tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36697357057179445392024-03-13T07:02:24.176-07:00Van Buren County SAFE Coalition Van Buren County SAFE Coalitionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03097221935558217279noreply@blogger.comBlogger701125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3669735705717944539.post-8177839324476297072023-06-27T15:15:00.001-07:002023-06-27T15:15:12.794-07:00Drive Responsibly This Independence Day: Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_KL9-Vz-FVeIckWvFCaTvGiyqpcpKinU0S-hMSjAO8So-AONtlTNV6jelxcIphE6_cIhk9twC_-c5HE9S00q6A8C_RQBnrZ_wdcN66CpVudniymL6clErYVj0XakmzqhmKVck5dw6suGKb1Zm-6kiBGKhDIP1s5UQ7LMoFYcrA-lXBM1_El0yvfK_35P_/s220/Buzzed%20Driving.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="150" data-original-width="220" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_KL9-Vz-FVeIckWvFCaTvGiyqpcpKinU0S-hMSjAO8So-AONtlTNV6jelxcIphE6_cIhk9twC_-c5HE9S00q6A8C_RQBnrZ_wdcN66CpVudniymL6clErYVj0XakmzqhmKVck5dw6suGKb1Zm-6kiBGKhDIP1s5UQ7LMoFYcrA-lXBM1_El0yvfK_35P_/s1600/Buzzed%20Driving.png" width="220" /></a></div>The 4th of July is a time for a national celebration, full of backyard cookouts, pool parties, and fireworks. The buzz of a drink is not needed to feel the thrill of the summer holiday festivities. If you or someone you know decides to drink and is impaired by alcohol, it is not safe to drive a vehicle. This Independence Day, the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office, the Van Buren County SAFE Coalition, and the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) urge drivers to share the message that Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving. <p></p><p>In 2021, 212 people were killed in alcohol-impaired driving crashes over the 4th of July holiday period. That’s 212 people who started the day with party plans and ended the day with a permanent, unforgettable tragedy. According to NHTSA, 13,384 motor vehicle crash-related deaths in 2021 involved alcohol-impaired drivers. This represented 31% of all traffic fatalities in the United States for the year and a 14.2% increase from 2020. That same year, 538 people died in motor vehicle traffic crashes over the July 4th holiday alone (6 p.m. July 2 to 5:59 a.m. July 6). Thirty-nine percent (212) of those fatalities occurred in alcohol-impaired driving crashes. With many Fourth of July festivities wrapping up in the evening or late at night, more cars are on the roads at night. Over the 2021 July 4th holiday period, of the 212 people who died in alcohol-impaired motor vehicle traffic crashes, 82% of those fatalities occurred in nighttime crashes (6 p.m.–5:59 a.m.).</p><p>If you have to ask yourself if you’re safe to drive, the chances are low that you are. If you feel buzzed, you don’t belong behind the wheel of a vehicle. For some people, even one drink is too much to safely drive. If your plans include alcohol, make sure you have a sober driver on call to help you get home safely. Stay safe for the people in your life — loved ones, parents or children, and your buddies. Drive sober to protect them and to protect yourself.</p><p>We want our community to enjoy the July 4th holiday, and we want our community to celebrate responsibly. We’re partnering with NHTSA to share the message that Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving. It is never okay to drink and drive, even after just a few drinks. There are options for a sober ride. So, plan if you’ll be drinking this 4th of July, or any other day, and arrange for a sober ride.</p><p>The 4th of July holiday period is consistently one of the deadliest times of year on the nation’s roads. From 2017 to 2021, there were 1,460 drivers killed in drunk-driving crashes over the 4th of July holiday period. Thirty-eight percent (552) of the drivers killed during those years were alcohol-impaired (with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or higher), and nearly half (44%) of the drivers killed aged 21-34 were drunk. Although it’s illegal to drive when impaired by alcohol, in 2021 one person was killed every 39 minutes in a drunk-driving crash on our nation’s roads.</p><p>No one should mix drinking and driving, and no one is immune to the effects of drunk driving. If you find yourself drunk and stranded with your vehicle, give your keys to a sober driver who can safely drive you home. Remind your friends to never get in the vehicle with a drunk driver. If you have a friend who is about to drive drunk, take away their keys and help them get home safely. Don’t worry about offending someone, you might be saving their life, or someone else’s. Always have a plan before you head out for the evening. If you wait until after you’ve been drinking to figure out how to get from one place to the next, you’re already too impaired to make the right choices. </p><p>There are options to help impaired drivers get home safely, such as designating a sober driver or calling for a ride. If you see a drunk driver on the road, do not hesitate to contact the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office.</p><p>This 4th of July and every day, only drive if you’re 100% sober because Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving. For more information on impaired driving, visit www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drunk-driving.</p>Van Buren County SAFE Coalitionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03097221935558217279noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3669735705717944539.post-61444581372579127862022-10-05T15:22:00.004-07:002022-10-05T15:23:29.414-07:00Not My Child <p>Prescription medicine—a critical piece of our cultural fabric—“a pill for every ill”—all you have to do is turn on the TV, listen to the radio, or view ads on the Internet or in the newspaper to see and hear about the latest medicine that can cure migraines, treat pain and stress, keep you more alert, help you sleep or address depression. We walk that fine line between ensuring access to needed medications to preventing misuse and addiction. </p><p>Just last year, my son broke his leg, and as a prevention specialist, I was most interested in the consult with the doctor—specifically, the type and amount of pain medications he was proposing to give him. To my dismay, he prescribed a very large dose of pain meds. My son and I agreed that this prescribing practice was excessive, and he may not need most of the pills. </p><p>We found ourselves thrust into the middle of the prescription drug misuse problem. How much pain medication would he need? Where would we store the medicine, and how would we discard it after we were done? You say, “Why have this discussion—it won’t be my child.” He would never share medications, nor would he ever misuse or become addicted to this medicine.” Indeed, the discussion was a great exercise, and I was proud of him when he said, “you take care of the pain meds, Mom.” Prevention works! </p><p>In this age of a “pill for every ill,” we live in a society where the potential for prescription drug misuse and addiction is ever-present. Among teens and young adults, next to marijuana and alcohol, Rx drugs are misused the most. A recent National Institute on Drug Abuse article states that an estimated 2 million Americans misused prescription pain relievers for the first time within the past year. Additionally, misuse of prescription drug rates are 14.4 percent for youth ages 18 to 25 and 4.9 percent for youth ages 12 to 17. </p><p>In 2019, 4.9 percent of U.S. youth ages 12 to 17 reported using nonmedical prescription drugs. Important items to note:<br /><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Many teens and young adults still believe that Rx medicines are safer to misuse than illegal drugs.<br /><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>These medicines are easy to get—about 54 percent of those abusing them obtain them from friends and relatives.<br /><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Approximately 2000 teens each day misuse Rx drugs for the first time (NIDA FOR TEENS).</p><p>Some teens and young adults will fall down that slippery slope of misuse and addiction. Before you can say, “Not my child,” you may find yourself saying, “it is my child—now what?” </p><p>We see the more visible signs of Rx misuse every day: <br /><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Philip Seymour Hoffman—died of a heroin overdose, triggered by an addiction to prescription pain medicines.<br /><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Whitney Houston—died of an overdose of cocaine and prescription drugs.<br /><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Heather Ledger—died of an overdose of sleeping pills—both prescription and over-the-counter.<br /><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Michael Jackson, Marilyn Monroe, Anna Nicole Smith, Brian “Crush” Adams (professional wrestler), and Ken Caminiti (1996 Most Valuable Player-played for Houston Astros, San Diego Padres, and the Atlanta Braves)—died of a prescription drug overdose. </p><p>Out of the spotlight are the teens and young adults who misuse and may become addicted to these Rx drugs. We need to protect our teens and young people. Be a part of the solution. Start by locking up your meds and properly disposing of them at the Rx Take Back Box at the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office when they’re no longer needed. Then, get involved. Talk with your teen or young adult. I did! My son ended up taking only 1 of the 30 pain tablets he was prescribed for his broken leg, the remaining pills were successfully disposed of through our local drop-box, and the ensuing discussion—the impetus for this article—created a foundation for him to establish healthy, medicine-taking practices that will last a lifetime.</p><p>To learn more about how to prevent Rx drug misuse and addiction, contact the Van Buren County SAFE Coalition at 319-293-2579 or safe.coalition@vbcwarriors.org. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmQ4vWRWCcDKFv4YfbTpzsVXptL3BHoprViS9Dr6inZ3LuIOMzwlu36Iff0KZ0BxU3CiICQFfRcHC1k2HsQ2qGC9mgUY87haOZc5qQITvtRwfZUZlhGFnE3G6nJdlIuKt1bb7fduVtloqmFWFF5zfbT1ldNx5o8uQirJ6ihmuNRQKMZksvKYydJ5Avkw/s2075/VBCSAFE_horizntl_BW.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="313" data-original-width="2075" height="84" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmQ4vWRWCcDKFv4YfbTpzsVXptL3BHoprViS9Dr6inZ3LuIOMzwlu36Iff0KZ0BxU3CiICQFfRcHC1k2HsQ2qGC9mgUY87haOZc5qQITvtRwfZUZlhGFnE3G6nJdlIuKt1bb7fduVtloqmFWFF5zfbT1ldNx5o8uQirJ6ihmuNRQKMZksvKYydJ5Avkw/w557-h84/VBCSAFE_horizntl_BW.png" width="557" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><div><br /></div>Van Buren County SAFE Coalitionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03097221935558217279noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3669735705717944539.post-41714323941790413812022-05-04T17:25:00.000-07:002022-05-04T17:25:16.429-07:00Two Local Businesses Sell Alcohol to a Minor<p>On April 23, 2022 Alcohol Compliance Checks were completed at 23 alcohol establishments in Van Buren County. Two businesses, Circle B and the Vet’s Club, made sales to a person under the age of 21. The clerks making alcohol sales were issued citations for furnishing alcohol to a person under the legal age. The businesses may face additional fines from the alcohol and beverage division of Iowa.</p><p>The ultimate goal of the compliance checks are to keep youth from accessing alcohol from local retail outlets. The community wants to be sure that all merchants are taking action against youth alcohol access. This can be accomplished by ensuring that all employees are properly trained in checking identification cards. It is important that all employees check the ID of anyone who looks under the age of 40. This process will ensure that youth are unable to purchase alcohol from local retailers. </p><p>Congratulations to the businesses who checked the ID and refused the sale, they included: AJ’s, American Legion, Boyd Grocery, Bridge Café & Supper Club, Casey’s, Crane Winery, Dollar General = Keosauqua, Dollar General - Farmington, Douds Kwik Stop, Flower House, Hel-Mart, Hotel Manning, Birmingham Jet Stop, Bonaparte Jet Stop, Milton Jet Stop, Moore’s Grocery, Riverbend Pizza & Steakhouse, River View Country Club, Simply Irresistible, Tillie’s Tap, and Town & Country Tavern. </p><p>In an effort to protect the young people of our community, The Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office will continue to do random alcohol compliance checks of all alcohol establishments in the county. If your business would like to take part in a FREE merchant alcohol training you may contact the Van Buren County SAFE Coalition at 319-293-2579 or safe.coalition@van-burencsd.org.