Putnam County Seeks Nominations For 2012 Outstanding Youth Volunteer Awards

The Putnam County’s Youth Bureau and Youth Board will be holding their 27th Annual Youth Awards Dinner on Friday evening, April 13th 2012 at Mahopac Golf Club. Some of Putnam County’s finest youth volunteers will be recognized that evening for their outstanding community service efforts.

Youth nominees must be high school students who are active volunteers.

They must reside in Putnam County OR attend a high school within Putnam. Candidates must have performed a minimum of 12 months of their community service within Putnam and the community service the students performed must be validated as “outstanding” on the required Nomination Form submitted to the Youth Bureau on their behalf.

Adults who reside in Putnam may be nominated for their extraordinary volunteer service with Putnam youth. Adult Nominees must be over age twenty-one (21) and must have performed a minimum of two (2) consecutive years of volunteer work with Putnam Youth.

Our Youth and Adult Nomination Forms may be accessed through the Youth Bureau website at www.putnamcountyny.gov/youthbureau. If you would like more information, call (845) 808-1600. Leave a message on Ext. 46113 with a daytime phone number and we will return your call as soon as possible.

DEADLINE:
Nomination Forms MUST be in the Youth Bureau office

Teens using cigarettes, alcohol less but smoking pot more

Teens using cigarettes, alcohol less but smoking pot more

See link above for more information.

Happy Holidays from the Putnam CTC Coalition!

Prevention For Putnam Winter 2011/2012

Winter CTC Newsletter

Study: Tougher teen driving laws would save lives, money

Study: Tougher teen driving laws would save lives, money

Click link above for more information.

Tips for Parents During the Holiday Season

The Putnam County Communities That Care (CTC) Coalition is an anti-drug coalition that works to build a safe and healthy family-oriented community, which includes reducing the use of harmful substances by our adolescents. It is composed of individuals from all sectors of the community who work together to reduce risk factors and strengthen protective factors through education, enforcement and policy initiatives. As part of our mission to educate the community, we are posting this release as a way to provide you with information that you can share with your coaches, parents and participants. 

As parents take part in holiday festivities, it is of critical importance that they make healthy choices around the use of alcohol. According to a recently released report from the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University, “teens that have seen their parent(s) drunk are likelier to drink and get drunk than teens that have not seen their parent(s) drunk. They are also likelier to try cigarettes and marijuana”.

Research has taught us time and again that active parents, voicing their disapproval of alcohol and other drug use, have proven themselves to be the most effective preventative method for keeping our children substance-free. A cohesive family with parents who model healthy decision making can make all the difference in helping young people to avoid antisocial behavior. 

Holiday parties give individuals more of an opportunity to use drugs and alcohol.  This accounts for the increase in alcohol and drug related tragedies during the festive season.  

A few holiday party tips for parents:

• Lay down the law. Tell your child, prior to the party, that he or she is absolutely prohibited from drinking and using illegal substances.
• Be a model for conscientious behavior. Have a plan for those who drink too much and make sure your guests do not drink and drive.
• If you are hosting the party, offer an ample amount of non-alcoholic drinks, foods, and games to all.
• Children may drink leftovers. Dispose of all unfinished beverages to prevent alcohol poisoning.
• If your child is going to a party at a friend’s house, phone ahead and make sure there will not be any alcohol beverages available.

For more holiday safety tips, please visit: http://www.madd.org/media-center/media-library/safe-party-guide.html

To further reduce the prevalence of underage drinking, legislation has been passed in all Putnam County towns, entitled the “Social Host Liability” law, which makes it a crime to “host, suffer, permit, organize, or allow a party, gathering or event at his or her place of residence or other private property where three or more minors are present and alcoholic beverages are being consumed by any minor”. This crime is punishable by up to one year in jail and/or a $3,000 fine.

 A 2010 survey of Putnam County students in grades 8 - 12 revealed that 44.6% of respondents believe that parental attitudes favor drug use. What better way to end 2011 and begin 2012 than for parents throughout Putnam County to loudly and affirmatively voice their disapproval of alcohol and other drug use. 

Members of the Putnam CTC are available if you have any questions or would like for us to do a presentation to your organization on this or any other substance abuse trends that affect our children.  Please visit and join us on Facebook by searching “Putnam County Communities That Care – NY” or on Twitter at http://twitter.com/#!/PutnamCTCNY or call 845-225-4646.

Video: Teens Insert Vodka-Soaked Tampons for an Intense Hit | The Fix

Video: Teens Insert Vodka-Soaked Tampons for an Intense Hit | The Fix

The new shot glass Photo via

By Will Godfrey

Teen dies after smoking synthetic pot

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Teen dies after smoking synthetic pot

CDC Reports on Prescription Drug Abuse Rates in the United States

Overdose deaths from prescription painkillers have skyrocketed in the past decade. Every year, nearly 15,000 people die from overdoses involving these drugs—more than those who die from heroin and cocaine combined.

