APRIL IS ALCOHOL AWARENESS MONTH

APRIL IS ALCOHOL AWARENESS MONTH

Alcohol Awareness Month is a public health program organized by the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence as a way of increasing outreach and education regarding the dangers of alcoholism and issues related to alcohol. The program was started in April 1987 with the intention of targeting college-aged students who might be drinking too much as part of their newfound freedom. It has since become a national movement to draw more attention to the causes and effects of alcoholism as well as how to help families and communities deal with drinking problems.

A big part of the work of Alcohol Awareness Month is to point out the stigma that still surrounds alcoholism and substance abuse in general. For many, denial is a common trait among those struggling with alcoholism or alcohol abuse.¹ They often underestimate the amount they drink, the duration of their drinking problem, the impact it has had on their life, or overestimate their ability to control their drinking or to quit.¹ Denial is also common among friends and family members who are uncomfortable acknowledging the gravity and reality of the situation.

With this in mind, Alcohol Awareness Month gives public health bodies, community centers, and treatment facilities the chance to increase their efforts to reach people who may not fully appreciate the dangers of unhealthy alcohol consumption.  These organizations—many of which are part of the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence’s (NCADD) National Network of Affiliates—launch campaigns on social and traditional media during the month of April to draw attention to the causes of alcoholism, the signs and effects of the condition, how to talk to a loved one about a drinking problem, and how to find treatment options.

These campaigns can include advertising, especially in areas that are prone to abusive alcohol consumption like college campuses. According to the 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), 54.9% of full-time college students (ages 18 to 22) drank alcohol in the past month among, 36.9% engaged in binge drinking in the past month, and 9.65% engaged in heavy alcohol use.²

Programs like Alcohol Awareness Month exist to ensure that families and communities have the resources, information, and options available to control the crisis of alcoholism.

However, the dangers of alcohol abuse go beyond college kids getting too drunk at parties. An estimated 14.4 million Americans ages 18 and older had an alcohol use disorder (AUD) in 2018 according to NSDUH.³ Across the nation, 26.45% of individuals 18 and older reported that they engaged in binge drinking in the past month (typically 4 drinks for women and 5 drinks for men in about 2 hours) while 6.6% engaged in heavy alcohol use (binge drinking on 5 or more days in the past month) in the past month.³

Each year, an estimated 88,000 people die from alcohol-related causes and in 2014 alcohol-impaired driving fatalities accounted for 31% of overall driving fatalities (9,967 deaths).³ Unfortunately, these deaths could have been avoided, making alcohol the third leading preventable cause of death in the United States.³  Problematic alcohol use has taken a toll on our economy. Drinking-related costs reached an estimated $249 billion in the U.S. in 2010, with binge drinking accounting for three-quarters of this economic burden, ³ and $2 of every $5 was paid by federal, state, and local governments, meaning all Americans are paying for excessive alcohol use—no matter your level of consumption.⁴  These numbers suggest that problematic alcohol use continues to plague our society, and awareness about addiction and its harmful effects on our lives is necessary in order to protect our loved ones and selves.

In 2017, Frances M. Harding, the Director of the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration singled out the alarming rates of alcohol consumption in colleges and universities as an example of why Alcohol Awareness Month is important. Binge drinking is often thought of as a rite of passage, and many fraternities and sororities use alcohol in hazing rituals that often turn deadly. College administrations and state governments are turning to “creative prevention strategies” to address the epidemic, and Alcohol Awareness Month gives them the platform to spread the message.

As a subsidiary of American Addiction Centers, a nationwide provider of treatment facilities, Alcohol.org will also be showcasing the cost alcoholism and addiction can have on your life throughout the entire month of April. We’ll be helping give a real glimpse into how it can affect your mental and physical health, financial well-being, relationships (family and friends), and what it could mean for your current and future career.

