NEWS OF SUBSTANCE

Marijuana as Medicine: Get Ready, Get Set, Stand!

Coming soon to a poll near you: Marijuana as Medicine. That is, unless we stand united to stop it in its tracks.

Drug-Free Action Alliance recently learned that two ballot initiatives which would legalize marijuana as medicine in Ohio have been introduced for consideration for the November 2012 election. As you know, if either of these ballot initiatives is passed into law, the potential problems it would cause for Ohio would be devastating; and businesses, schools and government would deal with the collateral damage for years to come. With that in mind, we invite and encourage community leaders to Get Ready! Get Set! Stand!

Get Ready! Education and awareness on the issue is the first step in preparing ourselves and our Ohio communities and we need your help in reaching out to spread the word.

Drug-Free Action Alliance (DFAA) and the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Association of Ohio (ADAPAO) are partnering to hold an invitation-only, educational meeting for prevention and treatment professionals and advocates on Friday, October 14, 2011 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in Dublin, Ohio. During this Marijuana as Medicine Summit, we will provide you with the tools to respond to questions that you will be asked by reporters and community members as the local professionals in your area on this subject. Although allowing voters to decide what is and is not medicine may not seem like a possibility now, the people behind these ballot initiatives are determined to make that a reality in Ohio.

For registration information and further details on the Marijuana as Medicine Summit, email Contact@DrugFreeActionAlliance.org.

Click here for the article in full.

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Drug-Free Action Alliance

COALITION SPOLIGHT

Featuring:

Standout community coalitions who have endorsed the
Marijuana as Medicine position of Drug-Free Action Alliance
and Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Association of Ohio.

This month’s Coalition Spotlight shines on the following coalitions for their leadership roles having made the decision to stand strong and be heard to stop Marijuana as Medicine from becoming a legislative or voter decision.

Click here for the article in full.

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Know! To Celebrate Family Day September 26th

PARENTS: Engaging in frequent conversations with your children is a proven defense in preventing substance abuse among youth. And when it comes to finding the perfect setting for these important talks, there is no need to go any further than the kitchen table.

Teen surveys conducted by The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) consistently show that the more often kids eat dinner with their families, the less likely they are to drink, smoke or use other drugs. This year’s CASA Teen Survey specifically revealed that 12 to 17-year-olds who averaged fewer than three family dinners per week were four times more likely to use tobacco, more than two and a half times more likely to smoke marijuana, and twice as likely to drink alcohol.

Click here for full Parent Tip.

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Generation Rx:
Brought to you in Partnership with
Cardinal Health Foundation

The number of preteens and teens abusing prescription medications has skyrocketed. Every day, about 2,500 youth are trying their first painkiller (for a high).

Parents may wonder what goes through the minds of their children when they consider taking that first pill? According to youth themselves, here is what some of them report thinking:

·         I have heard so much hype over these pain meds. I just want to try it once. It’s not a big deal. 

·         I know it’s not ‘”ok” to use drugs, but I want to be part of the “group,” and at least it’s a medicine prescribed by a doctor, which is better than an illegal drug off the street.

·         This medicine helped my friend’s mom with her back pain, so there is nothing wrong with borrowing a few pills to help with my ankle injury.   

·         If a small dose of my prescription helped me feel good, a little more will make me feel even better.

·         If my grandma can take this prescribed drug, it’s certainly not going to hurt me.

Misconceptions, lack of education and the stereotypical teenage “invincibility syndrome” all play a role in the number of young people abusing prescription drugs for the first time.

For parents, a critical first step in prevention is to recognize your child’s risk and to sit down with him/her for an open discussion about the dangers of prescription drugs. Young people need to know that regardless of how one rationalizes his/her particular situation, prescription drug abuse is a big deal, and never an option.

Keep in mind, this is not a one-time conversation, but a topic that needs to be addressed time and again. Drug-Free Action Alliance, in partnership with the Cardinal Health Foundation, will continue to provide parents with information to keep this conversation going. But to get started, we suggest you first cover the importance of the Three R’s of Prescription Drugs:

* Parents, we encourage you to elaborate on these three bullet-points.

RESPECT the power of medicine and use it properly.

RECOGNIZE that risks are always present when taking medications and know that those risks increase with misuse and abuse.

RESPONSIBILITY must be taken to learn about proper use of a prescribed medication. And, take responsibility for seeking help at the first sign of a problem (for yourself or a friend).

For helpful resources and further information on combating the prescription drug abuse epidemic visit Sources: NCPIE Coalition - Educate Before You medicate: Talking to Your Kids About Prescription Drug Abuse. Cardinal Health Foundation/OSU College of Pharmacy: Generation Rx Initiative.

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A public awareness campaign educating communities and parents
about the health and safety risks of serving alcohol at teen parties.

Join Drug-Free Action Alliance for our Two-Day Conference (October 5th &6th)
(Ohio Residents Only)

Beyond Billboards & Brochures:
Using Parents Who Host, Lose the Most: Don't be a party to teenage drinking
to MOBILIZE your community!

