PARENTS – THE SAFE COALITION NEEDS YOU!

The SAFE Coalition is currently looking for Parents in Van Buren County who would like to make a difference! The SAFE Coalition is designed to unite the villages of Van Buren County and provide information and various resources to aid in the fight against substance abuse.  

By becoming a member, you will be informed on Coalition activities; have the chance to contribute ideas, suggestions, and feedback; and have opportunities to offer your own abilities to help make Van Buren County a SAFE place to live. Becoming a member is free and the time commitment can be as minimal as reading email updates or as much as heading up a committee or event, depending on your own preferences. Our next meeting is at 2:00 pm on Tuesday, September 16, 2014 at the VBCH Community Services Center in Keosauqua. Please come check it out!

If you have any questions or suggestions, you can contact us at 319-293-6412 or email info@vbsafecoalition.com. Visit us on the web at www.vbsafecoalition.com or on Face Book at Van Buren County SAFE Coalition.

2014 Iowa Medical Cannabidiol Act (IMCA, SF 2360) Quick Facts Part 2

This fact sheet was prepared by the Iowa Office of Drug Control Policy (http://www.iowa.gov/odcp) for informational purposes only. ODCP does not dispense legal advice. Please seek legal counsel as warranted.

·         The IMCA passed by the Legislature in April 2014 and signed into law by Governor Branstad May 30, 2014, is effective July 1, 2014. The Iowa Department of Public Health is currently developing administrative rules and an implementation plan for SF 2360.

·         CBD, or cannabidiol, is defined in the IMCA as “a non-psychoactive cannabinoid found in the plant Cannabis sativa L. or Cannabis indica or any other preparation thereof that is essentially free from plant material, and has a tetrahydrocannabinol level of no more than three percent.” (Tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC is a psychoactive compound in cannabis.)

·         CBD may be used by patients with “intractable epilepsy,” defined in the IMCA as “an epileptic seizure disorder for which standard medical treatment does not prevent or significantly ameliorate recurring, uncontrolled seizures or for which standard medical treatment results in harmful side effects.”

·         For a patient or primary caregiver to legally possess or use CBD in Iowa, they must have an Iowa registration card recommended by an Iowa-licensed neurologist, approved by the Iowa Department of Public Health and issued by the Iowa Department of Transportation. The card must be renewed annually. The IMCA does not recognize cards from other states.

·         An Iowa-licensed neurologist may submit a written form to the Iowa Department of Public Health recommending a CBD registration card for patients with intractable epilepsy who have undergone at least six months of other unsuccessful treatment by a neurologist.

·         “Primary caregivers” of Iowa patients may also qualify for an Iowa CBD registration card. Primary caregiver is defined in the IMCA as “a person, at least eighteen years of age, who has been designated by a patient’s neurologist or a person having custody of a patient, as being necessary to take responsibility for managing the well-being of the patient with respect to the medical use of cannabidiol.”

·         CBD cards issued to patients or primary givers by the Iowa Department of Transportation, at a minimum, must include the following cardholder information: full name, Iowa residence, date of birth, photo, card issuance and expiration dates, and information required by rules.

·         Administration of CBD to registered Iowa patients is limited to oral and transdermal forms (no smoking). CBD used for these purposes is often produced in a solution.

·         Registered Iowa patients or primary caregivers may possess up to 32 ounces per patient (estimated five to six month supply).

·         CBD must come from out-of-state sources. The IMCA does not permit CBD production/cultivation, sales or other distribution in Iowa.

·         Iowa patients, primary caregivers and neurologists who comply with the IMCA are not subject to criminal prosecution for violating Iowa marijuana laws. The possession or use of CBD in compliance with the IMCA is an affirmative and complete defense.

The Iowa Department of Public Health is in the process of implementing the IMCA, and is developing administrative rules to provide additional guidance. The IMCA may be reviewed at: http://coolice.legis.iowa.gov/linc/85/external/SF2360_Enrolled.pdf. For additional information on the IMCA, please contact: Jill Myers-Geadelmann, Iowa Department of Public Health, Chronic Disease Prevention and Management Bureau by phone at 515-242-6067 or by email at Jill.Myers-Geadelmann@idph.iowa.gov

Don’t Be a Statistic: Drive Safe This Labor Day - The National Safety Council releases traffic fatality estimates and safety tips for Labor Day weekend

The National Safety Council has released traffic fatality estimates for the upcoming Labor Day weekend. The Council estimates 400 traffic fatalities will occur over the holiday weekend and another 38,800 medically consulted injuries will be sustained from motor vehicle collisions. For the past six years, the Labor Day weekend has averaged 14.6 percent more traffic fatalities than similar non-holiday periods.  

