Chemical Health Initiative of Goodhue County

Heavy Drinking During Teen Years May Harm Brain Development, Study Finds

2011-01-06T14:41:00.004-06:00

By Elizabeth Lopatto - Oct 19, 2010
bloomberg.com

Heavy drinking as a teenager may change brain development, affecting areas involved in judgment, social skills and decision-making, according to a study.

Researchers determined that teenagers scored worse on a battery of psychological tests if they were diagnosed with substance abuse or dependence, compared with nonabusing teens, according to a study in the journal Alcoholism. The study also found that the adolescents who used marijuana had significantly poorer memory than those who didn’t.

Adolescence is a time when the brain develops rapidly and social skills, foresight and abstract reasoning are developed, according to previous research. Those are areas of the mind that are consistently impaired in adult alcoholics, according to background material in today’s study.

“The presence of clinically significant binge drinking and marijuana use diverts the course of normal cognitive development,” wrote the authors, led by Robert Thoma, a psychiatrist at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque.

The study examined 19 adolescents with a diagnosis of alcohol abuse or dependence who were an average of 16 years old. They told researchers they had about 13 drinks a day, on the days they decided to drink. That group was compared with 15 teens, with an average age of 14.7 years, who had no history of substance abuse. This group reported having an average of less than one drink on the days they chose to drink

Minnesota Rolls Out Rx Database To Help Curb Prescription Drug Abuse

2010-03-31T09:54:00.003-05:00

Wednesday, January 06, 2010

This week, Minnesota launched a prescription tracking database designed to identify prescription drug abuse. The project requires pharmacies to use the Minnesota Prescription Monitoring Program to report the dispersal of addictive controlled substances.

By the end of March, the program will allow health care providers and pharmacists to access the database and identify patients who might be misusing prescribed drugs.

The program does not require health care providers to consult the database before writing or dispersing drugs. It also does not require providers to report patients they suspect of prescription drug abuse or withhold prescriptions from such patients.

Privacy Concerns
Some advocates have expressed concern that the database could infringe on patient privacy. However, officials say the program includes several safeguards designed to protect the privacy of consumers.

The initiative only permits authorized health care providers to access the database. Law enforcement officials would need to obtain a court order or search warrant to access the registry. In addition, health care workers could face disciplinary action for using the prescription data inappropriately.

Officials also said the program will erase prescription data after a year

(Lohn, AP/Minneapolis Star Tribune, 1/5).

Teens who drink with parents may still develop alcohol problems

2010-01-29T09:54:00.000-06:00

Jan 28, 2010
Issues: Underage drinking
Drug type: Alcohol
Despite the research on the negative effects of alcohol use on young people, many parents still believe that teen drinking is a right of passage. Many take the approach of trying to teach responsible drinking by letting their teenagers have alcohol at home. However, a new study published in the latest issue of the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, shows that this approach is ineffective.

In a study of 428 Dutch families, researchers found that the more teenagers were allowed to drink at home, the more they drank outside of home as well. What's more, teens who drank under their parents' watch or on their own had an elevated risk of developing alcohol-related problems. Drinking problems included trouble with school work, missed school days and getting into fights with other people, among other issues.

The findings, say the researchers, put into question the advice of some experts who recommend that parents drink with their teenage children to teach them how to drink responsibly — with the aim of limiting their drinking outside of the home.
That advice is common in the Netherlands, where the study was conducted, but it is based more on experts' reasoning than on scientific evidence, according to Dr. Haske van der Vorst, the lead researcher on the study.

"The idea is generally based on common sense," says van der Vorst, of Radboud University Nijmegen in the Netherlands. "For example, the thinking is that if parents show good behavior — here, modest drinking — then the child will copy it. Another assumption is that parents can control their child's drinking by drinking with the child." But the current findings suggest that is not the case.

Based on this and earlier studies, van der Vorst says, "I would advise parents to prohibit their child from drinking, in any setting or on any occasion."

The study included 428 families with two children between the ages of 13 and 15. Parents and teens completed questionnaires on drinking habits at the outset and again one and two years later.

The researchers found that, in general, the more teens drank at home, the more they tended to drink elsewhere; the reverse was also true, with out-of-home drinking leading to more drinking at home. In addition, teens who drank more often, whether in or out of the home, tended to score higher on a measure of problem drinking two years later.

The findings, according to van der Vorst, suggest that teen drinking begets more drinking — and, in some cases, alcohol problems — regardless of where and with whom they drink.

"If parents want to reduce the risk that their child will become a heavy drinker or problem drinker in adolescence they should try to postpone the age at which their child starts drinking," the researcher noted.

11th Annual Chemical Health Forum - Marijuana: Beyond Reefer Madness

2009-12-22T15:15:00.002-06:00

The 11th Annual Chemical Health Forum will focus onthe resurgence of marijuana use among adolescents, and how this phenomenon impacts those who work in the fields of education, science, medicine and law.

The day long workshop will feature important topics and information for those who work with youth. Presentations will include:

Marijuana, Law, Science and Medicine
Trafficking, Teens and Trouble
MindUP! Activities from the Hawn Foundation Program
Marijuana Use in the communities of color
Chemical Health INiterventions with Adolescents
Chemical Use & Sobriety from an Adolescent Perspective: Featuring a Teen Panel
A Personal Success Story from a Recovering Addict

The workshop is co-sponsored by the Hennepin County Children's Mental Health Collaborative (HCCMHC).

Who Should Attend: Educators; Counselors and Mental Health Professionals; Clergy; and anyone who works with Adolescents
Date: Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Time: Registration: 8am
Workshop: 8:30am - 3:30pm
Location: The PREP Center at District 287
1820 Xenium Lane North
Plymouth, MN 55441
CEU's: Six
Also: Education Administrative Clock Hours
MN Board of Behavioral Health & Therapy LADC
Registration Fee: $65 (includes coffee, lunch and materials)
To Register: Go to: www.district287.org/index.php?submenu=All_events&src=gendocs&ref=EventsList_chrono&category=TeachingLearning_PREP

Federal Ban on Fruit-Flavored Cigarettes.

2009-10-15T16:06:00.002-05:00

Flavored Tobacco
On September 22, 2009 a ban on cigarettes containing certain characterizing flavors went into effect. The ban, authorized by the new Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, is part of a national effort by FDA to reduce smoking in America.
FDA’s ban on candy and fruit-flavored cigarettes highlights the importance of reducing the number of children who start to smoke, and who become addicted to dangerous tobacco products. FDA is also examining options for regulating both menthol cigarettes and flavored tobacco products other than cigarettes.
According to the act
…a cigarette or any of its component parts (including the tobacco, filter, or paper) shall not contain, as a constituent (including a smoke constituent) or additive, an artificial or natural flavor (other than tobacco or menthol) or an herb or spice, including strawberry, grape, orange, clove, cinnamon, pineapple, vanilla, coconut, licorice, cocoa, chocolate, cherry, or coffee, that is a characterizing flavor of the tobacco product or tobacco smoke
Any company who continues to make, ship or sell such products may be subject to FDA enforcement actions. You are encouraged to report any company that sells cigarettes with these certain characterizing flavors.

2009-09-17T21:32:00.000-05:00

The Power of Alcohol Marketing

The British Medical Association has called for all alcohol advertising and marketing to be banned.The doctors' lobby group says the techniques being deployed are fuelling the ever-increasing rate of alcohol consumption.

Is marketing really that powerful? It seems staggering to think that just a few years ago cider was considered an unfashionable drink.To many, it was the tipple of choice for teenagers in the park or drunks on the street. But nowadays it is impossible to get away from the colourful array of brands piled high on the supermarket shelves and in the fridges behind bars.

See the full article at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8244105.stm

Binge Drinking Affects Even Sober Brain, Study Finds

2009-08-17T09:03:00.000-05:00

Self-reported binge drinkers performed worse on cognitive tests compared to non-bingers, even when they were sober, the Los Angeles Times reported Aug. 11.

