Prevention Works in Seattle

"Prescription for Abuse" premieres Monday on KCTS 9

2012-01-29T19:58:00.000-08:00

Prescription for Abuse
Monday, January 30, 2012, 9:00 p.m.
KCTS 9

KCTS 9 and InvestigateWest report on the alarming increase in prescription-drug abuse in Washington state, looking at doctors who overprescribe, the lack of regulation or treatment options, and how this epidemic is affecting teenagers, seniors and middle-class families.

In addition, several print and online stories on the topic were published this week. They may be viewed via the Investigate West webpage.

Learn more about proposed legislation that would establish a statewide medicine return program at TakeBackYourMeds.org. Medicine return programs are one way to reduce prescription drug abuse.

New Day Northwest: parents & underage drinking

2012-01-25T07:52:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, Prevention WINS coalition members appeared on KING 5's New Day Northwest to discuss how parents can prevent underage drinking.

Some of the questions were about the new social host law passed by the Mercer Island City Council.

Engaging communities to prevent underage drinking

2012-01-23T09:00:00.000-08:00

I often get questions about community coalitions, like Prevention WINS, and our role in preventing youth substance abuse. An article appearing in a recent edition of Alcohol Research & Health (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism) explains how communities engaged in preventing underage drinking are particularly effective. Following are a few excerpts about what makes for a successful coalition from Engaging Communities to Prevent Underage Drinking:

Community-based efforts offer broad potential for achieving population-level reductions in alcohol misuse among youth and young adults. A common feature of successful community strategies is reliance on local coalitions to select and fully implement preventive interventions that have been shown effective in changing factors that influence risk of you engaging in alcohol use . . .

Although coalitions are a common element of effective community-based prevention, not all coalition efforts have produced significant changes in alcohol use . . . The evaluations [of unsuccessful community efforts] indicated that . . . the mere presence of an active, well-intentioned coalition is not enough to prevent AOD [alcohol and other drugs] use. In other words, simply gathering local stakeholders and asking them to collaborate to do their best to solve local drug problems or preventing underage drinking does not produce desired changes.

Instead, the evidence suggests that in order to be successful, coalitions must ensure the following:

~ They must have clearly defined, focused, and manageable goals;

~ They must have adequate planning time;

~ Prevention decisions must be based on empirical data about what needs to change in the community and on evidence from scientifically valid students of what has worked to address those needs;

~ They must implement prevention policies, practices, and programs that have been tested and shown to be effective; and

~ They must carefully monitor prevention activities to ensure implementation quality.

Legislation would help reduce teen prescription drug abuse

2012-01-20T08:20:00.000-08:00

Last year, the Prevention WINS coalition learned about the Take Back Your Meds campaign and how a statewide medicine return program would reduce youth prescription drug abuse. Below is a clip from a local news story about why these programs are important.

During the current state legislative session, two bills are being considered that would establish a statewide system for the secure return of leftover prescription and over-the-counter medicines. Following is a brief summary of SSB 5234 and HB 1370:

• Help stop the epidemic of abuse and poisonings, and protect our water quality.

• Requires no state funds; budget-neutral to the state. Primarily financed by all drug producers selling medicines in Washington, as part of doing business. Removes financial burden from Sheriffs, police, and local governments.

• Not a government-run program. Establishes the non-profit WA Medicine Return Association that will be managed and financed by drug producers so they can control their own funds and operate the program efficiently.

• Total annual costs of the program to drug producers collectively cannot exceed $2.5 million – or about 1 penny for every $16 in sales of medicines annually in Washington.

• Sheriffs, police, local govt’s, and pharmacies in 17 counties are operating take-back programs at limited locations, but are struggling for funding. Most WA communities cannot afford to start a take-back program.

• The federal Drug Enforcement Agency is coordinating some one-day take-back events; however these rely on local resources and will end in 2012 when the DEA finalizes new regulations for take-back of controlled drugs such as narcotics without involvement of law enforcement.

During the 2011 legislative session, the Senate bill was one vote short of being passed out of committee. Although many legislators support these bills, the powerful pharmaceutical lobby was successful in thwarting them. More information about the proposed legislation may be found on the Take Back Your Meds website.

Super Bowl, alcohol advertising and youth

2012-01-19T09:00:00.000-08:00

Did you know . . . of the people watching the Super Bowl, 18% are under 21 years old?

In response to the plethora of alcohol advertising broadcast during the Super Bowl, the Drug-Free Action Alliance is once again providing communities with activities to counter-act their impact on teenagers. Their Big Bowl Vote website includes a toolkit for youth groups and links to presentations about alcohol marketing and youth.

More information about alcohol marketing and youth is available on the Center on Alcohol Marketing & Youth website.

2012 DFC Request for Applications released

2012-01-19T08:36:00.000-08:00

The Prevention WINS coalition is funded by a Drug Free Communities (DFC) grant. If other communities are interested in receiving DFC funding, the 2012 DFC Request for Applications was posted this morning on the Drug Free Communities website.

The website also provides other information about the DFC program, eligibility, and the application process for this federal grant funding focused on community-wide environmental prevention strategies including coalition development. Applications are due March 22, 2012.

Power of Parents facilitator training February 17

2012-01-18T12:45:00.000-08:00

Free training!

Learn how to make 30-minute presentations about underage drinking prevention to parents using materials from MADD's Power of Parents, It's Your Influence campaign.

Power of Parents Facilitator Training
Friday, February 17, 2012
12:30-2:30 p.m.
Garfield Teen Life Center
428 23rd Avenue, Seattle

More information, including how to register, is available on the event flyer.

Prevention Policy Day: February 20, 2012

2012-01-17T08:50:00.000-08:00

At this yearly event, youth and professionals gather together to rally at the Capitol in Olympia and meet with individual lawmakers in support of prevention policy. It is an opportunity to share views on future priorities relating to the health and safety of youth. In addition, youth leadership groups can talk about what is happening in local communities around the state.

*****

Agenda:

9:00am: Welcome and Event Kick-Off

12:00pm: Rally in the Capitol Rotunda

1:15pm - 2:30pm: Lunch (Networking and Youth Presentations)

2:30pm - 5:00pm: More Policy Maker Meetings

*****

All participants are strongly encouraged to set appointments with their policymakers at any point possible throughout the day. Ideal times for appointments are between 10:00am and 11:30am or 2:45pm and later.

Learn about "designer drugs"

2012-01-13T08:32:00.000-08:00

There’s a new and ever-changing class of drugs out there and their effects are unlike anything we have ever seen. Use of designer drugs like bath salts and spice is growing rapidly, even as laws and ordinances take effect to help control their spread.

CADCA will broadcast an hour-long program, Designer Drugs: The New Frontier, that will take a look at this new and emerging drug threat. Viewers will hear from public health experts in Bangor, Maine where they say this is the worst drug epidemic they have ever seen. The show airs Jan. 26, 2012 at 10 a.m. live online at http://www.cadca.org/

Marketing alcohol to young people through social media

2012-01-11T11:38:00.000-08:00

Alcohol marketing on Facebook? Most of us are familiar with alcohol advertising on television and print media. But what do we know about alcohol advertising on social media sites?

The Center for Alcohol Marketing & Youth (CAMY) at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health have developed a 4-part YouTube video series that charts the marketing push into digital markets such as Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter. Each video is only a few minutes long and well worth the time.

Parent forum at Eckstein January 31

2012-01-10T07:27:00.000-08:00

Please join us!

Parents: Preventing Underage Drinking and Drug Abuse
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
6-8:00 p.m.
Eckstein Middle School
3003 NE 75th Street

6:00-6:30 Food & Childcare
Join us for free pizza! Free childcare starts at 6:15.

6:30-8:00 Program
Hear about what is happening in our community from
• The Preventions, one of Eckstein’s student prevention clubs
• Eckstein and Nathan Hale staff

Learn parenting tips for preventing youth drug abuse from
• Eckstein’s Head Counselor Reema Ziadeh
• Seattle Children’s Mental Health Counselor Kelly Kerby

Find out what Eckstein students are learning about underage drinking and drug abuse prevention.

Get answers to your questions about underage drinking and teen drug abuse.

Tips & tools for NE Seattle parents

2012-01-06T12:53:00.000-08:00

As part of their campaign to provide NE Seattle parents with information about how to help their teenage children make healthy choices, the Prevention WINS Social Marketing Workgroup today added a Parenting Tips & Tools page to the coalition's website. In addition, a second postcard was mailed to all Eckstein Middle School families.

A postcard was sent to all Eckstein families in November and a third one will be mailed later this winter.

The campaign's goal is to increase parenting practices proven to prevent teen drug and alcohol use. Specifically, the campaign provides information about setting rules, consequences and rewards; communicating with other parents; and knowing their teen's friends.

Medical marijuana for ADD?

2012-01-04T08:41:00.000-08:00

Next week, a committee of the commission which makes recommendations regarding conditions that qualify for medical marijuana, will consider adding Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) to the list of qualifying conditions in our state. A public hearing will be held:

Wednesday, January 11, 7:00 p.m.
Holiday Inn Seattle-Renton
One South Grady Way in Renton

Lessons from tobacco prevention (part 2): dedicated funds diverted to general fund

2011-12-30T08:28:00.000-08:00

As our state starts implementing I-1183 (privatization of liquor sales and further deregulation of liquor and wine) and considers changing laws regarding illegal drugs, with proponents stating that tax revenue generated from these changes will fund prevention and other social services, it is interesting to consider lessons learned from similar promises made regarding tobacco prevention.

