A study suggests that school-based prevention programs begun in elementary school can significantly reduce problem behaviors in students. Fifth graders who previously participated in a comprehensive interactive school prevention program for one to four years were about half as likely to engage in substance abuse, violent behavior, or sexual activity as those who did not take part in the program. The study, supported by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), a component of the National Institutes of Health, will appear in the August 2009 print issue of the American Journal of Public Health. The online version of the article is viewable today.
"This study provides compelling evidence that intervening with young children is a promising approach to preventing drug use and other problem behaviors," said NIDA Director Dr. Nora Volkow. "The fact that an intervention beginning in the first grade produced a significant effect on children's behavior in the fifth grade strengthens the case for initiating prevention programs in elementary school, before most children have begun to engage in problem behaviors.
"The study was conducted in 20 public elementary schools in Hawaii. Participating schools had below-average standardized test scores and diverse student populations with an average of 55 percent of students receiving free or reduced-price lunches.
The intervention tested was Positive Action (PA), a comprehensive K-12 social and emotional development program for enhancing behavior and academic achievement. Schools were randomly assigned from matched pairs to implement PA or not. The program consists of daily 15-20 minute interactive lessons focusing on such topics as responsible self-management, getting along with others, and self-improvement. At schools implementing the intervention, these lessons occupied a total of about one hour a week beginning in the first or second grade.
In fifth grade, 976 students (most aged 10 or 11) responded to a written questionnaire that asked about their use of substances, including tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drugs; involvement in violent behaviors, such as carrying a knife or threatening someone; and voluntary sexual activity. The total number of students reporting that they had engaged in any of these behaviors was small. Strikingly, however, students exposed to the PA program were about half as likely to report engaging in any of these behaviors as students not exposed to PA. Among students who were exposed to PA, those who had received the lessons for three or more years reported the lowest rates of experience with any of these problem behaviors.
"This study demonstrates that a comprehensive, school wide social and character development program can have a substantial impact on reducing problem behaviors of public health importance in elementary-school-age youth,"said Dr. Brian Flay of Oregon State University, the study's principal investigator.
PA is an interactive program that integrates teacher/student contact and opportunities for the exchange of ideas as well as feedback and constructive criticism. The program is school wide and involves teachers and parents as well as students. It takes a positive, holistic approach to social and emotional development rather than focusing on the negative aspects of engaging in substance abuse and violence. Finally, at one hour a week, students' exposure to the program was intensive. "These features likely account for the large effect observed,"concluded Dr. Flay.
Dr. Flay plans to conduct a follow-up study to determine whether the beneficial effects of the PA program on fifth graders are sustained, as the children grow older.
Article obtained from: http://www.cadca.org/CoalitionsOnline/article.asp?id=2229
Friday, June 26, 2009
Monday, June 22, 2009
Cousin gets jail for giving driver alcohol
An Ogilvie, Minn., woman was sentenced to 90 days in jail for providing alcohol to the underage driver in a fatal crash.
By PAT PHEIFER, Star Tribune
June 17, 2009
Tonya Rae Swanson wasn't in the car that rear-ended another vehicle at an intersection in Blaine, killing Bradley F. Lyver, 29, the night of Sept. 28. But she provided alcohol for the 19-year-old driver, who was drunk and behind the wheel.
In a victim-impact statement read at Swanson's sentencing hearing Wednesday in Ramsey County District Court, the victim's father, Paul Lyver, said Swanson has shown no remorse and, at least initially, refused to accept responsibility for her part in his son's death.
"We no longer have the son whom we adored, the children no longer have their father," said the statement read by Ana Allen, a certified student attorney representing the county attorney's office.
Swanson, 31, of Ogilvie, Minn., pleaded guilty April 23 to providing alcohol to an underage person resulting in death. District Judge Kathleen Gearin abided by the plea agreement and sentenced her to 90 days in jail and up to five years on probation.
