Marijuana and You

Make Your New Year’s Resolution to be Tobacco-Free in 2015!

Tobacco use is the most common preventable cause of death. About half of the people who don't quit smoking will die of smoking-related problems. Quitting smoking is important for your health and provides many benefits. Soon after you quit your circulation begins to improve and your blood pressure starts to return to normal. Your sense of smell and taste return and breathing starts to become easier. In the long term, giving up tobacco can help you live longer. Your risk of getting cancer decreases with each year you stay smoke-free.

There are many ways to quit smoking. There are also resources to help you. Family members, friends, and co-workers may be supportive. But to be successful, you must really want to quit.

Most people who have quit smoking were unsuccessful at least once in the past. Try not to view past attempts to quit as failures. See them as learning experiences. It is hard to stop smoking or using smokeless tobacco. But anyone can do it.

Use these ideas to help you stay committed to quitting:

·         Avoid temptation. Stay away from people and places that tempt you to smoke. Later on you’ll be able to handle these with more confidence.

·         Change your habits. Switch to juices or water instead of alcohol or coffee. Take a different route to work. Take a brisk walk instead of a coffee break.

·         Choose other things for your mouth: Use substitutes you can put in your mouth such as sugarless gum or hard candy, raw vegetables such as carrot sticks, or sunflower seeds.

·         Get active with your hands: Do something to reduce your stress. Exercise or do something that keeps your hands busy, such as needlework or woodworking.

·         Breathe deeply: When you were smoking, you breathed deeply as you inhaled the smoke. When the urge strikes now, breathe deeply and picture your lungs filling with fresh, clean air.

·         Delay: If you feel that you are about to light up, hold off. Tell yourself you must wait at least 10 minutes. Often this simple trick will allow you to move beyond the strong urge to smoke.

Reward yourself. What you’re doing is not easy, so you deserve a reward. Put the money you would have spent on tobacco in a jar every day and then buy yourself a weekly treat or save the money for a major purchase.

Quitline Iowa has trained coaches that are here to listen and give you the support you need.  The Quitline Iowa coach will help you set a quit date and create a quit plan that works for you!

You may also refer a friend, a student, or family member to this service.

Quitline Iowa: 1-800-Quit-Now (1-800-784-8669)

New Iowa Drug Control Strategy Includes Focus on Prescription Drugs and Heroin

DES MOINES – The 2015 Iowa Drug Control Strategy, an annual report to the Governor and Legislature, shows significant progress in preventing drug abuse, while also recognizing current and emerging challenges that include medicine misuse and heroin use.

“Although Iowa remains one of the safest states in the U.S., in terms of having one of the nation’s lowest rates of illegal drug use, too many Iowa families are negatively impacted by drug use and crime,” said Steve Lukan, Director of the Governor’s Office of Drug Control Policy (ODCP).  “One of the fastest growing areas of substance use disorders involves prescription drugs, which may also be driving an increase in heroin use.”

Prescription pain relievers and heroin are in the same class of drugs, known as opioids.  Professionals who treat substance use disorders increasingly report Iowans who begin taking pain pills for legitimate health problems become addicted to the medication over time, and eventually switch to heroin when they can no longer afford the medicine.

According to data in the ODCP report, Iowa’s prescription pain medicine related overdose deaths and substance abuse treatment admissions have risen in recent years.  So too have heroin related overdose deaths and treatment entries, as well as opiate-related emergency room visits.

Opioid/Narcotic OD Deaths	11 in 2003	*77 in 2013	+600%
Heroin OD Deaths	1 in 2003	*20 in 2013	+1,900%

*Signifies highest level on record in Iowa (since 1992).

“Both pain medicine and heroin can be dangerous—even lethal—if abused, which is why preventing prescription drug abuse in the first place must be a priority,” said Lukan.  “One way to do this is through continuing education for health care professionals, parents and children.”

“Iowa’s Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP) is an important health care tool, and the more it’s used the more patients can be assured of taking medicines properly,” said Lukan.  “Medication Take Back events also play a key role to help Iowans safely dispose of unused prescription drugs in a way that prevents abuse and protects the environment.”

The PMP was recently enhanced to require out-of-state pharmacies dispensing medicines in Iowa to report those transactions, and work is underway to securely share prescription information with neighboring states.  Still, less than a third of Iowa prescribers are registered to access the PMP, and fewer actually use it.  The most recent Take Back effort in September collected over four tons of unused medicines.  During the last four years, Iowans have safely discarded more than 25 tons of obsolete prescription drugs.  Education continues on this subject, in the form of professional training and public awareness (e.g., http://www.IowaMedicineTLC.org).

Other signs of progress noted in the new Iowa drug control report:

·         Meth labs reported by Iowa law enforcement are down again in 2014, and on a pace to total 172, which would be their lowest point in 17 years.

·         Drug-related Iowa prison admissions decreased for a second straight year last year to 867, and are down about 22% from the recent high water mark of 1,110 in 2004.