If you feel you or a loved one may be struggling with alcoholism, don’t worry, you’re not alone. We understand how overwhelming it can be to consider seeking help for addiction and there are people ready to take that burden off your shoulders. The admissions navigators are available 24/7 to discuss your alcohol addiction treatment options and answer any questions you may have about the process. Call them today at 866-571-6191 to take the first step toward recovery and a healthier life.

Sources

[1]. William Rinn, Ph.D. Nitigna Desai, M.D. Harold Rosenblatt, M.D. David R. Gastfriend, M.D. (2002). Addiction Denial and Cognitive Dysfunction: A Preliminary Investigation. Journal of Neuropsychiatry Clinical Neuroscience, 14(1), 52.

[2]. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. (2019). Fall Semester—A Time for Parents To Discuss the Risks of College Drinking.

[3]. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. (2020). Alcohol Facts and Statistics.

[4]. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2018). Excessive Drinking is Draining the U.S. Economy.

National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week Resources

National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week Website

https://teens.drugabuse.gov/national-drug-alcohol-facts-week this site is full of information and resources that are too many to mention in this email. 

The National Drug & Alcohol IQ Challenge –

https://teens.drugabuse.gov/quiz/national-drug-alcohol-facts-week/take-iq-challenge/2019?utm_source=ndafweblast&utm_medium=email&utm_content=nf&utm_term=NPnp&utm_campaign=ndafw-NDAFW2020 the challenge includes an online version available for students to use on the website and a printable version for pen and paper style use.  In addition, NIDA will be releasing an interactive version to the website today! (March 25^th)

Kahoot! Games –

https://create.kahoot.it/pages/test/dea33ab0-584e-4ed0-9464-5a1ec01b22aa?_=1584372908 6 Kahoot! Games are included for teens to play on their computers, tablets and cellular devices addressing topics like:

·         Substance use and your brain: Do you know the facts?

·         E-Cigarettes, Vapes and Mods: What do you know about vaping?

·         Marijuana Myths: Can you tell fact from fiction?

·         Keeping Prescriptions Safe: The facts about prescription drugs

·         What’s the buzz about stimulants?

·         Drugs and Alcohol: Can you tell fact from fiction?

Empowering Teens: NIDA Toolkit for Out of School Time
https://teens.drugabuse.gov/teachers/out-of-school-time-toolkit the toolkit offers science-based activities and additional resources on topics like drug use, addiction, and educating teens during the period of time they are at home. The toolkit is designed for parents, teachers, youth-serving organizations, and teens who want to learn while studying at home.

Available Courses:

·         Brain! Power: Teens take on an exploration of the science behind drug use to learn the effects of drugs on the brain and body.

·         Drugs & Health Blog: great articles that help teens make connections between what they see and hear and what the science says about drug use.

·         Scholastic Heads Up: Real News about drugs and your body: Educating teens about drugs, drug use, and life skills with activities and lessons from Scholastic.

And many additional online resources that can be found on teens.drugabuse.gov

National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week® 2020 (NDAFW)

The Van Buren County Youth Leadership Council (YLC) would like to encourage everyone to participate in NDAFW 2020.  NDAFW is an annual health observance week that connects teens with resources to SHATTER THE MYTHS® about drugs and alcohol.  You can still participate in NDAFW with schools and organizations closed or operating remotely!  In lieu of in-person events and activities, NIDA encourages virtual participation. There are countless activities that teens, parents, caregivers, and teachers can do that don’t involve leaving the house. Here’s a list of our favorites: 

·         Playing the new Kahoot! Games with an online class or encouraging students to play the games

individually at home. 

·         Taking the National Drug & Alcohol IQ Challenge. Test students’ knowledge about drugs and alcohol with this short, interactive quiz available in English and Spanish that can be used on mobile devices. More than 200,000 people took the IQ Challenge last year.

