Tag alcohol | iASK-CAB

April 16, 2017

Alcohol Awareness Month: Is My Child an Alcoholic?

My child only drinks beer, doesn’t drink every day and says she’s not alcoholic. Is she right?

Alcoholism is not defined by what you drink, when you drink it, or even how much you drink. Whether a person drinks every day or only on weekends, drinks shots of liquor or just drinks beer or wine, what matters most is what happens when they drink. If her drinking is causing problems at home, at work, physically, financially, emotionally or legally, it is time to get help.

Source: National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence

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April 9, 2017

Trends for Teens in 2017

The data from the latest Monitoring the Future (MTF) survey is encouraging. MTF is a survey of 8th, 10th, and 12th grade students that has been conducted annually since 1975. The 2016 results released in late December 2016 indicated that teenagers use of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs declined in 2016 and the rates are at the lowest since the 1990s. Learn more.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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February 5, 2017

Passenger of an Impaired Driver?

Did you know…1 in 3 teens surveyed say they have been a passenger with an drinking or drug impaired driver at least once in the past year?

Tips to Keep Your Child Safe:

1) Teach your children refusal skills

2) Establish an emergency exit code with your child

3) Communicate clearly to your child that you are willing to pick them up if he/she doesn’t have a safe ride home

Speak to your son or daughter today about the dangers of being a passenger in the car with someone who is impaired by alcohol, marijuana, or other drugs.

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January 8, 2017

Surgeon General Issues Landmark Report on Alcohol, Drugs and Health

A new Surgeon General’s report finds alcohol and drug misuse and severe substance use disorders, commonly called addiction, to be one of America’s most pressing public health concerns. Nearly 21 million Americans – more than the number of people who have all cancers combined – suffer from substance use disorders.

“Alcohol and drug addiction take an enormous toll on individuals, families, and communities,” said U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy. “Most Americans know someone who has been touched by an alcohol or a drug use disorder. Yet 90 percent of people with a substance use disorder are not getting treatment. That has to change.”

Alcohol and Risky Teen Behaviors

It is not surprising to find that a teen who uses alcohol or other drugs is more likely to engage in risky behaviors. Using alcohol or other drugs can lower a teen’s inhibitions and cloud their judgement by influencing their ability to assess that a behavior is risky and can have lasting consequences.

Underage Drinking: 5 Ways to Talk About it Realistically

“Little kids, little problems. Big kids, big problems.” There are few areas where that adage rings truer than with underage drinking. Here are the facts: It’s illegal. Most parents don’t condone it. It’s unhealthy. The best tactic is to delay it as long as you can.

In fact, there’s a lot of evidence that parents should strive to keep their younger teenagers away from alcohol because it damages the developing teenage brain.

But here’s another fact: Many teens are drinking. According to a Call to Action on Underage Drinking from the U.S. Surgeon General, by age 18, more than 70 percent of teens have had at least one drink. And they typically don’t stop at one. The report also found that teens are more likely to binge drink than adults: On average, teens have about five drinks on a single occasion.

View the full article.

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June 12, 2016

Not My Child… Think Again.

Only 1 in 10 High School parents believe their own child drinks alcohol, and only 1 in 100 High School parents believe their child binge-drinks.

However, the most recent nationwide Monitoring the Future study (2015) proves differently:

47 % of 10^th grade students and 64% of 12^th grade students admit to drinking alcohol (defined as drinking “more than a few sips”)
1 in 6 high school students reports binge-drinking within the last month

Research shows that teens are less likely to drink alcohol if they clearly know their parents disapprove. Talk to your children soon & often about the risks of underage alcohol use.

Source: Jennifer Traditi, LMHC, Student Assistance Counselor, Irvington High School & Middle School

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