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.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Learn about the relationship between alcohol and crime from the comfort of your own desk
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.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Strong alcohol regulations save us money
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.
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.
Monday, October 31, 2011
Prevention Summit: holistic prevention saves money
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:
Monday, October 24, 2011
I-1183, liquor in our grocery stores and underage drinking
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.
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.
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
More on how underage drinkers access alcohol
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:
Source: Report to Congress on the Prevention and Reduction of Underage Drinking, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, May 2011
- 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%).
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
National Prescription Drug Take Back Day October 29
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.
Friday, October 14, 2011
Photos from "Celebrate Healthy Youth"
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
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Underage drinking rates decline thanks to community-wide prevention activities
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)
How alcohol use was cut at two Seattle schools (Seattle Times)
Finding: North Seattle teens are drinking less (KOMO)
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
More about underage drinking in public parks . . .
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.
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