</p><div><br /></div>Van Buren County SAFE Coalitionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03097221935558217279noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3669735705717944539.post-467341221775988732022-04-29T15:10:00.007-07:002022-04-29T15:10:35.705-07:00Drug Use Severity in Adolescence Affects Substance Use Disorder Risk in Adulthood<p> NIH-funded study shows screening for substance use disorder in teens may help predict adult prescription drug use and misuse and prevent overdose. People who reported multiple symptoms consistent with severe substance use disorder at age 18 exhibited two or more of these symptoms in adulthood, according to a new analysis of a nationwide survey in the United States. These individuals were also more likely, as adults, to use and misuse prescription medications, as well as self-treat with opioids, sedatives, or tranquillizers. Published today in JAMA Network Open, the study is funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), part of the National Institutes of Health.</p><p>While use of alcohol, cannabis, or other drugs is common among adolescents, previous studies have suggested that most teens reduce or cease drug use as they enter adulthood. However, this study indicates that adolescents with multiple symptoms of substance use disorder – indicating higher severity – do not transition out of symptomatic substance use.</p><p>“Screening adolescents for drug use is extremely important for early intervention and prevention of the development of substance use disorder,” said Nora Volkow, M.D., director of NIDA. “This is critical especially as the transition from adolescence to adulthood, when brain development is still in progress, appears to be a period of high risk for drug use initiation.” Dr. Volkow further discusses the findings and implications of this study in a related commentary.</p><p>Researchers in this study argue that key knowledge gaps currently hinder the initiation of screening, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment efforts for teens with substance use disorders. For example, previous methods evaluating persistence of substance use disorder tended to treat substance use disorder as one broad category, without looking at severity. They also failed to account for the possibility of polysubstance use, whereby individuals may use multiple drugs or switch the types of drugs they use as they grow older.</p><p>The NIDA-funded Monitoring the Future Panel study at the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor helped close this research gap by examining substance use behaviors and related attitudes among 12th graders through their adulthood in the United States. Since 1976, the study has surveyed panels of students for their drug use behaviors across three time periods: lifetime, past year, and past month. In this study, researchers looked primarily at a subgroup of 5,317 12th graders first evaluated between 1976 and 1986, who were followed with additional surveys at two-year, then five-year intervals for up to 32 years, until they reached age 50. Among the respondents, 51% were female and 78% were white.</p><p>The research team examined the relationship between substance use disorder symptom severity at age 18 and prescription drug use, prescription drug misuse, and substance use disorder symptoms up to age 50 in these individuals.</p><p>To measure severity of substance use disorder symptoms in adolescence, researchers recorded the number of substance use disorder symptoms that participants reported in response to initial survey questions. These questions were based on criteria for alcohol, cannabis, and “other drug” use disorders in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). The researchers categorized substance use disorder symptoms into five levels of severity: exhibiting no symptoms, one symptom, two to three symptoms, four to five symptoms, and six or more symptoms. Symptoms included, but were not limited to, substance use resulting in a failure to fulfill major role obligations and repeating substance use even when dangerous to health.</p><p>Approximately 12% of surveyed teens indicated “severe” substance use disorder, defined by this study as reporting six or more symptoms. Among this group, more than 60% exhibited at least two symptoms of substance use disorder in adulthood – an association found across alcohol, cannabis, and other drug use disorders. By comparison, roughly 54% of teens reporting two to three symptoms – indicative of “mild” substance use disorder – had two or more substance use disorder symptoms in adulthood. Higher severity of substance use disorder symptoms at age 18 also predicted higher rates of prescription drug misuse in adulthood.</p><p>Overall, more than 40% of surveyed 18-year-old individuals reported at least two substance use disorder symptoms (across all substances). More than half of the individuals who were prescribed and used opioids, sedatives, or tranquilizers as adults also reported two or more symptoms at age 18. This finding underlines the importance of strategies to increase safety and properly assess a potential history of substance use disorder symptoms when prescribing controlled medications to adults.</p><p>“Teens with substance use disorder will not necessarily mature out of their disorders, and it may be harmful to tell those with severe symptoms that they will,” said Dr. Sean Esteban McCabe, senior author of this study and director of the Center for the Study of Drugs, Alcohol, Smoking and Health at University of Michigan. “Our study shows us that severity matters when it comes to predicting risk decades later, and it’s crucial to educate and ensure that our messaging to teens with the most severe forms of substance use disorder is one that’s realistic. We want to minimize shame and sense of failure for these individuals.”</p><p>The authors note that more research is needed to uncover potential neurological mechanisms and other factors behind why adolescents with severe substance use disorder symptoms are at increased risk of drug addiction and misuse in adulthood. Characterizing possible causes of more severe substance use disorder could help improve understanding of vulnerability to chronic substance use and help make prevention and treatment strategies more effective.</p><p>References:</p><p>SE McCabe, JE Schulenberg, TS Schepis, VV McCabe, PT Veliz. Longitudinal analysis of substance use disorder symptom severity at age 18 and substance use disorder in adulthood. JAMA Network Open. DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.5324 (2022)</p><p>ND Volkow, EM Wargo. Association of Severity of Adolescent Substance Use Disorders and Long-term Outcomes. JAMA Network Open. DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.5656 (2022)</p><div><br /></div>Van Buren County SAFE Coalitionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03097221935558217279noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3669735705717944539.post-30917629318126787502022-04-22T15:29:00.003-07:002022-04-22T15:29:55.799-07:00Alcohol Causes Cancer – Who Knew?<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3NTIO6wZM7u5hilXIDlyJnlPKwxh-ipbDr6JajuU3lYrNF1zsN1AQvWxNX99bX1eecNs4Lf1OFeNlcTQk6vaiCOGkNN2YGnsC12tOh3TW7OkDo9T8Gp6Gpscp4FkJWvGfFquUv75mXJbCgK-rcbZ95H-SKcAy8xzva_GRkDUWrbgYkGQkovFsbvZwgg/s1080/Alcohol%20Awareness%20Month%202022%20Cancer.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3NTIO6wZM7u5hilXIDlyJnlPKwxh-ipbDr6JajuU3lYrNF1zsN1AQvWxNX99bX1eecNs4Lf1OFeNlcTQk6vaiCOGkNN2YGnsC12tOh3TW7OkDo9T8Gp6Gpscp4FkJWvGfFquUv75mXJbCgK-rcbZ95H-SKcAy8xzva_GRkDUWrbgYkGQkovFsbvZwgg/s320/Alcohol%20Awareness%20Month%202022%20Cancer.gif" width="320" /></a></div>Once known as a crippling and devastating diagnosis, cancer is now
often treatable and survivable thanks to the rapid strides we’ve made in
medicine. One of the biggest advancements in cancer research in the past few decades
is the discovery that nearly half of all cancer deaths in the United States are
attributable to modifiable risk factors, such as en<span class="acopre">vironmental
conditions and/or life choices, including alcohol consumption.</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">With
alcohol consumption on the rise nationally during the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s
more important than ever that we take the necessary steps to educate ourselves
about alcohol to prevent its dangerous impact, such as the risk of cancer.
Healthcare professionals know that most of their patients recognize the
importance of diet and exercise in preventing long-term disease, but many are
unaware of the risks posed by alcohol. According to the American Cancer
Society, alcohol increases the risk for developing seven types of cancer:
mouth, throat (pharynx), voice box (larynx), esophagus, liver, colon/rectum,
and female breast cancer.<sup> </sup> #ProofIsInTheNumbers.
The more you
drink, the higher your risk of cancer.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a name="_Hlk66826697">States with strong alcohol policy
safeguards tend to have fewer alcohol-related cancer deaths, among other
negative outcomes, according to new research released from the National
Institutes of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Safeguards like limited hours and
days of sales, increases in price, and government control over the sale of
alcohol all have positive and protective results for the larger community.</a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">Iowans need clear, credible information about the danger that
alcohol and binge drinking can pose to your health. A key priority should be
educating the public about the connection between alcohol and cancer. Most
people don’t know that alcohol causes cancer. For example, just one drink per
day increases a woman’s relative risk of breast cancer by up to 50%. These are
important numbers that people have a right to know as a basic consumer
protection.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">The American Society of Clinical Oncologists has called for states
to strengthen their alcohol policy safeguards to address this preventable risk
factor. Improved knowledge of the link between alcohol and cancer also improves
people’s support of alcohol-related policies. Clinicians can take the time to
discuss the risks associated with alcohol consumption and its linkage to cancer
with all patients.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">Reducing alcohol consumption should be in the Cancer Prevention
Plan of every state, as recommended by the American Public Health Association.
By enhancing and reinforcing our cancer prevention policies, we can continue to
lead the way on this critical public health issue.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>Community
Resources<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">The Best You & SAFE Coalitions<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>(319)
293-2579<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">ADDS<span style="mso-tab-count: 4;"> </span>(319)
524-4397<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">Sieda Community Action<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>(641)
682-8741<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">Counseling Associates<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>(319)
524-0510<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">Young House Family Services<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>(319)
524-2386<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">R & R Counseling Solutions <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>(319)
293-3635<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">Quitline Iowa<span style="mso-tab-count: 3;"> </span>(800)
784-8669<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">Your Life Iowa.org (855)
581-8111</p>Van Buren County SAFE Coalitionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03097221935558217279noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3669735705717944539.post-42828302395445601922022-04-14T15:23:00.001-07:002022-04-14T15:23:22.537-07:00Senator Grassley Visits Van Buren County<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Wednesday, April 13, 2022 the Van Buren