Researchers at the University of Santiago de Compostela in Spain said the findings hinted that binge drinking could affect the brain in ways similar to that observed among alcoholics.

"We found that healthy young university students -- meaning those with no alcohol use disorder, alcohol dependence or associated psychiatric disorders -- who engaged in binge drinking showed anomalies during the execution of a task involving visual working memory, despite correct execution of the task, in comparison with young non binge drinkers. They required greater attentional processing during the task in order to carry it out correctly," said researcher Alberto Crego. "Healthy adolescents and young people who partake in intermittent consumption of large amounts of alcohol -- otherwise known as binge drinking -- even only once or twice a week, and who do not display chronic alcohol consumption or alcohol dependence may nonetheless suffer alterations at the electrophysiological level in attentional and working memory processing."

The study, which compared 42 binge drinkers to 53 other students, was published online in the journal Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research.

Article obtained from: http://www.jointogether.org/news/research/summaries/2009/binge-drinking-affects-even.html

College drinking: What parents need to know

2009-07-22T14:27:00.000-05:00

Pre-gaming, beer pong and jello shots are as much a part of college life as fraternities, football and finals. Will your student drink? The answer is probably yes so, as his parent, there are some important things you need to know.

What's the big deal?

The big deal is this: It is estimated that drinking by college students aged 18-24 contributes to an estimated 1,700 student deaths, 599,000 injuries, and 97,000 cases of sexual assault or date rape each year. Those are serious consequences. That bears repeating: 1,700 student deaths, 599,000 injuries, and 97,000 cases of sexual assault or date rape each year. And that's not all. Unsafe sex is a big problem too. Research indicates that some 400,000 students reported unprotected sex after drinking and another 100,000 report having been too drunk to know if they consented to sex. And there's significant issues with health/suicide, property damage, drunk driving and vandalism.

What is your college's alcohol policy?

Most colleges and universities no longer turn a blind eye to underage drinking and have instituted strict policies on consumption and particularly on the sale of alcohol to a minor. A 2002 Task Force on College Drinking, supported by the National Institutes of Alcohol Abuse, put in motion an extensive series of prevention and awareness programs that have been adopted by hundreds of colleges.

You and your child should be aware of his college's policies regarding alcohol. Check the school's website, or for a state-by-state listing, go to www.collegedrinkingprevention.gov/policies, as policies vary by school. In Virginia, George Mason University prohibits alcohol in any first year residential area, regardless of age of the freshman. James Madison University's policy reminds students that underage possession or purchase of alcohol is punishable by up to 12 months in jail, a fine of $2500, or both and possible loss of a driver's license for up to a year. The University of Virginia has an extensive policy regarding alcohol on campus; their student-athletes are subject to additional policies as well.

It's academic

As a parent, you should know this startling statistic: about one-third of first-year students fail to enroll for their second year.

While there are many reasons why kids leave college, alcohol can be one of them.
About a quarter of college students end up with problems in school due to drinking including missing class, falling behind, doing poorly on exams or papers and receiving lower grades overall. Experts urge parents to be especially vigilant to your freshman's experiences during the first six weeks of the fall semester. All of that new-found free time and easy access to alcohol sometimes leads to excessive drinking. Drinking too much interferes with adapting to campus life in all kinds of ways.

Teach, don't preach

You may not be able to moderate your child's drinking in any direct way but you can help him to understand the possible consequences of irresponsible drinking. Put preaching aside and start teaching. Make sure he or she knows how alcohol can lead to date rape and violence. Teach him and especially her about BAC (blood alcohol content) and how it relates to their size. Make certain he knows the law and penalties for:
underage drinking
public drunkenness
using a fake id
driving under the influence

For more info:

A comprehensive website on college drinking, with statistics, research, college policies, education and awareness programs, a BAC calculator and more: www.collegedrinkingprevention.gov

Article obtained from: http://www.examiner.com/x-16039-DC-Parenting-College-Students-Examiner~y2009m7d20-College-drinking-binge-drinking-student-use-and-abuse

Goodhue CHI Council Picnic

2009-07-14T15:46:00.001-05:00

The Goodhue Chemical Health Initiative Council sponsored a Picnic on Monday July 13, 2009. Over 100 people attended for free food, door prizes, volleyball, and bean bag toss. Howie was also there to join in on the fun!

Higher Alcohol Intake Associated with More Hospitalizations

2009-07-09T11:13:00.000-05:00

A study of 6,000 men ages 35 to 64 found that the more alcohol the men drank, the more time they spent in the hospital, Forbes reported July 1.
The Scottish study, which began in the early 1970s, divided the men into six groups: no alcohol use; 1 to 7 units consumed per week; 8 to 14 units a week; 15 to 21 units a week; 22 to 34 units a week; and 35 or more units a week or more. The researchers defined a unit of alcohol as a half-pint of beer or a 4-ounce glass of wine.
The researchers found that men who drank more than 22 units of alcohol a week had a 20-percent higher hospital-admission rate than non-drinkers, while the heaviest drinkers stayed 58 percent longer in the hospital than non-drinkers. Even relatively low levels of alcohol consumption were associated with longer hospitals stays, with the length of stay increasing as consumption did, the researchers found.
The study also found that the men who drank 15 units of alcohol a week had increased numbers of hospital admissions for stroke, and that these admissions also increased the more the men drank.
The researchers found that the men who drank 22 or more units a week had more hospital admissions for respiratory illness, but they also had the lowest admission rates for coronary heart disease, while the non-drinkers had the highest rates of admission for coronary heart disease.
Men who drank 22 or more units per week had more admissions for mental-health problems, researchers found, but non-drinkers had higher rates of admissions for mental-health problems than those who drank 1 to 14 units of alcohol a week.
Article Summary obtained from: http://jech.bmj.com/cgi/content/abstract/jech.2008.079764v1

NIDA Study Shows School-Based Prevention Program Reduces Problem Behaviors in Fifth Graders By Half

2009-06-26T12:37:00.001-05:00

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

Cousin gets jail for giving driver alcohol

2009-06-22T09:38:00.000-05:00

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

Town grads allowed 10 drinks at party

2009-06-17T13:22:00.001-05:00

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!

The Prevention Paradox and a Public Health Approach to College Student Drinking

2009-06-11T08:25:00.002-05:00

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

Parents' Influence on Teen Drinking

2009-06-02T14:36:00.003-05:00

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

Apple Valley, Rosemount Social Host Ordinances Tap First Offenders

2009-06-02T10:40:00.003-05:00

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

Binge Drinking Damages White Matter in Adolescent Brain

2009-04-30T10:09:00.004-05:00

April 28, 2009

Research Summary

A new MRI study finds that adolescents damage the white matter in their brain -- which helps relay information between brain cells -- when they binge on alcohol, HealthDay News reported April 21.

Researchers said that the study of 28 teens indicates that binge drinking could impair thinking and memory among teens, perhaps even affecting performance in school. Past studies have revealed white-matter damage in adult alcoholics.

"It could be that episodes of binge drinking during the teenage years, when their brain is still developing, could have adversely influenced the brain's white matter development," said lead researcher Susan F. Tapert of the University of California at San Diego and director of Substance Abuse/Mental Illness at the VA San Diego Healthcare System.

Given the current rate of adolescent binge drinking in the U.S., Tapert said that one in four teens could be at risk of white-matter damage due to heavy alcohol use.

The report was published online in the journal Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research.

2009-04-28T19:10:00.001-05:00

Celebrate Safely!

As the school year comes to an end, you may find yourself handing over more responsibility to your teen as they transition into a young adult, but that doesn't mean your role is any less important at seventeen as it was when they were thirteen. While transition years and milestones, such as graduation or prom can bring excitement and dreams of the possibilities ahead, it can also bring increased stress, less supervision, and increased risk-taking behaviors. In fact, a significant number of teen traffic fatalities during the prom and graduation weekends are alcohol-related.