From the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids:

Historically, Washington funded tobacco prevention largely through the Tobacco Prevention and Control Account, which included a portion of the revenue raised by a 2001 voter-approved 60-cent per pack cigarette tax increase. The ballot initiative dedicated the new revenue to the state’s Basic Health Plan, to tobacco prevention and cessation, and other existing programs that were already funded with tobacco tax revenue. The initiative required the state to spend at least $26.24 million a year on tobacco prevention and cessation beginning July 1, 2002. In the 2009 legislative session, the Washington State Legislature changed this law and diverted tobacco tax money to the general fund. After June 30, 2011, the Tobacco Prevention and Control Account had no remaining funds to sustain the program.

In FY2012, the state’s tobacco prevention program was essentially eliminated as the state will spend only $750,000 on tobacco prevention efforts.

As a result of the dramatic funding cut, Washington will no longer fund anti-tobacco media campaigns or local tobacco prevention and cessation programs in schools or through local governments or community organizations.

Washington is spending almost nothing on tobacco prevention despite the fact that the state is receiving more tobacco-generated revenue than ever before as a result of a $1.00 per pack cigarette tax increase, to $3.025 per pack, and increases in the tax rates on other tobacco products effective May 2010.

Lessons from tobacco prevention: well-funded programs work

2011-12-29T09:49:00.000-08:00

According to a story I heard on the radio yesterday: States will rake in over $25 billion this year from tobacco taxes and tobacco settlement money. However, less and less of that money will go toward prevention activities.

One lesson we have learned from tobacco settlement dollars and tax revenue that have gone to fund tobacco prevention programs is that, when well-funded and comprehensive, prevention works.

Washington's success
Our state has had much success in preventing tobacco use among youth when our prevention programs were well funded. In a report from the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids:

The Washington State Tobacco Prevention and Control program was implemented in 1999 after the state Legislature set aside money from the Master Settlement Agreement to create a Tobacco Prevention and Control Account. Tobacco prevention and control received additional funds in 2011 when the state's voters passed a cigarette tax that dedicated a portion of the new revenue to tobacco prevention and cessation.

Since the tobacco control program was implemented, Washington has reduced the adult smoking rate by one-third, from 22.4 percent in 1999 to 15.2 percent in 2010. Washington's tobacco prevention efforts have also reduce youth smoking rates in half, saving additional lives and dollars.

An earlier study in the CDC's peer-reviewed journal, Preventing Chronic Disease, found that although Washington made progress in implementing tobacco control policies between 1990 and 2000, smoking prevalence did not decline significantly until after substantial investment was made in the state's comprehensive tobacco control program.

The following chart, from the Washington State Department of Health's most recent tobacco prevention progress report, shows the decline in youth smoking rates since 1999. The chart indicates that while our state has seen a significant reduction in use rates, progress has stalled since funding for prevention has been reduced.

What does an effective prevention program include?
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has established Best Practices that recommend key elements of tobacco prevention and cessation programs.

Key elements include:

Hard-hitting education and media campaigns;
Community and school-based programs;
Effective enforcement of laws prohibiting tobacco sales to minors;
Affordable, accessible assistance for smokers trying to quit;
Rigorous evaluation to ensure these programs are delivering results.

While these reports focus on tobacco prevention, the lessons learned may be applied to all youth substance abuse prevention programs.

How parents can prevent teen drug use

2011-12-23T14:28:00.000-08:00

Here is a roundup of parenting-related information that has been sitting in my Inbox . . .

Arguing with mom preps teens for peer pressure (TODAY!Moms)

New report shows that adolescents are far more likely to drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs if they live with a parent that drives under the influence (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)

Adult-supervised Alcohol Use and Harmful Consequences among American and Australian Teens (Underage Drinking Enforcement Training Center)

From the CDC:

Positive Parenting Tips -- Young Teens (12 to 14 years)
Positive Parenting Tips -- Teenagers (15-17 years)
"Parents Are the Key" -- CDC offers parents tools and proven steps for reducing teen driving injuries and deaths.

Marijuana in the news . . .

2011-12-21T10:05:00.000-08:00

Room for Debate: Should Teenagers Get High Instead of Drunk? (New York Times)

Marijuana measure headed for ballot? (Seattle PI)

Another marijuana dispensary on Lake City (Maple Leaf Life)

Gregoire to DEA: Make marijuana a legal drug (Seattle Times)

Lawsuit filed over Seattle's medical-marijuana ordinance (Seattle Times)

Where Selling Pot is No Longer a Backroom Deal (New York Times)

Anti-Drug Leaders Respond to Study on Medical Marijuana and Traffic Deaths (Join Together)

Legalization of Marijuana and the Impact on Children (Join Together)

Underage drinking rates decline, teen marijuana use rates increase

2011-12-19T14:04:00.000-08:00

Last week, results from the nationwide Monitoring the Future (MTF) survey were released and the findings include:

~ Marijuana use among teens rose in 2011 for the fourth straight year -- a sharp contrast to the considerable decline that had occurred in the preceding decade. Daily marijuana use is now at a 30-year peak level among high school seniors.

~ Underage drinking -- and, importantly, occasions of heavy drinking -- continued a long-term gradual decline among teens, reaching historically low levels in 2011.

Why is teen marijuana use increasing?
The MTF report states: One possible explanation for the resurgence of marijuana use is that in recent years fewer teens report seeing much danger associated with its use, even with regular use. "Perceived risk", as the investigators call it -- which the study has shown is often a harbinger of changes to come in the use of a drug -- has been falling rather sharply for marijuana in the past five years or so . . .

How do local use rates compare to national rates?
Here are the 10th grade current (30-day) marijuana use rates from MTF and local Healthy Youth Survey data:

MTF: 18%
Washington State: 20%
King County: 18%
Seattle Schools: 22%
Nathan Hale High School: 21%
Roosevelt High School: 23%

Among Hale 10th grade students, use rates have declined since 2008 when 29% of them reported currently using marijuana. Like the nation, Roosevelt 10th grade marijuana use rates have steadily increased over the past few years -- 18% in 2006, 20% in 2008 and 23% in 2010.

Detailed Healthy Youth Survey data for Nathan Hale, Roosevelt and Seattle Schools may be accessed through the Prevention WINS website. Other Healthy Youth Survey data may be accessed through AskHYS.net.

Science-based information about marijuana, including a fact sheet about Adolescents and Marijuana, is available through the University of Washington's Alcohol & Drug Abuse Institute.

Prevention Specialist Training to be offered in Renton

2011-12-19T09:04:00.000-08:00

Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist Training (SAPST): a comprehensive training on the science and application of prevention

February 29, March 1, 7 & 8 (4-day training)
8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Blackriver Training & Conference Center
800 Oakesdale Ave, SW in Renton

Training topics:

The history of prevention
Research and planning
Evaluation
Media
Human development/culture
Prevention ethics

Cost: $25

More information is available on the Prevention Specialists Certification Board's website.

2012 general coalition meeting dates

2011-12-16T09:40:00.000-08:00

Prevention WINS 2012 General Coalition Meetings

Thursday, March 15, 2012
8-9:30 a.m.
Seattle Children's, G-1026
4800 Sand Point Way NE

Friday, June 22, 2012
8-9:30 a.m.
Seattle Children's, SDR-3
4800 Sand Point Way NE

Thursday, September 20, 2012
8-9:30 a.m.
Eckstein Middle School
3003 NE 75th Street

Thursday, December 20, 2012
8-9:30 a.m.
Seattle Children's, G-1026
4800 Sand Point Way NE

All coalition meetings are open to the public. Everyone who is interested in preventing youth substance abuse in NE Seattle is welcome!

Transitioning to private liquor sales in WA

2011-12-14T13:43:00.000-08:00

The Liquor Control Board's (LCB) website now contains information about the work being done in response to the passage of Initiative 1183. The LCB will cease state liquor store and liquor distribution operations by June 1, 2012. The Seattle Distribution Center - which supplies state and contract liquor stores with liquor - and its assets will be sold. The private sector will be allowed to sell and distribute liquor with the proper liquor licenses.

Several laws related to the three-tier system will also change, including:

Uniform pricing is repealed for liquor and wine.
Ban on quantity discounts is repealed for liquor and wine.

Repealing these policies will enable retailers to sell liquor and wine at lower prices. These are of particular concern to underage drinking prevention advocates because lower alcohol prices are associated with higher alcohol consumption among teenagers.

Learn about substance abuse prevention online for free

2011-12-14T12:49:00.000-08:00

During tomorrow's general coalition meeting, Prevention WINS members will discuss how to educate the community about public policy related to preventing youth substance abuse. Working on public policy issues is one example of an "environmental" prevention strategy.

As part of their Pathways to Prevention program, the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP) has a good, free online course that provides an overview of environmental prevention strategies. According to CSAP, types of environmental strategies include:

Policy
Enforcement
Education
Communication
Collaboration

Why prevent youth substance use?

2011-12-12T09:25:00.000-08:00

The American Academy of Pediatrics recently released a policy statement regarding the role of primary care providers in screening for drug use, brief intervention and referral to treatment. The introduction provides a good summary of why those of us working to prevent youth substance abuse do what we do.

Although it is common for adolescents and young adults to try mood-altering chemicals, including nicotine, it is important that this experimentation not be condoned, facilitated, or trivialized by adults including parents, teachers, and health care providers. Use of alcohol and other drugs remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality (disease/injury and death) for young people in the United States. Even the first use of alcohol or another drug can result in tragic consequences such as unintentional injury or death. All substance use involves health risks that can occur long before there is drug addiction, and teenagers seem to be particularly susceptible to health risk-taking behaviors and injuries related to alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use. In addition, research has established that adolescence is a period of neurodevelopmental vulnerability for developing addictions; age of first use is inversely correlated with lifetime incidence of developing a substance use disorder.

I-1183: How NE Seattle voted

2011-12-08T12:53:00.000-08:00

The Seattle Times posted maps that show precinct by precinct election results for I-1183, the initiative for privatizing liquor sales and further deregulating alcohol in general. Below is a snapshot of how NE Seattle voted.