·         Join NDAFW by sharing why you want to SHATTER THE MYTHS® (Learn more here: https://teens.drugabuse.gov/national-drug-alcohol-facts-week/get-activity-ideas/i-want-shatter-myths-because)

Sharing the facts on social media. Tweet, snap, or post. Social media platforms can be powerful tools to SHATTER THE MYTHS® about drugs and alcohol. Use the new “Not everyone’s doing it” social media cards and hand-held placards.

·         Participating in the Drug Facts Challenge!, an interactive game using scientific facts about the brain and addiction, marijuana, vaping, and more.  

·         Join the NDAFW Tweetstorm on Monday, March 30 from 3 to 4 p.m. ET. Help us get #NDAFW to trend on Twitter by sharing messages about drugs and alcohol during the planned hour.

·         On Friday, April 3, at 3 p.m. EDT, NIDA will host a Twitter Trivia Challenge in collaboration with Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD). Anyone can test their knowledge by following the hashtag #NDAFW and answering multiple-choice questions about drugs and alcohol.

·         Taking advantage of the free, science-based resources to use in classrooms and communities, or at home. These include toolkits and activity ideas on various topics; science- and standards-based classroom lessons and multimedia activities on teens and drugs; and the recently updated Mind Matters series, which helps teachers explain to students the effects of various drugs on the brain and body.

·         NIDA Toolkit for Out of School Time. This toolkit offers science-based activities and resources on drug use and addiction for educating teens during out of school time (OST). The OST setting—before and after school, in the summer, or any time teens attend a supervised program outside of the typical school time—offers a unique opportunity for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) learning.

To learn more about YLC or NDAFW please contact the SAFE Coalition at 319-293-3334 ext. 1017 or at safe.coalition@van-burencsd.org

Take Down Tobacco National Day of Action

Written By: Kelsey Sample

Tobacco has been growing wild in America for nearly 8,000 years and despite the risks and dangers of these deadly products, people continue to use them every day.

More than 480,000 people die from tobacco products annually, that’s more than AIDS, alcohol, car accidents, illegal drugs, murders, and suicides combined! In Iowa, 5,100 people will die each year from their own smoking and 55,000 kids who are now under 18 and alive in Iowa will ultimately die prematurely from smoking. As for chewing tobacco, it is said that 250,000 people will be killed yearly from it.

Another tobacco product that has been on the rise in the past few years is e-cigarettes. The most common and popular e-cigarette is Juul. This e-cigarette has become very popular with high school, middle school, and even upper elementary students. It, among other e-cigarettes, has over 15,000 flavors including some of the most popular one’s cotton candy, strawberry, blue raspberry, bubblegum, and many others. It’s no wonder today’s youth are being entranced into trying this product, these flavors are some of the children’s favorite flavors and are popular candy flavors.  Even with the new law making flavored pods illegal flavored disposable e-cigarettes are still legal and available. 

Tobacco companies didn’t just “accidentally” come up with the idea to make these specific flavors. Older adults may try these flavored tobacco products, but kids are their main targets. All tobacco companies see is the fact that the kids are their “replacement smokers,” and are enticing them to try their products by using flavors to improve the taste, reduce the harshness and make their products more appealing to young beginners, who before they know it will have a life long addiction.

The tobacco industry may try to act as though they aren’t the bad guys by saying “we didn’t force them to try it, they did it themselves”.  Although they aren’t forcing people to try their products, they are sure of making their products seen. The annual tobacco industry marketing expenditures nationwide is $9.1 billion, and the estimated portion spent for Iowa marketing is $102.1 million.

We have been dealing with the pain, agony, and awfulness of this disease known as tobacco for 8,000 years and one of the only things that have changed is the growing increase in tobacco use in youth. It’s well past time for U.S and state lawmakers to put more restrictions and bans on tobacco products, especially the ones that are widely used by our youth. We hope they will stand with us on Take Down Tobacco Day as we the youth fight for the first tobacco-free generation.

