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
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Five Ways Parents Can Help Middle School Kids Delay Their First Drink
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
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
Friday, September 5, 2008
Much-Higher Age Would Help Colleges
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
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
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Zumbrota National Night Out
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.
Friday, August 29, 2008
Quicker Liquor
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/
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/
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
CHI Resolution on Drinking Age Law
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.
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.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Breaking News
- 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!
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