·         Nearly 60% of Iowa clients completing substance abuse treatment in 2013 were employed full or part-time and 87% were arrest free, both considerably higher than pre-treatment rates.

·         Iowa’s 20 drug enforcement task forces referred 300 drug-endangered children for protective services and removed 598 firearms from alleged drug dealers and gang members last year.

·         Rates of underage drinking and tobacco use have steadily declined in Iowa over the last decade, and illegal drug use by youth has remained nearly steady.

Other challenges noted in the report:

·         The amounts, potency and use of meth smuggled into Iowa are increasing.  The 64,000 grams of meth seized by Iowa law enforcement so far this year is the largest volume in nine years, dating back to 2005.  Meth-related prison admissions totaled 475 last year, making up over half of all Iowa drug-related prison admissions.  Meth treatment admissions last year comprised 14.8% of all publicly-funded treatment entries, an all-time high percentage involving meth.

·         Iowa drug-related child abuse cases, involving children testing positive for drugs and in the presence of meth manufacturing, rose to 1,334 last year, the highest level in five years.

·         Iowa marijuana-related hospital emergency department visits increased to an all-time high of 949 last year, more double the number seven years earlier in 2006.

·         Synthetic drugs, including those referred to as K2 and Bath Salts, continue to evolve in their makeup, posing a health threat to unsuspecting Iowa users.

The 2015 Iowa Drug Control Strategy outlines a comprehensive plan involving prevention, treatment and enforcement efforts aimed at reducing illegal drug use and promoting healthy and safe communities.  To view the complete report, go to www.iowa.gov/odcp.

VAN BUREN COUNTY YLC TEENS TAKE PART IN NATIONAL DRUG FACTS WEEK

Teenagers from the Van Buren County Youth Leadership Council (YLC) have joined forces with other teens and scientists across the United States as part of “National Drug Facts Week” (NDFW).  The week-long health observance, organized by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), part of the National Institutes of Health, takes place Monday, January 26^th through Sunday, February 1^st.  NDFW celebrates the inquisitive minds of teens by giving them a space (virtual or physical) to ask questions about drugs and to get scientific answers from experts.  As part of the NDFW celebration, the Harmony Community Schools YLC students have a variety of     activities planned that will occur in the High School, the Elementary School and the community.  The Van Buren Community Schools YLC students will also be participating and are currently planning their events. 

About a third of high school seniors across the country report using an illicit drug sometime in the past year, and more than ten percent report non-medical use of a narcotic painkiller.  While drugs can put a teenager’s health and life in jeopardy, many teens are not aware of the risks. Even for those teens who do not abuse drugs, many have friends or family who do, and they are often looking for ways to help them. 

We want teens to have the opportunity to learn what science has taught us about drug abuse and addiction.  There are so many myths about drugs cluttering our popular culture.  National Drug Facts Week is for teens to get honest answers about drugs so they can make good, informed decisions for themselves and share accurate information with friends.

Van Buren County YLC Members are active all year long working to prevent substance abuse in Van Buren County especially with their peers and younger children.  For more information on YLC please contact the SAFE Coalition at 319-293-6412 or at info@vbsafecoalition.com.  Please also check out the Coalition website at www.vbsafecoalition.com for information on YLC or about how to help prevent substance abuse in Van Buren County.  

How Are You Getting Home this New Year’s Eve? The SAFE Coalition Urges Drivers: Make a Sober Plan.

Drunk driving has become a national epidemic. Each year, drunk-driving crashes kill more than 10,000 people in America. The SAFE Coalition is working with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) this holiday season, to reach out to all drivers with an important message about this deadly, preventable crime because Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving.

Let’s say you go to a New Year’s party, you stay a few hours and have a few drinks. When it’s time to go, you think to yourself, “I’m fine to drive. I’ve only had a few drinks, and I barely feel buzzed.” You get in your car and drive toward home.  This act places you at risk of facing the consequences of drunk driving.  Buzzed driving places you and others on the road in danger of a crash; or worse, death.   Designate a sober driver.

Unfortunately, this scenario is all too realistic. Many people wrongly believe there’s a magic number of drinks or hours that determine your blood alcohol concentration (BAC).  But it’s different for every person. Many factors go into the effect alcohol has on your body. Everywhere in our country, it’s illegal to drive with a BAC of .08 or higher. A major misconception is that you have to be stumbling around drunk to be over that limit. For many people, it doesn’t take much alcohol to be too impaired for driving. NHTSA and the SAFE Coalition are hoping to change the way people think about drinking and driving, and help everyone realize that there’s no safe amount of alcohol for any driver.

Drivers convicted of DUI have many excuses, but the reality they all have in common is this: they didn’t plan ahead.  Designating a sober driver ahead of time is the only fool-proof way to avoid the dangers of drunk driving. If you wait until you’ve been drinking to gauge your level of impairment, it’s already too late.  You might tell yourself and others that you’re “okay to drive” when you’re not. Even one drink can impair your judgment and reaction time enough to cause you to overestimate your own abilities as a driver.

