Monday, July 5, 2010

Beware of tricky SNUS advertising




It seems, that Big Tobacco may know our kids even better than we do at times. We like to think that teaching prevention, trusting our kids desire to care about health and wellness, even their future, will always prevail, but the honest truth is that many kids/teens would do just about anything to purposely "not fit in." Wish we could tell them that their motive to not fit in inherently brings them together with other not-fit-inners and thus a new group is formed, but I digress,check out these new ads from Camel about SNUS: http://tobaccocommons.com/category/camel-snus/

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Parents - Keep an "Eye" Out for Dangerous Drinking Games

Drinking games are as old as alcohol itself. Who can drink more? Who can drink faster? We know those competitions are obviously dangerous, but some newer games can be just as harmful with less volume. Here are some new games for parents to be aware of, and to warn their kids against. I've also included some games that have been around for a while just as a refresher:
Eyeballing - pouring alcohol (typically vodka) into the eye. Supposedly the alcohol is absorbed through the mucous membranes, often a saline bottle or eye-dropper is used. This can cause permanent damage to the eyes.
video - http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,593570,00.html
Waterfall - a card game...google it.
Icing - A game where you basically "tag" a friend with a Smirnoff Ice and they have to drink it. The strategy to use is the element of surprise, so hiding a bottle in someone's purse would be a way to "tag" that person.
article - http://www.jointogether.org/news/headlines/inthenews/2010/icing-drinking-game-goes.html
Flip Cup, or Cups - A team-based game where one flips the cup off the side of a table until it lands on the table mouth-side down. Each failed attempt means drinking another glass or shot or whatever the criteria.
Beer Pong
- google it, there are 1,000 of websites if you don't know what this is. It's a basic variation of "Quarters."
If you notice ping pong balls and solo cups conveniently located on the alcohol isle at your grocery/convenience store...this is why.

So if your kids are going out for the night and they ask you for quarters, cards, ping pong balls, saline drops, and I don't know - your ID...get suspicious, and have a talk about underage drinking. They may genuinely have a new interest in card-playing but it never hurts to ask. No amount is safe to drink if you are under 21...you can get fined even for holding a beer at a party (Minor in Possession) not to mention all brain is not completely developed until age 24 - 25...and I think we can use all the brain cells we can get for the next generation ;)

Friday, May 28, 2010

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

New Online Resource




New online resource for all things prevention: check it out!
www.drugfreetexas.org

Drug Policy News

News from the White House:

Press Release

http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/news/press10/051110.html
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, May 11, 2010


President Obama Releases National Strategy To Reduce Drug Use and Its Consequences

New Balanced and Collaborative Approach Emphasizes Prevention, Treatment, Enforcement, International Cooperation

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, President Obama released the Administration's inaugural National Drug Control Strategy, which establishes five-year goals for reducing drug use and its consequences through a balanced policy of prevention, treatment, enforcement, and international cooperation. The Strategy was developed by the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) with input from a variety of Federal, State, and local partners.

"This Strategy calls for a balanced approach to confronting the complex challenge of drug use and its consequences," said President Obama. "By boosting community-based prevention, expanding treatment, strengthening law enforcement, and working collaboratively with our global partners, we will reduce drug use and the great damage it causes in our communities. I am confident that when we take the steps outlined in this Strategy, we will make our country stronger and our people healthier and safer."

The 2010 Strategy highlights a collaborative and balanced approach that emphasizes community-based prevention, integration of evidence-based treatment into the mainstream health care system, innovations in the criminal justice system to break the cycle of drug use and crime, and international partnerships to disrupt transnational drug trafficking organizations.

During a nationwide listening tour soliciting input for the development of the Strategy, National Drug Policy Director Gil Kerlikowske met with police and medical professionals, drug treatment providers and people in recovery, elected officials, corrections officials, academics, parents groups, faith leaders, and others. Throughout the consultation process, significant themes emerged which connect the drug issue to major Administration policy priorities, including the economy, health care reform, youth development, public safety, military and veterans' issues, and foreign relations.

"In following President Obama's charge to seek a broad range of input in the Strategy, I gained a renewed appreciation of how deeply concerned Americans are about drug use," said Director Kerlikowske. "It touches virtually all of us, whether we know a family member, a friend, or a colleague who suffers from addiction or is in recovery, a police officer working to protect the community, or a parent striving to keep a child drug free," said Director Kerlikowske.

The 2010 Strategy establishes five-year goals to reduce drug use and its consequences, including:

* Reduce the rate of youth drug use by 15 percent;
* Decrease drug use among young adults by 10 percent;
* Reduce the number of chronic drug users by 15 percent;
* Reduce the incidence of drug-induced deaths by 15 percent; and
* Reduce the prevalence of drugged driving by 10 percent.

In addition, the Strategy outlines three significant drug challenges on which the Administration will specifically focus this year: prescription drug abuse, drugged driving, and preventing drug use. Prescription drug abuse is the Nation's fastest growing drug problem, driving significant increases of drug overdoses in recent years. Drugged driving poses threats to public safety, as evidenced by a recent roadside survey which found that one in six drivers on weekend nights tested positive for the presence of drugs. Preventing drug use before it starts is the best way to keep America's youth drug-free. In addressing each of these issues, the Strategy outlines a research-driven, evidence-based, and collaborative approach.

New Strategy elements also include a focus on making recovery possible for every American addicted to drugs through an expansion of community addiction centers and the development of new medications and evidence-based treatments for addiction. Continued support for law enforcement, the criminal justice system, disrupting domestic drug traffic and production, working with partners to reduce global drug trade, and innovative community-based programs, such as drug courts, play a critical role in reducing American drug use and its effects.

For more information about the 2010 National Drug Control Strategy, watch a video message from R. Gil Kerlikowske, Director of National Drug Control Policy, or visit www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov.

Monday, April 26, 2010

Risky Competitive Edge for "Smarts"


Drugs are typically thought to be used by underachievers, slackers, drop-outs, etc. But a growing population of overachievers, perfectionists, the academically competitive are turning to performance enhancing drugs for that "edge." Not steroids, but other pills that can feel like speed for the brain, keeping you awake and overly energized. Check out this article and video link for more information. http://bit.ly/8ZUYhe

Monday, April 19, 2010

Drug Trends Training scheduled for 4/27


ARCADA will host a Local Drug Trends training, led by Sgt. Brad Birchum with the Taylor County Sheriff's office next Tuesday, April 27, from 1 - 2:30pm.
Abilene Regional Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse www.arcadatx.org
www.taylorcosheriff.com