Underage drinking is also lined to two-thirds of sexual assaults and date rapes of teens, and increases the likelihood of unsafe and unplanned sexual activity. Don't let a fatal car accident, injury, or sexual assault become a part of your teens rite of passage.

Use this time of year as a teachable moment. Surveys show that 45 percent of teens whose parents didn't set boundaries around substance use reported they were likely to drink or use drugs at prom or graduation parties this year1. Know where your teen plans to go and with whom. Discuss the possibility that substances may be present, and emphasize your family rules, as well as the legal and physical risks they may face.
Monitor alcohol in your house for potential consumption.
If your teen will be part of a group of teens who rent a limousine, check with the limo company to make sure there is a policy regarding underage consumption in their car or purchasing alcohol for riders.
Be their excuse! 60 percent of teens say they feel pressured to use drugs or alcohol "always" or "frequently" at prom or graduation events, making it more important than ever to remind your teen about the risks of substance use1.
Provide a safe alternative. Consider a chaperoned substance-free party for prom or graduation. For ideas visit: http://www.notmykid.org/news-room/enewsletters/april-2009/substance-free-party-alternatives.aspx

Information obtained from: www.notmykid.org

Goodhue Community Readiness Online Survey

2009-04-15T16:09:00.002-05:00

Follow this link to take the Community Readiness Survey:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=JAQ1NBKeZ1tsddPFIdsdmw_3d_3d

Thank you for your time!

SAMHSA Says Fewer Adolescents Exposed to Drug Prevention Messages

2009-04-15T10:20:00.003-05:00

News Summary
A new report from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) shows that fewer adolescents are being exposed to substance-use prevention messages or participating in out-of-school prevention programs.

On the other hand, more adolescents said they talked to at least one parent about alcohol and other drugs, the survey found. The population of adolescents engaging with at least one parent about substance abuse-related topics increased to 59.6 percent in 2007 (from 58.1 percent in 2002). Those who had such conversations with their parents were significantly less likely to use alcohol, tobacco or other drugs, researchers found.

The report, Exposure to Substance Use Prevention Messages and Substance Use Among Adolescents: 2002 to 2007, was based on national surveys of adolescents ages 12-17. The report shows that the population of adolescents exposed to prevention messages dropped from 83.2 percent in 2002 to 77.9 percent in 2007. Adolescent participation in out-of-school prevention programs fell from 12.7 percent in 2002 to 11.3 percent in 2007.

Press Release: We are making progress, but we are not "there" yet.

2009-04-15T09:46:00.015-05:00

Minnesota Student Survey Results Cannon Falls School District
The Minnesota Student Survey is administered every three years to public school students in Grades 6, 9, and 12 statewide. This is a summary of the data collected for students in Cannon Falls during the last two surveys. The surveys were administered in the spring of 2004 and the spring of 2007.

1. Students use of alcohol or drugs is problem at this school – Stongly Agree/Agree (%)
2004 / 2007
6th graders - 10.5% / 9%
9th graders - 76.6% / 62%
12th graders - 70.5% / 69%

2. Any alcohol use in the past year (%)
2004 / 2007
6th graders - 7% / 7%
9th graders - 42.5% / 41.5%
12th graders - 79.5% / 76%

3. Any Binge drinking in the past 2 weeks (%)
2004 / 2007
6th graders - Did not ask / No Data Available
9th graders - 18% / 10%
12th graders - 43% / 37%

4. Drove Drunk/Drugged in the past 12 months (%)
2004 / 2007
6th graders - Did not ask / Did not ask
9th graders - 3.5% / 2%
12th graders - 36.5% / 18%

5. Rode with a friend who had been Drinking or Using Drugs in the past 12 Months (%)
2004 / 2007
6th graders - Did not ask / Did not ask
9th graders - 22% / 9%
12th graders - 33.5% / 30.5%

6. Any Marijuana use in the past 12 months (%)
2004 / 2007
6th graders - 1% / 0%
9th graders - 10% / 6.5%
12th graders - 33.5% / 30.5%

7. Any Methamphetamine use in the past 12 months (%)
2004 / 2007
6th graders - Did not ask / Did not ask
9th graders - 1% / 0%
12th graders - 4.5% / 0%

8. Any tobacco use in the past 12 months (%)
2004 / 2007
6th graders - 1% / No data available
9th graders - 15.5% / No data available
12th graders - 54% / No data available

The most interesting and important statistic came when the questions regarding the age of their first use of cigarettes and alcohol were given in the 2007 survey.

9. How old were you the first time you smoked part or all of a cigarette?
Amongst 12th graders 21% of males and 7% of females smoked their first cigarette at age 11 or younger.
Amongst 9th graders 6% of males and 12 % of females smoked their first cigarette at age 11 or younger.
Amongst 6th graders 100% had never smoked. (keep in mind that 6th graders are typically 12 years old by spring)

10. How old were you when you had your first drink of alcohol other than a few sips?
Amongst 12th graders 13% of males and 5% of females drank at age 11 or before.
Amongst 9th graders 13% of males and 7% of females drank at age 11 or before.
Amongst 6th graders 97% of males and 100% of females had never had alcohol. (keep in mind that 6th graders are typically 12 years old by spring)

One of the more disturbing stats found was that 8% of our 12th graders in 2007 reported using “crack” cocaine in the past 12 months.

Zumbrota Youth Bowling Night

2009-04-02T13:31:00.016-05:00

The Zumbrota CHI Council hosted a Bowling Night for Zumbrota-Mazeppa Middle School students at the Zumbrota Bowling Alley on Sunday March 29th. About 50 students attended and fun was had by all. A special thanks to Subway, Jimmy's Pizza, the State Theatre, and the Zumbrota Clinic for donating door prizes and the Zumbrota High School TARGET students for acting as the "role models."

Officer Gene and students

Having fun!

You can still have a good time and be chemical free!

Jake Smith, Chair of the Zumbrota CHI Council and Elizabeth Burkhardt, CHI Coordinator

The event was a wonderful success! It was a great kick-off activity for our newest CHI Council!

Anti-Drug Media Campaign

2009-03-20T11:12:00.005-05:00

ANTI-DRUG MEDIA CAMPAIGN OFFERS RESOURCES TO HELP PARENTS DEAL WITH TEEN STRESS TO PREVENT TEENS FROM ENGAGING IN RISKY BEHAVIORS

Even under the best of circumstances, teens struggle with a great deal of stress in their lives - from school to money to peer pressure. Yet many teens lack appropriate coping mechanisms. Without the proper guidance from a parent or other trusted adult, they may turn to risky and unhealthy behaviors, such as drug use and drinking.

A recent survey shows that 43 percent of 13- to 14-year-olds say they feel stressed every single day. By ages 15 to 17, the number rises to 59 percent. And nearly two-thirds of teens say that they are "somewhat" or "very concerned" about their personal finances, with girls reporting feeling "frequently stressed" more often than boys.

As parents are the greatest influences in their children's lives, during tough times, it is critical that parents in the community are reminded about the need to build communication, and trust, with their teens. Valuable information and a new expert column are now available on the National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign's parent Web site, http://www.theantidrug.com/, at www.TheAntiDrug.com/Advice/Safeguarding-and-Monitoring/Monitoring-Skills/Managing-Teen-Stress.aspx and http://www.TheAntiDrug.com/Advice/Expert-Advice/General-Parenting/Stressed-Out.aspx.

