 4 (2002): 381-390.

The Partnership at Drugfree.org Responds to 2011 Monitoring the Future Study Results

2011-12-16T07:02:00.001-08:00

By Steve Pasierb | December 14, 2011 | jointogether.org

Statement of Steve Pasierb, President

New York, NY – The University of Michigan’s Monitoring the Future study (MTF) – a highly respected annual survey on teen drug abuse tracking 47,000 8th, 10th and 12th graders – shows an increasing teen involvement with marijuana, particularly in daily use. Additionally, synthetic marijuana, widely known as K2 or spice, is gaining attention among high school seniors, with one in every nine reporting use.

The MTF survey also demonstrates that intentional abuse of prescription medicines among teens remains a significant cause for concern. MTF survey numbers remain unchanged despite the fact that, every day, on average, 2,500 teens use prescription drugs to get high for the first time. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, treatment admissions for prescription drug abuse skyrocketed an astounding 430 percent in 10 years, and the most recent data from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports the death toll from overdoses of prescription painkillers has more than tripled in the past decade. According to an analysis in the CDC Vital Signs report, among people 35 to 54 years old, unintentional poisoning attributed largely to drug overdoses caused more deaths than motor vehicle crashes. [1] An additional analysis by The Los Angeles Times ranked drug overdose deaths as the number one cause of death, exceeding the number of motor vehicle fatalities.

“The entrenched and dangerous behavior of intentionally abusing medicines demands a concerted and sustained national response in order to make meaningful progress. While there are myriad individual efforts occurring in industry, government and the nonprofit sector, the collective impact is insufficient to reverse the trend and reduce the damage being done to countless lives,” says Steve Pasierb, President of The Partnership at Drugfree.org

Opposing Trajectories of Drug and Alcohol Use

In contrast to the negative survey results regarding marijuana and prescription medications, teen consumption of alcohol continues to decline with decreases in both overall use and binge drinking. In fact, from 1991 to 2011, the proportion of eighth-graders reporting alcohol use in the past 30 days of the survey fell by half.

“With cuts to prevention programs nationwide, we find the number of teens who perceive marijuana as socially unacceptable is in decline, which influences usage,” said Pasierb. “An equally disruptive influence for children lies in the current, prominent public dialogue about marijuana’s medicinal use, coupled with efforts to make it more widely available.”

He adds, “The data on marijuana reflects a neglect of our responsibility as a society to maintain a robust prevention infrastructure for children and to give parents the information and the support they need to help their kids make healthy choices.”

Parents Can’t Take Drug Use Lightly

The data underscore again that parental and public attention to and communication about the health risks of alcohol and smoking have moved the needle in the right direction on those issues. Prevention efforts, such as those aimed at curbing alcohol abuse and those focusing on cough medicine abuse are working and gaining traction.

“We’ve seen the positive outcomes, when as a society, we pay attention to these issues – the numbers go down,” said Pasierb. “We can see that happening now with alcohol and particularly, tobacco. Add marijuana, and these are the ‘big 3’ substances that kids are encountering. The fact is that one in four teens who start using drugs, alcohol or tobacco before the age of 18 will likely suffer significant harm from their use. So that same attention and awareness must be paid to teen use of marijuana. The numbers show a large proportion of kids are using, and many using every day, so the ‘not my kid’ mentality needs to stop — it could very likely be your kid, or certainly someone your kid knows.”

Changing Prevention Landscape Means Parent Resources are Needed More Than Ever

Over the past several years there have been frequent and significant cuts to our nation’s drug abuse prevention infrastructure in the hundreds of millions of dollars together with other cuts at the state and local levels. More recently, the only dominant and effective voice to children and teenagers about the risks of marijuana use, the National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign’s “Above The Influence” initiative, saw its modest budget eliminated by Congress this year, even in the face of recent published studies documenting the effectiveness of the “Above The Influence” message to teens.

Pasierb closes, “Parents, and adults with a child in their life, do have extraordinary power to influence the decisions young people make. Fewer programs and less support for prevention all mean that getting through to teens now sits squarely and almost solely with the parent. We know active, open communication between parents and kids is the most effective prevention tool. We need to remain vigilant and parents who know their child may be using need to intervene.”

For those parents who suspect their child is experimenting with drugs or alcohol, The Partnership at Drugfree.org developed the intervention resource tool Time To Act. For parents who are faced with a child who is struggling with substance abuse or addiction, the organization offers its Toll-Free Parents Helpline (855-DRUGFREE), coupled with Time To Get Help, a parent-to-parent website and online community that provides lifesaving information when families are in crisis.

To learn more about how to prevent, intervene in and find treatment for drug and alcohol use by teens, visit drugfree.org.

[1] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control. Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS) [online]. (2010) [cited 2010 Nov 30]. Available from URL: www.cdc.gov/injury/wisqars