County SAFE Coalition hosted a visit to Van Buren County by Senator Chuck
Grassley for a question and answer time with high school students, community
and coalition members.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This meeting was
part of Senator Grassley’s annual tradition to hold at least one Q & A in
every one of Iowa’s 99 counties.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">During the meeting Senator Grassley
allowed the attendees to ask questions and share information on what was
happening in their area of the community.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The issues discussed included substance misuse prevention work and
substance misuse issues in the county, agriculture, rural health care, school
funding, what a day in the life of a senator looks like, how can citizens feel
safe in today’s climate, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each
attendee was allowed a time to present their information to the Senator and ask
questions of him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He also took time to
ask questions of the individuals present about the work they are doing and issues
they are facing.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The Van Buren County SAFE Coalition
would like to thank Senator Grassley for allowing them to host this event and
for coming to Van Buren County to interact with his constituents.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The coalition would also like to thank all of
the community members who attended the meeting and added to the active and
productive dialogue.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">For more information on the SAFE
Coalition please check out these online sites: <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Blog: </span><a href="http://vbsafecoalition.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">http://vbsafecoalition.blogspot.com/</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Website: </span><a href="http://www.van-buren.k12.ia.us/vnews/display.v/SEC/RESOURCES%7CSAFE%20COALITION"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">http://www.van-buren.k12.ia.us/vnews/display.v/SEC/RESOURCES%7CSAFE%20COALITION</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">SAFE Coalition Facebook Page: </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/vanburencountysafecoalition/"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">https://www.facebook.com/vanburencountysafecoalition/</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">YLC Facebook Page: </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/vanburencountyyouthleadershipcouncil/"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">https://www.facebook.com/vanburencountyyouthleadershipcouncil/</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">You may also contact the coalition at
319-293-2579 or </span><a href="mailto:safe.coalition@van-burencsd.org"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">safe.coalition@van-burencsd.org</span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;">.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz8-jeJIkAssHS5XVp-p09lRhawRaUgPy4Gyw3EkscB-WIrtsbrjOc4NwFgoqFiOZh1qAyGGKrhxwqvJOqVl5Fv70xYsxieh3pxXh9kVncC4Ta_d_45TVZh0yQMshLotyraW6XH_XQrQRJ5otJoYx7t_ZnrfvIZzlYSnR91qxVXe6HgaxGICGzJPjYag/s2016/Talking.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz8-jeJIkAssHS5XVp-p09lRhawRaUgPy4Gyw3EkscB-WIrtsbrjOc4NwFgoqFiOZh1qAyGGKrhxwqvJOqVl5Fv70xYsxieh3pxXh9kVncC4Ta_d_45TVZh0yQMshLotyraW6XH_XQrQRJ5otJoYx7t_ZnrfvIZzlYSnR91qxVXe6HgaxGICGzJPjYag/s320/Talking.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEaLV6wuZ3KOTXzbi2xeIlMensIqHcQ2lgwaYo7AQNPQwPMeLbPKd8QmMiZN3AuWdtALSDZ7olY_7DAlFKjpUMiUttifdwiRL0Ff7iioKWmoHYOnXOmbdCRdrXIxG5NunvX1VsR2k42y2RB8XnHTh8TteI-rSm2N9ZQt10c-xN9Ju5L-LNvxABPcTgng/s2016/Students.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEaLV6wuZ3KOTXzbi2xeIlMensIqHcQ2lgwaYo7AQNPQwPMeLbPKd8QmMiZN3AuWdtALSDZ7olY_7DAlFKjpUMiUttifdwiRL0Ff7iioKWmoHYOnXOmbdCRdrXIxG5NunvX1VsR2k42y2RB8XnHTh8TteI-rSm2N9ZQt10c-xN9Ju5L-LNvxABPcTgng/s320/Students.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfusmaLVHyi4W9D8XvXM_2A9MH2uWnJ1-MTVh9mC_Yfk-cEm1ubQe5P1vxVOSJCIi_JNvMwo5oZyIx0Xus72xDvkfIofxZHv93xOks3xhmbj5x-1GhYHxENr3gh-9gIhNEFllgSMc5tFlZmqhzbvx-nB9K6p3vg2qXGWtrSWFHE-F2XbeNwA9-HXke6w/s2016/Speaking%202.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfusmaLVHyi4W9D8XvXM_2A9MH2uWnJ1-MTVh9mC_Yfk-cEm1ubQe5P1vxVOSJCIi_JNvMwo5oZyIx0Xus72xDvkfIofxZHv93xOks3xhmbj5x-1GhYHxENr3gh-9gIhNEFllgSMc5tFlZmqhzbvx-nB9K6p3vg2qXGWtrSWFHE-F2XbeNwA9-HXke6w/s320/Speaking%202.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioNaiBqD3Fx1Zacd62Ozj8EVtVh-CiF3xdOJBV6Q7RIW2OZjCFl6M7TLeKwtRaeAVb7-pz-Zb4HiBzMxAUEQcmDZo9IvDAOFVjTTwdpINJ5xo7EN662h-7EmrHk06YaEV8ya8n4qNar4gbFBnDsZggKHQ-hB7SkcrheEKUmzo-baLWE56Y2TmvzK-ajQ/s1720/Presentation.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1168" data-original-width="1720" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioNaiBqD3Fx1Zacd62Ozj8EVtVh-CiF3xdOJBV6Q7RIW2OZjCFl6M7TLeKwtRaeAVb7-pz-Zb4HiBzMxAUEQcmDZo9IvDAOFVjTTwdpINJ5xo7EN662h-7EmrHk06YaEV8ya8n4qNar4gbFBnDsZggKHQ-hB7SkcrheEKUmzo-baLWE56Y2TmvzK-ajQ/s320/Presentation.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHTB_lB50E00H-vx03W2IGkfue651fZ2CsXpKSRgf7ZSrrl0gjVhoRt4-wOQpIfV83-wQm5puhEpMuhs8cm2eM5e5VQRzoG6EkQsUiBA3vKrSQSngm4Fn78Lb3o8d8YZ_I5iB0Qn35186G6Yjo9l9NVcAJER5qIkDNZX7oJPhvzqdCuqJKcX6TpqLmBQ/s2016/Introduction.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHTB_lB50E00H-vx03W2IGkfue651fZ2CsXpKSRgf7ZSrrl0gjVhoRt4-wOQpIfV83-wQm5puhEpMuhs8cm2eM5e5VQRzoG6EkQsUiBA3vKrSQSngm4Fn78Lb3o8d8YZ_I5iB0Qn35186G6Yjo9l9NVcAJER5qIkDNZX7oJPhvzqdCuqJKcX6TpqLmBQ/s320/Introduction.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5uIdzFCbfWZzX-kdkdSaC-w1dly9ICDmz3X3UQ8HTkRe9oAvPYSuIgJVgcwV__SZ10wSk3XFCfm_qwa_0-UzGSNpswbXRAU7VOV7YOT0f-g6iJEcPUeM-daGSO1_pwfd8_8pem06Y_2mYjRH_bIWBKXamUFg4iuxg9QlZc0I8i_bGCmqRD6T28FD7IA/s2016/All%20Attendees.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5uIdzFCbfWZzX-kdkdSaC-w1dly9ICDmz3X3UQ8HTkRe9oAvPYSuIgJVgcwV__SZ10wSk3XFCfm_qwa_0-UzGSNpswbXRAU7VOV7YOT0f-g6iJEcPUeM-daGSO1_pwfd8_8pem06Y_2mYjRH_bIWBKXamUFg4iuxg9QlZc0I8i_bGCmqRD6T28FD7IA/s320/All%20Attendees.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p>Van Buren County SAFE Coalitionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03097221935558217279noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3669735705717944539.post-56729646995644171292022-04-14T15:21:00.002-07:002022-04-14T15:21:25.227-07:00Investing In Our Future<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM1ZWd-iPDgQcyNTtvyAEys9G_YZAFdHua6w4g-i62AdvmCj63oWsRd_0rBNZWLoVywmWNb7LeUk0u1GZ0bmSB5-Yh58Frrg5IUoqOGsnQezS-x_5lhHdeHz9Otz6jRpkDUg-OEYjHGsjBUgHTsBIPgezRRcpL9rbsPvDKNmLU1Rcu-U41HUryi92TlA/s281/Alcohol%20Awareness%20Month%202022%20Child.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="179" data-original-width="281" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM1ZWd-iPDgQcyNTtvyAEys9G_YZAFdHua6w4g-i62AdvmCj63oWsRd_0rBNZWLoVywmWNb7LeUk0u1GZ0bmSB5-Yh58Frrg5IUoqOGsnQezS-x_5lhHdeHz9Otz6jRpkDUg-OEYjHGsjBUgHTsBIPgezRRcpL9rbsPvDKNmLU1Rcu-U41HUryi92TlA/s1600/Alcohol%20Awareness%20Month%202022%20Child.jpg" width="281" /></a></div><br />As a parent, guardian, or mentor, there
are many conversations we dread having when it comes to talking to kids, but a
conversation about alcohol doesn’t have to be one of them! It’s very important
to talk to the kids in your life about the use of alcohol. This is a topic that
I’m passionate about and I hope you are too! This article will look at why we
should talk to kids, provide some tips on how to talk to them, and provide some
online resources.<b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span></b><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Why?
</span></b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">As parents, guardians, and mentors,
we are an important influencer in the lives of kids. I know sometimes that’s
hard to believe, but trust me – kids are always watching, listening, and
imitating the adults in their lives. By having an open relationship with good
communication, we can help the kids in our lives make better decisions. By
talking to kids about the use of alcohol, we can help protect them by giving
them the facts <u>before</u> they find themselves in a risky situation. Kids who
have had conversations with a trusted adult are less likely to experiment with
alcohol. They are also less likely to depend on their peers for information. By
including your expectations and the hopes and dreams you have for them, you can
build self-esteem while telling them the risks that using alcohol will have on
their future. Keep in mind that the earlier you start having conversations with
kids about substance use, the better! By age 12, 10% of kids have already tried
alcohol. By age 15, it jumps to 50%. By the time kids are seniors, 70% have
tried alcohol. By talking to kids early, you can help to lower those
percentages<span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="color: windowtext;">.</span></span></span><b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">How?
</span></b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Talking to kids about important
issues like alcohol use can be daunting. Here are some tips on how to have a
successful conversation about alcohol use:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><u><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Start early!</span></u><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"> Kids as young as 5 can handle an age-appropriate
conversation about alcohol use. Find the teachable moments like when a
commercial involving alcohol comes on the tv, when you see products being sold
at a store you’re visiting, or when you’re at a restaurant that sells alcohol
to hold an appropriate conversation. If age appropriate, mention the dangers
and peer pressure found in social media. Also keep in mind that genetics play a
role in addictive personalities and that prevention is even more important to
those kids genetically at risk.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><u><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Be open and
honest.</span></u><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"> By talking about our
experiences (or even lack thereof), we build trust and respect. Tell them that
you try to be a good role model, but that no one is perfect.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><u><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Be consistent
and repetitive.</span></u><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"> This will help you
send a clear message about your expectations and rules when it comes to alcohol
use. By talking often, you can keep the lines of communication open and make
the right choice an easier option when kids are in risky situations.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><u><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Hold your
boundaries.</span></u><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"> This is important because
kids need to understand there are consequences to every choice. It’s safer for
them to learn that with someone they trust. Keep your boundaries clear and be
firm with them. However, always allow them the chance to explain their choices
to help them prepare for the next time.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><u><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Stay calm and
focus on guidance.</span></u><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"> Don’t get
defensive! Remember, our job is to better guide them when it comes to choices
involving alcohol. We’re not going to always be there when the choices are
presented so giving them tools to make a good choice is essential. As you focus
on guidance, remind them how assertiveness, strength, and confidence are
excellent leadership qualities that are important to have when choices are
presented.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><u><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Listen!</span></u><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"> Don’t be judgmental. Keep the focus on connection in
order to continue to build trust. Most often, we all just want someone to hear
what we’re saying. If appropriate, make sure to slip in an “I love you” or a
“You’re important to me” and a “Thanks for trusting me enough to tell me this”.