Mercer Island passes state's first social host law

2011-12-08T12:03:00.000-08:00

From the Mercer Island Patch:

Mercer Island City Council approved an ordinance Monday night intended to prevent underage drinking by fining local homeowners — with few exceptions — where teens 18 and younger were found drinking alcohol. The civil ordinance is the first of its kind in the state.

The council voted 6-1 to hold persons responsible by having to pay a fine for failing to prevent underage drinking at gatherings on property they own or otherwise control. The civil fines of $250 per infraction would be levied if police find evidence of drinking by minors 18 years old and under — even if the drinking occurred without their knowledge.

In some places, social host laws include criminal penalties. NBC's Today Show recently covered a story about a California father who may face jail time for underage drinking that occurred in his home.

General coalition meeting on December 15

2011-12-08T10:50:00.000-08:00

Prevention Works in Seattle General Coalition Meeting
Thursday, December 15, 2011
9:00 - 10:30 a.m.
Seattle Children's Hospital
4800 Sand Point Way NE

All coalition meetings are open to anyone interested in preventing youth substance abuse in NE Seattle. For more information please contact the coalition coordinator.

Town hall meeting on youth substance abuse in NE Seattle

2011-12-06T09:32:00.000-08:00

Save the date!

Town Hall Meeting
Topic: youth substance abuse & what parents can do to prevent it

January 31, 2012
6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Eckstein Middle School

Free pizza!
Free childcare!

More information will soon be posted on the Prevention WINS website.

WASAVP 2012 legislative priorities

2011-12-05T09:24:00.000-08:00

After surveying members, the Washington Association for Substance Abuse and Violence Prevention (WASAVP) Board of Directors identified the following issues as top priorities for their work during the 2012 state legislative session.

1. Prevent liquor privatization and further deregulation.

2. Support designation of all ATOD (alcohol, tobacco and other drugs) fees and taxes to go toward enforcement, prevention and treatment in communities, not the general fund.

3. Reclassify medical marijuana so that it may be regulated and sold in pharmacies like other prescription medications.

4. Oppose state and federal budget cuts to community and school-based prevention programs.

The Board also identified several issues that will be monitored.

Free webinar: social marketing, social norms, social media and substance abuse prevention

2011-11-28T13:54:00.000-08:00

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration is offering a free webinar as part of their series on environmental strategies for substance abuse prevention:

Social Marketing, Social Norms, Social Media, Social What?
December 13, 2011
3:30-5:00 p.m.

The strategies and evidence that support different prevention practices often get confused, severely limiting the effective implementation of these approaches. Learn about the differences between some of the more common and evidence-based prevention strategies, including social marketing and social norms, as well as how new tools like social media fit in to the mix. This webinar will leave you with new tools, a better understanding of your prevention arsenal and the energy to make positive behavior change a reality.

Key topics will include:
-Social Marketing, including branding strategies
-Social Norms
-How to select the right approach
-Differentiating between a tool and an approach
-How to select the right tools for your approach
-How Social Media fits in most effectively

To register, click here.

911 Good Samaritan Law: making a difference?

2011-11-23T08:49:00.000-08:00

From UW's ADAI:

Drug users and bystanders who witness a drug overdose are often reluctant to call 911 out of fear that they might be arrested for drug possession. Initial results from an evaluation of Washington State's 911 Good Samaritan Law show that 88% of opiate users are now likely to call 911 to get emergency help for drug overdose victims, knowing that they are protected by the state’s Good Samaritan laws.

The study's early findings also indicated that 62% of police surveyed said the law would not change their behavior during a future overdose because they would not have made an arrest for possession anyway, 20% were unsure what they would do, and 14% said they would be less likely to make such an arrest.

Providing parents with tips on how to support healthy decision-making among teens

2011-11-22T08:03:00.000-08:00

One of the Prevention WINS coalition's strategies to prevent youth substance abuse in NE Seattle is outreach and education among parents. The coalition's campaign to help parents support healthy decision-making among their children includes postcards containing parenting tips. These tips echo what parents learn through tested and effective prevention programs like Guiding Good Choices and Strengthening Families, which is offered to Eckstein Middle School families twice a year.

The first round of postcards are in the mail and will go to all families of students attending Eckstein Middle School, Nathan Hale High School and Roosevelt High School.

The coalition's Social Marketing Workgroup, which is developing the campaign, will meet again on Tuesday, December 6 at 6:30 p.m. Contact the Prevention WINS coordinator for more information.

Hospital visits involving energy drinks increased tenfold in four years

2011-11-22T07:40:00.000-08:00

Nationwide, the number of hospital emergency department (ED) visits involving energy drinks increased tenfold between 2005 and 2009, according to a recent report from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

Forty-five percent of energy drink related ED visits were made by young adults aged 18 to 25 and 11% were made by adolescents aged 12 to 17.

Most teenagers who visited the ED suffered adverse effects from the energy drink alone. The rest suffered adverse effects from combining the energy drinks with alcohol (5%) or pharmaceuticals (20%) such as Ritalin.

Funding available for local underage drinking prevention activities

2011-11-18T10:43:00.000-08:00

The Washington State Coalition to Reduce Underage Drinking (RUaD) is offering stipends for community organizations that want to conduct a Let's Draw the Line Between Youth & Alcohol campaign and/or a town hall meeting about underage drinking.

RUaD has been asked by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to submit the names of 100 Washington communities that would like to host town hall meetings. Participants will receive a $500 stipend to underwrite costs of the meetings. Contact RUaD by December 2 if your organization is interested.

Groups can receive a $1000 stipend for conducting a Let's Draw the Line campaign. Groups may sign up on December 1 by visiting http://www.letsdrawtheline.org/.

Changing attitudes about substance abuse takes time

2011-11-18T10:13:00.000-08:00

In an interview, the author of a book about the history of drunk driving makes some interesting comments about attitudes concerning alcohol use in the United States.

Here are a few excerpts from the interview:

When Barron Lerner was writing his book on the history of drunk driving in America — and efforts to control it — he carried out an experiment at home that involved a bottle of vodka, a shot glass and a Breathalyzer. He was the guinea pig.

"I was trying to figure out just how drunk you had to be in order to not drive safely," says Lerner, a professor of medicine and public health at Columbia University, who wrote One for the Road. He decided to drink and test his levels — but he didn't actually get into a car.

"And, as I suspected after doing my research, one can drink an awful lot and be pretty buzzed and still legally drive in the United States."

He goes on to talk about how attitudes about drunk driving have changed significantly in the last sixty years.

One of the things Lerner writes about is the history of public attitudes toward drunk driving. He uses the example of Margaret Mitchell, the author of Gone with the Wind, who was crossing the street with her husband in Atlanta in 1949 when she was hit by a drunk driver and died.

According to Lerner, people initially reacted with horror, but then attitudes shifted and there started to be more sympathy for the driver — who had had 22 previous arrests for driving violations, including speeding and drunk driving — than for Mitchell.

"This is such an instructive case about drunk driving in this country," Lerner says. "For years and years, back in that era, people who were killed or victimized by a drunk driver were seen as being in the wrong place at the wrong time — that these things happen. And that was very much the case with Margaret Mitchell. After the initial outrage, people started to say, 'Well, it was her time to go.' I read so many stories like that, and every one was almost more shocking than the next — that we could have had a society that was so passive to a crime that was killing 25,000 people a year for so long."

This is a good lesson for those of us working to prevent youth substance abuse to remember. It may take a long time, but if we are vigilant, attitudes can change. Drunk driving attitudes are a good example. So are attitudes around smoking. Even if people now say "kids will be kids" and that there is nothing we can do to prevent youth substance abuse, those attitudes can change.

Attorneys general urge FTC to limit alcohol content in Four Loko

2011-11-18T09:50:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, 34 state attorneys general, including Washington's, and the San Francisco city attorney, filed comments responding to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)'s proposed settlement with the makers of Four Loko regarding deceptive marketing of the flavored malt beverage.

The FTC was commended for recognizing that the marketing of these super-sized drinks as single servings is misleading because one can contains the alcohol equivalent of almost five beers. The FTC was also called on to adopt additional measures to address the safety risks presented by Four Loko, such as limiting its alcohol content to no more than two servings of alcohol per can.

Mercer Island considering social host ordinance

2011-11-17T14:30:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Mercer Island's Communities That Care Coalition, the Mercer Island City Council is considering an ordinance that would fine adults who host underage drinking parties in their homes. These types of laws, called social host ordinances, are an effective method for preventing underage drinking in communities where house parties are a problem. As with most youth substance abuse prevention-related policies, they are especially effective in communities where multiple prevention activities are happening.

For those of you who would like to be present for the second reading and vote on the proposed ordinance, the Mercer Island City Council will take up the matter again during its December 5, 2011 meeting.

City of Seattle proposal to keep bars open past 2 a.m.

2011-11-15T15:26:00.000-08:00

In October, the Washington State Liquor Control Board (LCB) agreed to the City of Seattle's request to open rule-making regarding the hours of alcohol service. The City of Seattle is asking the LCB to consider changing its policy that states that alcohol cannot be served between the hours of 2-6:00 a.m.

To be clear, the petition submitted by Seattle Mayor McGinn asks the LCB to allow "for on-premises liquor service after 2 a.m." in "extended service hours service areas". The proposed rule change would permit certain establishments within those areas to serve alcohol "between the hours of 2 a.m. and 6 a.m.". This means that some bars could be open 24 hours per day. The City's petition and supporting documentation may be accessed online.

The Citywide Police Advisory Committee is speaking out against increasing hours of alcohol sales. In a recent message from the group, they say, ". . . three of us from the Citywide PAC had an informal coffee with two (of the three) members of the Washington State Liquor Control Board. The perception of the Board was that the City Council's support of this petition was reflective of the community's position. This perception is completely incorrect, for the vast majority of Seattle citizens are against the proposal . . . We do know that the Mayor's Office has not publicized anything about the (LCB) community input process/opportunity."