A co-defendant, Daniel Lagace, 31, of New Brighton, pleaded guilty to the same charge and is to be sentenced July 27 by District Judge Edward Wilson. He also provided alcohol to Jennifer Swanson, Tonya Swanson's cousin.
Jennifer Swanson, also of Ogilvie, pleaded guilty April 6 in Anoka County District Court to two counts of criminal vehicular homicide and is scheduled to be sentenced next Thursday by District Judge Lawrence Johnson.
According to the charges, said the female cousins met Lagace and his friend, Joseph Hammack, 18, on the Live Links telephone chat line. The women drove 53 miles from their home to Lagace's home, drinking grape-flavored wine coolers along the way. Jennifer Swanson later told police she drank eight or nine of the wine coolers bought by Tonya Swanson.
When they reached Lagace's home, Jennifer Swanson drove Lagace to the liquor store to buy a bottle of liquor. Lagace, Hammack and Jennifer Swanson drank about three-quarters of the bottle, Tonya Swanson told police.
An argument ensued after Jennifer Swanson and Lagace had sex, and she then began "making out" with Hammack, the criminal complaint said. Jennifer Swanson "went storming to her vehicle but left her glasses behind," the complaint said.
At the intersection of Hwy. 65 and 93rd Lane NE., Jennifer Swanson rear-ended a car stopped at a red light. Lyver was a passenger in that car. The GPS system in Swanson's car said her top speed was 111 miles per hour, but it was unknown how fast she was going at the time of the crash.
Tonya Swanson sobbed as she stood beside her attorney, Christopher Zipko, at the sentencing hearing. The judge ordered her to turn herself in on July 6.
Article obtained from: http://www.startribune.com/local/north/48298512.html?page=2&c=y
By PAT PHEIFER, Star Tribune
June 17, 2009
Tonya Rae Swanson wasn't in the car that rear-ended another vehicle at an intersection in Blaine, killing Bradley F. Lyver, 29, the night of Sept. 28. But she provided alcohol for the 19-year-old driver, who was drunk and behind the wheel.
In a victim-impact statement read at Swanson's sentencing hearing Wednesday in Ramsey County District Court, the victim's father, Paul Lyver, said Swanson has shown no remorse and, at least initially, refused to accept responsibility for her part in his son's death.
"We no longer have the son whom we adored, the children no longer have their father," said the statement read by Ana Allen, a certified student attorney representing the county attorney's office.
Swanson, 31, of Ogilvie, Minn., pleaded guilty April 23 to providing alcohol to an underage person resulting in death. District Judge Kathleen Gearin abided by the plea agreement and sentenced her to 90 days in jail and up to five years on probation.
A co-defendant, Daniel Lagace, 31, of New Brighton, pleaded guilty to the same charge and is to be sentenced July 27 by District Judge Edward Wilson. He also provided alcohol to Jennifer Swanson, Tonya Swanson's cousin.
Jennifer Swanson, also of Ogilvie, pleaded guilty April 6 in Anoka County District Court to two counts of criminal vehicular homicide and is scheduled to be sentenced next Thursday by District Judge Lawrence Johnson.
According to the charges, said the female cousins met Lagace and his friend, Joseph Hammack, 18, on the Live Links telephone chat line. The women drove 53 miles from their home to Lagace's home, drinking grape-flavored wine coolers along the way. Jennifer Swanson later told police she drank eight or nine of the wine coolers bought by Tonya Swanson.
When they reached Lagace's home, Jennifer Swanson drove Lagace to the liquor store to buy a bottle of liquor. Lagace, Hammack and Jennifer Swanson drank about three-quarters of the bottle, Tonya Swanson told police.
An argument ensued after Jennifer Swanson and Lagace had sex, and she then began "making out" with Hammack, the criminal complaint said. Jennifer Swanson "went storming to her vehicle but left her glasses behind," the complaint said.
At the intersection of Hwy. 65 and 93rd Lane NE., Jennifer Swanson rear-ended a car stopped at a red light. Lyver was a passenger in that car. The GPS system in Swanson's car said her top speed was 111 miles per hour, but it was unknown how fast she was going at the time of the crash.
