Monday, April 27, 2009

We are at the CADCA Coalition Academy

Coalition members are attending week 2 of the CADCA Coalition Academy this week from April 2th thru May 1st. Topics that will be covered are:

1. Designing and Selecting Interventions
2. Strategic and Action Planning
3. Coalition Evaluation
4. Cultral Competency

There will be a recap of the topics in the coming months at coalition meetings and educational sessions. If you would like more information about any of the topics or the academy you may contact the coalition at 319-293-6412 or via email at info@vbsafecoalition.com.

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Alcohol Awareness Activities






The JEL/YLC members have been active this month in reminding people of the dangers of underage drinking.

The students held a gear exchange at Van Buren on April 21st and 22nd where students were able to bring in appearal with an Alcohol message and trade it for gear with a Van Buren, Iowa State or Iowa Hawkeye Logo on it. Six shirts were exchanged during this event.

The students also placed a message in the fence with cups at a home track meet- see the photos. Stickers were placed on popcorn bags to reinforce the message that underage drinking is unacceptable and that April is Alcohol Awareness Month.

Students in the Harmony school hung posters with facts and information about the dangers of underage drinking.


The Van Buren students videoed a skit that was broadcast on channel one during seminar period.

All of the activities by the youth reinforce the message that the coalition wants to make loud and clear- that underage drinking in our county is unacceptable!

For more information on any of these events you may contact the SAFE Coalition at 319-293-6412

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

April is Alcohol Awareness Month- what can you do.....

If an alcoholic is unwilling to get help, what can you do about it?
This can be a challenge. An alcoholic can't be forced to get help except under certain circumstances, such as a traffic violation dor arrest that results in court-ordered treatment. But you don't have to wait for someone to "hit rock bottom" to act.

Many alcoholism treatment specialists suggest the following steps to help an alcoholic get treatment:

  • Stop all "cover ups." Family members often make excuses to others or try to protect the alcoholic from the results of his or her drinking. It is important to stop covering for the alcoholic so that he or she experiences the full consequences of drinking.
  • Time your intervention. The best time to talk to the drinker is shortly after an alcohol-related problem has occurred--like a serious family argument or an accident. Choose a time when he or she is sober, both of you are fairly calm, and you have a chance to talk in private.
  • Be specific. Tell the family member that you are worried about his or her drinking. Use examples of the ways in which the drinking has caused problems, including the most recent incident.
  • State the results. Explain to the drinker what you will do if he or she doesn't go for help--not to punish the drinker, but to protect yourself from his or her problems. What you say may range from refusing to go with the person to any social activity where alcohol will be served, to moving out of the house. Do not make any threats you are not prepared to carry out.
  • Get help. Gather information in advance about treatment options in your community. If the person is willing to get help, call immediately for an appointment with a treatment counselor. Offer to go with the family member on the first visit to a treatment program and/or an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting.
  • Call on a friend. If the family member still refuses to get help, ask a friend to talk with him or her using the steps just described. A friend who is a recovering alcoholic may be particularly persuasive, but any person who is caring and nonjudgmental may help. The intervention of more than one person, more than one time, is often necessary to coax an alcoholic to seek help.
  • Find strength in numbers. With the help of a health care professional, some families join with other relatives and friends to confront an alcoholic as a group. This approach should only be tried under the guidance of a health care professional who is experienced in this kind of group intervention.
  • Get support. It is important to remember that you are not alone. Support groups offered in most communities include Al-Anon, which holds regular meetings for spouses and other significant adults in an alcoholic's life, and Alateen, which is geared to children of alcoholics. These groups help family members understand that they are not responsible for an alcoholic's drinking and that they need to take steps to take care of themselves, regardless of whether the alcoholic family member chooses to get help. You can call the National Drug and Alcohol Treatment Referral Routing Service (Center for Substance Abuse Treatment) at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) for information about treatment programs in your local community and to speak to someone about an alcohol problem.

Information provided by National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism of the National Institute of Health. For more information you may visit their website at www.niaaa.nih.gov.

April is Alcohol Awareness Month!

What is alcoholism?
Alcoholism, also known as alcohol dependence, is a disease that includes the following four symptoms:
· Craving--A strong need, or urge, to drink.
· Loss of control--Not being able to stop drinking once drinking has begun.
· Physical dependence--Withdrawal symptoms, such as nausea, sweating, shakiness, and anxiety after stopping drinking.
· Tolerance--The need to drink greater amounts of alcohol to get "high."

How can you tell if someone has a problem?
Answering the following four questions can help you find out if you or a loved one has a drinking problem:
· Have you ever felt you should cut down on your drinking?
· Have people annoyed you by criticizing your drinking?
· Have you ever felt bad or guilty about your drinking?
· Have you ever had a drink first thing in the morning to steady your nerves or to get rid of a hangover?
One "yes" answer suggests a possible alcohol problem. More than one "yes" answer means it is highly likely that a problem exists. If you think that you or someone you know might have an alcohol problem, it is important to see a doctor or other health care provider right away. They can help you determine if a drinking problem exists and plan the best course of action.

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Coalition Meeting Today!

Reminder:
SAFE Coalition Meeting today
2:00pm
Roberts Memorial Center
Educational Forum to Follow- Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF), Community Assessment, Logic Model

Sunday, April 5, 2009

Sticker Shock




Its the time of year when the youth coalition covers the county with STOP stickers to remind patrons that it is against the law to purchase alcohol for a minor. The campaign began the first of April in honor of alcohol awareness month and the stickers will remain for the entire month around prom and graduation season. The hope is that this initiative will remind people who are purchasing alcohol that it is against the law. For information on this campaign please contact the SAFE Coalition.

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Reach Out Now Teach In


Coalition Coordinator Heidi Bainbridge and Deputy Jon Tharp attended the 5th grade classrooms at Van Buren and the 5th and 6th grade classrooms at Harmony to talk about the dangers of underage drinking. Deputy Tharp talked about the financial costs of underage drinking, the damages to your body, and some of the long term consequences that underage drinking could cost you. He also spoke about how underage drinking effects athletics and academics. The students were able to participate in activity that gave them an opportunity to decide how they would handle a situation with their friend who wanted them to drink alcohol. The student acted out a scenario about saying no and choosing not to use alcohol. The students were also given take home materials that they could share with their family about what they learned.
The coalition thanks the 5th and 6th grade classes for letting us speak to them, and deputy Tharp for the excellent presentation.