The LCB is accepting initial comments about the potential rule change until December 1. To do so, contact them at:
Rules Coordinator
Liquor Control Board
P.O. Box 43080
Olympia, WA 98504-3080
rules@liq.wa.gov

After the December 1 deadline, community members can still make comments until January 18, when a public hearing will be held.

Small grocery stores want in on the liquor business

2011-11-14T14:55:00.000-08:00

And so it starts . . . just days after I-1183, the initiative to privatize liquor sales in our state, passed, Publicola reports that small grocers are preparing to ask legislators to reduce the required size of stores selling hard alcohol.

People can call me and other pro-regulation advocates a nanny or a liar all that they want, but the research is clear: increased access to alcohol increases consumption, including consumption among minors. I blogged about it on October 24 and August 18. The coalition website contains links to lessons learned about private liquor sales and public health consequences in the UK. AlcoholPolicyMD.com is one of many great online resources about how public policy can be used to prevent underage drinking.

People can also say that "kids will be kids" and that there is nothing we can do to stop them from drinking but, again, we have research that shows otherwise. Not to mention that our northeast Seattle community has worked together to reduce underage drinking rates over the past five years.

Will strong regulations and policy limiting alcohol marketing and availability alone prevent underage drinking? No. However, it is one tool for communities to use to prevent underage drinking. When one part of an already beleaguered substance abuse prevention system is eliminated, it makes a significant difference in a community's ability to keep kids safe and healthy.

Easing regulations to raise money

2011-11-08T14:40:00.000-08:00

Earlier today, I went through my "to read" folder and posted a bunch of drug and alcohol-related links in the blog entry below. I was going to include one from the New York Times entitled "States Putting Hopes in ‘Bottoms Up’ to Help the Bottom Line" but I thought it deserved its own entry considering all of our local/state initiatives that would ease regulations on alcohol.

Here's an excerpt:

With cities across the country facing their fifth straight year of declining revenues and states cutting services and laying off workers, raising money from people who enjoy a cocktail is becoming an increasingly attractive option.

Since the recession started in earnest in 2008, dozens of states and cities have tinkered with laws that regulate alcohol sales as a way to build up their budgets.

Although some drinkers and government budget writers might like the changes, not everyone is happy.

“Lawmakers are taking a very short-sided view,” said David Jernigan, director of the Center on Alcohol Marketing and Youth at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. “What they gain in short-term tax revenue they are losing in long-term police costs, emergency room costs and work-force readiness costs in terms of the Monday morning effect.”

Like many public health officials, Mr. Jernigan does not support government efforts that increase the availability of alcohol, but he does support raising sales tax as a way to make people drink less.

As I have noted in previous blog entries, stringent alcohol regulations are one tool communities rely upon to prevent underage drinking. So, as our local and state governments propose increasing access to alcohol as a way to raise tax revenue, communities should consider the costs associated with increased access . At the same time, communities may want to consider advocating for an increase in taxes on alcohol -- a policy that has proven to prevent underage drinking.

In the news . . .

2011-11-08T10:36:00.000-08:00

Community effort brings lasting drop in smoking, delinquency, drug use (Science Daily)

Are today's parents going too soft on kids' using marijuana? (USA Today)

A chance to safely clean out medicine cabinets (Seattle Times)

Teens hear 34 references to brand-name liquor a day in rap and hip-hop (ABC News)

Prohibition's real lessons for drug policy (LA Times)

Councilman: Why so many drug dealers in the morning (Seattle PI)

Friends of teen’s romantic partner can influence drinking habits (American Sociological Association)

Insufficient sleep among high school students associated with drinking, smoking and smoking marijuana (Preventive Medicine)

Liquor store density linked to youth homicides, U.S. studies find (Science Daily)

Alcohol isn’t worth the trouble for some chain restaurants (New York Times)

Teens who eat at family dinners less likely to drink, smoke and use marijuana (CASA Columbia)

NIH study finds hospitalization increase for alcohol and drug overdoses (NIH News)

NIH release clinicians guide to screen for underage drinking

2011-11-08T09:42:00.000-08:00

From a recent NIH news release:

Based on just two questions from a newly released guide, health care professionals could spot children and teenagers at risk for alcohol-related problems. Alcohol Screening and Brief Intervention for Youth: A Practitioner's Guide is now available from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), part of the National Institutes of Health.

We know that alcohol is by far the drug of choice among youth,” says NIAAA acting director Kenneth R. Warren, Ph.D. “Underage drinking is also a marker for other unhealthy behaviors and it often goes undetected. This new tool was designed to allow busy practitioners who manage the health and well-being of children and adolescents to conduct fast, effective alcohol screens and brief interventions.”

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says doctors should routinely screen their teenage patients for drug and alcohol use at every visit, and look for signs of dependence or addiction. In a new policy statement, the group provides a guide to help doctors ask adolescents about substance abuse issues.

CDC: drug overdoses may soon overtake car crashes as leading cause of fatal injury

2011-11-08T09:30:00.000-08:00

From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):

Deaths from prescription painkillers have reached epidemic levels in the past decade. The number of overdose deaths is now greater than those of deaths from heroin and cocaine combined. A big part of the problem is nonmedical use of prescription painkillers—using drugs without a prescription, or using drugs just for the "high" they cause.

November 17: annual King County legislative forum on substance abuse and mental health

2011-11-02T13:04:00.000-07:00

Everyone is welcome to attend . . .

15th Annual King County Community Legislative Forum: Mental Health and Substance Abuse Prevention, Treatment and Recovery and Preparing for Health Care Reform

Thursday, November 17, 2011
6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
St. Mark’s Cathedral, Bloedel Hall
1245 10th Avenue East, Seattle

Learn about local successes and hear from legislators about priorities and perspectives on the upcoming legislative session.

Learn about the relationship between alcohol and crime from the comfort of your own desk

2011-11-02T12:49:00.000-07:00

Alcohol and Crime: FREE National Electronic Seminar
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Noon - 1:15 p.m.
Visit www.udetc.org/audioconfregistration.asp to register.

How many crimes are committed in this country where alcohol is a causal factor? If you are a cop on the street you don’t have to be a scientist to figure that out. Cops know the answer based on experience -- it’s a huge percentage. How do we really prove it?

In the spring of 2005, the Wyoming Association of Sheriffs and Chiefs of Police received grant funding from the Wyoming Department of Transportation – Highway Safety Program to collect and evaluate alcohol-related arrest data in ten counties in Wyoming. During this free electronic presentation, a researcher in the field of criminal justice will discuss his conclusions of the study and what can be done to reduce alcohol related crime.

Strong alcohol regulations save us money

2011-11-01T08:50:00.000-07:00

While researchers continue to find that substance abuse prevention saves money (see yesterday's post), a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) study adds to what we know about the high cost of excessive alcohol consumption.

Underage drinking is included in the definition of excessive alcohol consumption. According to the study, 12% of the economic costs of excessive consumption were related to underage drinking. The largest share of underage drinking costs were related to "lost productivity" due to premature death.

Here is part of CADCA's summary of the findings:

Excessive alcohol consumption is responsible for an average of 79,000 deaths and 2.3 million years of potential life lost in the United States each year, said CDC Director Thomas R. Frieden, M.D., M.P.H., in a press conference held Monday.

Researchers found the costs largely resulted from losses in workplace productivity (72 percent of the total cost), health care expenses for problems caused by excessive drinking (11 percent of the total cost), law enforcement and other criminal justice expenses related to excessive alcohol consumption (9 percent of the total cost), and motor vehicle crash costs from impaired driving (6 percent of the total cost). The study did not consider a number of other costs such as those due to pain and suffering by the excessive drinker or others who were affected by the drinking, and thus may be an underestimate. Researchers estimated that excessive drinking cost $746 per person in the United States in 2006.

“This research captures the reality that binge drinking means binge spending, not just for the person who drinks but for families, communities, and society,” Dr. Frieden said. “There are substantial costs to all of us in health care, the workplace, and criminal justice systems. Responsible individual behavior combined with the effective policies can decrease unhealthy drinking, reduce health care and other costs, and increase productivity.”

The authors of the study (published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, November 2011) conclude by saying, ". . . this study shows that the economic impact of excessive alcohol consumption is quite comparable to the economic impact of other leading health-risk behaviors, such as smoking and physical inactivity." Among the policies they cite as being effective in preventing excessive consumption are increasing the price of alcohol, limiting alcohol outlet density, and keeping the legal drinking age of 21. In other words, strong alcohol regulations can save us money.

Prevention Summit: holistic prevention saves money

2011-10-31T12:18:00.000-07:00

Every year, the Washington State Prevention Summit provides youth and adults from around the state with resources and information about substance abuse and violence prevention. Handouts from some of the 2011 presentations are now available online.

From my perspective, a common theme among many of the speakers was the importance of prevention activities that address the whole person and the whole community. For example:

During his presentation, Anthony Biglan discussed different strategies for developing nurturing communities including nurturing schools and families.
Heather Larkin discussed a whole person approach to addressing Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES).
Harold Holder described his research around implementing environmental prevention strategies as part of a comprehensive, community-wide approach.
Children's own Leslie Walker talked about creating health equity by reducing the fragmentation of services and considering the family, social, and community issues of each teenager needing help.

Another theme that emerged during the Summit was that, in the long run, prevention saves money. This is an especially important message during these difficult economic times. Stephanie Lee from the Washington State Institute for Public Policy provided specific examples during her presentation. One of the prevention programs she highlighted is Life Skills Training, the prevention curriculum offered at Eckstein Middle School. Here is the slide from her presentation:

I-1183, liquor in our grocery stores and underage drinking

2011-10-24T12:51:00.000-07:00

Don't know what to think about Initiative 1183?