You can also use this time to build self-esteem by acknowledging their
feelings.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><u><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Be accessible.</span></u><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"> Make time to focus on the conversation – especially
when kids approach you. Always do your best to be there for them, even during a
crisis. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><u><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Talk about
healthy coping mechanisms.</span></u><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"> We know
that most people use alcohol as a coping mechanism. Offer healthy options like
exercise, hobbies, taking a nap, or self-care as better options. End the stigma
of asking for help!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Here are three great websites that can
help to guide you in conversations, provide tools to help you recognize when
kids are using substances, and some do’s and don’ts. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">The first is the
SAMHSA website. They have a great resource called “Talk. They Hear You”. You
may have seen some advertisements (billboards) with this slogan. Visit </span><a href="http://www.samhsa.com/"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">www.samhsa.com</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"> . <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">A second resource
is the University of Rochester’s website. Their site gives pointers on guiding
conversations and some signs that the kids in your life may be using
substances. Visit </span><a href="http://www.urmc.rochester.edu/"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">www.urmc.rochester.edu</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"> . <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 10pt;">The third resource is from Vertava Health. Their site gives you some do’s
and don’ts when it comes to talking to kids about substance use. Visit </span></span><a href="http://www.vertavahealthtexas.com/"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">www.vertavahealthtexas.com</span></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 10pt;"> . <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">I hope this information helps when it
comes to talking to the kids in your lives about alcohol. Thanks for helping to
lead prevention efforts at home, work, church, and out in the community!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Community Resources</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The Best You & SAFE Coalitions (319)
293-2579<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">ADDS (319)
524-4397<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Sieda Community Action (641)
682-8741<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Counseling Associates (319)
524-0510<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Young House Family Services (319)
524-2386<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">R & R Counseling Solutions (319)
293-3635<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Quitline Iowa (800)
784-8669<o:p></o:p></span></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Your Life Iowa.org (855)
581-8111<o:p></o:p></span></p><div><br /></div>Van Buren County SAFE Coalitionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03097221935558217279noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3669735705717944539.post-8301519178853393752022-04-07T15:36:00.000-07:002022-04-07T15:36:00.837-07:00Finding the Right Fun<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQRF0nfvPU3Tlqvt13OmUnCoGIKt6pIb3yw1-wMHj-kZU50Ij-Ed1nzrGfxxLE2nnBwQQf4NDs4O-3Tczav9U3JUqPNoj7rIgoEnt0ldOzZpUtxb-jj9e2rS6zc1IJD9q9B9ITrpJZ7ylVbMA7TVIs6bcpgO8bDuaKFubmOkLxidNpr3UzpxiaE2HG8Q/s1080/Alcohol%20Awareness%20Month%202022%20ER%20Visits%202%20.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQRF0nfvPU3Tlqvt13OmUnCoGIKt6pIb3yw1-wMHj-kZU50Ij-Ed1nzrGfxxLE2nnBwQQf4NDs4O-3Tczav9U3JUqPNoj7rIgoEnt0ldOzZpUtxb-jj9e2rS6zc1IJD9q9B9ITrpJZ7ylVbMA7TVIs6bcpgO8bDuaKFubmOkLxidNpr3UzpxiaE2HG8Q/s320/Alcohol%20Awareness%20Month%202022%20ER%20Visits%202%20.gif" width="320" /></a></div> It’s Friday night. You don’t have to work tomorrow, the babysitter is with the kids, you’re dressed to impress, your partner is in a good mood, and the scene is set for a fun night out, which you desperately need. It’s been another long week. Your boss has been piling on the work, the kids need you to take them to a million practices each night, dinner needs to be made, the house needs to be cleaned, and your relationship has felt strained at best. You’re ready to unwind, let go, and have a few drinks. Sound familiar? If so, you’re not alone. The trend of using alcohol to cope with the insane amount of pressure women face daily is on the rise. In fact, between 2019 and 2020, alcohol consumption among women increased by a whopping 41%!<p></p><p>Although most of us drink in moderation, this disturbing trend of using alcohol to cope with life’s stresses can have big impacts over time. Our bodies adjust to alcohol causing us to need more alcohol to get a buzz or to even just feel relaxed. Before you know it, casual drinking can evolve into a needed release. Now besides being a danger to yourself, your relationships, and your children, you’ve become a danger to our community. A disturbing trend is the rise in ER visits by women due to alcohol consumption.</p><p>Alcohol lowers our inhibitions and impairs our decision-making abilities. That is why drunk driving, risky behaviors (sexual or non), and accidents of many kinds happen. The rise of alcohol-related ER visits can impact our entire community. It places a significant burden on our healthcare system. Not only that, but it places a financial strain on all of us. A rise in ER visits will increase our insurance costs and our out-of-pocket costs.</p><p>So, what’s the solution? Although there isn’t a single solution to the problem of rising ER visits that are alcohol-related, there are ways we can reduce the problem before it gets out of hand. At the individual level, we as women need to start taking better care of ourselves! By taking a little time each day to prioritize ourselves, we can reduce the need for alcohol as a coping mechanism. A little time can look like taking a yoga class, meditating over the lunch hour, a quiet cup of coffee or tea alone in the morning before the household awakens, having a healthy meal with friends, or anything that promotes well-being. Whatever that may look like for you. We can’t take care of everyone else if we’re not taking care of ourselves. At the community level, we can begin having honest and meaningful conversations about alcohol and our daily stresses with our partners, our friends, our neighbors, or our co-workers. Normalizing conversations is a big step in identifying our needs and the needs of others. Believe it or not, most women feel the same way you do, we’re just often hesitant to reach out. At the society level, we can advocate for stronger alcohol policies. Strong alcohol policies result in less drinking and fewer harms.</p><p>Let’s begin making Friday nights a night we can actually remember. Find healthier alternatives that don’t involve alcohol to decompress. Find an event that doesn’t involve alcohol, go see a movie, go roller skating, take the family to the park or set up an obstacle course in the backyard or living room, or even enjoy a date night outside of the bar. Making true connections with people will make memories that last.</p><p><b>Community Events Calendars</b></p><p>Radio Keokuk<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span>https://www.radiokeokuk.com/the-community-calendar-3/</p><p>Fort Madison Partners<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>https://www.fortmadison.com/events/</p><p>City of Donnellson <span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span>https://donnellsoniowa.org/calendar-of-events</p><p>Keosauqua Chamber<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>https://keosauqua.com/calendar.html</p><p>Villages of Van Buren <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>https://villagesofvanburen.com/calendar.html</p><p><b>Community Resources</b></p><p>The Best You & SAFE Coalitions<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>(319) 293-2579</p><p>ADDS<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span></span>(319) 524-4397</p><p>Sieda Community Action<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span>(641) 682-8741</p><p>Counseling Associates<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span>(319) 524-0510</p><p>Young House Family Services<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>(319) 524-2386</p><p>R & R Counseling Solutions <span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span>(319) 293-3635</p><p>Quitline Iowa<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span></span>(800) 784-8669</p><p>Your Life Iowa.org<span style="white-space: pre;"> <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span></span>(855) 581-8111</p>Van Buren County SAFE Coalitionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03097221935558217279noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3669735705717944539.post-66523542612464604522022-04-04T14:47:00.000-07:002022-04-04T14:47:03.981-07:00An Important Conversation About Alcohol<p><span style="font-size: 10pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE4WgTLlupu78Tw02PX1dqlGGj4C-PsBcTqLMmxTYs1UDRGofll_rN0DbXzNYr79k8vUIz8kIop4WJ_U25m6eNowfruKgEYrF0G3D-Yl6qCwlKYnTSfaXvxoWT0ueW3AGpgRuMeYWOCDZVFxmG1pGdmruu4hDRuXooe4IiufncFwvfjuLUlTKZrs04Xw/s1080/Alcohol%20Awareness%20Month%202022%20Harms%202.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE4WgTLlupu78Tw02PX1dqlGGj4C-PsBcTqLMmxTYs1UDRGofll_rN0DbXzNYr79k8vUIz8kIop4WJ_U25m6eNowfruKgEYrF0G3D-Yl6qCwlKYnTSfaXvxoWT0ueW3AGpgRuMeYWOCDZVFxmG1pGdmruu4hDRuXooe4IiufncFwvfjuLUlTKZrs04Xw/s320/Alcohol%20Awareness%20Month%202022%20Harms%202.png" width="320" /></a></div><br />Talking about alcohol use takes courage, but sharing our stories
connects us and makes us stronger. We are all people and deserve to be seen and
treated as such. Removing the stigma around talking about alcohol is the first
step towards reducing harm in our community. Stigma is a damaging thing. It
keeps us from seeking help, from helping others (as though alcoholism is
contagious), and from keeping an open mind. Stigma leads to guilt and shame,
causing people to hide their addictions and prevents them from getting the
treatment they need.<p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">According to Dr. Paul Gilbert from the University of Iowa College
of Public Health, “Although 20% of adult Iowans are abusing alcohol, the
impacts are far-reaching and stretch beyond just the drinker, to family,
friends, co-workers, and others in their circle, and can have lifelong impacts
if not addressed.” So, what can WE do to help? The best ways to end stigma is
to get to know more, talk about it, and to show compassion. The causes of
alcohol addiction can be very complex and filled with numerous variables. By
taking the time to learn the whys around why people drink, you can learn to
understand why drinking occurs. This can help reduce your own stigmas,
preconceived notions, and begin to change your views around drinking. By
talking about it, you can help humanize the disease and give hope that recovery
is possible. Always show compassion. People need support, not scorn or shame.
Just because someone is struggling with alcohol consumption, that doesn’t make
them less of a person.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">How do you talk to someone about their alcohol use? First, pick
the moment for a conversation. A good time is when the person is in a good head
space. Always give the person time to talk about their experiences and their
feelings. Support them if they’re ready to make a positive change. Some good
conversation starters can be: “I’m a bit worried about you…”, “Do you feel you
drink more than you plan to sometimes?”, or “Are you worried about your
drinking?”. Never place blame or use accusations. Use the conversation to
connect and support. Always communicate with care, offer information and
available resources, provide as much ongoing support as you can, and remain
committed to checking in on them periodically.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Having these conversations is so important, not only to the person
drinking, but also to those involved in their lives. Our actions affect those
around us – our partners, our children, our friends, our co-workers, and in
some cases, it can even affect our community. Drinking lowers our inhibitions,
our ability to function normally, and can cause physical harm. Alcohol causes
impaired driving leading to car accidents, pedestrian casualties, and increases
in traffic stops. Alcohol can cause us to ruin good relationships, cause us to
be unreliable employees, and affects our ability to parent. Alcohol abuse has
become so normalized in our community that we even have parents providing
alcohol for minors in their homes. This continues the cycle of alcohol abuse
through generations. This cycle must stop, and we need to find healthier ways
to deal with our traumas outside of drinking.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">By taking the time to have a conversation, you can help reduce the
harm in our community, conserve community funds, help families, end the
generational cycle pattern, and start to reduce the stigma around talking about
alcohol abuse. Change often begins with one person – be the change our
community needs!</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Community Resources</span></b></p><div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The Best You & SAFE Coalitions<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>(319)
293-2579<br /></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">ADDS<span style="mso-tab-count: 4;"> </span>(319)
524-4397<br /></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Sieda Community Action<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>(641)
682-8741<br /></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Counseling Associates<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>(319)
524-0510<br /></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Young House Family Services<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>(319)
524-2386<br /></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">R & R Counseling Solutions <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>(319)
293-3635<br /></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Quitline Iowa<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>(800) 784-8669<br /></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Your Life Iowa.org<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>(855)
581-8111</span></div>
