ONDCP Develops New Tool to Help Prevent Opioid Overdoses
One hundred people in the U.S. die from drug overdoses every day.
Three out of four prescription drug overdoses are caused by opiates.
The ASA Opioid Overdose Resuscitation card lists symptoms to look for when an opioid overdose is suspected. It also details step-by-step instructions for assisting a person suspected of an overdose prior to the arrival of emergency medical personnel.
The Risks of Outdoor Secondhand Smoke
Exposure to secondhand smoke is unhealthy, even if you are outdoors. Recent changes in laws, policies and practices have concentrated on indoor exposure. But these alterations have not eliminated exposure to secondhand smoke. This short video (1:54 minutes) discusses an air quality study by Stanford University conducted at park benches, sidewalk cafes and other public places.
In fact, a study released this month, finds exposure to outdoor secondhand tobacco smoke from ONE lit cigarette that is 29.5 feet away.
Prescription Drug Abuse: number one cause of injury death in the US
Video from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
Prescription drug abuse is a major health epidemic. Fifty Americans die each day from Rx pain killer overdoses. That outnumbers the death rate from heroin and cocaine combined, but only one in ten Americans who have a problem are being treated.
Please join us at the next Sullivan County Anti-Drug Coalition Meeting (November 14, 10 AM to Noon, at the Sullivan County Regional Health Department) to learn more about recovery.
Sign Up for Drug Facts Chat Day
If you work with teens and have access to a bank of computers, you may want to sign up for Drug Facts Chat Day (Tuesday, January 28, 2014). This video from this year's Chat Day will give you more information.
You can sign up at http://teens.drugabuse.gov/ndfw/register.
It's That Time Again!
In the previous seven collections, 1,771 tons of pill have been collected! This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Unused medicines stored in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines—flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash—both pose potential safety and health hazards.
Take Only As Directed
The CDC has labelled prescription drug abuse as an epidemic. The DEA estimates that every 14 minutes someone in the US dies from an unintentional overdoses. For every death, 10 people are admitted into treatment, and 28 people are treated in an emergency room. 6700 people START misusing Rx drug every day.
This media campaign by the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services describes the problem, helps identify signs of abuse, provides information about treatment and recovery, and has links to more resources. This information can be found at http://www.takeonlyasdirected.com/
Residential Recovery Court Opens in NE TN
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| From TN Department Of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Newsletter |
What Do We Want? DATA!
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| Image from Nation of Change |
Funding for alcohol, tobacco and drug prevention has been part of No Child Left Behind legislation (now called the Elementary and Secondary Education Act - ESEA). Without getting into the politics of whether this legislation is achieving its purpose, an improvement to the bill could help our Coalition efforts. In particular:
- continue collecting core data (in current act) including*:
- which substances are most abused
- how often are they used
- when do our young people start using the substance
- what is their perception of harm
- what is their perception of parental or societal disapproval
- defining the core components of prevention activities to include:
- awareness of the costs and consequences of drug use and abuse
- updated information about changing attitudes
- perceptions and social norms about the dangers and acceptability of drug use
- reduced access to alcohol, tobacco and other drugs
*Although specific data collection is already defined in the bill, the "trickle down" has not yet reached Sullivan County. The Coalition needs to include this component so we might eventually benefit from its inclusion. These are the data points that are needed to apply for other prevention grants.
Coalition Meeting Highlights
(Upper left) Reps. Jon Lundberg and Timothy Hill listening to coalition members (below). Certificates of Appreciation were presented to the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office (upper right), the Bristol Police Department (middle right), and the Kingsport Police Department (bottom right) for their efforts in reducing the amount of unused medication available for abuse.
“And” / “or” - It Makes a Difference
Representatives Jon Lundberg and Timothy Hill reported that synthetic drug legislation was improved by the change of and to or. Prosecutors no longer need to prove all of the conditions stated in the law to place charges.
Retail tobacco compliance checks were also improved by another tweak. Compliance checks can now be carried out in everyone county in Tennessee.
It is too early to see any patterns in the data collected since the April implementation of Prescription Safety Act of 2012 , but a great discussion pointed out some of the remaining issues for consideration.
For the upcoming session, the Coalition was assured that hemp farm legislation was unlikely to pass. The biggest debate may be whether pseudoephedrine will require a prescription.
The Coalition also presented certificates of appreciation to all of our local law enforcement agencies in gratitude for their efforts to reduce the supply of prescription drugs in our county.