Before I get into all of the studies that show a correlation between alcohol availability and underage drinking, just imagine what our community will look like if stores that are 10,000 square feet or larger can sell hard alcohol. Imagine the large QFC, Safeway, Bartell Drug and Rite Aid stores in our community (most of them) with shelves of hard alcohol. In several stores, I already feel bombarded with wine displays. When we go shopping with our kids, do we want to see vodka and rum displays throughout some stores? Is that what we want in our community?

Now on to the research. When it comes to underage drinking, we know that:

-- a growing number of youth who drink prefer liquor to other forms of alcohol. According to a recent report from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, “distilled spirits” are the #1 choice among 12th grade girls who drink and the #2 choice among 12th grade boys who drink.

-- when it comes to minors accessing alcohol, Washington State liquor stores have a 94% no-sale-to-minors compliance rate, the nation’s highest. Private sector compliance rates range from 76% - 84%.

-- there is a correlation between alcohol outlet density (the number of places where people can buy alcohol) and youth alcohol consumption. One of the studies cited in the ADAI fact sheet regarding last year's privatization initiatives found that, "more comprehensive and stringent alcohol control policies, particularly those affecting availability and marketing, are associated with lower prevalence/frequency of adolescent consumption and age of first use."

More information about privatizing/deregulating the sale of alcohol and public health and safety can be viewed on the WASAVP website, the Marin Institute website and the Campaign for a Healthy Alcohol Marketplace website.

More on how underage drinkers access alcohol

2011-10-19T08:29:00.000-07:00

In July, I posted data about how underage drinkers in our community get alcohol. The top two ways are "got it from friends" and "got it at a party". While the Prevention WINS coalition is working to figure out exactly where the alcohol comes from, national statistics indicate that high school youth (ages 15-17) get alcohol from:

someone under the age of 21 (22%)
someone not related and over the age of 21 (20%)
giving someone else money to purchase alcohol (19%).

Source: Report to Congress on the Prevention and Reduction of Underage Drinking, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, May 2011

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day October 29

2011-10-18T08:48:00.000-07:00

Law enforcement, public health, and environmental professionals stand united in support of medication take-back programs, such as the DEA’s take-back event on Saturday, October 29, as the safest and most responsible way to dispose of old and leftover medicines.  Take-back programs are one way to prevent youth prescription drug abuse.

In our community, the North Precinct will be collecting unused medications on October 29, 10:00 a.m to 2:00 p.m. as part of the DEA's national take-back day. Other Seattle Police precincts are also participating.  In addition to these one-day drop-off sites, local Bartell Drugs and Group Health sites take back medicines all of the time.

In Washington State, the Take Back Your Meds Coalition is advocating for a permanent, state-wide take-back program.  Drug manufacturers are in a unique position to take responsibility and pay for take-back programs as a cost of doing business, just as they already do in other countries. For a couple of pennies per prescription or bottle of cold pills, drug companies could finance and provide a safe ongoing medicine take-back system for our state.

In Olympia, big PHARMA has worked hard to dodge taking responsibility. Sadly, pressure from PHARMA stalled action in the WA Legislature last year. Luckily, this year our representatives again have a chance to pass a bill to create a state wide medicine take-back system by requiring companies selling medicines in the state to provide the program as part of doing business.

Photos from "Celebrate Healthy Youth"

2011-10-14T08:02:00.000-07:00

Thanks to coalition member Christine Milton, here are a few photos from our October 10 event celebrating the reduction in local underage drinking rates.

RADD members

Jill Hudson and Chris Cronas

Denise Espania

Kipp Strong and Kelly Kerby

Carolyn Bernhard and Cherylynne Crowther

Ray Hsiao and panel

Gary Hothi

Underage drinking rates decline thanks to community-wide prevention activities

2011-10-13T09:02:00.000-07:00

More than 50 people attended Monday's Celebrate Healthy Youth at Nathan Hale High School and learned about how the community in northeast Seattle came together to reduce underage drinking rates. Following are links to media coverage of the event.

How alcohol use was cut at two Seattle schools (Seattle Times)

Finding: North Seattle teens are drinking less (KOMO)

More about underage drinking in public parks . . .

2011-10-05T08:20:00.000-07:00

From the West Seattle Blog: Teacher’s disturbing discovery in West Seattle park: Hazing. Though the incident took place in West Seattle, it apparently involved Roosevelt and Garfield High School students.

How can a community reduce underage drinking rates?

2011-09-28T13:51:00.000-07:00

You are invited to . . .

View the Celebrate Healthy Youth flyer for more information.

National Geographic: "Beautiful Teenage Brains"

2011-09-26T12:43:00.000-07:00

The October edition of National Geographic magazine contains a fascinating article about the teenage brain. For those of us who are working to prevent youth substance abuse and/or for those of us who have teenage children, the following paragraph reminds us of the importance of parenting.

Yet we [parents] can and do help. We can ward off some of the world's worst hazards and nudge adolescents toward appropriate responses to the rest. Studies show that when parents engage and guide their teens with a light but steady hand, staying connected but allowing independence, their kids generally do much better in life. Adolescents want to learn primarily, but not entirely, from their friends. At some level and at some times (and it's the parent's job to spot when), the teen recognizes that the parent can offer certain kernels of wisdom—knowledge valued not because it comes from parental authority but because it comes from the parent's own struggles to learn how the world turns. The teen rightly perceives that she must understand not just her parents' world but also the one she is entering. Yet if allowed to, she can appreciate that her parents once faced the same problems and may remember a few things worth knowing.

Stop overdoses by calling 911

2011-09-22T13:52:00.000-07:00

Recently, the 911 Good Samaritan Law was passed in Washington, providing legal immunity to people who call for medical assistance for drug users who overdose.

If you think you're witnessing a drug overdose and seek medical help, call 911. If you are in possession of drugs at the time that you call, you will receive immunity from criminal charges of drug possession. The overdose victim you're helping is protected, too.

More Washingtonians die every year from overdoses than from car crashes. Most drug overdoses involve a prescription medication used with other drugs or alcohol. Most of these deaths can be prevented with fast medical help.

Webcast about preventing youth marijuana use available online

2011-09-21T07:43:00.000-07:00

During last week's general coalition meeting, a few people asked for the link to the recently broadcast webcast, The Blunt Truth: Communities Dealing with Marijuana. It is available "on demand" through the CADCA website.

One of the panelists is Jim Cooper, the president of the Washington Association for Substance Abuse and Violence Prevention (WASAVP). One of the goals of WASAVP is to increase awareness about how marijuana policy effects use among youth.

Prevention WINS awarded AMA Foundation grant

2011-09-07T15:11:00.000-07:00

In partnership with Seattle Children’s Hospital, Prevention WINS was awarded a grant from the American Medical Association (AMA) Foundation’s Healthy Living Program. The $5,000 grant will be used to expand the Prevention WINS social marketing campaign and parent education program for Eckstein Middle School families. The project’s goal is to provide parents with the support they need to prevent substance abuse, including prescription drug abuse, among their children.

The AMA Foundation's Healthy Living Program addresses critical healthy lifestyle issues by providing mini-grants to grassroots community organizations. This year, the foundation is funding projects targeting youth and addressing the topics of nutrition and physical fitness, prescription drug safety and violence prevention. Prevention WINS is one of 37 nonprofits across the country that received this grant this year.

CADCA gathering signatures in support of continued DFC funding

2011-09-01T08:56:00.000-07:00

Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) is asking substance abuse prevention advocates to help them ensure that the Congressional “super committee,” charged with determining $1.5 million in federal budget cuts by November 23, does not cut funding for the Drug Free Communities (DFC) program for FY 2012.

The super committee is made up of 12 Congressional members, one of which is Senator Patty Murray. As a result, Senator Murray has a significant say in the final recommendations concerning what should be cut. CADCA is asking people to sign a letter to Senator Murray that outlines the DFC program's successes and makes the case to continue funding for the program. Prevention WINS is funded by a DFC grant.

For more information about the letter and how to sign on to it, contact CADCA's Director of Public Policy by September 12.

Washington now has 31 coalitions funded by Drug Free Communities grants

2011-09-01T08:32:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, the recipients of the 2011 Drug Free Communities (DFC) continuation, mentoring, and new grants were announced.

Twenty-eight Washington State Drug Free Communities continuation grantees, including Prevention WINS, were awarded ongoing funding. Additionally, three new DFC grants were awarded in Washington State. Congratulations to the following new grantee coalitions:

1. Kittitas County Community Network Coalition (fiscal agent Kittitas Valley Community Hospital)

2. Pend Oreille County Youth Task Force (fiscal agent Pend Oreille County Counseling Services)

3. Citizens for Safer Yakima Communities (fiscal agent Educational Service District 105)

A mentoring grant was awarded to Prevent! The Substance Abuse Coalition of Clark County (fiscal agent Educational Service District 112).

Across the country, 87 new grants were awarded which brings the total of DFC grants awarded for 2011 to 694, including continuation grants.

Odyssey magazine focuses on addiction

2011-08-30T07:23:00.000-07:00

The September edition of Odyssey, a science magazine for middle school students, focuses on addiction. Among the many articles are:

-- Facing Up to Underage Drinking

-- Bad Bet with the Brain: The Neuroscience of Addiction

-- Are Cell Phones Addictive?

-- Pain Pills?

Youth drug abuse a "big problem" according to adults

2011-08-23T08:05:00.000-07:00

Adults rate drug abuse and obesity as the top health concerns for children, according to a recent study.

After drug abuse and obesity, tobacco use is ranked third and alcohol abuse is ranked eighth.

The report goes on to state, "Drug abuse rises to the top of the list of child health concerns in 2011, with one-third of adults overall rating drug abuse as a big problem . . . Whether this increased concern translates to greater support for drug prevention and/or drug treatment programs remains to be seen."