The Council also estimates 142 people may survive the holiday weekend because they will have worn safety belts, while another 102 lives would have been saved if all had worn safety belts. The Council also suggests:

• If you are drinking, do not drive
• If you plan to drink, designate a non-drinking driver or plan for alternative transportation
• Young drivers are at particular risk to be involved in alcohol-related crashes (If there is a young driver in your family, strictly enforce a zero tolerance policy with alcohol – all states have a minimum drinking age of 21)
• Your best defense against a drunk driver is wearing your safety belt, so buckle up

There are a number of other dangers to Labor Day weekend drivers besides impaired driving. Follow these additional tips to stay safe:

• Establish and enforce a driver’s distraction-free zone, especially in cars equipped with electronic devices including cell phones, video games and global positioning systems
• Make sure all passengers are buckled up and children are in age-appropriate safety seats
• Allow plenty of travel time to avoid frustration and diminish the impulse to speed
• Drive defensively and exercise caution, especially during inclement weather

The National Safety Council (nsc.org) saves lives by preventing injuries and deaths at work, in homes and communities, and on the roads through leadership, research, education and advocacy.

2014 Iowa Medical Cannabidiol Act (IMCA, SF 2360) Quick Facts Part 1

This fact sheet was prepared by the Iowa Office of Drug Control Policy (http://www.iowa.gov/odcp) for informational purposes only. ODCP does not dispense legal advice. Please seek legal counsel as warranted.

·         The IMCA passed by the Legislature in April 2014 and signed into law by Governor Branstad May 30, 2014, is effective July 1, 2014. The Iowa Department of Public Health is currently developing administrative rules and an implementation plan for SF 2360.

·         CBD, or cannabidiol, is defined in the IMCA as “a non-psychoactive cannabinoid found in the plant Cannabis sativa L. or Cannabis indica or any other preparation thereof that is essentially free from plant material, and has a tetrahydrocannabinol level of no more than three percent.” (Tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC is a psychoactive compound in cannabis.)

·         CBD is often used as a solution. Contents may vary in color and consistency, and so too may packaging and oral/transdermal delivery systems.

·         As a non-psychoactive extract of the cannabis plant with low potential for abuse, CBD is not marijuana or “medical marijuana,” as defined and sometimes discussed. Marijuana, with a high potential for abuse, remains prohibited in Iowa as a Schedule I Controlled Substance.

·         There is evidence that CBD may provide relief to some severe seizure patients, such as those with Dravet or Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. A pharmaceutical CBD product is being tested for these conditions in clinical trials sanctioned by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

·         A person who knowingly or intentionally possesses or uses CBD in violation of the IMCA is subject to criminal penalties under Iowa Code chapters 124 and 453B.

·         The IMCA requires the University of Iowa to report annually to the Iowa Department of Public Health and Iowa Legislature on scientific studies of CBD and treatment efficacy.

·         The IMCA is automatically repealed July 1, 2017.

The Iowa Department of Public Health is in the process of implementing the IMCA, and is developing administrative rules to provide additional guidance. The IMCA may be reviewed at: http://coolice.legis.iowa.gov/linc/85/external/SF2360_Enrolled.pdf. For additional information on the IMCA, please contact: Jill Myers-Geadelmann, Iowa Department of Public Health, Chronic Disease Prevention and Management Bureau by phone at 515-242-6067 or by email at Jill.Myers-Geadelmann@idph.iowa.gov

Learn more about who can obtain the CBD Oil next week in Part 2 of 2014 Iowa Medical Cannabidiol Act (IMCA, SF 2360) Quick Facts.  

Back to School Activities: It’s 3pm on a school day. Do you know where your children are?

As summer vacations end and students start a new school year, here are a few reasons you should encourage them to get involved with after-school activities:

·         Children & teens are more likely to be the victims of crime during the after-school hours than at any other time

·         Children & teens are more likely to participate in violent crimes during the after-school hours than at any other time

·         Children & teens are more likely to engage in risky behaviors such as tobacco, alcohol or drug use or sexual activity during the after-school hours than at any other time

Courtesy National Youth Violence Prevention Resource Center

Our young children often attend after school daycare or programs provided by their elementary schools, but by the time children reach middle school they are often left on their own after school.  It seems sensible enough. They are old enough to get their own snacks and open their books to complete their homework. They know who to call if they have an emergency. However, adolescents benefit from after-school activities and supervision, too.

Youth who spend only a couple of hours per week in extracurricular after-school activities are significantly less likely to drop out of school; become teen parents; or use tobacco, alcohol or drugs. Spending 5-19 hours per week in after-school activities reduced the risk even further.

It is important that these activities are not just time wasters, but are programs that help youth develop skills and values and provide them with experiences that mean something to them.

It doesn't take a lot. Our schools and community offer a variety of after-school clubs, sports and activities. This year there will be even more available with the early out Wednesdays.  Encourage your children to find something that interests them and participate regularly.

For information on keeping your kids active and activities available in Van Buren County you can contact the SAFE Coalition by email at info@vbsafecoalition.com or by phone at 319-293-6412.