TALK WITH YOUR CHILD ABOUT ALCOHOL

The Chance That Children Will Use Alcohol Increases as They Get Older. 

About 10 percent of 12-year-olds say they have tried alcohol, but by age 15, that number jumps to 50 percent. The sooner you talk to your children about alcohol, the greater chance you have of influencing their decisions about drinking.[1]

Parents Play a Critical Role in Children’s Decisions to Experiment with Alcohol. 

Studies have shown that parents have a significant influence on young people’s decisions about alcohol consumption,[2]  especially when parents create supportive and nurturing environments in which their children can make their own decisions.[3] In fact, around 80 percent of children feel that parents should have a say in whether they drink alcohol.[4],[5]

The Conversation Is Often More Effective Before Children Start Drinking. 

If you talk to your kids directly and honestly, they are more likely to respect your rules and advice about alcohol use.

Some Children May Try Alcohol as Early as 9 Years Old. 

Most 6-year-olds know that alcohol is only for adults. Between the ages of 9 and 13, children start to view alcohol more positively. Many children begin to think underage drinking is OK. Some even start to experiment. It is never too early to talk to your children about alcohol.[6]

If You Do Not Talk About It, You Are Still Saying Something. 

What you say to your children about alcohol is up to you. But remember parents who do not discourage underage drinking may have an indirect influence on their children’s alcohol use.[7]

It is important to:[8]

• Talk early and often, in developmentally appropriate ways, with children and teens about your concerns—and theirs—regarding alcohol. Adolescents who know their parents’ opinions about youth drinking are more likely to fall in line with their expectations.

• Establish policies early on, and be consistent in setting expectations and enforcing rules. Adolescents do feel that parents should have a say in decisions about drinking, and they maintain this deference to parental authority as long as they perceive the message to be legitimate; consistency is central to legitimacy.

• Work with other parents to monitor where kids are gathering and what they are doing. Being involved in the lives of adolescents is key to keeping them safe.

• Work in and with the community to promote dialogue about underage drinking and the creation and implementation of action steps to address it.

• Be aware of your State’s laws about providing alcohol to your own children.

• Never provide alcohol to someone else’s child.

To help parents in preventing and reducing adolescent alcohol and drug use, The Partnership at Drugfree.org provides information and tools through its website, its community education programs, and its public service messages.  Other web resources: www.theantidrug.com, www.timetotalk.org- Great Parent Talk Kit, www.drugfreeactionalliance.org, www.drugfree.org.  Parents, family, and friends of kids please make sure to check out these sites or contact the SAFE Coalition for more information on issues that kids are facing today.  Van Buren County SAFE Coalition: 319-293-3334 ext. 1017, info@vbsafecoalition.com or check us out online at www.vbsafecoalition.com and on Facebook – Van Buren County SAFE Coalition. 

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References

[1] the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Prevent and Reduce Underage Drinking: A Guide to Action for Educators. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Surgeon General, 2007.

[2] Nash, S.G., McQueen, A., and Bray, J.H. (2005). Pathways to adolescent alcohol use: Family environment, peer influence, and parental expectations. Journal of Adolescent Health, 37(1), 19–28.

[3] Barnes, G.M., Reifman, A.S., Farrell, M.P., and Dintcheff, B.A. (2000). The effects of parenting on the development of adolescent alcohol misuse: A six-wave latent growth model. Journal of Marriage and Family, 62(1), 175–186.

[4] Jackson, C. (2002). Perceived legitimacy of parental authority and tobacco and alcohol use during early adolescence. Journal of Adolescent Health 31(5), 425–432.

[5] Nash, S.G., McQueen, A., and Bray, J.H. (2005). Pathways to adolescent alcohol use: Family environment, peer influence, and parental expectations. Journal of Adolescent Health, 37(1), 19–28.

[6] the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Prevent and Reduce Underage Drinking: A Guide to Action for Educators. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Surgeon General, 2007.

[7] Sieving, R.E., Maruyama, G., Williams, C.L., and Perry, C.L. (2000). Pathways to adolescent alcohol use: Potential mechanisms of parent influence. Journal of Research on Adolescence, 10(4), 489–514.

[8] the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2007

Do YOU want to make a difference in Van Buren County?

The Van Buren County SAFE Coalition is continually looking for community members who are interested in making Van Buren County a SAFE place to live.