In addition to the new online content, you'll find many other FREE resources and print materials for parents. You may order the following by visiting www.TheAntiDrug.com/Resources/ or calling 1-800-788-2800 to place bulk orders free of charge:

· Navigating the Teen Years: A Parent's Handbook for Raising Healthy Teens, endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics, is packed with useful tips and expert advice on how parents can tune into their teens, set rules and expectations, and monitor them through their adolescent years. [PHD1127]

· The Teen Years: A Roadmap for Parents is an interactive CD-ROM that provides in-depth information about how your teen is developing throughout adolescence and offers expert advice for parents on how to best guide their teen through this transitional time. [AVD228]

· Keeping Your Teens Drug-Free: A Family Guide specifically addresses the importance of family as a drug deterrent and notes simple techniques that even busy parents can use to help prevent drug use. [PHD1114] Versions specifically written for African American [PHD1116] and Hispanic [PHD1115] parents are also available.

ABOUT THE MEDIA CAMPAIGN: Since its inception in 1998, the National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign has been authorized by Congress to reduce and prevent teen drug use. For more information on the ONDCP National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign, visit http://www.mediacampaign.org/.

60 Minutes Story on College Binge Drinking

2009-02-26T10:06:00.009-06:00

60 Minutes Story on College Binge Drinking Highlights Importance of Limiting Youth Access to Alcohol

February 23, 2009
Announcement From: Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD)511 E. John Carpenter Freeway, Suite 700Irving, TX 75062

DALLAS -- 60 Minutes, CBS's weekly newsmagazine, aired a story [Feb. 22] on underage drinking focused on the significant problem of binge drinking on college campuses but did not include peer-reviewed scientific data showing lives are being saved on and off the roadways. Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) National President, Laura Dean-Mooney, said, "Lowering the drinking age would only make the problem worse among 15, 16 and 17 year-olds, just look at European countries with an 18 law." Data from European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs (ESPAD) in 2003 showed that of 35 European countries, 31 had a higher percentage of 15-year olds who had been drunk in the past year than in the U.S.

Support 21, a broad coalition of stakeholders from science, medical and public health organizations, including Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), the American Medical Association (AMA), the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), today said they are deeply disappointed that the story fuels an irresponsible debate with lives at stake. The Coalition stands firmly behind the indisputable scientific research found by more than 50 high-quality, peer-reviewed studies that show that the 21 minimum drinking age law saves lives on the roadways. Additionally, the law has been proven to lower underage consumption and save lives off the roads.

To view the entire story, go to http://www.jointogether.org/news/yourturn/announcements/2009/60-minutes-youth-access.html?log-event=sp2f-view-item&nid=49287108

Breaking News

2009-01-27T09:14:00.006-06:00

The CHI is very pleased to introduce our new CHI Coordinator/Project Manager: Elizabeth A. Burkhardt. Elizabeth's first day on the job will be Monday February 2. Elizabeth is a recent graduate of Winona State University, holding a degree in Social Work and Community Health Promotion. In addition to an impressive academic career, Elizabeth brings excellent professional experience to this position as well. She has created a Service Learning Project at Winona State University to reduce binge drinking on campus; organized a Hmong Alcohol Free Youth Group in Winona; worked at Winona Middle School to educate middle school students on health topics; worked on several Goodhue County Public Health initiatives while competing an internship in that department, including participating in Catalyst MN Youth Anti-Smoking Summit and promoting health eating to Elementary Students and the elderly in Goodhue County. Elizabeth will be a tremendous asset to the CHI as it prepares for a second cycle of funding from the Drug Free Communities Support Program in 2010.
Julie Hatch, School-Based Prevention Specialist for the CHI will soon be completing the tabulation of the CHI Student Surveys completed by the 6th/9th/12th graders of all schools within the Goodhue County Education District. When the statistics have been recorded and analyzed, the CHI will host a county-wide meeting in March to review the data with school and county officials as well as youth-serving organizations in Goodhue County.
The CHI is assisting local CHI Councils in Goodhue and Zumbrota in planning and implementing a Community Assessment around alcohol and drug issues in those communities. The CHI will partner with the Minnesota Prevention Resource Center to identify an Assessment Tool that will produce important data about local citizens' attitudes, opinions and needs in this area of chemical health. The results of the Assessment will provide the foundation for the development of a strategic plan for the Councils' activities and programs in the upcoming year.

Positive Results from New Alcohol Servers & Sellers Training

2009-01-08T09:08:00.001-06:00

Current
January 2009

The Red Wing Police Department conducts underage alcohol compliance checks at area businesses twice annually. The intent is to minimize youth access to alcohol in the community.

On December 15, two Red Wing officers and two underage buyers conducted 22 alcohol compliance checks. All the businesses passed the compliance checks by not selling alcohol to the underage buyers.

Police Chief Tim Sletten said, “I’m thrilled with the results of these checks. It demonstrates the success of the new training program for those who sell and serve alcohol and of the work being done by the Chemical Health Initiative. It also shows that our liquor establishments know just how important it is to not sell alcohol to underage customers. Their commitment to this is greatly appreciated. This is an exciting step toward creating a safer and healthier community for our youth.”

The Police Department will continue to conduct alcohol compliance checks periodically. If a business fails such a check, it may have its liquor license suspended or revoked. Clerks who sell to underage buyers are charged personally and face fines or possible jail time.

Incentives promote alcohol education

2009-01-07T14:45:00.002-06:00

SCSU, business aim to prevent tragedies
By David Unze, dunze@stcloudtimes.com, January 5, 2009

The drunk who assaulted an employee caused Denise Brigham to close her store and attend court hearings for the suspect.

The drunk who knocked the electrical meter off her store wall caused the compressors to fail and the food to spoil and led to hours of work assessing damages for insurance purposes.

And then there are the times she's visited employees in detox.

Brigham, owner of two Subway stores on or near the St. Cloud State University campus, rattles off the ways that alcohol abuse has impacted her businesses. It's those experiences that prompted her to give up to $25,000 in Subway gift cards as incentives for young adults to attend a university program teaching the dangers of excessive drinking.

See the full article at: http://www.sctimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/200901050030/NEWS01/101050046

How to Imbibe When Kids are Around

2008-12-04T15:50:00.002-06:00

WTOP.COM
November 19, 2008 - 5:21pm
By MELISSA DUTTON
For The Associated Press

(AP) - If you're planning on having a few cocktails at family gatherings this holiday season, experts say you should keep in mind that children may be watching.

"The main message is, if people drink, they should drink responsibly," said Vivian B. Faden, deputy director of the Division of Epidemiology and Prevention Research for the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism in Bethesda, Md. "It's not a one-time conversation.

While the holidays present a good opportunity, there needs to be ongoing conversation about drinking."

See the full story at: http://wtop.com/?sid=1521856&nid=773

Sacramento Emergency Rooms First to Counsel on Underage Drinking

2008-11-25T14:59:00.002-06:00

Rocklin & Roseville Today
Saturday, November 15, 2008

(SACRAMENTO, Calif.) - In response to a dramatic increase in the number of underage patients who are under the influence, emergency departments in the Sacramento region, led by UC Davis Medical Center, will establish the first program in California to offer counseling aimed at curbing alcohol abuse to children, teens and their families while they're in the ER.

"They're getting drunker, they're getting younger and there are more of them," said Dana Covington, a 20-year UC Davis Medical Center emergency room nurse and project coordinator for the program, which will train dozens of nurses and social workers at four area emergency rooms to talk to young people and their families about the dangers of underage drinking.

See the full article at:
http://www.rocklintoday.com/news/templates/uc_davis_health.asp?articleid=6781&zoneid=75

Mock Casualty Simulation Held in Goodhue

2008-10-30T14:50:00.006-05:00

GOODHUE - In a coordinated effort between the Goodhue County Chemical Health Initiative, Goodhue Public Schools FCCLA, the Goodhue Police Dept, the Goodhue County Sheriff's Dept, Goodhue Fire Dept, Zumbrota Area Ambulance, Mayo One and Mahn Funeral Home, the students at Goodhue High School witnessed a mock crash simulation on Friday, October 17. The event was the culmination of a week-long program focusing on teenagers, chemical use and driving. Goodhue FCCLA members volunteered to portray casualties in a crash caused by a drunk driver.

