April 1, 2017

April is Alcohol Awareness Month

The need to provide meaningful education on the dangers of underage drinking and drug use here in Irvington has never been greater. A few facts help to highlight that need:

  • Alcohol and drugs are the leading causes of crime among youth.
  • Alcohol and drugs are the leading factors in teenage suicide.
  • More than 23 million people over the age of 12 are addicted to alcohol and other drugs.

Young people, like adults, drink alcohol for many different reasons. Some of the reasons may seem obvious, but understanding the feelings behind these reasons – as well as how everyday teen life comes into play – can be difficult. Young people often drink to check out from family problems or issues with school and grades; loneliness, low self-esteem, depression, anxiety disorder and other mental health issues can contribute; they may drink to deal with the pressures of everyday social situations, to change their image or to fit in when moving to a new school or town; to gain confidence or lose inhibitions.

As kids get older and alcohol and drugs enter the picture, parents are faced with a unique set of challenges. They can simply sit back and hope their kids will “get through it,” or they can take an active role in learning about alcohol and drugs – and helping their kids to do the same. Parents can be a primary source of positive and reliable information. In fact, research has shown that kids who have conversations with their parents and learn a lot about the dangers of alcohol and drug use are 50% less likely to use these substances than those who don’t have such conversations.

It is important to take advantage of “teachable moments” when parents and other adults can help kids connect the dots about underage drinking and drug use. It’s not so much about having “the big talk,” but about being there for them when the issues come up – on TV, at the movies, on the radio; about celebrities or sports figures, or about their friends. According to the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, here are some guidelines that can help parents talk about alcohol and drug use:

  • Listen before you talk: For kids, knowing that someone is really listening is most important.
  • Ask open-ended questions. Be involved. Be honest and open.
  • Be positive: talking about these issues can build bridges rather than walls.

And remember, addiction is a chronic, progressive disease that can be linked to family history and genetics. So, if you there is a family history of problems be matter of fact about it, as one would be with any other chronic disease, such as heart disease, diabetes or cancer. “Alcohol and drug use is a very risky business for young people,” says Andrew Pucher, President and Chief Executive Officer of NCADD, “and parents can make a difference. The longer children delay drinking and drug use, the less likely they are to develop problems associated with it. That’s why it is so important to help your child connect the dots and make smart decisions about alcohol and drug use.”

So, this April iASK is celebrating Alcohol Awareness Month by sharing a variety of information on social media to raise public awareness about underage drinking and encourage parents to speak to their kids early and often about alcohol and other drugs. You can help by sharing this information as well. It can make a tremendous difference in our community as we reach out to those who are most vulnerable and help our next generation avoid the many problems that underage alcohol and drug use can bring.

in iASK-CAB Notes
March 29, 2017

Restrict and Ban Marketing of E-Cigs to Children

According to the U.S. Surgeon General’s report on e-cigarettes and young people, “No matter how it’s delivered, nicotine is harmful for youth and young adults.” E-cigarettes are devices that heat a liquid, usually containing nicotine, flavoring and other additives, into an aerosol that the user inhales.

E-cigarettes are considered among tobacco products because most contain nicotine, which comes from tobacco and are addictive. Besides nicotine, e-cigarettes can contain other harmful ingredients. A recent CDC report indicates that e-cigarette use has risen dramatically in the last five years, with 1 in 6 high school students using e-cigarettes in the past month.

NYS PTA supports the following electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) initiatives proposed in the Executive Budget:

Impose a tax rate of $0.10 per milliliter. According to the Roswell Park Cancer Institute, “A modest increase in e-cigarette prices should serve to help deter young people from using e-cigarettes while not posing a significant impediment for adult cigarette smokers who are looking to switch completely to e-cigarettes as a step toward going tobacco- and e-cigarette-free.”

Expand the definition of tobacco products to include vapor products used in electronic delivery systems such as e-cigarettes, hookah pens, and vape pens in the Clean Indoor Air Act. According to a U.S. Surgeon General’s report, “The aerosol from e-cigarettes is not harmless. It can contain harmful and potentially harmful chemicals, including nicotine; ultrafine particles that can be inhaled deep into the lungs; flavoring such diacetyl, a chemical linked to a serious lung disease; volatile organic compounds such as benzene, which is found in car exhaust; and heavy metals, such as nickel, tin and lead. Scientists are still working to understand more fully the health effects and harmful doses of e-cigarette contents when they are heated and turned into an aerosol, both for active users who inhale from a device and for those who are exposed to the aerosol secondhand. Another risk to consider involves defective e-cigarette batteries that have been known to cause fires and explosions, some of which have resulted in serious injuries. Most of the explosions happened when the e-cigarette batteries were being charged.”

Fully prohibit the advertising, marketing and sale of e-cigarettes and other ENDS to youth. E-cigarettes and other ENDS are available in more than 7,000 fruit/candy flavors and advertised using cartoons and celebrities, which are appealing to youth. While the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has taken the first step in establishing oversight of e-cigarettes and other ENDS, there are no federal restrictions preventing the sale and advertising of e-cigarettes and other ENDS to minors. Much more needs to be done.

Click Here to Take Action: Restrict and Ban Marketing of ECigarettes & ENDS to Children

in iASK-CAB Notes
March 15, 2017

St. Patrick’s Day: Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving

As one of the country’s most popular holidays, St. Patrick’s Day is an opportunity for everyone to celebrate the roots of 34.2 million Americans with Irish ancestry. Tragically, March 17 has become one of the nation’s deadliest holidays.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), during the 2014 St. Patrick’s Day holiday period (6 p.m. March 16 to 5:59 a.m. March 18), more than a quarter (28%) of all motor vehicle crash fatalities involved drunk drivers. The early hours of March 18 were especially deadly: between midnight and 5:59 a.m., nearly half of all crash fatalities involved drunk drivers. In fact, from 2010 to 2014, almost three-fourths of the drunk-driving fatalities during this holiday period involved drivers who had blood alcohol contents (BACs) well above the .08 limit, with 266 drunk-driving fatalities total.