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Drug Free 24/7: November Opportunities

A national holiday, the spotlight event for smoking cessation, and a weeklong focus on drug facts figure among the opportunities for social marketing efforts in November.

If you plan to take advantage of Red Ribbon Week to kick off the Drug Free 24/7 year for your community, you may want to announce segments of your one-year plan and the partnerships and collaborations that are part of that plan, then begin moving forward on those initiatives.

Here are some other social marketing ideas to implement in November in conjunction with special events and celebrations for the month.

Click here for details on implementing Drug Free 24/7 in your community for the month of November. The time to plan for November implementation is now! 

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Join our Statewide Prevention Coalition Association (SPCA) today!

SPCA was created by Drug-Free Action Alliance to unite organizations through collaboration and sharing of resources to promote prevention for a safe, healthy and drug-free Ohio.

SPCA consists of geographically and culturally diverse organizations, actively providing substance abuse prevention services to their communities. As a unified voice, SPCA members advocate for local, statewide and national policy issues that relate to substance abuse prevention. Members educate key leaders on the problems facing their communities and seek to form collaborative partnerships in order to find lasting solutions.

SPCA members have an opportunity to network with many other coalitions at unique stages of growth and development, sharing knowledge and resources to help strengthen and sustain their infrastructure. Members also receive practical information about effective strategies and initiatives to engage the community and create environmental change.

Click here to check out SPCA’s Member Benefits and to download your Membership Application today. (Please Note: Only Ohio organizations and coalitions are eligible to join.)

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White House Drug Policy Director Awards $88.2 Million to

Local Communities to Prevent Youth Substance Use

(Washington, D.C.) Gil Kerlikowske, Director of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), recently announced $12.3 million in new Drug Free Communities Support Program (DFC) grants to 87 communities and 20 new DFC Mentoring grants across the country. The awards announced are in addition to the nearly $76 million in Continuation grants simultaneously released to 607 currently funded DFC coalitions and twelve DFC Mentoring Continuation coalitions.

                                              Drug-Free Action Alliance Congratulates
 

EVENTS/TRAININGS/OPPORTUNITIES

State Farm Grant Opportunity
October 7th Deadline

In an effort to help build safer, stronger and better educated communities, State Farm is inviting non-profit organizations from around the country to submit their applications for a chance to receive $5,000 (minimum) grants for 2012. State Farm’s funding focus is on safety, community development and education.  

For eligibility, funding requirements and additional information please visit: http://www.statefarm.com/aboutus/community/grants/company/company.asp.

Ohio Rally for Recovery
Sunday, September 25th
1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
OSU Campus (Medical Center-East)

You’ll hear inspirational recovery stories, have a chance to view the “Lost In Woonsocket” documentary and hear direct from the film’s Normand Cartier on his journey from living in a tent to leading Lost & Found In America – a non-profit dedicated to helping those still on the streets. The Rally will also host The Traveling Recovery Archives, with material on the 12-step program success history in Ohio. 

For additional information and details on the Ohio Rally for Recovery visit: www.oca-ohio.org.

FREE Online Audio Teleconference
Intervention Principles and Practice Guidelines for
Community Corrections on Underage Drinking

Thursday, September 29, 2011
3:00 p.m. to 4:15p.m.

This program is the eleventh in a series of audio-teleconference presentations produced by the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation (PIRE) and the American Probation and Parole Association (APPA) in cooperation with the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) with a focus on the relationship of the judicial and probation communities and the issues related to underage alcohol abuse. To register online visit: http://www.udetc.org/audioconf_judicialregistration.asp.

(Course Objectives, Outline and CLE Certificate Provided Upon Request.)

National Depression Screening Day^® (NDSD)
Thursday, October 6^th

Thursday, October 6th is National Depression Screening Day, as part of Mental Illness Awareness Week which runs from October 2nd-8th.

National Depression Screening Day (NDSD) gives people the opportunity to take a free, anonymous questionnaire assessing their risk for mood and anxiety disorders and provides referral information for treatment. You are encouraged to share the following link with others so that they may find a local organization offering depression and anxiety screenings or take a screening online today at www.HelpYourSelfHelpOthers.org.

eBasedAcademy Training Resource Back Online

The Ohio Department of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services (ODADAS) announces the re-launch of eBasedAcademy -  a free, online career development resource for health and human service professionals and educators seeking continuing education credits in substance abuse prevention and treatment, social work and counseling, health education, and school safety and security.

Returning users may login as they did previously, with account information available and ready to use. For additional information and details visit www.ebasedacademy.org.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact ODADAS Training Officer Kristie Rampe at 614-644-2303 or Kristie.Rampe@ada.ohio.gov.

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Drug-Free Action Alliance
6155 Huntley Road, Suite H
Columbus, OH 43229
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www.DrugFreeActionAlliance.org