The Van Buren County SAFE Coalition came together originally in 1993, after the floods, as a way to get community members together to work on a specific issue.  This group was organized to assist with flood efforts and clean-up after the flood.  The group met sporadically over the next few years.  It was not until December of 2002 that the group became organized.  There were 11 members at the first organized meeting and the group has now grown to over 60 members. 

The coalition is currently working on strategies to address tobacco prevention, underage drinking, underage binge drinking, suicide prevention, and adult deaths caused by overconsumption of alcohol in Van Buren County with Community Partnership Funds, Community Grants, and the Iowa Partnership for Success Funds. This work requires input from all areas of the community. If you are a parent, business owner, concerned citizen, faith-based representative, young adult, youth worker, youth, or anyone else who wants to make a difference, the coalition needs you. Your input is valuable and we want to hear from you.

If you are interested in finding out more about the coalition or think that you would like to get involved the coalition would love to have you join! Coalition meetings are held on the 3^rd Tuesday of the month at 4:30 pm with light refreshments at 4:15 pm at the VBC Community Services Center Conference Room in Keosauqua. There is a conference line if you cannot be there in person but would like to call in and participate in the meeting. 

Next Meeting:

March 17, 2020

4:30 pm

VBC Community Services Center Conference Room

(Hospital Emergency Room Driveway on the Left)

If you are interested in joining but not able to attend or call into the meeting, please contact us at 319-293-3334 ext. 1017 or via email at safe.coalition@van-burencsd.org and you can be added to our member list.

Check us out on the web for more information: http://www.van-buren.k12.ia.us/vnews/display.v/SEC/RESOURCES%7CSAFE%20COALITION or on the blog at - http://vbsafecoalition.blogspot.com/ or on Facebook at Van Buren County SAFE Coalition.

  

VAN BUREN COUNTY SAFE COALITION ATTENDED CADCA’S NATIONAL LEADERSHIP FORUM TO LEARN NEW SKILLS TO INCREASE SUBSTANCE MISUSE PREVENTION EFFORTS IN VAN BUREN COUNTY

A representative from Van Buren County headed to the Washington, D.C., area to join more than 3,000 substance misuse prevention specialists and advocates from throughout the country for CADCA’s (Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America's) 30th Annual National Leadership Forum.

“I was so excited to be able to spend several days with other similar organizations from across the country, learning and honing my prevention skills so my community can be a better place, one that doesn’t suffer from the harms of substance misuse,” said Kris Rankin SAFE Coalition & IPFS Coordinator. “I came back re-energized with new strategies under my belt to tackle substance use in Van Buren County.”

CADCA’s Forum covered a wide range of topics – everything from how to prevent prescription misuse to addressing electronic cigarettes use, trending marijuana issues and how to develop policies to reduce underage drinking.

Our coalition has recently impacted the community by working to address underage drinking and underage binge drinking by working with local privately owned facilities that host community events and city councils to develop best practices alcohol restrictions for their facilities and public places.  The coalition also worked with the Van Buren County Community School District to implement the Botvin Life Skills Curriculum with the 7^th & 8^th grade students during their Explore Rotation.  The coalition has also continued to work with the 7-12^th grade students at the Van Buren County Junior/Senior High School through the Youth Leadership Council.  The Youth Leadership Council learns about substance misuse and then does activities for their peers to promote a substance abuse free lifestyle. 

Our coalition representative heard from several leaders including Dr. Nora Volkow, Director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA).  The SAFE Coalition also met with U.S. Representatives and Senators at the Forum’s Capitol Hill Day event on Wednesday, Feb. 5. During those meetings, they shared local data with each of them to show what has been happening around substance misuse in Van Buren County. 

CADCA’s National Leadership Forum, the nation’s largest training event for community prevention leaders, treatment professionals and researchers took place at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center Feb. 3-6, 2020. Visit the CADCA Forum website for details about training sessions, speakers and special events.

The Van Buren County SAFE Coalition seeks to stimulate community involvement to promote responsible behaviors, among youth and adults leading to SAFE (Substance Abuse Free Environments) and healthy communities.  For information about the coalition please contact the SAFE Coalition by phone at 319-293-3334 ext. 1017 or by email at safe.coalition@van-burencsd.org.

About CADCA The mission of CADCA (Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America) is to strengthen the capacity of community coalitions to create and maintain safe, healthy and drug-free communities globally. This is accomplished by providing technical assistance and training, public policy advocacy, media strategies and marketing programs, training and special events.