Police and deputies appeared first on a scene of chaos. Emergency medical personal arrived minutes later to take over the care of the victims. The simulation's impact grew as people felt the dirt that was whipped up from Mayo One's propellersand listened to noise as one car was cut and its roof removed.Students were visibly distressed as they watched their classmate loaded into a body bag and into the hearse from Mahn Funeral Home.

After the simulation, students returned to the gym for the end of the program where they heard from Garry and Shirley Hoyme of Zumbrota. Their daughter, Beth, was killed by a drunk driver.

The coordinated effort of many people went into this event to educate students on the consequences of drinking and driving.

Halftime Presentation Will Target Teenage Alcohol Abuse

2008-10-29T09:41:00.005-05:00

Simi Valley Acorn, Agoura Hills, CA, October 17, 2008

Advocacy group to share stats during RHS football game

Straight-Up Ventura County, a teenage advocacy group dedicated to curbing underage drinking, will share information about teenage drinking at Royal High School's football game during the halftime intermission approximately 7:15 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. tonight, Oct. 17, at the school's football field, 1402 Royal Ave., Simi Valley.

The Simi Coalition and Simi Valley Hospital will also participate in the event.

Joyce Norman, M.D., of the Simi Valley Hospital Emergency Department, will briefly discuss teenage drinking and its impact on the community and hospital.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, alcohol is the most commonly used and abused drug among youth in the United States, more than tobacco and illicit drugs.

Physicians and nurses at the Simi Valley Hospital examined data from 2006 to the present and discovered that alcoholrelated visits to the emergency department among patients ages 12 to 20 peaked during the first quarter of 2008 (January through March).

A total of 27 alcohol-related visits were recorded during that time, compared with 11 visits recorded during the first quarter of 2006.

Sixteen-year-olds were the most prevalent age group among ages 12 to 20 to seek treatment in the emergency department, with a total of 40 alcohol-related patient visits since 2006.

Your Mom and Dad are Right: Good Health = Better Grades

2008-10-24T09:53:00.009-05:00

By JOSEPHINE MARCOTTY, Star Tribune
Last update: October 20, 2008 - 8:56 AM

Quit smoking. Turn off the computer. Go to bed. It could improve your grades. Of course, parents have always known that. Now, in the first study of its kind, researchers at the University of Minnesota have proved it. They matched grade point averages with the typical health problems such as smoking, drinking and stress reported by nearly 10,000 Minnesota college students. They found a clear connection between student health and academic success.

"Health is important," even for young adults who seem to be in the prime of their lives, said Dr. Ed Ehlinger, director of Boynton Health Services at the University of Minnesota and a lead author of the study. Both parents and college administrators "need to make sure that students have access to health care."

What affects grades the most? Stress (lots of it), excessive screen time, binge drinking and gambling.

Students who reported eight or more emotional stresses -- anything from failing a class to credit card debt to a conflict with parents -- had an average GPA of 2.72. Those who said they had no significant stress reported an average GPA of 3.3.

"Stress is one of the biggest factors," said Marcus De La Garza, a senior from Duluth. A year ago, just before finals, he had to go home to take care of family members with serious health problems, and it showed in his grades, he said.

"I was out of the game," he said Friday. "Now I'm bouncing back." His GPA is up to 3.5.

The ability to handle stress was equally important, the survey found. Those who said they could effectively manage it performed much better than those who said they couldn't. That's an important finding, because it can persuade colleges to provide students with the resources they need to learn how to manage stress, Ehlinger said.

Earlier surveys showed that students who spend a lot of time on the computer, watching TV or playing video games were more likely to engage in other unhealthful habits such as eating fast food, Ehlinger said. Now it's clear that these activities cut significantly into their grades as well. Four or more hours of screen time a day resulted in an average GPA of 3.04 or less. Less than an hour a day bumped it up to 3.3 or better.

The same pattern held with binge drinking. Teetotalers reported an average GPA of 3.31, compared with 2.99 for students who drank excessively at least once in the previous two weeks.

Ben Flatum, a university senior from Stillwater, just completed what he called "the year of being healthy." He stopped the regular partying, started eating better and began training for a race in Chicago that he ran last week.

"My time and energy has been exponentially better," he said. His weight is down 25 pounds, and his GPA is up to 3.3 from the 2.5 he had as a partying freshman.

To read this article in it’s in entirety, go to
http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/health/31261604.html?page=1&c=y .

Parents Need to be on Offensive on Teen Drinking

2008-10-15T11:39:00.001-05:00

By Alyssa Martina: Parent Coach

Being a parent is full of heart-stopping moments. From crossing the street to talking with strangers, our children's lives are peppered with experiences that are a heartbeat away from an accident or mishap.

As parents, our job is to worry about and forecast the "what ifs" and prevent as many calamities as possible. Being precautious is just one of the many job requirements of "Parent." Anticipating what curves lie ahead is a vital -- and possibly lifesaving -- competency with which every mom or dad wants to be imbued. Chief among these curves is the concern surrounding all-too-common and hazardous underage drinking.

It's homecoming season now and that means that your older - and younger - teens will be tempted to engage in homecoming festivities where alcohol may be a staple of the party scene. But your kids don't drink, right? Don't be so sure. The most popular time for children to try alcohol is in the eighth grade. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 50 percent of eighth graders have tried alcohol and nearly 70 percent of eighth graders believe alcohol is "fairly easy" or "very easy" to get.

Just as disconcerting is the fact that the younger a child is when he first tries alcohol, the more likely he is to have a serious alcohol abuse problem later in life. Therefore, it's simply too late to begin the "don't drink" conversation when your kids are already teens or when you begin to see signs of teenage drinking.

It's a tough discussion that many parents naturally want to side-step altogether. Of course, no teen -- regardless of whether he or she drinks or not - is going to encourage having this conversation either; after all, teens want to feel grown up and they believe they are mature enough to make the right decisions.

They're not. Parents need to be on the offensive when it comes to teenage drinking. According to the National Institutes of Health, more than 5,000 underage drinkers die every year in accidents related to their drinking. If your own child isn't drinking, maybe he's riding in a car with a teen driver who is.

Parents must talk to their tweens and teens about alcohol, and the sooner, the better. The more willing you are to discuss this in a clear and positive way, the easier your kids will feel about coming to speak with you about it and the more likely you'll be to avoid the problem of teenage drinking before it even starts.

Other tips include providing cool alternatives for fun for your teenagers, being a good role model yourself when it comes to drinking and staying engaged with your kids even as they get older and seemingly don't need you quite as much. They do. You are the primary influencer in their lives, no matter their age.

Friends have an enormous influence over your kids as well. You need to know where your teens are and with whom they're hanging out. "Trust but check" was my friend's tried-and-true insight when it came to dealing with her own teens.

Teens often are confronted with difficult choices. Should they take part in the fun? Should they wait? It's hard to say "no" when their friends are pressuring them to say "yes." And we need to reward their good decisions.

Ultimately, it comes down to teaching our children to make sound choices that will impact their future in both small and large ways.

Alyssa Martina is founder, president and publisher of Metro Parent Magazine and one of Metro Detroit's foremost experts on parenting. You can reach her at amartina@metroparent.com.

Zumbrota Town Hall Meeting

2008-10-09T15:50:00.001-05:00

Wednesday evening, October 8th, 2008, Zumbrota community members met at a town hall meeting to learn about the chemical health issues facing our youth and show support for the development of the Zumbrota Chemical Health Initiative Council.

Underage drinking is a critical health and safety issue, and representatives from the entire community attended, including parents, youth, education professionals, health providers, members of the recovery community, law enforcement, members of the faith communities, civic group representatives, business owners, and concern citizens. It was encouraging to see Zumbrota community members volunteering to join the CHI Council, seeking to provide solutions for our young people, so that they don’t become the next generation of adults who need to deal with the devastating effects of chemical dependency.