Prevention news from around the state

2011-08-19T08:31:00.000-07:00

The latest edition of FOCUS, the Washington State Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery's e-newsletter, is now available online. It includes stories about:

-- Washington teenagers advocating for prevention,

-- student prevention groups and their activities,

-- 2010 Healthy Youth Survey results,

-- local campaigns to limit alcohol advertising targeting young people.

Volunteers needed for 2011 Prevention Summit

2011-08-18T15:35:00.000-07:00

Volunteer for the Washington State Prevention Summit and take advantage of the following perks:

• Free conference registration (valued at more than $200)

• Conference meals and beverages (valued at more than $75)

• Participation with colleagues and community leaders

• Access to more than 25 workshops and keynote presentations

To receive free registration, individuals must volunteer for ten or more hours.

Volunteer applications are due by September 1. The 2011 Summit will take place October 27-29 at the Yakima Convention Center.

Prescription drug take-back campaign notes

2011-08-18T14:11:00.000-07:00

The local Take Back Your Meds campaign holds monthly coordinating conference calls and here are my notes from today's call --

-- The DEA is hosting another prescription drug take-back event on October 29. This will probably be the last or second-to-last nationwide event, with the last one possibly to be held in early 2012, since new federal legislation will allow for take-back programs without DEA involvement.

-- "Extended producer responsibility", including the responsibility of pharmaceutical companies to be stewards of their products after they are sold, was the topic of a panel discussion during the National Conference of State Legislators earlier this month. The only non-industry panelist was from the Product Policy Institute and he blogged about his experience.

Liquor privatization: public health costs

2011-08-18T09:51:00.000-07:00

While the Seattle Times "cheers Initiative 1183" because it would generate additional revenue for state and local governments, the Washington State Budget & Policy Center questions whether the additional revenue would offset costs associated with increased public health, safety, and economic implications.

In a recent post to their Schmudget blog, the Budget & Policy Center states that the Washington State Office of Financial Management's (OFM) analysis "does not account for future costs associated with greater consumption of hard liquor. They estimate that hard liquor sales (consumption) would increase by about five percent under I-1183. However, a 2010 report from the State Auditor's Office estimated that consumption of hard liquor could increase by as much as 15 percent under a privatized liquor system similar to that proposed by I-1183. Either way, our state could face increased public health and safety costs under the initiative -- due to higher rates of drunk driving and other alcohol-related crimes."

An increase in underage drinking is one of those public health and safety costs. Increased availability of alcohol through stores means increased problems with underage drinking, according to many research articles (which may be found in the ADAI Library Resource Brief about Privatization of Alcohol Sales, page 4).

"Let's Draw the Line" materials still available for free

2011-08-17T12:53:00.000-07:00

The Washington State Coalition to Reduce Underage Drinking (RUaD) still has free materials available for community's that want to continue activities in support of the Let's Draw the Line campaign. Free materials include window clings like the ones shown below. (Wrist bands are no longer available.) Order forms are available on the campaign website.

Wine & beer at farmers markets

2011-08-17T09:40:00.000-07:00

From the Washington State Liquor Control Board --

The agency on July 27 selected the 10 farmers markets that are invited to participate in a pilot program that allows wine and beer tastings at farmers markets.

As directed in Substitute House Bill 1172, which created the pilot, the markets were selected in a manner to ensure geographic representation.

The pilot runs from Sept. 1, 2011 to Nov. 1, 2012.

The following list (of Seattle markets that will host tastings) is tentative, pending verification that the markets are able to meet the pilot requirements. A confirmed list will be posted on the WSLCB website.

-- West Seattle Farmers Market, 4400 S.W. Alaska St. in Seattle

-- Magnolia Farmers Market, 2550 34th Ave. W. in Seattle

-- Pike Place Market; Street Farmers Market, Pike Place, between Pine and Steward Streets, in Seattle

The Washington Association for Substance Abuse & Violence Prevention opposed the legislation that allows for beer and wine tastings at farmers markets: Consuming beer and wine while running errands (such as grocery shopping) sets a bad example for children as parents and other adults model the causal use of alcohol. If the legislature does not draw the line at this form of three-dimensional advertising, the negative effects are likely to compound over time . . . we wonder what venues will be next.

There are many ways the alcohol industry can promote its products. The open use of alcohol in public markets does not need to be one of them.

Counselor Camp 2011

2011-08-17T09:18:00.000-07:00

From a Prevention WINS coalition member --

Counselor Camp is back and here to stay! Join us this fall at Cispus Learning Center in Randle, WA for an inspiring weekend of seminars and activities for professionals that work with Adolescent Prevention, Intervention, Counseling and Treatment Systems.

This event (September 16-18) is designed to offer the best evidence-based theory and time-tested practice from a variety of professionals from our own backyard.

Opiate use in Washington State

2011-08-16T11:24:00.000-07:00

Washington State, like much of the United States, has seen a tremendous increase in the use and negative consequences of prescription-type opiates over the last 10-15 years, according to a Research Brief released this month by the University of Washington's Alcohol and Drug Abuse Institute. The brief goes on to state: Prescription-type opiates appear to be a pathway to heroin for many users . . .

The maps below are from the brief and show the increases in the Washington State opiate problem between 2000-2009. (Rx = prescription)

Marijuana laws: a prevention perspective

2011-08-16T10:46:00.000-07:00

From CADCA:

Attitudes about marijuana are changing. Fewer 8th and 10th graders believe smoking marijuana is dangerous. These declines in the perception of harm invariably precede increases in substance use. Despite that, several states have medical marijuana laws on the books and more states are considering putting these types of initiatives on the ballot. During the next CADCA TV program, “The Blunt Truth: Communities Dealing with Marijuana,” representatives from various states will discuss how medical marijuana laws and marijuana legalization efforts are impacting their communities, and what they’re doing to tackle this issue. The show airs August 25.

Locally, the Mercer Island Communities That Care Coalition is hosting a viewing of this national webcast from 10 a.m. to noon on August 25 at the Mercer Island Community Center. After viewing, there will be an hour-long discussion about how the prevention community in Washington is addressing the marijuana issue, options for collaboration, and strategies to educate the public. For more information and to RSVP, please contact the coalition's Project Director.

More about parties in neighborhood parks . . .

2011-08-10T15:41:00.000-07:00

From a post on today's Laurelhurst Blog:

I wanted to let you know that the kids were partying at the play-field on 45th near Laurelhurst Elementary again tonight. The noise was exceptionally loud this evening and peaked around 10:30pm.

My neighbor called 911 and apparently there was already a noise complaint called in. They were sending a police officer out to the park.

As a neighborhood, what can we do to try and deter this behavior? It is so loud and has woken me up on more than one occasion.

This is posted a day after I was told about a recent drunk-driving accident near Golden Gardens that involved a neighborhood high school student.

Online resources for teenagers

2011-08-10T11:01:00.000-07:00

Earlier this week, KING5 broadcast a story called Teens go online to get answers on health.

Dr. Leslie Walker, Chief of Adolescent Medicine at Seattle Children's, said parents might not realize their teens are searching online for health answers.

"Out of every ten kids, three of them are saying they're going to the Internet for health information. And that's a lot of kids," she emphasized.

She said for kids who want to know more about topics ranging from diet to fitness to sexual health, there are helpful sites, such as the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine. Another is the award winning KidsHealth.org, with it's own teen health section.

Following are a few links for teens looking for information specifically about drugs and alcohol:

Above the Influence

NIDA for Teens

The Cool Spot

State by state analysis of adolescent drug use

2011-08-05T08:42:00.000-07:00

When it comes to adolescent substance abuse, how does Washington stack up compared to other states? Below are a bunch of maps showing rates of use among young people ages 12-17. States in red have the highest rates of use and the states in white have the lowest.

Source: State Estimates of Substance Use and Mental Health Disorders from 2008-2009 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

Local communities coming together to promote health

2011-08-04T15:30:00.000-07:00

King County launched a new health education campaign, Let's Do This, earlier this week. The campaign focuses on the relationship between neighborhood and health and inspires residents to become involved. The campaign features Mia, an eleven year old King County resident who wants to be a healthy kid and notices aspects of her neighborhood that make it difficult to be healthy.

The campaign is part of King County's Communities Putting Prevention to Work program.

ER doctors report on effects of caffeinated alcoholic beverages on minors

2011-08-04T10:40:00.000-07:00

A team of emergency room doctors in New York City describes 11 cases of young people who wound up in the ER after drinking Four Loko in a report published in the latest Annals of Emergency Medicine. The median age of the teenagers was 16.4 years. The report starts with:

Premixed caffeinated alcoholic beverages such as Four Loko are promoted for their ability to mask alcohol’s effects and intensify the intoxication. Their brightly colored packaging, low cost, and retail placement mean that they are marketed like a sports or energy drink, appealing to a young consumer. These young drinkers may engage in high-risk behaviors that place them or others in danger, resulting in severe societal consequences.

Four Loko is a top-selling caffeinated alcoholic beverage in the United States. Its popularity followed the surge in energy drink sales during the last several years, largely because of consumer marketing of caffeine’s stimulant and recreational effects. Since early 2011, caffeine has been removed as an ingredient of Four Loko because of governmental warnings. Retail and Internet supplies of the original formulation exist, although manufacturing and distribution have halted . . . The combined use of caffeine and alcohol is increasing, especially among adolescents and college students, leading to increased alcohol related injury.

The report goes on to describe the 11 cases of adolescents who were brought the the ER under the influence of Four Loko and then concludes with a discussion that includes:

Adolescents and young adults who are naive to the effects of alcohol and caffeine may be at higher risk from these combination beverages . . . More than 35% of our patients had blood alcohol levels greater than twice the legal limit. This population is inherently immature, and intoxication with caffeine and alcohol can increase risk-taking behavior. Alcohol and caffeine combinations have been associated with higher rates of alcohol-related consequences, such as medical treatment, sexual assault, drunk driving, and injury.