Overdoses involving prescription painkillers—a class of drugs that includes hydrocodone, methadone, oxycodone, and oxymorphone—are a public health epidemic. These drugs are widely misused and abused. One in 20 people in the United States, ages 12 and older, used prescription painkillers nonmedically (without a prescription or just for the "high" they cause) in 2010. A recent CDC analysis discusses this growing epidemic and suggested measures for prevention.

A Public Health Epidemic

The problem of prescription painkiller overdoses has reached epidemic proportions.

Consider that:

• Prescription painkiller overdoses killed nearly 15,000 people in the US in 2008. This is more than 3 times the 4,000 people killed by these drugs in 1999.
• In 2010, about 12 million Americans (age 12 or older) reported nonmedical use of prescription painkillers in the past year.
• Nearly half a million emergency department visits in 2009 were due to people misusing or abusing prescription painkillers.
• Nonmedical use of prescription painkillers costs health insurers up to $72.5 billion annually in direct health care costs.

Groups at Greatest Risk

Certain groups are more likely to abuse or overdose on prescription painkillers:

• Many more men than women die of overdoses from prescription painkillers.
• Middle-aged adults have the highest prescription painkiller overdose rates.
• People in rural counties are about two times as likely to overdose on prescription painkillers as people in big cities.
• Whites and American Indian or Alaska Natives are more likely to overdose on prescription painkillers.
• About 1 in 10 American Indian or Alaska Natives age 12 or older used prescription painkillers for nonmedical reasons in the past year, compared to 1 in 20 whites and 1 in 30 blacks.

Steps for Safety

There are steps that everyone can take to help prevent overdoses involving prescription painkillers, while making sure patients have access to safe, effective treatment.

States can:

• Start or improve prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs), which are electronic databases that track all prescriptions for painkillers in the state.
• Use PDMP, Medicaid, and workers' compensation data to identify improper prescribing of painkillers.
• Set up programs for Medicaid, workers' compensation programs, and state-run health plans that identify and address improper patient use of painkillers.
• Pass, enforce and evaluate pill mill, doctor shopping and other laws to reduce prescription painkiller abuse.
• Encourage professional licensing boards to take action against inappropriate prescribing.
• Increase access to substance abuse treatment.

Individuals can:

• Use prescription painkillers only as directed by a health care provider.
• Make sure they are the only one to use their prescription painkillers. Not selling or sharing them with others helps prevent misuse and abuse.
• Store prescription painkillers in a secure place and dispose of them properly.*
• Get help for substance abuse problems if needed (1-800-662-HELP).

Health insurers can:

• Set up prescription claims review programs to identify and address improper prescribing and use of painkillers.
• Increase coverage for other treatments to reduce pain, such as physical therapy, and for substance abuse treatment.

Health care providers can:

• Follow guidelines for responsible painkiller prescribing, including
  • Screening and monitoring for substance abuse and mental health problems.
  • Prescribing painkillers only when other treatments have not been effective for pain.
  • Prescribing only the quantity of painkillers needed based on the expected length of pain.
  • Using patient-provider agreements combined with urine drug tests for people using prescription painkillers long term.
  • Talking with patients about safely using, storing and disposing of prescription painkillers.*
• Use PDMPs to identify patients who are improperly using prescription painkillers.

http://cdc.gov/Features/VitalSigns/PainkillerOverdoses/#

Drunken gummy bears new teen rage | gummy, new, rage - Gaston Gazette

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Drunken gummy bears new teen rage | gummy, new, rage - Gaston Gazette

Study Highlights The Importance of Family Dinners

Teens that have infrequent family dinners are likelier to smoke, drink, and use marijuana according to the The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University (CASA Columbia). CASA has been surveying teens for seventeen years.

The new report, released on September 22, 2011, states that “Compared to teens who have frequent family dinners (five to seven per week), those who have infrequent family dinners (fewer than three per week) are almost four times likelier to use tobacco; more than twice as likely to use alcohol; two-and-a-half times likelier to use marijuana; and almost four times likelier to say they expect to try drugs in the future.”

The CASA Columbia family dinners report reveals that 58 percent of teens report having dinner with their families at least five times a week, a proportion that has remained consistent over the past decade. Having frequent family dinners also encourages healthy family relationships. According to the report, teens that have dinner with their families consistently are:

• One-and-a-half times likelier to report having an excellent relationship with their mother;
• More than twice as likely to report having an excellent relationship with their father; and
• Almost twice as likely to report having an excellent relationship with their sibling(s).