Currently Goodhue County has three Local Chemical Health Initiative Councils, Zumbrota will be the fourth Council in the County. Tia Schimek, the Goodhue Council Chair and Tim Sletten, the Red Wing Council Chair shared their experiences working on chemical health issues through their local councils and offered their support to the Zumbrota community members as they begin to develop their Council.

At the meeting, attendees learned the latest information about the scope of underage drinking, and its consequences. Including that, young people who begin drinking before they're 15 are a whopping four times more likely to develop alcohol problems later in life than those who wait until they're 21. The group discussed how alcohol and drug use has affected the community. They also shared ideas on how if all community sectors (parents, schools, law enforcement, faith groups, youth organizations, support groups, civic organizations, and health providers) joined in a common effort and promoted chemical health it could improve the quality of life for individuals, families and the community as a whole.

Currently nominations are begin accepted for serving on the Zumbrota Council, anyone who is interested should contact the Community Coordinator, Jean Balcome-Dicke at 507-263-4594 or via email at jean.balcomedicke@goodhue-chi.org

Recovery Celebration

2008-10-01T09:09:00.020-05:00

On Sunday September 21, the Chemical Health Initiative of Goodhue County (CHI) sponsored a Recovery Celebration at East Park in Zumbrota. The celebration was held to honor individuals and families who are working on recovery from addiction. The event also highlighted the many organizations and agencies that provide recovery services in Goodhue County.

The CHI Celebrate Recovery Picnic was planned as part of National Recovery Month, and to coincide with special events held throughout the month of September across the country. Working with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT), the Goodhue County Recovery Celebration event focused on the societal benefits of substance abuse treatment and promoted the message that recovery from substance abuse in all its forms is possible. The theme of the Celebrate Recovery picnic was Join the Voices for Recovery: Real People, Real Recovery. The program included personal stories told by three Goodhue County residents who are now in recovery from serious drug and alcohol addiction.

The celebration was planned as a family picnic and included informational booths with treatment and recovery services materials. Hot dogs, cookies and beverages were donated by ALCO and Hub Foods, Connecting Connections of Red Wing served the food at the event. The children who attended the event were entertained by clowns,face painting,and Howie the CHI Mascot who lets kids know “It’s Fun to be Alcohol Free.”
Children’s books donated by the Goodhue County Early Childhood Family Education Program were awarded to families as door prizes during the event.
Dennis Nelson, Chemical Dependency Counselor from the Prairie Island Indian Community opened the event with the serenity Prayer. Carol Falkowski, Director of Chemical Health, Minnesota Department of Human Resources spoke about the powerful role that community leaders can play in educating the public that recovery from addiction is real and treatment truly does save lives.

CHI Super Star Awards were presented at the picnic to honor and thank individuals and organizations in Goodhue County that were demonstrating special dedication to the cause of promoting recovery for all persons suffering with substance use disorders. The Super Star Awards were given to; Linda Flanders of Taproot, Inc of Red Wing, Breanna Mundt-Devetter of Cannon Falls, the Lions Club of Goodhue, and Zumbrota Police Department. Attendees received door prizes donated by Bridget’s Café and Jimmy’s Pizza of Zumbrota, Country Station of Goodhue, Greg’s Meats and Write On of Cannon Falls. The event concluded with a performance from Andrew Hoffpauir, a Red Wing High School student, singing his own rap song about the pain and suffering of addiction and the importance of keeping our world healthy and safe for all human beings. Check out Andrew's video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01tU8cxX248.

Drug Test for Prep Athletes Considered by State Doctors Group

2008-09-24T11:12:00.005-05:00

State doctors group debates proposal
By Katherine Wolfe kwolfe@pioneerpress.com
Article Last Updated: 09/18/2008 11:59:06 PM CDT

Minnesota doctors are considering a proposal that would require high school athletes to take a drug test during routine physicals.

Doctors debated Thursday whether to ask for legislation during an open session at the Minnesota Medical Association's annual meeting, where about 150 state physicians met to vote on resolutions brought by members.

Dr. George Schoephoerster, a St. Cloud family physician, supports the proposal. He said urine tests done during routine physicals would be a way to monitor behavior and keep athletes, who often serve as role models for their peers, in check. If an athlete tested positive, it would give physicians a chance to pinpoint and treat the behavior usually undisclosed by the patient, Schoephoerster said.

See the full article at: http://www.twincities.com/health/ci_10503102

Five Ways Parents Can Help Middle School Kids Delay Their First Drink

2008-09-10T08:34:00.002-05:00

WASHINGTON, Sept 04, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- The first few weeks of middle school are a frenzy of friends, parties, and school events. It's also time for parents to start talking with their kids about the dangers of drinking alcohol, according to The Science Inside Alcohol Project of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).

Twenty percent of 14 year-olds say they've been drunk at least once, according to the Surgeon General, and recent news points out dangers of alcohol use by the young:
-- The Partnership for A Drug-Free America released a study in August, 2008 of 6,500 teens in which 73% said school stress caused them to drink and take drugs.
-- A Columbia University study, also released in August found that "problem parents," those who let their kids stay out past 10:00 PM on school nights in particular, are putting them in situations where they are at risk for drinking and drug use.
-- About 100 university leaders called for a national discussion of lowering the drinking age back to 18, saying it's not clear that 21 works.

The middle school years are crucial in the battle to prevent early alcohol use. Young adolescents' bodies and friendships are changing. They start pulling away from parents; yet seek out other adults for guidance. It's the most vulnerable time, specialists say, but also one of the last times they still can be influenced by adults.

No one sets out to be a disengaged parent. But it's hard to be vigilant and talk to your kids about complicated topics when you are constantly on the go. "As parents better understand the physiological effects of alcohol on the body and the fact that their children might be starting younger, it can motivate them to have this sometimes awkward conversation," says Shirley Malcom, head of the Education & Resources Directorate at AAAS. "That's where the science can help."

Members of AAAS' The Science Inside Alcohol Project are writing a book for middle school parents and developing an interactive Web-based science and health curriculum explaining how alcohol affects adolescents' brains and bodies. Based on extensive research, the AAAS team suggests five steps parents can take to talk with their kids about alcohol.

1. Find Teachable Moments - We live in a culture of celebrity. If a celebrity your child admires admits to a drinking problem, or an instance of alcohol abuse occurs in your community, talk about it. Ask your middle school student if she knows anyone who drinks alcohol and whether it is at parties or has been brought into her school. Answer questions. Have this conversation often.

2. Talk to Your Kids When Everything is Fine - Middle school students are volatile, hormonal beings. They are sweet and wonderful one moment, and blow up the next. Pick a time when things are quiet and they're a captive audience such as in the backseat of your car. Don't take no for an answer.

3. Engage Your Kids in the Science of Alcohol - Adolescents are incredibly self-involved. Alcohol can cause memory loss, impair sports performance, incite embarrassing behavior and affect how they feel and look. Make them aware of these facts. If there is a history of alcoholism in your family explain about genetic predispositions towards alcohol abuse.

4. Be Vigilant - There's no alternative to monitoring your kids. Have an early curfew. Know where they are at all times. Even if you are not home on a weeknight, make sure you can reach your kids by phone. Get to know their new friends and their parents. Find out what their rules and level of engagement are.

5. Learn to Trust Your Child - Now's the time when all the work you've put into creating a value system for your child begins to pay off. Set limits and enforce rules, but remember to give your child room to make his or her decisions, within your comfort zone. Praise them when they do well. It's worth a thousand words.

The Science Inside Alcohol Project of AAAS is funded by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA).
SOURCE AAAS

Much-Higher Age Would Help Colleges

2008-09-05T11:51:00.004-05:00

Chris Weiss: Set legal age for drinking at 25
Lansing State Journal August 31, 2008

“I have read of the list of college and university presidents urging reconsideration of the legal drinking age.