Participate in Through with Chew Week

Through With Chew (TWC) Week is February 16-22, 2020. The Van Buren County Youth Leadership Council (YLC) would like to encourage our community members to love themselves and quit using chewing tobacco and snuff! The Great American Spit Out occurs February 20, 2020.

During this week the Middle School YLC members will have posters with information to encourage their peers to not use Chewing Tobacco displayed in the Middle/High School.  The High School YLC members have designed a bulletin board to help their peers understand the dangers of Chewing Tobacco. 

The dangers of smokeless tobacco include the following:

·         Chew contains at least 28 chemicals that have been found to cause cancer in the mouth, esophagus, and pancreas.

·         Treating oral cancers can involve removal of tissue and bone including the tongue and jaw.

·         Smokeless tobacco can also cause gum disease, heart disease, and precancerous mouth sores.

·         On average, chew products deliver a higher dose of nicotine than cigarettes making the product more habit forming.

For more information on Through with Chew week, the Great American Spit Out, or YLC please contact the SAFE Coalition office at safe.coalition@van-burencsd.org or 319-293-3334 ext. 1017. 

As Super Bowl LIV Season Begins, Spread the Word: Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk

Super Bowl LIV is right around the corner. This year, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is teaming up with the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office and SAFE Coalition to remind football fans and Super Bowl partygoers that designated drivers are the best defense against the dangers of drunk driving. Super Bowl LIV falls on Sunday, February 2, 2020. If your Super Bowl celebration involves alcohol, plan for a ride home with a sober driver. If you’re hosting the party, take care of the designated drivers. We want to remind everyone that Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk.

Everyone wants to have a good time on Super Bowl night, so we want our community folks to plan safe rides home if they plan to be out at a party. Even one drink can impair judgment. You should never put yourself, or others, at risk because you made the choice to drink and drive. Even one drink can be one too many.

Whether you’re attending a party, hosting a party, or going out to a bar, keep safety at the forefront of your night. When it’s time to leave, make sure your designated driver is actually sober. If they decided to drink, call someone else who you know hasn’t been drinking to get you home safely. Remember that walking impaired can also be dangerous, so designate a sober friend to walk home with you. If you are driving, remember that sober driving isn’t the only law that should be followed: Make sure you — and your driver — wear your seat belts.

If you’re planning to be a designated driver, know that you’re the night’s MVP. No matter what, do not drink any alcohol — people are relying on you. While at the party, enjoy the food, the company, and the non-alcoholic drinks. Encourage other designated drivers on social media using the hashtag #DesignatedDriver. Your positive influence could help keep other designated drivers on the right track. If someone you know has been drinking and tries to drive, take their keys and help them get home safely. Even if they make a fuss at the moment, they’ll thank you later. 

If you’re hosting this year’s Super Bowl party, prepare plenty of snacks and non-alcoholic beverages for your guests and the designated drivers. Get creative and try out some Super Bowl-themed snacks and beverages. Support your designated drivers by tweeting their names to @NHTSAgov to add their name to the Wall of Fame, and use the hashtag #DesignatedDriver. They are doing everyone a favor by keeping drunk drivers off the roads. Ask your guests to designate their sober drivers in advance, or help them coordinate with other partygoers’ designated drivers. Remind your drinking guests that they have a long evening ahead of them, and encourage them to pace themselves, to eat food, and to drink plenty of water. Another important reminder: Do not serve alcohol to minors. If an underage person drinks and drives, the person who provided the alcohol can be held liable for any damage, injury, or death caused by the underage driver. In fact, you can face jail time if you host a party where alcohol is served to people under the age of 21.

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

If you’re heading out for a night of Super Bowl fun, make a game plan and follow these simple tips for a safe and happy evening:

·         Remember that it is never okay to drive drunk. Designate a sober driver or a ride to get home safely if you plan to drink.

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

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

Remember: If you drive drunk, you may lose money, your reputation, your car, and even your life. Everyone should know by now that it is illegal to drive impaired. Even still, thousands die each year in drunk-driving-related crashes. In 2018, there were 10,511 people killed in drunk-driving crashes. The costs can be financial, too: If you’re caught drinking and driving, you can face jail time, lose your driver’s license and your vehicle, and pay up to $10,000 in attorney’s fees, fines, car towing, higher insurance rates, and lost wages.