Tonya Swanson sobbed as she stood beside her attorney, Christopher Zipko, at the sentencing hearing. The judge ordered her to turn herself in on July 6.
Article obtained from: http://www.startribune.com/local/north/48298512.html?page=2&c=y
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Town grads allowed 10 drinks at party
By Lana Haight, The StarPhoenixJune 6, 2009
As high school graduation approaches, some people are asking what's safe about "safe grad" parties.
"Having 10 drinks in one evening would not be safe for many," said Colleen Dell, research chair in substance abuse in the sociology department at the University of Saskatchewan.
Next weekend, some parents of Lanigan Central High School graduates will host a "safe grad" party at an undisclosed location. Graduates planning to attend the Saturday night drinking party had to submit a form signed by their parents in advance of the party. The graduates had to pre-order and pre-pay for the alcohol they'll drink during the 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. party. Graduates and their guests, who have to be in Grade 10 or higher, will be allowed up to 10 drinks, including beer, vodka, rum and rye.
"That boggles the mind," said Diane Fontaine, president of the Saskatoon and area Mothers Against Drunk Driving. "It's pretty scary."
Having that many alcoholic drinks at one time is considered binge drinking, says Dell, who added the definition of binge drinking is five or more drinks.
"The idea of safe grad is around drinking and driving and keeping people alive," she said.
"Is that really the goal we want for our kids -- is to simply keep them alive?"
She worries the party will be the start of a drinking pattern that continues through the summer. The dangers of binge drinking include alcohol poisoning, violence and unprotected sex.
Coralea MacDonald, whose daughter will not be attending the party even though she is graduating, was surprised to learn of the "safe grad."
"It's illegal for anyone under 19 to drink alcohol," she said. "How can we do something illegal legally?"
Police are aware that "safe grad" parties happen in communities throughout Saskatchewan.
"The model that I'm referring to talks about where there is a parent or guardian on-site and they are making a decision, as the parent or guardian, for their child, in terms of whether or not they are going to provide them alcoholic beverages at that specific time, in that specific location, at a private place," explained RCMP Sgt. Brian Jones.
"It is an arrangement between private property owners and parents and guardians of those people in attendance. It's a private function on private land. Whether it's a good idea or not is not for us to decide," he said.
Allowing the graduates to drink large quantities of alcohol, even if they aren't driving, sets a bad example, says Fontaine, who adds MADD promotes drinking responsibly, which means adults drinking moderate amounts and then not driving.
"We don't like 'safe grads' because there is still drinking and it encourages underage drinking," said Fontaine.
MacDonald is disappointed parents are organizing the drinking party.
"As adults, I don't think we should say, 'Go for it and we'll watch you get drunk.'
"We're not trying to ruin everyone's fun," said MacDonald, who wishes the teenagers could celebrate their graduation without having to drink alcohol.
Officially, Lanigan graduates will celebrate with a ceremony and dinner on June 12, the day before the "safe grad." The school staff members are not involved in the "safe grad," says Ken Sogge, communications director for Horizon school division.
"They are illegal," he said in an interview.
"If parents choose that that's how they are going to celebrate the graduation of their child or their student, there's really nothing anybody can do about it."
One of the parents involved in the "safe grad" had no comment when contacted by The StarPhoenix and said none of the parent organizers wanted to be interviewed about the party.
Article from: http://www.thestarphoenix.com/news/Town+grads+allowed+drinks+party/1669392/story.html
LET US KNOW YOUR COMMENTS!
As high school graduation approaches, some people are asking what's safe about "safe grad" parties.
"Having 10 drinks in one evening would not be safe for many," said Colleen Dell, research chair in substance abuse in the sociology department at the University of Saskatchewan.