Van Buren County SAFE Coalitionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03097221935558217279noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3669735705717944539.post-41954165863353450192021-10-29T12:03:00.003-07:002021-10-29T12:03:31.461-07:00<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kepM9r2GkMU/YXxFTfkUplI/AAAAAAAACd0/BkS9sg-N0-8yXBrXeLm4OGl8W9NyLfDqwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1080/ISTEP%2B10-29-21.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kepM9r2GkMU/YXxFTfkUplI/AAAAAAAACd0/BkS9sg-N0-8yXBrXeLm4OGl8W9NyLfDqwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/ISTEP%2B10-29-21.png" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "inherit", serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">Ready to quit tobacco?</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "inherit", serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">Or thinking about quitting?</span></div><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "inherit", serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">Text “Start My Quit” to 36072</span></div></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: "inherit", serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/istep?__eep__%3D6%26__cft__%255b0%255d%3DAZWPtwQOeC7Lis_zLbpjKac6u9XIwn7RLnRdY-MfF5fmUZcOOZeKr-f-TirsSsfMac0K3HOhEeyA2nQf2VoHSC3Ilm-ta4Pi2k8JxYFKeRtGeZt8Jd-QaSgFUE4U2FC3glseKxgCxvQrmCqHRQdZXEfakj2rFJpGnuaUjSLpvztWVPtOo2Kxxvol-7aEFMnApww%26__tn__%3D*NK-R&source=gmail&ust=1635618674683000&usg=AFQjCNG0S6t-Fkg7paExtmeB7d0Ue0RoCA" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/istep?__eep__=6&__cft__%5b0%5d=AZWPtwQOeC7Lis_zLbpjKac6u9XIwn7RLnRdY-MfF5fmUZcOOZeKr-f-TirsSsfMac0K3HOhEeyA2nQf2VoHSC3Ilm-ta4Pi2k8JxYFKeRtGeZt8Jd-QaSgFUE4U2FC3glseKxgCxvQrmCqHRQdZXEfakj2rFJpGnuaUjSLpvztWVPtOo2Kxxvol-7aEFMnApww&__tn__=*NK-R" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: blue; padding: 0in;">#ISTEP</span></a> <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/iowastep?__eep__%3D6%26__cft__%255b0%255d%3DAZWPtwQOeC7Lis_zLbpjKac6u9XIwn7RLnRdY-MfF5fmUZcOOZeKr-f-TirsSsfMac0K3HOhEeyA2nQf2VoHSC3Ilm-ta4Pi2k8JxYFKeRtGeZt8Jd-QaSgFUE4U2FC3glseKxgCxvQrmCqHRQdZXEfakj2rFJpGnuaUjSLpvztWVPtOo2Kxxvol-7aEFMnApww%26__tn__%3D*NK-R&source=gmail&ust=1635618674683000&usg=AFQjCNHy57sHa3tkjg_hDPbdBz1jIMUgUw" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/iowastep?__eep__=6&__cft__%5b0%5d=AZWPtwQOeC7Lis_zLbpjKac6u9XIwn7RLnRdY-MfF5fmUZcOOZeKr-f-TirsSsfMac0K3HOhEeyA2nQf2VoHSC3Ilm-ta4Pi2k8JxYFKeRtGeZt8Jd-QaSgFUE4U2FC3glseKxgCxvQrmCqHRQdZXEfakj2rFJpGnuaUjSLpvztWVPtOo2Kxxvol-7aEFMnApww&__tn__=*NK-R" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: blue; padding: 0in;">#IowaSTEP</span></a> <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/iowa?__eep__%3D6%26__cft__%255b0%255d%3DAZWPtwQOeC7Lis_zLbpjKac6u9XIwn7RLnRdY-MfF5fmUZcOOZeKr-f-TirsSsfMac0K3HOhEeyA2nQf2VoHSC3Ilm-ta4Pi2k8JxYFKeRtGeZt8Jd-QaSgFUE4U2FC3glseKxgCxvQrmCqHRQdZXEfakj2rFJpGnuaUjSLpvztWVPtOo2Kxxvol-7aEFMnApww%26__tn__%3D*NK-R&source=gmail&ust=1635618674683000&usg=AFQjCNF3I7ewiaObGXNm23ffX65DtdfvgQ" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/iowa?__eep__=6&__cft__%5b0%5d=AZWPtwQOeC7Lis_zLbpjKac6u9XIwn7RLnRdY-MfF5fmUZcOOZeKr-f-TirsSsfMac0K3HOhEeyA2nQf2VoHSC3Ilm-ta4Pi2k8JxYFKeRtGeZt8Jd-QaSgFUE4U2FC3glseKxgCxvQrmCqHRQdZXEfakj2rFJpGnuaUjSLpvztWVPtOo2Kxxvol-7aEFMnApww&__tn__=*NK-R" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; 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color: blue; padding: 0in;">#VapeFree</span></a> <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/quittobacco?__eep__%3D6%26__cft__%255b0%255d%3DAZWPtwQOeC7Lis_zLbpjKac6u9XIwn7RLnRdY-MfF5fmUZcOOZeKr-f-TirsSsfMac0K3HOhEeyA2nQf2VoHSC3Ilm-ta4Pi2k8JxYFKeRtGeZt8Jd-QaSgFUE4U2FC3glseKxgCxvQrmCqHRQdZXEfakj2rFJpGnuaUjSLpvztWVPtOo2Kxxvol-7aEFMnApww%26__tn__%3D*NK-R&source=gmail&ust=1635618674683000&usg=AFQjCNFZdeG1T1B_GApMFRM1-fcLcC6TFA" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/quittobacco?__eep__=6&__cft__%5b0%5d=AZWPtwQOeC7Lis_zLbpjKac6u9XIwn7RLnRdY-MfF5fmUZcOOZeKr-f-TirsSsfMac0K3HOhEeyA2nQf2VoHSC3Ilm-ta4Pi2k8JxYFKeRtGeZt8Jd-QaSgFUE4U2FC3glseKxgCxvQrmCqHRQdZXEfakj2rFJpGnuaUjSLpvztWVPtOo2Kxxvol-7aEFMnApww&__tn__=*NK-R" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: blue; padding: 0in;">#QuitTobacco</span></a> <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/quitvaping?__eep__%3D6%26__cft__%255b0%255d%3DAZWPtwQOeC7Lis_zLbpjKac6u9XIwn7RLnRdY-MfF5fmUZcOOZeKr-f-TirsSsfMac0K3HOhEeyA2nQf2VoHSC3Ilm-ta4Pi2k8JxYFKeRtGeZt8Jd-QaSgFUE4U2FC3glseKxgCxvQrmCqHRQdZXEfakj2rFJpGnuaUjSLpvztWVPtOo2Kxxvol-7aEFMnApww%26__tn__%3D*NK-R&source=gmail&ust=1635618674683000&usg=AFQjCNHMjzaRrI1zmT7wj1TYNlLnoqVJdA" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/quitvaping?__eep__=6&__cft__%5b0%5d=AZWPtwQOeC7Lis_zLbpjKac6u9XIwn7RLnRdY-MfF5fmUZcOOZeKr-f-TirsSsfMac0K3HOhEeyA2nQf2VoHSC3Ilm-ta4Pi2k8JxYFKeRtGeZt8Jd-QaSgFUE4U2FC3glseKxgCxvQrmCqHRQdZXEfakj2rFJpGnuaUjSLpvztWVPtOo2Kxxvol-7aEFMnApww&__tn__=*NK-R" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: blue; padding: 0in;">#QuitVaping</span></a></span></p>Van Buren County SAFE Coalitionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03097221935558217279noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3669735705717944539.post-60114917625775569082020-09-11T13:09:00.002-07:002020-09-11T13:10:16.296-07:00Back to School Activities<div><span>It’s 3pm on a school day. Do you know where your children are?</span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>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:</span></div><div><span>•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Children & teens are more likely to be the victims of crime during the after-school hours than at any other time.</span></div><div><span>•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Children & teens are more likely to participate in violent crimes during the after-school hours than at any other time.</span></div><div><span>•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>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.</span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>Courtesy National Youth Violence Prevention Resource Center</span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>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. </span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>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. </span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>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.</span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>It doesn't take a lot. Our schools and community offer a variety of after-school clubs, sports and activities. Encourage your children to find something that interests them and participate regularly. If your student is in Grades 7-12 please have them check into the Youth Leadership Council that meets at the VBCCSD Middle/High School. This is a group sponsored by the Van Buren County SAFE Coalition and works on leadership skills with the youth involved to address health, wellness, and substance abuse prevention in Van Buren County. </span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>For information about YLC and the coalition please contact the SAFE Coalition by phone at 319-293-3334 ext. 1017 or by email at safe.coalition@van-burencsd.org.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QaKnGfYJZoU/X1vZaHqx5rI/AAAAAAAABzk/KEUiSNXHmM4VYjxqL_U1yKccm_RUwUs8QCLcBGAsYHQ/s289/Back%2Bto%2BSchool%2B2019.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="174" data-original-width="289" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QaKnGfYJZoU/X1vZaHqx5rI/AAAAAAAABzk/KEUiSNXHmM4VYjxqL_U1yKccm_RUwUs8QCLcBGAsYHQ/s0/Back%2Bto%2BSchool%2B2019.png" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div>Van Buren County SAFE Coalitionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03097221935558217279noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3669735705717944539.post-17374932496721683422020-09-03T15:25:00.000-07:002020-09-03T15:30:47.325-07:00September is National Suicide Prevention Month <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: white; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">By Kim Torguson of the Action Alliance</span></b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="background: white; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The <u><a href="http://www.actionallianceforsuicideprevention.org/home" target="_blank"><span style="color: windowtext;">National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention
(Action Alliance)</span></a></u> – the nation’s public-private
partnership championing suicide prevention as a national priority – and its
partners, like the Van Buren County SAFE Coalition in Iowa, are coming together
to inform the public about simple actions that can support someone in crisis
and potentially help save a life. </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This
September, during National Suicide Prevention Month and National Suicide
Prevention Week, the Action Alliance is asking organizations to step up to
educate the public about the role anyone, anywhere can play in being there for
someone who is struggling or in crisis.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Join the collective effort!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">· <b>Promote
the <u>hashtag #BeThe1To </u></b>when posting social media messages about
being there<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">· <b>Visit
our <u><a href="http://actionallianceforsuicideprevention.org/nspw" target="_blank"><span style="color: windowtext;">website</span></a></u> </b>to
access information about our partner’s campaigns focused on being there for
others<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">For more information
on Suicide Prevention month please contact the SAFE Coalition at 319-293-3334
ext. 1017 or </span><span class="MsoHyperlink" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: windowtext;"><a href="mailto:safe.coalition@van-burencsd.org"><span style="color: windowtext;">safe.coalition@van-burencsd.org</span></a>
</span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">or checkout the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention
website: </span><span class="MsoHyperlink" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: windowtext;"><a href="http://actionallianceforsuicideprevention.org/national-strategy-suicide-prevention-0"><span style="color: windowtext;">http://actionallianceforsuicideprevention.org/national-strategy-suicide-prevention-0</span></a></span></span></div>
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Van Buren County SAFE Coalitionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03097221935558217279noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3669735705717944539.post-61059435649715663312020-08-10T10:17:00.004-07:002020-08-10T10:17:48.862-07:00Resources for Parents<div><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Are you a Van Buren County Parent who is in need of information on drug and alcohol misuse? The SAFE Coalition is here to help you! You can contact the SAFE office any time via phone 319-293-3334 ext. 1017 or by email – safe.coalition@van-burencsd.org. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Currently the Coalition would like to share with you some of the online opportunities that are available for parents:</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Talk They Hear You: https://www.samhsa.gov/underage-drinking/mobile-application</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Institute for Behavior & Health: https://www.ibhinc.org/</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>How to Talk about Marijuana: https://drugfree.org/article/how-to-talk-about-marijuana/</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Smart Approaches to Marijuana: https://learnaboutsam.org/</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Kevin Sabet on Marijuana: http://kevinsabet.com/</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Partnership for Drug Free Kids: https://drugfree.org/resources/</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Tobacco Free Kids: https://www.tobaccofreekids.org/</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>National Institute on Drug Abuse: https://www.drugabuse.gov/</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>National Institute on Drug Abuse – Marijuana: https://www.drugabuse.gov/drugs-abuse/marijuana</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Smoke Free: https://smokefree.gov/</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Easy to Read Drug Facts: https://easyread.drugabuse.gov/</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Family Checkup: Positive Parenting Prevents Drug Abuse: https://www.drugabuse.gov/family-checkup</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Family Resource Center: http://www.familyresourcectr.org/</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Stop Underage Drinking: https://www.samhsa.gov/iccpud</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Too Smart to Start: http://www.toosmarttostart.samhsa.gov/</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Parents, family, and friends of teens please make sure to check out these sites or contact the Coalition for more information on issues that teens are facing today! Van Buren County SAFE Coalition: 319-293-3334 ext. 1017 or safe.coalition@van-burencsd.org.</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u-tFucDjcE8/XzGBLMrt6OI/AAAAAAAABxs/ZnHfmd76614Oy9tStFlNDwXnwTHh__FCgCLcBGAsYHQ/s499/VBCSAFE_horizntl_Light.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="76" data-original-width="499" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u-tFucDjcE8/XzGBLMrt6OI/AAAAAAAABxs/ZnHfmd76614Oy9tStFlNDwXnwTHh__FCgCLcBGAsYHQ/s0/VBCSAFE_horizntl_Light.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Van Buren County SAFE Coalitionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03097221935558217279noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3669735705717944539.post-5327307479565311542020-07-29T16:10:00.002-07:002020-07-29T16:10:23.998-07:00STOP Act Grant Awarded to the SAFE Coalition<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The Van Buren County SAFE
Coalition and Van Buren County Community School District has been awarded a
grant from The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to
STOP (Sober Truth on Preventing) Underage Drinking. The grant award was for
$50,000 a year for 4 years beginning April 30, 2020. The program will work to
make server trainings mandatory for every business that obtains a liquor
license, provide 12 Merchant Alcohol Trainings (two trainings every other
month), and will support the efforts of law enforcement to perform semi-annual
compliance checks. The ultimate goal of these activities is to reduce the
access to alcohol by underage youth and young adults, in turn reducing the
number of youth and young adults who are using alcohol in the county. If you
would like more information on the STOP Act Grant or any of the coalition’s activities
please feel free to contact the SAFE Coalition at 319-293-3334 or <a href="mailto:safe.coalition@van-burencsd.org">safe.coalition@van-burencsd.org</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-84UQPQ1IFuE/XyIB2dqnCYI/AAAAAAAABw4/zz2kcCFijUkipVVoe2Vim52HL0UDEj3wQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/STOP%2BAct%2B4-20.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="125" data-original-width="400" height="100" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-84UQPQ1IFuE/XyIB2dqnCYI/AAAAAAAABw4/zz2kcCFijUkipVVoe2Vim52HL0UDEj3wQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/STOP%2BAct%2B4-20.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Van Buren County SAFE Coalitionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03097221935558217279noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3669735705717944539.post-89684864307949188202020-07-23T15:02:00.001-07:002020-07-23T15:02:13.858-07:00Van Buren County IPFS Project Has Ended<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k4QP3ve97l4/XxoI3X3VSaI/AAAAAAAABwg/wDY3u4Kj3zcw-9LYWaB0bedDvxf1AI6OwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/SPF%2BFlower%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="193" data-original-width="198" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k4QP3ve97l4/XxoI3X3VSaI/AAAAAAAABwg/wDY3u4Kj3zcw-9LYWaB0bedDvxf1AI6OwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/SPF%2BFlower%2B2.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">The Van Buren County SAFE Coalition was awarded the Iowa
Partnership for Success (IPFS) Grant in February 2015 to address underage
drinking and underage binge drinking in Van Buren County. The coalition completed the fifth year of
this five year grant on September 29, 2019.