So next time you’re going to drink, do us all a favor and make a plan. Some simple ideas: leave your keys at home or give them to a friend; designate a sober driver who isn’t drinking at all; tell others your intentions about driving and stick to the plan; and most importantly—once you’ve had anything to drink, do not drive. Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving, so make the choice: are you drinking tonight or are you driving?

Drunk driving is never the right choice, no matter what. Even if you didn’t plan ahead, there’s always another way home. You could call a friend or family member to pick you up; and if you’re worried about leaving your car somewhere overnight, think about the alternative: a DUI costs about $10,000.

Please remember to stay safe by driving sober or by designating a sober driver this New Year’s Eve.

You Choose: Drink OR Drive - Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving

The holiday season is right around the corner. As Americans prepare for festivities with family and friends, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) wants to remind all drivers that it’s dangerous to drive after drinking. You have to choose your role before drinking begins: will you drink or will you drive? Remember, even if you only have a little bit to drink and think you’re “okay to drive,” you could still be over the legal limit, because Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving.

A lot of folks think they know their own limits. They think that if they’re just a little ‘buzzed,’ then they’re still good to drive. This couldn't be further from the truth. Time and again, drivers who may have only had a couple of drinks put themselves and others at serious risk.  Driving with any alcohol in your system can be dangerous.

In every state in the country, it’s illegal to drive with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 grams per deciliter (g/dL) or higher. And for some people, it doesn't take much to reach that level. We really want all Van Buren County drivers to understand that you don’t have to be falling-down drunk to be too impaired to drive. That’s why the Van Buren County SAFE Coalition is working with NHTSA to spread the message: Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving.

This anti-drunk-driving campaign aims to inform all Americans about the dangers of driving after drinking—even after drinking just a little. Drunk driving has become a terrible killer on our nation’s roads. Every year, more than 10,322 people are killed by drunk drivers in America. This time of year is especially dangerous due to holiday celebrations and frequent parties. In December 2012 alone, there were 830 people killed in crashes involving at least one drunk driver or motorcycle operator. On average, a third (31%) of all crash fatalities in America involves drunk driving.  

So this holiday season, NHTSA urges you to plan ahead: designate a sober driver. If you plan on drinking at all, don’t plan on driving. Don’t just assume that you’ll know whether you can safely drive or not at the end of the night.

Van Buren County drivers, please remember these tips to avoid a DUI and keep our roads safe: 

• Even one drink can impair your judgment and reaction time and increase the risk of getting arrested for         driving drunk or having a crash. 

• If you will be drinking, do not plan on driving.  Plan ahead; designate a sober driver before the party             begins. 

• When you know you’ll be drinking, leave your keys at home or give them to someone else.

• If you have been drinking, do not drive—even a short distance. Call a sober friend or family member.

 

Remember, it is never okay to drive after drinking. Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving.

For more information, visit www.trafficsafetymarketing.gov.

Van Buren County YLC News

Kaylee Stockwell, Mekenzie Rodibaugh,
Sarah Thornsberry and Tempis Rysdam
with the tree they decorated for the
Festival of Trees for the YLC Group 

Chase Murphy, Tristan Sample,
Emily Housh and Makinzie Fields
decorating the tree in the Keosauqua
Park for Christmas for the YLC Group

Van Buren County Youth Leadership Council Members have been busy this holiday season. The students chose to again take part in helping to make the season a little brighter for the community. High school YLC members spent a cold morning decorating the Christmas Tree that is in the Keosauqua City Park. This is a project they look forward to every year as it provides a festive look to the town as visitors approach from the bridge. The members that assisted with the decorating this year were; Tristan Sample, Chase Murphy, Emily Housh and Makinzie Fields. YLC members also decorated a tree for the Lions Club Festival of Trees event. The students like to be able to give back to the community that has provided so much for them and they feel this is one way they can do so. They received donated ornaments and lights for the tree and choose a day to go out and decorate the tree according to the theme. They put a lot of work into the tree so that it looks great and brings a high bid for the auction. The money raised from this event goes to the Christmas for Kids program in Van Buren County and any contribution they can make to support the cause is great! The students who assisted with the tree decorating this year were; Kaylee Stockwell, Mekenzie Rodibaugh, Tempis Rysdam, and Sarah Thornsberry.

YLC members are also working to raise money this year for new YLC t-shirts in order to do this they will be holding a variety of fundraisers throughout the year. The first one they participated in was working at the high school basketball game on December 3^rd in the concession stand. The YLC members look forward to getting shirts so they are recognizable in the community as they participate in their project and activities.

YLC members will be gearing up for spring activities soon where they participate in National Drug Facts Week, Kick Butts Day and Alcohol Awareness Month. Be watching for these students out in the community!

For more information on Van Buren County Youth Leadership Council or any of their activities you may contact the office at 319-293-6412 or via email at info@vbsafecoalition.com. You can also find out information about YLC on their website: http://ylc.vbsafecoalition.com/ or on Facebook: Van Buren YLC Chapter.