Pedestrians walking while intoxicated are also at risk as lack of attention increases the risk of  getting hit by a vehicle.  In 2014, 35 percent of the pedestrians killed in crashes had a blood alcohol content of .08 or higher.

There is some good news, however. The number of fatalities over this holiday period decreased nationally from 32 in 2013 to 29 in 2014. Likewise, the number of fatalities involving drunk drivers declined from more than one-third to one-fourth.

“We are greatly encouraged by the downward trend in fatalities,” said Irvington Chief of Police Mike Cerone. “However, we still want to encourage everyone to make a plan before heading out to the festivities. Understand the dangers of drinking and driving. Buzzed or drunk, you should not drive.  Designate a sober driver before you and your friends go out to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Do not wait until you’ve already been drinking to find a sober driver. Remember: Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving. Even one drink is dangerous if you are behind the wheel of a car.”

Let’s make 2017 safer. Use this party-planning checklist to stay safe this St. Patrick’s Day.

  • PARTY PREPARATION: Designate a sober, reliable driver to get you home safely. Find the name of a taxi company (or two), and keep their numbers in your phone, or download the NHTSA SaferRide app, available for Android and Apple.
  • ON ST. PATRICK’S DAY: Before you take your first sip of green beer, leave your keys at home or give them to a friend. Ensure your designated driver has committed to a sober evening. If you’re the designated driver, do not drink. Your friends are relying on you, as are the people with whom you share the road. Enjoy non-alcoholic beverages and tweet your VIP (very important partygoer) status online using the hashtag #designateddriver.
  • EVERY DAY: First, commit to driving sober today, St. Patrick’s Day, and every day. Second, always keep the number of a taxi company in your phone or in your wallet so you have a backup plan if you find yourself in need of a sober driver. Last, be sure to download NHTSA’s SaferRide app. Using your location, the app can find a taxi nearby, as well as help you contact a friend from your selected list of contacts. If you’re impaired, don’t let pride get in the way of calling a sober friend or family member to get you home safely. Help spread the word about the dangers of drunk driving, and the resources available to keep the streets safe.

Fact: In 2014, on average, one person was killed every 53 minutes in a drunk-driving crash in the United States. That totaled 9,967 drunk-driving fatalities that year. Too many people are not getting the message. Drunk driving is deadly and illegal. In fact, even if you have a BAC under .08, you could still be arrested and convicted of drunk driving.

To drink and drive is a crime —you put yourself and others at risk. The consequences are often fatal. If you see a drunk driver on the road, contact local police when it is safe to do so. You could save a life.

For more information, visit www.trafficsafetymarketing.gov or www.iask-cab.org.

in iASK-CAB Notes
March 9, 2017

Recap: Marijuana Awareness Month

In February, the High School Positive Impact Club planned awareness activities related to “Marijuana Awareness Month”. At the beginning of February, there was a window display for “Marijuana Awareness Month” which included facts about marijuana and its impact on the teenage brain. The Positive Impact Club students hosted a marijuana “foggles” demonstration and information table for the “Marijuana Awareness Month”. The students guided their peers through a written maze activity to demonstrate executive functioning impairment as a result of marijuana use. The table also provided information about the risks associated with marijuana use, and National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) “Marijuana Facts for Teens” pamphlets were made available to students both at the table and in the high school main office.

Learn more about marijuana.

in iASK-CAB Notes
March 9, 2017

Parent’s Guide to Teen Parties

As a parent, you know the importance of your teen’s social life and that parties are a way to socialize and relax. But an unsupervised or poorly planned party can result in unwanted or even tragic consequences. However, parental responsibility is the key to a fun and safe party.

The American Academy of Pediatrics shares some important information about teen parties. Learn more.

in iASK-CAB Notes
March 1, 2017

Alcohol vs. Weed

Is drinking worse than smoking weed?

Some teens may argue that weed is safer than alcohol.  Research shows that teens typically try both, often at the same time — a dangerous combination. Tell your teen that you don’t want her to be doing anything that can harm her — whether that’s smoking pot, cigarettes, drinking or any other reckless behavior. Learn more.

in Conversation Starters
February 26, 2017

Mixed Media Messages

DID YOU KNOW?  According to a recent researcher study out of the University of Stanford, more than 80% of middle-schoolers couldn’t distinguish between a real news story on a website and an ad labeled “sponsored content”?

With so many mixed messages in the media, it is no wonder it is difficult for our children to distinguish fact from fiction.

Tips to Help Your Child:

1) Talk to your children about they read online and gently redirect any misinformation

2) Encourage them to read/watch a variety of news sources. Lead by example and do the same yourself!

3) Teach your children to research a website’s author or organization before reading an article

Source: Jennifer Nunziato (Traditi), LMHC, Student Assistance Counselor, Irvington High School & Middle School, Phone: 914-269-5469

in iASK-CAB Notes
February 19, 2017

Marijuana Legalization: Lessons Learned

Lessons Learned After 4 Years of Marijuana Legalization.

The laws have had significant negative impacts on public health and safety, such as:

• Rising rates of pot use by minors

• Increasing arrest rates of minors, especially black and Hispanic children

• Higher rates of traffic deaths from driving while high

• More marijuana-related poisonings and hospitalizations

• A persistent black market that may now involve increased Mexican cartel activity in Colorado

Learn more.

 

in iASK-CAB Notes