The Van Buren County SAFE Coalition’s IPFS project was funded by the
Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH), through the Substance Abuse and Mental
Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">The coalition received a nine month extension (September
30, 2019—June 30, 2020) from IDPH funded through State of Iowa beer and liquor
permit revenue to continue to address two of the IPFS strategies and two new
strategies. The coalition members chose
to continue to address Alcohol Restrictions at Community Events at Privately
Owned Facilities and Alcohol Restrictions in Public Places. The two new strategies are a Media Campaign
produced by IDPH “As You Age, THINK BEFORE YOU DRINK” to address the increase
in deaths from alcohol use by people over 45; and to promote suicide prevention
work in the county. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">During the nine month extension of the IPFS Project the
coalition worked on implementing the four strategies it was funded to work on
as follows: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">1) Alcohol Restrictions at Community Events at
Privately Owned Facilities: The coalition worked with privately owned
facilities to help them write, adopt, and implement newly written alcohol policies
focused on the Best Practices for Alcohol Service at their location. No new policies were put in place during the
grant extension. The coalition would
recommend that all facilities in the county put into place a written alcohol
restriction policy to help limit the access to alcohol by youth and young
adults. If you are interested you may
contact the coalition office for more information. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">2) Alcohol Restrictions in Public Places: The
coalition worked with city councils to help them write, adopt, and implement
newly written alcohol policies focused on the Best Practices for Alcohol
Service at their local parks and ball fields. The coalition worked cities to
help them to implement these policies, but no new policies were put in place
during the grant extension. The
coalition would recommend that all towns in the county put into place a written
alcohol restriction policy for their community parks and ball fields to help limit
access to alcohol by youth and young adults.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">3) Older Adult Drinking Prevention Media Campaign: The
coalition worked with local media outlets to implement IDPH’s “As You Age,
THINK BEFORE YOU DRINK” older adult drinking prevention media campaign. The coalition utilized posters at the
hospital and clinics, a billboard ad, newspaper ads, and radio ads to promote
the campaign during the grant extension.
The coalition worked with local media outlets to ensure older adults were
exposed to the media campaign. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">4) Adult
Suicide Prevention: The coalition worked to increase the capacity of the county
to address Adult Suicide Prevention. The
coalition worked to educate community members on the risk and signs of
potential suicide in family members and friends. The coalition provided the opportunity to
community members to participate in the online START Suicide Prevention
Training to train local community members and stakeholders in how to help
prevent suicides in the county. This
opportunity is still available for community members. Please contact the coalition office if you
are interested. The coalition members also
worked to promote IDPH’s Your Life Iowa website (yourlifeiowa.org) and related
resources. This included articles and
ads in the newspaper. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">For more information on the
Van Buren County Partnership for Success work or the SAFE Coalition please
contact the coalition at 319-293-3334 ext. 1017 or </span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-contextual-alternates: yes; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-font-kerning: 14.0pt;"><a href="mailto:safe.coalition@van-burencsd.org">safe.coalition@van-burencsd.org</a></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">.</span>Van Buren County SAFE Coalitionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03097221935558217279noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3669735705717944539.post-79011983089935706752020-07-16T13:48:00.001-07:002020-07-16T13:48:05.538-07:00Why Van Buren County Should Care About Having Drug-Free Workplaces<div class="MsoNormal">
Drug-Free Workplaces are important because substance abuse
in the workplace is a widespread problem.
Alcohol and other drug abuse is widespread in our society. It affects us all in many ways. Although national, state and local efforts
have begun to show encouraging results, the problem of alcohol and other drug
abuse remains a serious problem. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Substance abusing employees often do not make good
employees. Studies show that, compared
with non-substance abusers, they are more likely to change jobs frequently; be
late to or absent from work; be less productive employees; be involved in a
workplace accident and file a workers’ compensation claim. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Workplace substance abuse can also have a serious effect on
people other than the abuser. For
example, some studies suggest that working alongside a substance abuser can
reduce non-abusers’ morale and productivity.
It also is quite common for substance abusing workers who are involved
in workplace accidents to injure other people (rather than themselves),
especially if they work in safety-sensitive industries, such as the
transportation or construction industry.
<o:p></o:p></div>
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Employers who have implemented drug-free workplace programs
have important experiences to share (Joel Bennett and Wayne E.K. Lehman. 2003. Preventing
Workplace Substance Abuse: Beyond Drug Testing to Wellness. <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Washington</st1:city>, <st1:state w:st="on">D.C.</st1:state></st1:place>:
American Psychological Association.): <o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Employers with successful drug-free workplace
programs report improvements in morale and productivity and decreases in
absenteeism, accidents, downtime, turnover and theft.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Employers with longstanding programs report
better health status among, and decreased use of medical benefits by, many
employees and family members.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Some organizations with drug-free workplace
programs qualify for incentives, such as decreased costs for workers’
compensation and other kinds of insurance. (<st1:country-region w:st="on">U.S.</st1:country-region> Department of Labor. “<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Florida</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">State</st1:placetype></st1:place> Law: Drug Free Workplace Act.”)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Employers find that employees, employee
representatives and unions often welcome drug-free workplace programs. If employers do not have a program the
employees may be wondering why. (Robert
R. Bonds and Effie Bastes. 1999. “A Peer-Professional Team Intervention Approach
in the Treatment of Drug and Alcohol Problems in the Workplace.” Paper
presented at the International Union of Railways World Conference on
Occupational Health and Safety, September 23.)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">The Van Buren County SAFE Coalition would like to
encourage all Van Buren County residents, workers and businesses to find out
the facts about Drug-Free Workplaces and be informed. For more information please contact the SAFE
Coalition at 319-293-3334 ext. 1017 or <a href="mailto:safe.coalition@van-burencsd.org">safe.coalition@van-burencsd.org</a>.
</span>Van Buren County SAFE Coalitionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03097221935558217279noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3669735705717944539.post-17228107456518564202020-07-09T15:15:00.004-07:002020-07-09T15:15:55.735-07:00Senator Grassley Visits Van Buren County<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Wednesday, July 8, 2020 the Van Buren
County SAFE Coalition hosted a visit to Van Buren County by Senator Chuck
Grassley for a question and answer time with community and coalition members. This meeting was part of Senator Grassley’s
annual tradition to hold at least one Q & A in every one of Iowa’s 99
counties each year. In attendance at the Q & A Session were: Gloria Brown –
Van Buren County SAFE Coalition (Board Member), Melissa Daugherty – Van Buren
County Hospital (Job Ops, PAT, and Coalition Board Member), Senator Grassley, Jennifer
Heins – Senator Grassley’s Office (Director of Scheduling), Jeremy Hissem – Van
Buren County Community School District (Superintendent and Coalition Member),
Kasha Kite – Van Buren County Hospital (Chief Nursing Officer), Kara McEntee –
Van Buren County Hospital (Chief Financial Officer), Lisa Plecker – Van Buren
County Auditor (Coalition Board Member), Dean Rankin – Community Member, Kris
Rankin – Van Buren County SAFE Coalition (Coordinator), Jon Tharp – Van Buren
County Sheriff’s Deputy, and Penny Vacek – Senator Grassley’s Office (Regional
Director). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">During the meeting Senator Grassley
allowed the attendees to ask questions and share information on what was
happening in their area of the community.
The issues discussed included substance misuse prevention work and substance
misuse issues in the county, mental health, Paycheck Protection Program Loans, rural
health care, back to school plans and guidance, transportation issues for
schools and other entities in the county, etc.
Each attendee was allowed a time to present their information to the
Senator and ask questions of him. He
also took time to ask questions of the individuals present about the work they
are doing and issues they are facing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The Van Buren County SAFE Coalition
would like to thank Senator Grassley for allowing them to host this event and
for coming to Van Buren County to interact with his constituents. The coalition would also like to thank all of
the community members who attended the meeting and added to the active and productive
dialogue. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">For more information on the SAFE
Coalition please check out these online sites: Blog: <a href="http://vbsafecoalition.blogspot.com/">http://vbsafecoalition.blogspot.com/</a>;
Website: <a href="http://www.van-buren.k12.ia.us/vnews/display.v/SEC/RESOURCES%7CSAFE%20COALITION">http://www.van-buren.k12.ia.us/vnews/display.v/SEC/RESOURCES%7CSAFE%20COALITION</a>;
SAFE Coalition Facebook Page: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/vanburencountysafecoalition/">https://www.facebook.com/vanburencountysafecoalition/</a>;
YLC Facebook Page: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/vanburencountyyouthleadershipcouncil/">https://www.facebook.com/vanburencountyyouthleadershipcouncil/</a>
or you may contact the coalition at 319-293-3334 ext. 1017 or <a href="mailto:safe.coalition@van-burencsd.org">safe.coalition@van-burencsd.org</a>. </span></div>
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Van Buren County SAFE Coalitionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03097221935558217279noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3669735705717944539.post-28658978055466451772020-07-03T08:40:00.001-07:002020-07-03T08:40:14.185-07:00WARNING…. EXPIRED EMPLOYEES!<br />
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</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lUA6gMOKhPA/Xv9RUE0gnSI/AAAAAAAABu8/pSKB1zG_uXkRluR_Y74lw6ZXIB5eCNGiwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Alcohol%2BMerchant%2BTraining.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="433" data-original-width="650" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lUA6gMOKhPA/Xv9RUE0gnSI/AAAAAAAABu8/pSKB1zG_uXkRluR_Y74lw6ZXIB5eCNGiwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Alcohol%2BMerchant%2BTraining.png" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The Van Buren County SAFE Coalition will be completing
an audit of all Van Buren County Licensees. When it has been completed the
coalition staff will send you a copy of who is or is not trained at your
business.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Coalition members are
available to meet with business owners/managers to help you with your business
and any questions you may have in regard to licensing rules and training your
staff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In order for a local business to
be eligible to eliminate administrative sanctions on a local compliance check
the employees must have a current certification with the coalition from the
free Merchant Alcohol Training. In order to eliminate administrative sanctions
on a state patrol compliance check your employees must be trained through
I-PACT the ABD online training system.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The 3 Step Employee Training Process
that the coalition encourages merchants to follow for trainings is as follows: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">1. Orientation DVD: Checking ID’s– Easy
as 1-2-3<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">2. SAFE Merchant Alcohol Training
Program<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">3. I-PACT Online Training Program– Iowa
ABD<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The SAFE Coalition will be holding
merchant alcohol trainings on July 23, 2020, September 15, 2020, and November
17, 2020 at 6:00 pm and July 24, 2020, September 16, 2020 and November 18, 2020
at 9:00 am at the Van Buren Community Services Center Conference Room (ER
entrance of the Hospital – Building is on the Left) in Keosauqua. The trainings
in 2020 will be held every other month unless a business or special event is in
need of a personal training and those can be set up through the coalition by
calling 319-293-3334 ext. 1017. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">If you have employees who need to be
re-trained or who have never been trained plan to get them to a training as
soon as possible. If you are unsure of the status of your employees you may
contact the coalition office. If you would like to set up a private training
for your business please contact Kris at 319-293-3334 ext. 1017. If you have
other questions or concerns the coalition can be reached via email at info@vbsafecoalition.com
or by phone at 319-293-3334 ext. 1017. RSVP is required for all trainings.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Van Buren County SAFE Coalitionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03097221935558217279noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3669735705717944539.post-27467886359276857952020-06-25T12:05:00.003-07:002020-06-25T12:05:57.059-07:00DRIVE SOBER THIS INDEPENDENCE DAY, AND EVERY DAY: BUZZED DRIVING IS DRUNK DRIVING<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UyDBYcdLj4I/XvT1gG5Iw_I/AAAAAAAABuY/rtdxHpc90GI0vk7gdRguuYXd6oMmSMVhgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Buzzed%2B3.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="102" data-original-width="135" height="150" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UyDBYcdLj4I/XvT1gG5Iw_I/AAAAAAAABuY/rtdxHpc90GI0vk7gdRguuYXd6oMmSMVhgCLcBGAsYHQ/s200/Buzzed%2B3.png" width="200" /></a></div>
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This Independence Day, the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office, SAFE
Coalition and the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration want to remind drivers that <i>Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving</i>. Unfortunately, the summertime
merrymaking can create dangerous road conditions, as some drivers hit the
streets after drinking alcoholic beverages. Make sure you celebrate the birth
of our nation safely. If you are under the influence of any substance and you
choose to get behind the wheel of a vehicle, you put everyone in a vehicle on
the road in danger, including yourself. During the Fourth of July holiday, make
sure you plan for a safe weekend of festivities. <o:p></o:p></div>
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According to NHTSA’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System, drunk driving accounted for 29% (10,511) of motor vehicle
traffic crash deaths in 2018. With Fourth of July festivities wrapping up in
the evening or late at night, more vehicles will be on the road at night. In
2018 alone, 193 people died in motor vehicle traffic crashes over the July 4th
holiday period (6 p.m. July 3 to 5:59 a.m. July 5). Forty percent (78) of those
fatalities occurred in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes. This compares to 2017
when 38% of the July 4 holiday period fatalities occurred in
alcohol-impaired-driving crashes.<o:p></o:p></div>
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We want our community to have a happy and
safe Independence Day, one that they’ll remember for years to come, for all the