For more information on the dangers of drunk driving, visit https://www.trafficsafetymarketing.gov/get-materials/drunk-driving/buzzed-driving-drunk-driving/super-bowl.

Van Buren County IPFS Project Update

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.

The coalition has received a nine-month extension (September 30, 2019—June 30, 2020) from IDPH funded through the 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. 

During the nine-month extension of the IPFS Project the coalition will be implementing the four strategies it has been funded to work on as follows: 
1) Alcohol Restrictions at Community Events at Privately Owned Facilities: The coalition is working 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.  During the next six months, the coalition members will continue to work with three of the ten facilities that have not implemented policies in Van Buren County to encourage the implementation of written alcohol restrictions policies.  The coalition would recommend that all facilities in the county put into place a written alcohol restriction policy. 

2) Alcohol Restrictions in Public Places: The coalition is working 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 will be working with at least two city councils in the next six months to help them to implement these policies.  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. 

3) Older Adult Drinking Prevention Media Campaign: The coalition will be working with local media outlets to implement IDPH’s “As You Age, THINK BEFORE YOU DRINK” older adult drinking prevention media campaign.  The plan is to utilize posters at the hospital and clinics, a billboard ad, newspaper ads, and radio ads to promote the campaign in the next six months.  The coalition will be working with local media outlets to ensure older adults are exposed to the media campaign. 

4) Adult Suicide Prevention: The coalition will be working to increase the capacity of the county to address Adult Suicide Prevention.  The coalition will be working to educate community members on the risk and signs of potential suicide in family members and friends.  The coalition will host an ASIST Training in the next six months to train local community members and stakeholders in how to help prevent suicides in the county.  The coalition members will also be working to promote IDPH’s Your Life Iowa website (yourlifeiowa.org) and related resources.  This will include the distribution of resources as well as articles and ads in the newspaper.   

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 safe.coalition@van-burencsd.org.

Working Together to Make Van Buren County SAFE

The Van Buren County SAFE Coalition, through funding from the Iowa Partnerships for Success
Grant, is working to combat underage drinking. Residents may not realize that preventing alcohol abuse begins with effective policies and procedures. It is common to think of law enforcement as the primary way to stop teen drinking through arrests and citations.  It is clear that law enforcement is a vital part of the network that is working to prevent and stop underage drinking and youth binge drinking; however, actions taken at the city and private facility level are also key to creating a healthy and safe environment for teens and adults.

A good example of this is Keosauqua’s Band Shell Rental Policy that requires adult supervision of events with participants under 21 years of age, that no alcohol be provided to anyone under the age of 21 at an event, a higher deposit for events with alcohol being served or sold at them, that alcohol be consumed in a fenced portion of the property where participants under the age of 21 are not allowed, and if cash bars are used, they must provide proof of dram shop insurance and have a valid liquor sales license. 

The SAFE Coalition is available to work with residents, organizations and community leaders to prevent underage drinking and to help develop appropriate policies for their location. The coalition has worked with the Douds Community Center, the Douds Community Club Grounds, the Lodge at Windy Ridge, and the Keosauqua Senior Center to develop new written policies for their private facilities.  They have all now implemented new written alcohol restriction policies for their facilities.  The coalition has worked with the City of Birmingham and the City of Farmington to develop alcohol restriction policies for their Public Places.  Birmingham implemented a no alcohol allowed policy for their Baseball Field and Farmington hung signs at Indian Lake reminding people staying there to not provide alcohol to underage people at the park.  The coalition will continue to work with local private facilities and city councils to implement new policies to help prevent underage drinking.  Residents are encouraged to learn about and advocate for strong alcohol-related policies for their communities.

The SAFE Coalition and Sieda Community Action offer free Merchant Alcohol Training where servers are trained in the best practices of alcohol service to keep alcohol out of the hands of the youth in the county.  The SAFE Coalition also has ID Scanners that can be utilized during any event in the Van Buren County area. 

The SAFE Coalition received the Iowa Partnerships for Success Grant in February 2015 to address underage drinking and underage binge drinking in Van Buren County.  The Van Buren County SAFE Coalition’s Partnership for Success project is funded by the Iowa Department of Public Health, through Sunday Sales Tax.

For more information on underage drinking, visit http://www.whatdoyouthrowaway.org/ or contact the SAFE Coalition at 319-293-3334 ext. 1017 or safe.coalition@van-burencsd.org.