I was an undergraduate at Michigan State University in the '80s and saw the devastation inflicted upon the student population by alcohol. I saw brilliant students who could not handle the transition from rules 24/7 to the anything goes atmosphere of college life. Many college-age students are not ready to use alcohol responsibly.

The problem is, the drinking age of 21 is actually too low.

Older undergraduates buy for younger undergraduates, effectively negating the drinking age on most campuses. I know that was how I drank at MSU.

I think the better idea would be to raise the drinking age to 25, greatly limiting the number of legal buyers on campus.

By 25, most college students would either be out in the work force or in graduate school, where people are forced to act more responsibly than they are in college.

Most alcoholics start young; many start in college. It would seem that if we could postpone drinking until most people were out of college, we would lower the rate of alcoholism. Similarly, we should do the same for tobacco use, raising the legal age for the purchase or consumption of tobacco to 25.

We already know prohibition is impossible, but raising the legal age would hopefully help most people make better decisions.”

To read comments regarding this statement go to: http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080831/OPINION02/808310642/1087/OPINION02

Zumbrota National Night Out

2008-09-03T13:22:00.006-05:00

The CHI took part in Zumbrota's Annual National Night Event held on Tuesday, August 5th. Jean Balcome-Dicke, CHI Community Coordinator, Julie Hatch, School Chemical Health Specialist, Bailey Smirnov, CHI Office Assistance and Howie, CHI Mascot were all present to help Zumbrota Celebrate this unique crime and drug prevention National event!

NATIONAL NIGHT OUT is designed to:
Heighten crime and drug prevention awareness;
Generate support for, and participation in, local anticrime programs;
Strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships; and
Send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back. Along with the traditional display of outdoor lights and front porch vigils, cities, towns and neighborhoods 'celebrate' NNO with a variety of events and activities such as:
block parties,
cookouts,
visits from local police and sheriff departments
parades, exhibits,
flashlight walks,
contests, and
youth programs.

National Night Out has proven to be an effective, inexpensive and enjoyable program to promote neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships in our fight for a safer nation. Plus, the benefits your community will derive from National Night Out will most certainly extend well beyond the one night.

Quicker Liquor

2008-08-29T08:45:00.005-05:00

QUICKER LIQUOR
Should we lower the legal drinking age?
By Darshak Sanghavi
Posted Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2008, at 6:58 AM ET

Last week, a coalition of presidents from more than 100 colleges and universities called on authorities to consider lowering the legal drinking age. The so-called Amethyst Initiative, founded by a fed-up former president of Middlebury College, asserts that "twenty-one is not working" because the current drinking age has led to a "culture of dangerous, clandestine binge-drinking" on college campuses. "How many times," they rhetorically ask, "must we relearn the lessons of prohibition?"

These academic heavyweights—who include the presidents of institutions like Duke, Spelman, Tufts, and Johns Hopkins—believe that lowering the legal drinking age can promote more responsible alcohol use. The familiar argument is that singling out alcohol to make it off-limits is odd, since 18-year-olds may legally join the military, vote, buy cigarettes, and watch porn.

Meanwhile over the past decades, binge-drinking has soared among young people. The 1984 federal law that helps determine the legal drinking age is up for renewal next year, and the college presidents believe this law "stifles meaningful debate" and discourages "new ideas" to stop binge-drinking, like allowing kids over 18 to buy alcohol after a course on its "history, culture, law, chemistry, biology, neuroscience as well as exposure to accident victims and individuals in recovery."

It's a nice to think that simply lowering the drinking age would make college students behave better (as well as cheer loudly). But the Amethyst Initiative—named for the gemstone believed by ancient Greeks to stave off drunkenness—has naively exaggerated the benefits of a lower legal drinking age. They ignore some of the implications of their recommendations, fail to acknowledge their own complicity in the campus drinking problem, and ultimately gloss over better solutions to bingeing. Kind of like addicts might.

In truth, the higher drinking age saves lives and has little relation to college bingeing. Some history: After her daughter was killed by an intoxicated driver, Candy Lightner founded Mothers Against Drunk Driving and successfully lobbied for the 1984 National Minimum Drinking Age Act (the law that's up for reauthorization in 2009), which gave full federal highway funds only to states that set the minimum age to purchase or consu me alcohol at 21 years. Most states immediately complied, setting the stage for a national experiment.

According to the federal study Monitoring the Future, underage drinking dropped instantly. From 1977 to 2007, the percentage of 12th graders drinking at least monthly fell from 70 percent to 45 percent—almost immediately after the law was enacted, and lastingly. Fatal car crashes involving drunk young adults dipped 32 percent, resulting in 1,000 fewer lives lost per year. Impressively, this decrease occurred despite minimal efforts at enforcement; the mere presence of the law was protective. The relationship is likely causal. In 1999, by comparison, New Zealand lowered the drinking age from 20 to 18, and fatal crashes soared.* Today, all major public health authorities, including the American Medical Association, Centers for Disease Control, National Highway Traffic Safety Board, and surgeon general, support the higher drinking age.

To read the entire contents of this article please go to: http://www.slate.com/id/2198522/

CHI Resolution on Drinking Age Law

2008-08-27T11:22:00.000-05:00

Chemical Health Initiative of Goodhue County

Steering Committee Resolution

Whereas, the National Traffic Highway Administration (NHTSA) estimates that the 21minimum drinking age law has saved approximately 900 lives per year since President Reagan signed into law the Uniform Drinking Age Act mandating all states adopt 21 as the legal drinking age and all states came into compliance in 1988; and

Whereas, the NHTSA estimates that more than 17,000 people are alive today since all states came into compliance in 1988; and

Whereas, the drinking age law is one of the nation’s most examined laws with countless studies that have been conducted to measure the law’s effectiveness-all of which have come to the same conclusion: the law saves lives; and

Whereas, the leading cause of death among population ages 16-24 is injury death and 40% of the injury related deaths ages 16-24 involve alcohol; and

Whereas, brain development research has established that the introduction of alcohol upon the young and developing brain carries substantial risk of impairment of normal brain development; and

Whereas, the several states that lowered their minimum drinking age law in the 1970s saw a corresponding increase in alcohol-related traffic fatalities; that a return to the 21 minimum drinking age laws in those states saw in a decrease in alcohol-related traffic fatalities;

NOW THEREFORE, the CHI Advisory Board hereby iterates its unqualified support of the existing 21 year old minimum drinking age law, and establishes for the public record its opposition to any political movement or legislative initiative that would lower the legal drinking age in the State of Minnesota.

Breaking News

2008-08-21T15:59:00.002-05:00

The Goodhue Council is sponsoring a parent program called "Walking the Talk" on Wednesday September 17th at the Goodhue School 7:00 - 9:00 pm. The program is designed to help parents learn to talk with their children about the dangers of alcohol and drug use. Call the Goodhue School to register. There is a $5.00 fee. Registration deadline is September 12th.

A special thank you to PHanson Marketing for placing CHI advertisements in several local publications over the past weeks. The CHI is very grateful for these in-kind contributions to our cause. A strong and supportive public media sector is critical to the success of our CHI coalition efforts. Thank you PHMarketing!

SAVE the DATE: The CHI Recovery Community Recognition Picnic is being planned for Sunday September 21, 2008 at the Crossing Park in Zumbrota. This event is being sponsored by several local businesses who are teaming up with the CHI and our Community Councils to show support and appreciation for the important prevention work that is being done by our recovery communities across Goodhue County. Everyone is welcome to come and celebrate the wonderful people and organizations that are working to create healthy families and healthy communities! More details on this event will follow.

The CHI participated in the Goodhue County Fair activities on Family Day August 7th! It was a family centered event with informational handouts for parents and treats and stickers for the kids. Howie added to the fun with the kids and posed for photographs!