right reasons. We have partnered with NHTSA to help remind drivers that <i>Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving</i>. Under
no circumstance is it ever okay to drink and drive. This behavior is illegal,
it’s deadly, and it’s selfish. Do everyone in our community a favor: If you
have been drinking at a Fourth of July party, or for any occasion, find a sober
ride home. If you are drunk or high, or even a little buzzed, we are begging
you: Stay off the roads. Drunk driving is deadly. If you plan to be the sober
driver, then don’t indulge — your friends are relying on you.<o:p></o:p></div>
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This Fourth of July, the Van Buren County
Sheriff’s Office, SAFE Coalition and NHTSA urge drivers to designate a sober
driver before heading out for the evening. If you plan on drinking, plan how
you will get around without driving. Remember these tips for a safe night on
the roads: <o:p></o:p></div>
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<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-top: 6.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;">Remember that it is never okay to drink
and drive. Even if you have had only one alcoholic beverage, designate a
sober driver or plan for a way to get home safely. <o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-top: 6.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;">If you see a drunk driver on the road,
contact the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office<b>.<o:p></o:p></b></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-top: 6.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;">Do you have a friend who is about to drink
and drive? Take the keys away and make arrangements to get your friend
home safely.<o:p></o:p></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">This Fourth of July, commit to driving 100-percent sober, because <i>Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving</i>. For
more information on impaired driving, visit </span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><a href="https://www.trafficsafetymarketing.gov/get-materials/drunk-driving/buzzed-driving-drunk-driving/4th-july">https://www.trafficsafetymarketing.gov/get-materials/drunk-driving/buzzed-driving-drunk-driving/4th-july</a></span></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">.</span>Van Buren County SAFE Coalitionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03097221935558217279noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3669735705717944539.post-78943281273936563672020-06-22T14:45:00.002-07:002020-06-22T14:45:13.167-07:00START Suicide Prevention Training<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J8LkUoo4z04/XvEmUkLJKpI/AAAAAAAABuE/_KqmC0980TwyNXGC5maecMrSM69ZxFi8QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/START%2BAD.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="472" data-original-width="342" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J8LkUoo4z04/XvEmUkLJKpI/AAAAAAAABuE/_KqmC0980TwyNXGC5maecMrSM69ZxFi8QCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/START%2BAD.PNG" width="460" /></a></div>
<br />Van Buren County SAFE Coalitionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03097221935558217279noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3669735705717944539.post-75745259770911143092020-06-17T10:58:00.001-07:002020-06-17T10:58:43.031-07:00Know the Facts about Boating & Drinking<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YgmFf7YRv2o/XupZxZupO3I/AAAAAAAABtw/LkE_0Bniq3w26DaZ7TTZ4l9GD8ONwuBoQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Boat%2BSafe%2B-%2BBoat%2BSober.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="236" data-original-width="214" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YgmFf7YRv2o/XupZxZupO3I/AAAAAAAABtw/LkE_0Bniq3w26DaZ7TTZ4l9GD8ONwuBoQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Boat%2BSafe%2B-%2BBoat%2BSober.png" /></a><strong><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Operating a Motorboat or Sailboat While Intoxicated
–</span></strong><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Boaters are reminded that alcohol reduces reaction
time and the ability to make quick, sound judgments in an emergency situation.
Also, wind, sun, glare off the water, and water movement multiplies the effects
of alcohol.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The current blood alcohol
level for boating while intoxicated (BWI) is .08 percent – the same as a motor
vehicle as of July 2011.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<br />
Operating a motorboat or sailboat while under the influence of alcohol (.08
alcohol level or higher), a controlled substance, or other illegal chemical is
unlawful. For the purpose of BWI, "operating a motorboat" means the
motorboat is powered by a motor that is running. For the purposes of BWI,
"operating a sailboat" means the sailboat is either powered by a
motor that is running or has sails hoisted and is underway. Operators who are
impaired may be required to take tests by an enforcement officer to determine
their sobriety. Anyone refusing to test will be charged a penalty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All navigable waters in the state of Iowa
will be subject to the new law, except farm ponds and privately owned lakes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">First
Offense: A Serious Misdemeanor – </span></strong><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">A serious
misdemeanor can result in the following punishments:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Imprisonment in county jail for at least 48 hours. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Assessment of a fine up to $1,000. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Loss of boat operating privileges for one year. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Assignment to a substance abuse evaluation and treatment, and a
course for drinking drivers. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Second Offense: An Aggravated Misdemeanor – </span></strong></span></b><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">An aggravated misdemeanor can result in the following punishments:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Imprisonment in county jail or community-based correctional
facility for at least seven days. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Assessment of a $1,500 to $5,000 fine. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Loss of boat operating privileges for two years. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Assignment to a substance abuse evaluation and treatment, and a
course for drinking drivers. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Third Offense: A Class "D" Felony – </span></strong></span></b><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">A class "D" felony can result in the following punishments:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Imprisonment in the county jail for 30 days to one year. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Assessment of a $2,500 to $7,500 fine. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Loss of boat operating privileges for six years. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Assignment to a substance abuse evaluation and treatment, and a
course for drinking drivers. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<strong><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></strong><strong><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Consequences
of Refusing to Test – </span></strong><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Refusing to submit to a breath
or chemical test can result in a $500 fine and a one year suspension of boat
operating privileges. If the offender, during the second offense, refuses to
submit to a test, a $1,000 fine will be assigned plus suspension of boat
operating privileges. Third-time offenders will receive a $2,000 fine and
suspension of boat operating privileges. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<strong><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Questions
& Answers</span></strong><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br />
<em><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Can
I drink alcohol on the boat?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></em>Yes,
consuming alcohol is permissible on the boat, but remember the operator is not
to be under the influence.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<em><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Will a boating while
intoxicated (BWI) offense affect my driver's license?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></em><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">No, a boating
while intoxicated (BWI) offense will not be transferred to your automobile
driving records.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<em><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">How much alcohol
can I consume to be considered legally drunk?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></em><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">That
depends on the individual. Use extra precaution while drinking on the boat
because sun, wind and movement can quickly amplify the effects of alcohol and
disorient the operator or passengers. <br />
<br />
The information for this article came from the Iowa DNR website.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><strong><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">For more information contact </span></strong><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">Iowa Department of
Natural Resources at 515-281-5918 or at <a href="mailto:webmaster@dnr.iowa.gov"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">webmaster@dnr.iowa.gov</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Van Buren County SAFE Coalitionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03097221935558217279noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3669735705717944539.post-33217047319359217212020-06-11T11:33:00.001-07:002020-06-11T11:33:07.084-07:00Dads, could your kids be at risk for substance abuse?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--Bz6A6tYnCs/XuJ4yM9bqjI/AAAAAAAABtM/-JWWnSORDxYfGOoP_kLekfrX1NyiOkpbgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Father%2527s%2BDay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--Bz6A6tYnCs/XuJ4yM9bqjI/AAAAAAAABtM/-JWWnSORDxYfGOoP_kLekfrX1NyiOkpbgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Father%2527s%2BDay.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Families strive to find the best ways to raise their
children to live happy, healthy and productive lives. Parents are often
concerned about whether their children will start or are already using drugs
such as tobacco, e-devices, alcohol, marijuana, and others, including the abuse
of prescription drugs. Research supported by the National Institute on
Drug Abuse (NIDA) has shown the important role that parents play in preventing
their children from starting to use drugs.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">These five questions, developed
by the Child and Family Center at the University of Oregon, highlight skills
that are important in preventing the initiation and progression of drug use
among youth. For each question, there is a video clip on line at <a href="http://www.drugabuse.gov/family-checkup">http://www.drugabuse.gov/family-checkup</a>
that shows positive and negative examples of the skill and additional videos
and information are provided to help you practice. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<h2 style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Questions:<o:p></o:p></span></h2>
<ol start="1" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Are you able to communicate calmly
and clearly with your teenager regarding relationship problems?</span></strong><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Do you encourage positive behaviors
in your teenager on a daily basis?</span></strong><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Are you able to negotiate emotional
conflicts with your teenager and work toward a solution?</span></strong><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Are you able to calmly set limits
when your teenager is defiant or disrespectful? Are you able to set limits
on more serious problem behavior such as drug use, if or when it occurs?</span></strong><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Do you monitor your teenager to
assure that they do not spend too much unsupervised time with peers?</span></strong><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span></strong></li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;">
<strong><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">For more
information on talking to your teens about substance abuse please contact the
SAFE Coalition at 319-293-3334 ext. 1017 or by email at </span></strong><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><a href="mailto:safe.coalition@van-burencsd.org">safe.coalition@van-burencsd.org</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></strong><strong><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">For other resources please check out the coalition’s blog at <a href="http://vbsafecoalition.blogspot.com/"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">http://vbsafecoalition.blogspot.com</span></a> or on Facebook – Van
Buren County SAFE Coalition <o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;">
<strong><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Article and
data provided by the National Institute on Drug Abuse Website.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
<h2>
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">References<o:p></o:p></span></h2>
<ol start="1" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Dishion, T.J.; Nelson, N.E.; Kavanagh, K. <em><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">The Family Check-Up with high-risk
young adolescents: Preventing early-onset substance use by parent
monitoring</span></em>. Behavior Therapy 34: 553-571, 2003.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Dishion,T.J.; Kavanagh, K.; Schneiger, A.;
Nelson, S.; Kaufman, N.K. <em><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Preventing
early adolescent substance use: A family-centered strategy for the public
middle school</span></em>. Prevention Science 3 (3): 191-201, 2002.</span></li>
</ol>
Van Buren County SAFE Coalitionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03097221935558217279noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3669735705717944539.post-77437120546206909102020-06-05T10:29:00.001-07:002020-06-05T10:29:19.809-07:00100 Things to Do to Beat Summer Boredom<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YKfzDHKSbfY/XtqAzeb6-3I/AAAAAAAABs4/s5Co2utVmaIUj4C40ft09d0PWKlTwYEIgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Summer%2B3.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="483" data-original-width="724" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YKfzDHKSbfY/XtqAzeb6-3I/AAAAAAAABs4/s5Co2utVmaIUj4C40ft09d0PWKlTwYEIgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Summer%2B3.png" width="320" /></a></div>
Summer is just beginning and you do not want to be thinking, saying, or hearing; “I’m bored” in the next few months. Below is a list of 100 things you can do to beat summer boredom. Write each of these things on a piece of paper and put it into the summer fun jar and when you get bored draw one out and have fun! Challenge yourself to accomplish all 100 before school starts.<br />
<br />
If your kids start to suffer from summer boredom, let them come up with their own ideas for fun summer activities to put into the fun jar. When you let children come up with their own solutions to boredom, you’re helping them develop important problem solving skills and they will take ownership in the activity.<br />
<br />
As the summer progresses, new ideas can be added to the jar. Then when the children get bored, they can reach into the jar for a fun activity. And, you’ll be less likely to hear, “I’m bored!” <br />
<br />
1.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Go hiking in the park<br />
2.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Ride your Bike<br />
3.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Go swimming at the lake or pool<br />
4.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Paint a picture<br />
5.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Play a board game<br />
6.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Get out the hose and sprinkler<br />
7.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Go horseback riding<br />
8.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Go to the Library<br />
9.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Go on a nature scavenger hunt<br />
10.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Go fishing<br />
11.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Have a talent show<br />
12.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Go Camping<br />
13.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Have a pet parade<br />
14.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Hold a lemonade stand<br />