Annual Meeting with Legislators
Please join us. Hear Reps. Jon Lundberg and Timothy Hill talk about last year's accomplishments and the upcoming session. What do you want to see happen? Come tell them.
Message from Attitude Study: Parents Matter!
The 2012 Partnership Attitude Tracking Study makes a strong case for the importance of parents teaching their teens and pre-teens about alcohol and drug abuse. The three main findings for parents:
- Parents must clearly communicate their expectations of non-use (because parent permissiveness is clearly correlated to use of substances.
- Parents must safeguard their medications at home and properly dispose of unused medicines.
- Parents should avoid modeling risky behavior.
This chart offers specific ideas about parental communication as reported by teens.
Take Only as Directed
This multi-agency collaborative initiative addresses Tennessee's prescription drug abuse.
Changing Community Norms
As summer fun continues, your teen may want to plan a party. Enjoy the festivity, but remember to:
- Limit the number of people invited, and the number of people allowed on the property.
- Have sufficient chaperons to monitor the property and the guests for any problems.
- Be prepared the call an underage guest’s parents if he or she appears to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
- Set a beginning and ending time for the party.*
*from the Center for Problem Oriented Policing
Please Talk To Your Teens About Underage Drinking
Do it before everyone is tired. It doesn't take long; just a reminder. Lots of little talks are more effective than one "big talk." Even an eye roll let's you know that they have heard it before...and THAT is a good thing!
National Transportation Safety Board Recommendations
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| More information at http://dramshop.blogspot.com/ |
- Reduce state BAC limits from 0.08 to 0.05 or lower
- Increase use of high-visibility enforcement
- Develop and deploy in-vehicle detection technology
- Require ignition interlocks for all offenders
- Improve use of administrative license actions
- Target and address repeat offenders
- Reinforce use and effectiveness of DWI courts
Ignition Interlock Legislation Signed by Governor
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| Pass this test or become eligible for a quiz each time you drive |
This new use of these devices should help eliminate drunk driving. Currently 50 to 75 percent of convicted drunk drivers will continue to drive on a suspended license. Other states, where this legislation has been enacted, have seen a 30% decline in alcohol related traffic fatalities. A CDC study suggests that having an interlock device makes it 67% less likely that the person will become a repeat offender. The House sponsor of this legislation was Rep. Tony Shipley.
Tobacco Industry Challenge to Graphic Labels is Rejected
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| One of FDA proposed cigarette warning labels. |
The FDA plans to move forward, further challenges exist. The US Appeals Court for the DC circuit blocked the specific warnings proposed by the FDA. Cigarette labels have not been updated since 1984.
Other protections left in place:
- Health claims must be approved by the FDA
- Marketing appeals to youth are banned
- Statements implying tobacco is safe because regulated by FDA are prohibited
Sixth DEA National Drug Take Back
Saturday, April 27, from 10 AM to 2 PM
Sullivan County Collection Sites:
- Bristol Municipal Parking Lot - 70 pounds collected
- 801 Anderson Street
- Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office - 40 pounds collected
- 140 Blountville Blvd.
Other nearby collection site:
- Bristol VA City Court House
- 497 Cumberland Street
More collection sites can be found by entering your zip code into this DEA site.
- 801 Anderson Street
- 140 Blountville Blvd.
- Bristol VA City Court House
- 497 Cumberland Street
More collection sites can be found by entering your zip code into this DEA site.
Last Year's LEAD Bristol PSA Contest Winner
My technology skills needing help, it has taken me all year to figure out how to get an Apple-based product on a Google-based forum. (I'm thinking the tools have improved, not my ability.) At any rate, here is last year's LEAD Bristol Team Social Hosting contest winner from Tennessee High School.
by Collin Moore, Michael Bently, and Spencer Kirchen
Off-Site Alcohol Retailer Advertising
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| During a community service project by a King College student, 18 off-site retail outlets were assessed for the amount of alcohol advertising. The three sites that had five or more signs were located near the Bristol Motor Speedway. |
Please Read Dr. Dreyzehner's Commentary on NAS
Commissioner of the Department of Health outlines the problem with Neonatal Alcohol Syndrome and what is being done in Tennessee at http://www.tricities.com/news/
Prescription Drug Act of 2012 Moving TN Forward
The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy has recently updated its Prescription Monitoring Program map to show the status of state data sharing programs as live, pending, prospective and no program in place. Last year's Prescription Drug Act has allowed Tennessee to participate in this national data sharing program.
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| National Association of Boards of Pharmacy |
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