Next weekend, some parents of Lanigan Central High School graduates will host a "safe grad" party at an undisclosed location. Graduates planning to attend the Saturday night drinking party had to submit a form signed by their parents in advance of the party. The graduates had to pre-order and pre-pay for the alcohol they'll drink during the 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. party. Graduates and their guests, who have to be in Grade 10 or higher, will be allowed up to 10 drinks, including beer, vodka, rum and rye.
"That boggles the mind," said Diane Fontaine, president of the Saskatoon and area Mothers Against Drunk Driving. "It's pretty scary."
Having that many alcoholic drinks at one time is considered binge drinking, says Dell, who added the definition of binge drinking is five or more drinks.
"The idea of safe grad is around drinking and driving and keeping people alive," she said.
"Is that really the goal we want for our kids -- is to simply keep them alive?"
She worries the party will be the start of a drinking pattern that continues through the summer. The dangers of binge drinking include alcohol poisoning, violence and unprotected sex.
Coralea MacDonald, whose daughter will not be attending the party even though she is graduating, was surprised to learn of the "safe grad."
"It's illegal for anyone under 19 to drink alcohol," she said. "How can we do something illegal legally?"
Police are aware that "safe grad" parties happen in communities throughout Saskatchewan.
"The model that I'm referring to talks about where there is a parent or guardian on-site and they are making a decision, as the parent or guardian, for their child, in terms of whether or not they are going to provide them alcoholic beverages at that specific time, in that specific location, at a private place," explained RCMP Sgt. Brian Jones.
"It is an arrangement between private property owners and parents and guardians of those people in attendance. It's a private function on private land. Whether it's a good idea or not is not for us to decide," he said.
Allowing the graduates to drink large quantities of alcohol, even if they aren't driving, sets a bad example, says Fontaine, who adds MADD promotes drinking responsibly, which means adults drinking moderate amounts and then not driving.
"We don't like 'safe grads' because there is still drinking and it encourages underage drinking," said Fontaine.
MacDonald is disappointed parents are organizing the drinking party.
"As adults, I don't think we should say, 'Go for it and we'll watch you get drunk.'
"We're not trying to ruin everyone's fun," said MacDonald, who wishes the teenagers could celebrate their graduation without having to drink alcohol.
Officially, Lanigan graduates will celebrate with a ceremony and dinner on June 12, the day before the "safe grad." The school staff members are not involved in the "safe grad," says Ken Sogge, communications director for Horizon school division.
"They are illegal," he said in an interview.
"If parents choose that that's how they are going to celebrate the graduation of their child or their student, there's really nothing anybody can do about it."
One of the parents involved in the "safe grad" had no comment when contacted by The StarPhoenix and said none of the parent organizers wanted to be interviewed about the party.
Article from: http://www.thestarphoenix.com/news/Town+grads+allowed+drinks+party/1669392/story.html
LET US KNOW YOUR COMMENTS!
Thursday, June 11, 2009
The Prevention Paradox and a Public Health Approach to College Student Drinking
Tobin Nelson, University of Minnesota School of Public Health
May 21, 2009
Heavy use of alcohol is the third leading cause of mortality in the United States, accounting for nearly 80,000 deaths on an annual basis.[1] Heavy drinking is a particular problem among young people who attend college.
More than four in five college students drink alcohol and they tend to drink more heavily than older adults and their peers who do not attend college.[2-4] Beyond the risk of death, drinking causes a wide range of serious negative health and social consequences for college students who drink and for those around them.[4] These negative consequences need to be prevented.
While the problems associated with college student drinking are well-documented, effective solutions remain elusive. Despite concerted effort over the past decade, no significant improvements in student alcohol use and negative consequences have been observed.[4-6]. The lack of progress to date in reducing student alcohol use is due, in part, to a failure to consider the problem from a Public Health, or population, perspective. This research brief describes the empirical basis for a fundamental concept supporting a Public Health approach, the Prevention Paradox, as it relates to college student drinking. These data motivate a subsequent discussion of "high-risk" and "population" approaches to addressing the problem of student drinking, with direct implications for prevention practice.