Take Down Tobacco, formerly known as Kick Butt’s Day, is a national day of action that empowers students to stand out, speak up and take control against Big Tobacco. On this day students are encouraged to get together and participate in different activities to make people more aware of the impact tobacco/nicotine has on their surrounding area. We hope that you will join us in some way to help fight for a future that is tobacco-free.

For more information on Take Down Tobacco Day or the Van Buren County Youth Leadership Council please contact the SAFE Coalition at 319-293-3334 ext. 1017 or safe.coalition@van-burencsd.org.

Drinking the Green Beer? Call a Designated Driver! Remember: Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving

Green beer, leprechauns and elusive pots of gold are all hallmarks of St. Patrick’s Day, the long-awaited Irish holiday. Make sure you and your friends stay safe this St. Paddy’s Day by remembering one important piece of advice: Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving. This means that if you plan to drink any alcoholic beverage, even a watered-down green beer, it’s essential that you plan for a designated driver. In 2018 alone, 73 people were killed in drunk-driving crashes over the St. Paddy’s Day holiday period (6 p.m. March 16 to 5:59 a.m. March 18). For this reason, the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office and SAFE Coalition are teaming up with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to spread the message about the dangers of drunk driving. Because even one drink can be one too many.

We want our community to enjoy St. Patrick’s Day, and we expect drivers to take responsibility for their actions. If you’ve been drinking, make the right choice to find a sober driver to get you, and your friends, home safely. Before you put your keys in the ignition, remind yourself: Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving. If you feel a buzz, you are in no shape to drive.

According to NHTSA’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 36,560 people were killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2018, and 29% (10,511) of those fatalities occurred in crashes during which a driver had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) over the legal limit of .08. In 2018 alone, 73 people (39% of all crash fatalities) were killed in drunk-driving crashes over the St. Patrick’s Day holiday period. The early hours of March 18, 2018, didn’t fare much better. Between midnight and 5:59 a.m. over the St. Patrick’s Day holiday period in 2018, more than three out of five (62%) crash fatalities involved a drunk driver. In fact, from 2014 to 2018, 249 lives were lost due to drunk-driving crashes. Drivers should also keep an eye out for pedestrians who have had too much to drink. Walking while intoxicated can also be deadly, as a lack of attention to their surroundings could put pedestrians at risk of getting hit by a vehicle.

Drunk drivers are often a problem on our nation’s roads, but we especially hate to see them out on holidays. People need to know that they can go out for a night of fun and return home safely. Don’t be the reason someone — including yourself — doesn’t get home. Don’t let St. Patrick’s Day become an anniversary of a tragic night.

Drunk driving isn’t the only risk on the road: Drug-impaired driving is also an increasing problem, for men and for women alike. If drivers are impaired by any substance — alcohol or other drugs — they should not get behind the wheel of a vehicle. It is illegal in all states to drive impaired by alcohol or drugs. Remember: Driving while impaired is illegal, period. The bottom line is this: If You Feel Different, You Drive Different. It’s that simple.

Drinking and driving should never be combined. It’s essential to plan a sober ride in advance if the holiday celebration will include alcohol. The alternative could change your life, not to mention the lives of your passengers, of pedestrians, or of other drivers and passengers nearby.

This holiday season, we are urging drivers to designate a sober driver before heading out for the evening. If you plan on drinking, plan on not driving.

First and foremost: Plan ahead. Be honest with yourself: You know whether you’ll be drinking. If you plan to drink, plan for a sober driver to take you home. Is it your turn to be the designated driver? Take that role seriously — your friends are relying on you.

·         Remember that it is never okay to drink and drive. Even if you’ve had only one alcoholic beverage, designate a sober driver or plan a ride to get home safely.

·         If you see a drunk driver on the road, contact the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office. 

·         Have a friend who is about to drink and drive? Take the keys away and make arrangements to get your friend home safely.

If you are buzzed, do not drive. Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving. For more information, visit www.trafficsafetymarketing.gov.