It’s Red Ribbon Week
National Family Partnership (NFP), was established as a grassroots, nonprofit organization in 1980 by a handful of concerned and determined parents who were convinced they should begin to play a leadership role in drug prevention. Today, NFP is a national leader in drug prevention education & advocacy. This year’s theme, “Respect Yourself. Be Drug Free.™”, created by a middle school student in Ohio, sends a powerful, positive message to our children – and we invite you to join us in spreading that message. Check out the planning guide for ideas on activities you can do in your community.
The Role of Physicians in Addressing Prescription Med Abuse
According to the National Institute for Drug Abuse, more than 100 million people in this country suffer from chronic pain, and for some opioid therapy may be the only option for relief. Physicians often walk a thin line in the desire to confront the public health emergency while upholding our oath to reduce the suffering of our patients. Robert E. Schaaf, M.D., president of the N.C. Medical Society, says “We, as physicians and physician assistants, have a responsibility to stop the abuse of opioids, as it saps the human and economic resources of our state and country.” This responsibility includes the…
NC Law: Underage Drinking and Private Parties
Although it is legal in some states for minors to drink alcohol at private parties with permission from their parents, North Carolina is not one of those states. Officials with the state Division of Alcohol Law Enforcement said any adult who allows a minor to consume alcohol or reasonably should have known that underage drinking was occurring in their home can be criminally charged for misdemeanor aiding and abetting. Click HERE for more on this story.
Resource on How to Talk to Teen About Marijuana
Partnership for Drug-Free Kids developed a guide for parents on how to have a difficult, but important conversation about marijuana.
Majority of Adults Support Bans on Powered Alcohol
Powdered alcohol is a new product approved for sale in the United States in March 2015. A packet of powdered alcohol, when combined with 6 ounces of water, makes a single serving of an alcoholic drink. Many states acted quickly to ban this product. In May 2015, researchers asked adults across the U.S. for their attitudes about potential laws regarding powdered alcohol. Here’s what they found: 90% of adults are concerned that powdered alcohol will be misused by people under 21 85% are concerned that powdered alcohol will increase use of alcohol for people under 21 81% are concerned that it…
Prevention is the Answer VIII: 2015 Emerging Issues Forum | August 11, 2015
Join prevention professionals from across the state during this year’s networking forum to learn more about changing trends, policies, and practices that affect agencies and professionals, as well as communities served. Tuesday, August 11, 2015 9:30am to 4:30pm First United Methodist Church 1630 Westbrook Avenue Elon, NC 27244 Click HERE to register
Increasing Overdoses From Synthetic Cannabinoids
Recent surges in hospitalizations linked to consumption of synthetic cannabinoid products (sold under brand names like “Spice,” “K2,” and others) have been reported in some southern states, including Missippi, Alabama, and Texas, and have prompted health warnings from officials in New York State. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo issued an alert after more than 160 patients were hospitalized following synthetic cannabinoid use in under two weeks in mid April, 2015.
Palcohol Gets the Green Light
The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau approved a new product Wednesday called Palcohol. It’s a dried form of alcohol that can be mixed with water to create liquid alcohol. Concerns over safety have already led several states, including South Carolina, Louisiana and Vermont, to ban powdered alcohol and other states are considering legislation, KPNX-TV in Phoenix reported. Some critics are concerned people may try to snort the powder or mix it with alcohol to make it even stronger or spike a drink. Click HERE for more on this story.
Early Cannabis Use Connected to Adult Memory Problems
Young adults who abused cannabis as teens performed about 18 percent worse on long-term memory tests than young adults who never abused cannabis. “The memory processes that appear to be affected by cannabis are ones that we use every day to solve common problems and to sustain our relationships with friends and family,” said senior author Dr. John Csernansky, the Lizzie Gilman professor and chair of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and Northwestern Memorial Hospital. The brain abnormalities and memory problems were observed during the individuals’ early twenties, two years after they stopped smoking…
SAMHSA Defends Keeping Drinking Age at 21
An opinion piece in the NY Times argued for the US to “Return the Drinking Age to 18, and Enforce It” SAMHA’s Pamela S. Hyde responded with the reasons why “maintaining the current minimum legal drinking age (MLDA) of 21 is critical to the health and safety of our nation’s individuals, families, and communities: Studies have found that people who begin drinking before age 15 are 4 times more likely to develop alcohol dependence during their lifetime than are people who begin drinking at age 21. Research has also shown a clear link between age 21 MLDA laws and a…