2011 Prevention Summit update

2011-08-03T08:34:00.000-07:00

The 2011 Washington State Prevention Summit website is now up and running. Information about registration and scholarships is available and further updates will be made soon.

The Summit will take place October 27-29 in Yakima. The goal of the Summit is to provide an enriching and culturally competent training and networking opportunity for youth, volunteers and professionals working toward prevention of substance abuse, violence and other destructive behaviors.

This year, youth groups from Eckstein Middle School and Nathan Hale High School will join other youth groups from around the state and participate in the Summit.

Prescription drug abuse leading to heroin abuse

2011-08-02T10:02:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, KING5 broadcast a story about a teenager who recently died from a heroin overdose.

Dean Shumway died of a heroin overdose just before his 19th birthday. He did not fit the stereotype of a heroin addict, down on his luck and homeless--but perhaps Dean does represent what's becoming the new face of heroin addiction: white middle class teenager.

Frank Couch, a counselor with Science and Management of Addictions (SAMA), says Dean is not an isolated case.

"It's a huge problem out there. It's a huge problem with young folks and adolescents,” said Couch.

Couch says these kids used to smoke Oxycontin, but now that the prescription painkiller has been reformulated, they're turning to heroin.

"It's cheaper, it's more readily available so the trend is moving back to heroin use again," he explained.

Washington Recovery Help Line: a resource for everyone affected by substance abuse

2011-08-02T08:29:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, I posted information about a national hotline for parents who are concerned about their child's substance abuse. A more local resource is the Washington Recovery Help Line which provides round-the-clock help for substance abuse problems. The Helpline phone number is: 866-789-1511.

In addition to providing resources for individuals struggling with substance abuse, the helpline provides support to people who are looking for help for a friend or family member, but unsure of how to help them or what resources are available.

Prevention fellowship program accepting applications

2011-08-02T07:52:00.000-07:00

Washington State has been chosen by the federal Center for Substance Abuse Prevention to receive a two year Prevention Fellow for 2011-13. Specific recruitment information is availble online. Applications must be in by August 31, 2011, with a start date of September 26, 2011.

The Fellow will be stationed in Olympia and work with the Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery's Prevention Services Team.

The goal of the Prevention Fellowship Program is to build a workforce of substance abuse professionals. During the 2‐year fellowship program, which combines Web‐based and in-person trainings, fellows improve their skills and their knowledge of prevention practices.

Robberies at WA pharmacies increased seven-fold since 2003

2011-08-01T14:10:00.000-07:00

To follow up with my post from earlier today, below is a chart regarding the rising number of pharmacy robberies in Washington State. According to the report, "Most are for prescription-type opiates, especially OxyContin, and are often committed by organized groups engaging in drug distribution."

Source: Tobacco, Alcohol, & Other Drug Abuse Trends, 2010 Report, Washington State Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery.

In the news: drug-related robberies on the rise

2011-08-01T10:09:00.000-07:00

In July, the Seattle Times ran an opinion piece about the increase in pharmacy robberies that states that between 2008-March 2011, one in six Washington pharmacies was robbed. It goes on to say, "Money is not the target. Addictive prescription narcotics such as Vicodin, amphetamines and OxyContin sell for as much as $80 a pill . . ."

Last week, federal, state, and local law enforcement officials and representatives from the pharmacy community met in Washington, DC to discuss the threat to public safety posed by pharmacy robberies and burglaries.

Also last month, Q13 Fox reported that robberies are escalating at local medical marijuana dispensaries.

August 8 Update

Armed robbery of a pharmacy in North Seattle (SPD Blotter)
Former staff member suspected of narcotics theft at retirement home (Ballard News-Tribune)
On idyllic Cape Cod, Growing drug problem fuels a rise in property crimes (The New York Times)

New parent helpline provides support for teen substance abuse

2011-08-01T09:09:00.000-07:00

From the Join Together Newsroom:

When parents find out their teen is abusing drugs or alcohol, the family’s immediate focus is generally on getting help for the teen. But parents are often in great need of help themselves. They may need advice on what to say to their teen, how to evaluate whether he or she needs professional treatment and where to find the appropriate substance abuse treatment program if one is needed. A new toll-free telephone helpline is providing that assistance.

The Parents Toll-Free Helpline, 1-855-DRUGFREE (1-855-378-4373), is staffed by clinical social workers with practical experience in substance abuse prevention and treatment. The helpline will offer bilingual support (English/Spanish) beginning in mid-August.

“When a child has substance abuse issues, the whole family needs support,” says Ken Winters, PhD, Director of the Center for Adolescent Substance Abuse Research, Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Minnesota and member of The Partnership at Drugfree.org Science Advisory Board. “Parents may need a counselor to walk them through exactly what they will say to their teenager when they suspect substance abuse. If they have not already done so, parents need to establish rules about alcohol and other drugs, and consequences for breaking those rules. They may also need help figuring out whether their adolescent should get a professional assessment. These are some of the things that a counselor on the helpline can assist them with.”

The debate about the regulation of liquor continues

2011-07-29T08:13:00.000-07:00

Today at noon, KUOW’s The Conversation will focus on the latest liquor privatization initiative. As the debate about the regulation of alcohol in Washington continues, public health and underage drinking-related concerns should be considered. Following are some resources to help inform the debate.

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Task Force on Community Preventive Services recently recommended against further privatization.

• The UW Alcohol and Drug Institute (ADAI) developed a brief providing background information on privatization issues.

• Last week, I updated the coalition website to include information about privatization. I will continue to update it as more information becomes available.

The full initiative may be viewed online.

PTA program educates parents about the legal ramifications of serving alcohol to teens

2011-07-27T09:10:00.000-07:00

The Washington State PTA's Parent Pledge program is an awareness campaign designed to educate parents about the legal ramifications as well as the health and safety risks associated with serving alcohol to teens other than their own children.

PTA Parent Pledge resources that are available online are:

Parent Pledge Program Overview
Back to School Checklist
Parent Pledge Directory Information
Parent Letter Example

Parents Who Host Lose the Most is a similar campaign that is used throughout the country with a focus on social host laws. Washington does not have a social host liability law. However, the Washington State Supreme Court did rule that social hosts who serve alcohol to minors can be held liable for resulting harms to the minor who was served but are not liable for injuries the minor may inflict on third parties.

Washington State does prohibit furnishing alcohol to minors. However, parents/guardians may furnish alcohol to their own children.

Want more information? The Alcohol Policy Information System contains detailed information about alcohol policy, including policy related to minors.

Take back your meds bookmarks

2011-07-27T08:17:00.000-07:00

Just in time for National Night Out neighborhood events, the local Take Back Your Meds campaign has made available bookmarks promoting prescription drug take-back programs.

The majority of Roosevelt High School students do not drink alcohol or use marijuana

2011-07-25T14:12:00.000-07:00

Earlier today, I posted information about substance abuse rates among Nathan Hale High School sophomores and seniors. Below are two charts that show the substance abuse rates among Roosevelt 10th and 12th grade students between 2006-10

Since 2006, current alcohol use rates declined significantly among Roosevelt sophomores and seniors. All rates are now below 50% . . . this means that the majority of Roosevelt students do not drink alcohol or use marijuana.

Source: Washington State Healthy Youth Survey

The majority of Nathan Hale High School students do not drink alcohol or use marijuana

2011-07-25T12:49:00.000-07:00

In an earlier post, I reported that underage drinking rates among northeast Seattle high school students (Nathan Hale and Roosevelt High Schools) have decreased significantly since 2006. Below are two charts that show the substance abuse rates among Nathan Hale 10th and 12th grade students between 2006-10.

Among Nathan Hale sophomores, use of all substances and binge drinking declined since 2006. All substance abuse (except for the abuse of prescription painkillers) declined since 2008 among Hale seniors.

All rates are now below 50% . . . this means that the marjority of Hale students do not drink alcohol or use marijuana.

Source: Washington State Healthy Youth Survey

Adolescents' alcoholic beverage preferences are shifting from beer to distilled spirits

2011-07-21T11:04:00.000-07:00

Distilled spirits are becoming more popular among adolescent drinkers and are challenging beer as the alcoholic beverage most likely consumed by underage drinkers, especially among youth who report binge drinking, according to a recent Health and Human Services report to Congress. Flavored alcoholic beverages are also popular.

The charts above show the alcoholic beverages of choice among female and male high school seniors who drink. The red line represents flavored alcoholic beverages, the dark blue line represents beer, and the light blue line with squares represents distilled spirits.

According to the report, beverage preferences vary somewhat by state. Data from four states indicated that, among high school students who reported binge drinking, liquor was the most prevalent alcoholic beverage type.

Alcohol marketing influences adolescent binge drinking

2011-07-21T08:30:00.000-07:00

Two-thirds of underage drinkers report having a favorite brand of alcohol, according to the results of a recent study published in the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine. Hard alcohol brands were identified as favorites as often as beer. "Brands preferred by youth tended to have high advertising expenditures, and choosing a favorite brand was associated with binge drinking."

The article concludes, "The correlation between underage drinkers' brand preference and marketing expenditures suggests a marketing influence on choice of beverage. Moreover, higher rates of binge drinking among adolescents who named a favorite brand suggest that alcohol advertising campaigns may influence the likelihood that alcohol will be consumed at levels that pose a risk to health."

More about alcohol marketing and youth is available at the Center on Alcohol Marketing and Youth's website.

Preventing prescription drug abuse among adolescents

2011-07-21T07:51:00.000-07:00

Join Together recently interviewed a nationally recognized scholar on prescription drug abuse and adolescents. Following are some excerpts from that interview:

In response to a question about why prescription drugs are becoming a problem among teens:

It is not entirely clear why prescription medication misuse and abuse has increased, while other forms of drug use have decreased. However, several issues appear to be interacting to create this problem. These include: increased availability due to increases in prescribing controlled medications to adolescents; perceptions that prescription drugs generally are safer than street drugs; changing attitudes toward the use of medications because of direct-to-consumer marketing (DTC) and the Internet, where adolescents can quickly learn about medications and how to use them to self-treat and get high.