See the full research brief at: http://www.sph.umn.edu/about/pubs/brief/home.html
May 21, 2009
Heavy use of alcohol is the third leading cause of mortality in the United States, accounting for nearly 80,000 deaths on an annual basis.[1] Heavy drinking is a particular problem among young people who attend college.
More than four in five college students drink alcohol and they tend to drink more heavily than older adults and their peers who do not attend college.[2-4] Beyond the risk of death, drinking causes a wide range of serious negative health and social consequences for college students who drink and for those around them.[4] These negative consequences need to be prevented.
While the problems associated with college student drinking are well-documented, effective solutions remain elusive. Despite concerted effort over the past decade, no significant improvements in student alcohol use and negative consequences have been observed.[4-6]. The lack of progress to date in reducing student alcohol use is due, in part, to a failure to consider the problem from a Public Health, or population, perspective. This research brief describes the empirical basis for a fundamental concept supporting a Public Health approach, the Prevention Paradox, as it relates to college student drinking. These data motivate a subsequent discussion of "high-risk" and "population" approaches to addressing the problem of student drinking, with direct implications for prevention practice.
See the full research brief at: http://www.sph.umn.edu/about/pubs/brief/home.html
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Parents' Influence on Teen Drinking
Reported by: Myhighplains.com
Monday, May 25, 2009 @01:49pm
Teenagers are bound to experiment with drugs, alcohol and sex - right?
Not necessarily, says 15-year-old Nick. "It's not inevitable," he says. "It's just a personal decision."
"There's [sic] a lot of people who just don't want to try any of that stuff, but there are some people who do," says 15-year-old Chris Mullings.
The Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs reports that when underage drinkers are disciplined by their parents they are less likely to become heavy drinkers compared to kids whose parents ignore their drinking.
See the full article at: http://myhighplains.com/content/fulltext/?cid=57761
Monday, May 25, 2009 @01:49pm
Teenagers are bound to experiment with drugs, alcohol and sex - right?
Not necessarily, says 15-year-old Nick. "It's not inevitable," he says. "It's just a personal decision."
"There's [sic] a lot of people who just don't want to try any of that stuff, but there are some people who do," says 15-year-old Chris Mullings.
The Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs reports that when underage drinkers are disciplined by their parents they are less likely to become heavy drinkers compared to kids whose parents ignore their drinking.
See the full article at: http://myhighplains.com/content/fulltext/?cid=57761
Apple Valley, Rosemount Social Host Ordinances Tap First Offenders
By Katie Mintz - Sun Newspapers
(Created: Thursday, May 21, 2009 8:00 AM CDT)
An intoxicated teen stumbled down the residential street in Apple Valley. Others sped away in cars.
A neighbor called the police concerned an underage drinking party was getting out of hand.
But when Apple Valley Police Department officers stopped one vehicle leaving the residence around 1 a.m. Sunday, May 3, they learned adults sanctioned the event - and were home at the time.
Police Chief Scott Johnson said parents of a teen eventually allowed officers to enter their house. They determined 15 juveniles aged 17 and 18 from Apple Valley and Eagan had been drinking alcohol in the lower level of the home.
See the full article at: http://www.mnsun.com/articles/2009/05/26/news/av21socialhost.txt
(Created: Thursday, May 21, 2009 8:00 AM CDT)
An intoxicated teen stumbled down the residential street in Apple Valley. Others sped away in cars.
A neighbor called the police concerned an underage drinking party was getting out of hand.
But when Apple Valley Police Department officers stopped one vehicle leaving the residence around 1 a.m. Sunday, May 3, they learned adults sanctioned the event - and were home at the time.
Police Chief Scott Johnson said parents of a teen eventually allowed officers to enter their house. They determined 15 juveniles aged 17 and 18 from Apple Valley and Eagan had been drinking alcohol in the lower level of the home.
See the full article at: http://www.mnsun.com/articles/2009/05/26/news/av21socialhost.txt
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