15.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Tie Dye Shirts<br />
16.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Build a sandcastle<br />
17.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Make a collage with magazine pictures<br />
18.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Have a pizza decorating contest<br />
19.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Go to a baseball game<br />
20.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Start a hobby<br />
21.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Scrapbook some photos<br />
22.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Go bowling<br />
23.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Go to a water park<br />
24.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Visit a museum<br />
25.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Do a science experiment<br />
26.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> Pick a bouquet of flowers<br />
27.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Blow Bubbles<br />
28.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Make homemade ice cream<br />
29.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Have a fashion show<br />
30.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Finger paint<br />
31.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Create Sidewalk Art<br />
32.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Rent a canoe and go canoeing<br />
33.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Write a letter to a pen pal<br />
34.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Write or draw your own story book<br />
35.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Start a journal<br />
36.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Make a home movie<br />
37.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Play catch<br />
38.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Have a puppet show<br />
39.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> Play twister<br />
40.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Wash the car at home<br />
41.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Go miniature golfing<br />
42.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Make mud pies<br />
43.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Have a picnic<br />
44.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Play croquet<br />
45.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Catch fireflies<br />
46.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Go hunting night crawlers<br />
47.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Color in a coloring book<br />
48.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Do a craft project<br />
49.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Paint your room<br />
50.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Throw a Frisbee<br />
51.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Fly a kite<br />
52.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Read stories<br />
53.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Throw water balloons<br />
54.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Play red rover<br />
55.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Have a garage sale<br />
56.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Build a fort<br />
57.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Play a musical instrument<br />
58.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Walk a dog<br />
59.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Go to a concert<br />
60.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Have a pancake party<br />
61.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Plant a garden<br />
62.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Go skateboarding<br />
63.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Play hopscotch<br />
64.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Do a good deed for a neighbor<br />
65.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Clean up trash in the park<br />
66.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Take pictures in nature<br />
67.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Play with play dough<br />
68.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Dance<br />
69.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Clean your closet<br />
70.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Design, plan and make a meal for the family<br />
71.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Conquer a Rubix cube<br />
72.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Hula hoop<br />
73.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Jump on a trampoline<br />
74.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Make root beer floats<br />
75.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Have a fashion show<br />
76.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Start a collection (stamps, rocks, coins)<br />
77.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Ride a 4 wheeler<br />
78.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Make a quilt<br />
79.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Go shopping at a garage sale<br />
80.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Read a magazine<br />
81.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Play horseshoes<br />
82.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Swing on a swing set<br />
83.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Bake a cake<br />
84.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Play baseball<br />
85.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Make a smoothie<br />
86.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Go to a fair<br />
87.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Play basketball<br />
88.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Play wiffle ball<br />
89.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Play charades<br />
90.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Go golfing<br />
91.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Build a Lego creation<br />
92.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Play badminton<br />
93.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Adopt a pet from a shelter<br />
94.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Have a pedicure party<br />
95.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Play beach volleyball<br />
96.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Jump rope<br />
97.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Read a newspaper<br />
98.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Play tennis<br />
99.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Create a new recipe<br />
100. Go to a farmers market<br />
<br />
For more information on how to get involved with your kids this summer visit the SAFE Coalition at Van Buren County SAFE Coalition on Facebook!<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Van Buren County SAFE Coalitionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03097221935558217279noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3669735705717944539.post-54845291408161128982020-05-28T16:08:00.001-07:002020-05-28T16:08:04.148-07:00Suicide Facts & Figures: Iowa 2019<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">On average, one person dies by suicide
every 18 hours in the state of Iowa.
More than five times as many people died by suicide in Iowa in 2017 than
in alcohol related motor vehicle accidents.
The total deaths to suicide reflect a total of 10,127 years of potential
life lost (YPLL) before age 65. Suicide
cost Iowa a total of $441,111,000 combined lifetime medical and work loss cost
in 2010, or an average of $1,185,783 per suicide death. Suicide is the 9<sup>th</sup> leading cause
of death in Iowa. It is the 2<sup>nd</sup>
leading cause of death for ages 15-34, the 4th leading cause of death for ages
35-54, the 8th leading cause of death for ages 55-64, and the 17th leading
cause of death for ages 65 & older.
Based on most recent 2017 data from CDC. Learn more at
afsp.org/statistics.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Suicide
Prevention Programs and Initiatives<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">The Iowa
Department of Public Health (IDPH) suicide prevention program works with
stakeholders to provide information about signs and symptoms of depression and
suicide and develop suicide prevention strategies. IDPH also funds community
programs to identify youth who are most at risk for suicide and provide
assessment and referral for services. See https://bit.ly/2QXGarQ.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">The Your Life
Iowa program provides 24/7 crisis services via phone (855-581-8111), text
(855-895-8398), and through the Live Chat feature on their site. The site also
includes a depression screening quiz, suicide warning signs, help for family
and friends, FAQs about suicide, and tips for practicing self-care. See
http://yourlifeiowa.org/suicide.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">The Iowa Plan for
Suicide Prevention: 2015 to 2018 aims to reduce the annual number of deaths by
suicide by 10% by 2018, ultimately working towards zero deaths by suicide; see
https://bit.ly/2SKYlya.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">SF 2113 (adopted
3/29/18) requires school districts to adopt protocols for suicide prevention
and Postvention, and requires all school personnel who have regular contact
with students in kindergarten through grade twelve to receive at least one hour
of evidence-based suicide prevention and Postvention training annually. The
training requirement must be established by all local school boards by July 1,
2019.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Iowa law (§
279.50) requires that the Department of Education identify and disseminate
information about early intervention programs for students who are at risk for
suicide.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">The Van Buren County SAFE Coalition
partnered with the Van Buren County Community School District in 2018 and 2019
to help them develop a Suicide Prevention and Postvention Plan. The coalition has worked to promote the Your
Life Iowa website in Van Buren County.
The coalition has worked to educate community members on the need for
suicide prevention work in the county.
The coalition staff has participated in the Children’s Mental Health
& Wellbeing Collaborative since 2017 to help increase child/youth suicide
prevention work in Van Buren County.
Coalition staff have also begun to attend the South East Iowa Link
meetings to help increase adult suicide prevention work in Van Buren County.
Iowa Department of Public Health has funded this work through the Iowa
Partnership for Success Grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health
Services Administration (February 2015 - September 2019) and state substance
abuse prevention funds (September 2019 – June 2020). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Get Involved: The American Foundation
for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) Iowa Chapter brings together people of all
backgrounds in communities throughout the state to fight suicide. They help
fund research, offer educational programs, advocate for public policy and
support those affected by suicide. For more information or to volunteer, please
contact: AFSP Iowa iowa@afsp.org<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Become an Advocate: AFSP’s Iowa advocacy
volunteers build relationships with public officials and advocate on behalf of
sound suicide prevention policy. Visit
afsp.org/advocate to sign up!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z6B6KkANlPY/XtBESMabkaI/AAAAAAAABsg/Ig3DczM7rrs-o2Yk65l8lRVaP61c0EMrQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Your%2BLife%2BIowa.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="304" data-original-width="612" height="197" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z6B6KkANlPY/XtBESMabkaI/AAAAAAAABsg/Ig3DczM7rrs-o2Yk65l8lRVaP61c0EMrQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/Your%2BLife%2BIowa.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span>Van Buren County SAFE Coalitionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03097221935558217279noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3669735705717944539.post-3338396197831039612020-05-14T12:44:00.001-07:002020-05-14T12:44:14.975-07:00Alcohol-Involved Deaths Climbing: A Public Health Perspective in Iowa Think Before You Drink Media Campaign <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
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o:title=""/>
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</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fjghtJlwWeY/Xr2fdeAOPeI/AAAAAAAABro/KQuDE31Q0RwkBunTk7eOPjm3Nxd9O3CLgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/OlderAdults_DrinkingFacebook1080x1080Option1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="950" data-original-width="950" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fjghtJlwWeY/Xr2fdeAOPeI/AAAAAAAABro/KQuDE31Q0RwkBunTk7eOPjm3Nxd9O3CLgCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/OlderAdults_DrinkingFacebook1080x1080Option1.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Alcohol-involved deaths are a serious public health
problem in Iowa, increasing from 388 in 2008 to 650 in 2017. From 2008-2017,
the average annual number of alcohol-involved deaths in Iowa was 505 (Iowa Department
of Public Health (IDPH), 2017). According to the World Health Organization
(2018), 3 million deaths occur globally each year as a result of the harmful
use of alcohol. In the U.S. in 2010, an estimated 70,000 people died from
alcohol use, making alcohol use the third leading cause of premature deaths
(McGinnis, 2013). The first and second leading causes of preventable factors
causing premature deaths in the U.S. were diet/inactivity (400,000) and tobacco
use (350,000), respectively (McGinnis, 2013).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The rate of alcohol-involved deaths has
increased in Iowa significantly over the past 10 years, from a rate of 13 per
100,000 population in 2008 to 21 per 100,000 population in 2017. The rate of
alcohol-involved deaths increased by more than 61%. In Iowa, alcohol-involved deaths are
prevalent among Iowans aged 45 to 64, and 65 or older. From 2008 to 2017,
alcohol-involved deaths increased by 45% among Iowans aged 65 or older, and 75%
among Iowans aged 45 to 64. In 2017, the rate of alcohol involved deaths was 45
per 100,000 population for Iowans aged 65 or older, and 42 per 100,000
population for Iowans aged 45 to 64. In
2017, there were 330 deaths from motor vehicle crashes in Iowa. Of these 330
crash deaths, 88 (27%) involved at least one driver with a Blood Alcohol
Concentration (BAC) of .08 g/dL or higher, which is above the legal
intoxication level (FARS, 2017). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Iowa Department of Public Health has
created a new media campaign that the Van Buren County SAFE Coalition is
utilizing to help educate community members on the need to Think Before You
Drink. As you age, your body cannot
process alcohol like it used to. The
coalition will be utilizing the campaign as ads in the newspaper, an ad on the
billboard in Keosauqua, and posters at the hospital and clinics.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">For more information about prevention
and treatment resources in Iowa, please visit the IDPH Substance Abuse
Prevention website at <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://idph.iowa.gov/substance-abuse/prevention">https://idph.iowa.gov/substance-abuse/prevention</a></span>
or Your Life Iowa at http://www.yourlifeiowa.org/.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">References<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">McGinnis, J.M.
(2013). Actual causes of death, 1990–2010. Presentation at the Workshop on
Determinants of Premature Mortality, September 18, National Research Council,
Washington, DC. Retrieved from
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279971/pdf/Bookshelf_NBK279971.pdf<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">World Health
Organization. (2018). Alcohol. Retrieved from
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/alcohol<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Sources<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Fatality Analysis
Reporting System. (2008-2017).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Website: https://www-fars.nhtsa.dot.gov/States/StatesAlcohol.aspx<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Iowa Department
of Public Health. (2008-2017). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Website: <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://tracking.idph.iowa.gov/Health/Substance-Use-and-Misuse/Substance-Involved-Mortality-Data">https://tracking.idph.iowa.gov/Health/Substance-Use-and-Misuse/Substance-Involved-Mortality-Data</a></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Van Buren County SAFE Coalitionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03097221935558217279noreply@blogger.com0