In response to a question about the role parents play in preventing prescription drug abuse:

I believe that parental monitoring is the “key” to reducing the nonmedical use of prescription medications in ages 12 to 17 years. Our data show that general parental supervision is associated with lower rates of marijuana, alcohol and tobacco use; however this is not true for the nonmedical use of prescription medication. We speculate reasons for this: (1) parents are unaware of the potential problem and do not supervise the storage of controlled medications (and thus, they are available to household members) and (2) parents engage in nonmedical use and do not consider it a problem.

In response to a question about the challenges of preventing prescription drug abuse in comparison to preventing illegal drug abuse:

This question is difficult to answer because of a lack of prospective data. It is well established that illicit drug use moves in social and behavioral patterns, with individual drugs gaining and losing popularity among adolescents. However, this ebb and flow is not true for alcohol, which remains a very popular substance.

Because prescription medications share social characteristics with alcohol (e.g. legal for certain groups, relatively safe in small doses, etc.), nonmedical use may be more similar to alcohol misuse/abuse. Our society promotes the legal use of both alcohol and controlled medications; we are one of a very few countries that allow the television marketing of controlled medications.

How do underage drinkers access alcohol?

2011-07-20T12:18:00.000-07:00

The Prevention WINS Retail Outreach Workgroup met earlier this week and continued planning for conducting alcohol purchase surveys (APS). The APS will help the coalition better understand the role grocery stores, convenience stores, and other stores that sell beer and wine play in minor's access to alcohol.

The Washington State Healthy Youth Survey includes a question about alcohol access: During the past thirty days how did you usually get alcohol? (Choose all that apply.) Most northeast Seattle high school students said that they did not get alcohol in the past month. Those students that said that they do drink alcohol, said they got it the following ways:

I got it from friends -- 50.0%

I got it at a party -- 39.3%

I gave money to someone to get it for me -- 23.6%

I got it at home with my parents’ permission -- 15.7%

I bought it from a store -- 15.0%

I took it from home without my parents’ permission -- 12.2%

I got it some other way -- 11.4%

I got it from an older brother or sister -- 9.3%

I got it at a family celebration, ceremony, or party -- 7.8%

Focus groups conducted with northeast Seattle high school students confirm these findings about how teenagers access alcohol. The most common answer focus group participants gave was that teenagers get alcohol from friends who are older and/or look older.

But the answers to the HYS questions do not tell us how the friends got the alcohol; if the person they gave money to is someone they know and if that person is 21 or older; or how the alcohol got to the party. It could be that all three ways cited in the HYS are really only one way: teenagers bring alcohol to parties after buying it with money their friends gave them. Maybe the 15% of kids who say they bought it from a store are supplying most of the alcohol to the rest of the underage drinkers. Our coalition chose to do alcohol purchase surveys, in part, to help us answer some of our questions about access.

A few years ago, our coalition tried to get the liquor license revoked from a convenience store near Eckstein Middle School. The store had a long, documented, history of selling to minors. Knowing that they sold to minors, and hearing from kids in focus groups that there are certain mini-marts that are easy to buy from, the coalition chose the APS strategy to gain more information. (A “reward & reminder” component is included as a prevention strategy.) If it turns out that the convenience store near Eckstein is an anomaly, that the vast majority of convenience stores in our community do not sell to minors, then we can cross off retail access, collect more local access-related data, and start looking at other strategies that have proven to reduce youth access to alcohol.

The Retail Outreach Workgroup will meet again on August 30. All coalition meetings are open to anyone interested in preventing underage drinking and youth substance abuse.

Medical marijuana dispensaries in NE Seattle

2011-07-19T14:17:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago, someone asked me how many medical marijuana dispensaries exist in northeast Seattle. A recent post on the Maple Leaf Life blog, From green to gray -- a look at medical marijuana in north Seattle, provides an answer.

Youth drug use at Laurelhurst Park

2011-07-19T07:57:00.000-07:00

A recent post to the Laurelhurst Blog describes the ongoing parties at Laurelhurst Park. Following is an excerpt:

We regularly smell cigarette and marijuana smoke coming from that direction and have seen kids (only boys although that doesn’t mean girls haven’t been there) running up there with backpacks on (often coming on bike or scooter and even out walking their dog in daylight). They tuck deep in the corner and have complete coverage.

Currently there are broken beer bottles, in-tact bottles as well as a strong smell of urine.

If people are missing their junior high boys, I suspect they’d find them here… I’d guess these kids are junior high or early high school.

On Friday, I posted information to this blog about underage drinking parties at Magnuson and Golden Gardens.

Underage drinking research . . . and more research

2011-07-18T12:28:00.000-07:00

Today, I went searching (online) for the journal link to an article I read about teen binge drinking and how it may impair the developing brain.

However, when I visited the Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research website, I was side-tracked by the article entitled: Effects of Energy Drinks Mixed with Alcohol on Behavioral Control: Risks for College Students Consuming Trendy Cocktails.

The article caught my eye mostly because I had just finished reading: Teenagers prefer drinks with caffeine.

To try to get back on track, I re-visited the article about the developing brain but was, again, side-tracked by a link to the Mediline Plus webpage that contains multiple links to underage drinking-related websites.

One of those links is to: Media influence on adolescent alcohol use on the Archives of American Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine's website.

Some say we are living in the Information Age. Considering I am sharing all of this information through a blog, and that I gleaned it within 20 minutes, I tend to agree.

How parents influence adolescent substance abuse

2011-07-18T09:17:00.000-07:00

While I was doing some research for the Social Marketing Workgroup's (SMW) action plan, I found a report entitled, "Family Ties: How Parents Influence Adolescent Substance Abuse". It clearly explains why certain parenting practices are effective in preventing youth substance abuse.

One of the parenting practices that the SMW will be promoting is monitoring teenage children. According to the report: Support and control have been identified by researchers as two complementary components of parenting (Barnes and Farrell, 1992). The construct of support includes areas such as nurturance, attachment, acceptance, and love, whereas the construct of control includes discipline, supervision, and monitoring. Monitoring has further been defined as parental knowledge of their child’s companions, whereabouts, and activities . . . High levels of parental monitoring are associated with low frequencies of drinking and illicit drug use.

According to community parent surveys conducted by Prevention WINS in 2008 and 2010, while NE Seattle parents talk to their children about not using alcohol and/or marijuana, many do not monitor their teenage children.

Most NE Seattle parents talk to their children about not using drugs and alcohol

2011-07-15T15:02:00.000-07:00

The coalition's Social Marketing Workgroup met earlier this week and, using data from the Healthy Youth Survey and community parent surveys, started identifying possible messages for our campaign targeting parents. Messages need to be refined, but following is what we ware starting with.

1. Most Eckstein Middle School/Hale High School/Roosevelt High School students do not drink or use drugs. Parents can support them by:
• monitoring medications in your home
• telling them that you are proud that they don’t use drugs
• provide them with opportunities to positively contribute to home life

2. Most NE Seattle parents talk to their children about not using drugs and alcohol. Follow up with rewards and consequences. Kids who know there will be rewards for not using and consequences if they do use are less likely to use drugs and alcohol.

3. Most NE Seattle parents think drug and alcohol use by teenagers is not okay. Get to know your child’s friend’s parents – it’s likely they want to know you, too. Talk to them about your family’s rules about drugs and alcohol – it’s likely that they agree with you.

Police report that parties at parks continue

2011-07-15T10:39:00.000-07:00

During the coalition's Advocacy Workgroup meeting earlier this week, a Seattle Police Officer reported that large underage drinking parties continue to occur at Magnuson Park.

On the last day of school, Seattle Police broke up a large party at Magnuson Park. Despite a warning posted at a nearby high school that police would be conducting alcohol emphasis patrols on the last day of school, more than 100 minors were at the party. If stickers on cars can be relied on for identification purposes, most minors were students at the nearby high school. The officer noted that many high school students also participate in underage drinking parties at Golden Gardens. Alcohol has been a factor contributing to recent violent incidents at the park.

The Advocacy Workgroup continues to plan for meeting with local policy makers about the implementation of laws already on the books regarding youth alcohol and marijuana use. Short-term plans include meeting with City and County council members who serve on health and safety-related committees.

Regulating dispensaries in Seattle

2011-07-13T08:37:00.000-07:00

Today, the Seattle City Council's Housing, Human Services, Health and Culture Committee will discuss a bill that would regulate medical marijuana dispensaries in the City. This comes at the heals of Governor Gregoire partially vetoing state legislation regarding medical marijuana.

Save the date to celebrate decreasing underage drinking rates

2011-07-08T12:12:00.000-07:00

Since 2006, underage drinking rates among NE Seattle 10th grade students have decreased by 13-18%. The community is invited to help Prevention WINS celebrate healthy youth on October 10 at Nathan Hale High School. Stay tuned for more information!

Despite CDC recommendation against further liquor privatization, debate continues in WA

2011-07-08T11:47:00.000-07:00

Backers of the latest liquor privatization initiative funded a paid-signature drive and turned in petitions today. I-1183 is similar to two measures to privatize state liquor sales that failed last November. I-1105 was rejected by 63% of voters and I-1100 was tossed out by 53%.

In February, the federal Centers for Disease Control’s Task Force on Community Preventive Services recommended against further privatization of alcohol sales “based on strong evidence that privatization results in increased per capita alcohol consumption, a well-established proxy for excessive consumption.”

"Privatization may be associated with increased alcohol advertising, increases in the number of brands sold, and more lax enforcement of sales regulations, including enforcement of the minimum legal drinking age. In contrast, privatization also has generally been associated with an increase in the price of privatized beverages, which may be expected to lead to a decrease in consumption."