Everyone is invited to participate in an exciting video filming event taking place in Red Wing on Tuesday August 19th! Bluff Street, between 4th and 6th Streets will be closed off to traffic from 5:30 to 7:30 pm for the actual filming which will begin at 6:45 pm. The filmed scene is simply people dancing in the street behind Andrew as he performs his rap song, Content of Character. Andrew won one of the top prizes in the essay contest at RWHS, sponsored by the Red Wing Chemical Health Council. His rap song was professionally recorded at Mothlab Studios in Minneapolis. Taproot, Inc will be filming the video which will be entered into film festivals!

Community Drug Prevention Project - PRESS RELEASE

2008-08-14T14:51:00.001-05:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

LOCAL TEEN RAPPER TO FILM MUSIC VIDEO
Streets Will Be Closed for Dancing and Filming

August 13, 2008: Red Wing, MN-A music video scene of parents and kids dancing in the street will be filmed in the East end of town on Tuesday, August 19th from 5:30 to 7:30 PM. Red Wing High School student, Andrew Hoffpauir, will be performing a rap song he recorded called: Content of Character. The public is invited.

Earlier this spring, Andrew wrote a rap song about drug prevention for an essay contest at Red Wing High School. The Red Wing Chemical Health Initiative sponsored the contest in which Andrew won one of the top prizes. His health teacher, Lisa Hanson, referred him to Taproot, Inc. in Bay City, which was searching for a local rapper. The song, Content of Character urges everyone to become the best he or she can be and to shine their own light within their own community and the world at large, “There’s only one world and it’s yours and mine.” The song was professionally recorded at Mothlab Studios in Minneapolis. This was Andrew’s first experience in a professional studio. “I was pretty nervous, my legs got shaky”, he says.

The finished video will be entered into film festivals, specifically the “Filmanthropist” contest; a Minnesota film festival that supports the use of film for community activism. “The use of music, movies and music videos is a great way to educate a community and involve kids in community activism. It is hard work, but it’s also fun and appeals to the kids’ interests”, says Dorothy Halla-Poe, Vice President of Taproot.

Bluff Street, between 4th and 6th Streets will be closed off to traffic from 5:30 to 7:30 PM. Practice begins at 5:30 and actual filming will begin at 6:45. The filmed scene is simply people dancing in the street behind Andrew as he performs. Parents are invited to bring their children and join the filming. The music video will be made available to Red Wing’s local Cable Access Channel for viewing and Andrew’s song, Content of Character will be available for download on iTunes as of August 25th.

Taproot, Inc. is located in Bay City, WI. They specialize in designing educational prevention programs using the media arts. Taproot will be offering a movie making after school program through Red Wing Community Education in the fall for middle school students.

For further information, please call Linda Flanders at 715-594-3880 or Email taproot@redwing.net or check their website: www.taprootinc.com

Illegal Liquor Sales

2008-08-14T09:10:00.001-05:00

A WCCO news report identified the liquor store clerk from Inver Grove Heights who was sentenced to jail for selling alcohol to a teen-ager without checking for identification. That teenager later got into a car, ran a red light, and killed a University of Minnesota student when she was only blocks away from her home in Apple Valley. The 19 year old driving the car was tested at a .20 BAC; she was eventually given a four-year prison sentence. Vue, the person who illegally sold the teenage driver the alcohol, was sentenced to three months in jail by a Dakota County Judge on August 11th. To learn more about this tragic incident click on http://wcco.com/crime/clerk.convicted.crash.2.793008.html.

Red Wing and Wanamingo City Councils have passed city ordinances requiring all sellers and servers of liquor to complete a responsible beverage service training course and to pass a test that checks their knowledge of Minnesota laws pertaining to alcohol. (The course also provides tips to sellers and servers about detecting underage drinkers who attempting to obtain liquor.) These training ordinances have been proven to reduce the availability of liquor to underage drinkers in communities. When liquor is sold illegally, community residents are placed at risk. The tragedy experienced by the families involved in the drunken teen crash is what the CHI is working to eliminate in Goodhue County. Liquor licensees in Goodhue County do not want to sell liquor illegally. Requiring training courses helps licensees hire and retain employees who are professional and diligent about keeping children and families safe from alcohol-related tragedies.

Alcohol-Driven Offenses Rise Sharply Under 24-hour Licensing in U.K.

2008-08-13T10:51:00.001-05:00

An August 10 2008 article in the UK Sunday Telegraph reported a substantial increase in crime has been the result of a new law that extended alcohol serving hours in England and Wales. Police report that "offenses ranging from excessive intoxication to violent behavior are on the rise in nearly every police jurisdiction since new laws allow pubs and clubs to maintain long serving hours." Specifically, public order offenses are up 136% since the longer serving hours went into effect.

This article is particularly interesting in light of the Minnesota legislature's recent decision to allow alcohol serving hours to be extended to 4:00 am in St. Paul during the Republican National Convention. It's difficult to understand whose interests are being promoted by allowing the extended serving of alcohol during the Convention. However, it will be important for Minnesota officials to track levels of criminal activity and public disorder problems experienced by law enforcement in the metro area during the period of time of extended hours. Hopefully, we will see signs of the emerging trend toward healthy lifestyles, and longer serving hours in St. Paul will not reflect the experience of London.

Breaking News

2008-08-12T10:44:00.001-05:00

The CHI received confirmation that the FY 2009 Drug Free Communities grant has been approved! This means that the CHI will again receive $100,000 from the federal government to fund prevention programming in Goodhue County Minnesota. These federal dollars cannot be used to pay for direct services to individuals. The DFC grant will only pay for the administrative infrastructure that supports the planning and implementation of environmental prevention strategies at the population level. The CHI uses its federal dollars to support the salary of the School-Based Prevention Specialist, Julie Hatch, and the CHI Community Council Coordinator and Project Manager, Jean Balcome Dicke. The CHI has received the DFC grant award every year since September 2005. The FY 2009 DFC Award Notice means that the CHI prevention work will go on for another year!

The CHI participated in Zumbrota's National Night Out on Tuesday August 5th! Julie Hatch and Jean Balcome Dicke distributed prevention brochures and informational handouts to parents and the CHI mascot Howie handed out stickers and treats to the kids! CHI sends thanks to the Zumbrota Police Department for sponsoring the National Night Out event and for inviting the CHI to participate!

The local Community Chemical Health Councils in Red Wing, Cannon Falls and Goodhue have been participating in Sports Registration events at local schools. The local Councils are utilizing these school events to highlight the importance of parent involvement in children's lives. The CHI works to build healthy families and healthy communities by supporting programs and activities are proven to help our children make healthy choices!

Splish Splash Party

2008-08-07T10:31:00.003-05:00

The Splish Splash Party at the Goodhue Pool was a big success last week. Although Howie was unable to attend, CHI volunteers served up delicious rootbeer floats for all!

CHI Breaking News

2008-07-29T11:24:00.002-05:00

The Goodhue Chemical Health Council is having a “Splish Splash” party at the Goodhue Pool on July 31 from 6-7 p.m. Howie will be handing out balloons and root beer floats will be served.

CHI Special Events Coordinator Jodie Schmidt is working with CHI Coordinator Jean Balcome-Dicke to plan a county-wide Recovery Celebration picnic in Zumbrota for a Sunday in September. More details to follow!

The CHI will be having special event booth at the Goodhue County Fair on Family Day at the Fair, Thursday August 7th! Howie will be a special guest, handing out balloons and prizes to kids. "It's fun to be alcohol free!" Stop by and say hello!

The CHI will be participating in the Red Wing River City Days parade this Sunday August 3rd. Our float will be pulled by an antique tractor owned by Mr. Neil Stemmann and volunteers will be handing out Howie stickers and candy to kids along the parade route.