“Family meals are the perfect time to have a conversation with your teen. It affords you the opportunity to spend time with your child, talk to them about their friends, interests and the dangers of drugs and alcohol. Parental engagement is the key, as this study proves.” stated Kristin McConnell, Executive Director of the National Council on Alcoholism and Other Drug Dependencies/Putnam.

The study also states that teens that have infrequent family dinners have more access to alcohol, marijuana and prescription drugs (to get high) than teens who have consistent family dinners with their parents and siblings.

“Having meals, even if they are on the go, with your child gives parents the opportunity to answer questions and recognize that they (the parent) has the power to help keep their children substance free. This is a very powerful study, and the best thing about it is that family dinners are an actionable goal for parents and teens to achieve. It’s not always easy because of busy schedules, but it is doable”, stated Elaine Santos, Putnam County Communities That Care Coalition Coordination.

Members of the Putnam CTC are available if you have any questions or would like for us to do a presentation to your organization on this or any other substance abuse trends that affect our children  Please visit and join us on Facebook by searching “Putnam County Communities That Care – NY” or on Twitter at http://twitter.com/#!/PutnamCTCNY or call 845-225-4646.

Fall Medication Take Back Day Scheduled

Pegasus Starts October 13th

Putnam County Annual Recovery Walk - by Geri Munnick

Thank you Geri for a wonderful article!

How can 72 bags of cocaine fit in man's belly?

People continue to go to dangerous and strange lengths for drugs.

How can 72 bags of cocaine fit in man's belly?

The Underage Drinking Epidemic | Parade.com

The Underage Drinking Epidemic | Parade.com

Upcoming Family Event - 2011 Chili Cook off (alcohol free event).

The CTC Coalition supports this family and alcohol free event taking place on Sunday, September 18, 2011!

Putnam County Annual Recovery Walk

Suicide Prevention: Ribbons of Hope

You can get involved simply by sharing the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline number, 1-800-273-TALK (8255), looking out for friends and loved ones and learning the warning signs for suicide.

For more information, please go to http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/

'Bath salts' drugs temporarily banned as hazardous

'Bath salts' drugs temporarily banned as hazardous

Today is International Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Awareness Day

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The Impact of Alcohol on Athletic Performance

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4th of July Message: Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving

Drunk Driving Is a Deadly Problem This Fourth of July

GOAL/POSITIONING: The goal is to warn people of the dangers and consequences of driving while impaired. In 2009, someone in the United States died in an impaired-driving crash every 48 minutes, according to research by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
That is why the Putnam County Communities That Care Coalition, along with other highway safety, community, health and law enforcement officials, are reminding everyone this Fourth of July that Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving and to designate a sober driver before the celebrations begin.

KEY MESSAGES:
During the July 4th holiday, alcohol is a major factor in fatal crashes
Motor vehicle traffic crashes killed 410 people during the Fourth of July holiday period in 2009. Of that number, 40 percent involved a driver with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 grams per deciliter or higher.

Alcohol-impaired-driving crashes killed 10,839 people in 2009, accounting for 32 percent of all traffic-related deaths in the United States. That’s an average of one alcohol-impaired-driving fatality every 48 minutes.
Beware: the rate of alcohol impairment among drivers involved in fatal crashes in 2009 was four times higher at night than during the day.

Whether way too many or just one too many, it’s not worth the risk. Impaired Driving creates serious consequences.
 

Alcohol impairs many of the skills that safe driving requires, including judgment, concentration, comprehension, coordination, visual acuity and reaction time.

Driving with a BAC of .08 or higher is illegal in every state. Yet many people still ignore the law. According to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Report, more than 1.44 million people were arrested for driving under the influence during 2009.

The tragedies and costs from drinking and driving impaired do not just end at the potential death, disfigurement, disability and injury caused by impaired drivers.

Driving impaired or riding with someone who is impaired is not worth the risk. The consequences are serious and real. Not only do you risk killing yourself or someone else, but the trauma and financial costs of a crash or an arrest for driving while impaired can be really significant and not the way you want to celebrate the July 4th holiday.

People that break the law often face jail time, the loss of their driver’s license, higher insurance rates, and dozens of other unanticipated expenses from attorney fees, other fines and court costs, car towing and repairs, lost time at work, etc.

This summer don’t let your 4th of July end in an arrest—or even worse, death. Make smart decisions. Plan ahead so you can ensure a safe way home.

Remember: Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving. Don’t drink and drive.
 

Members of the Putnam CTC Coalition are available if you have any questions or would like for us to do a presentation to your organization on this or any other substance abuse trends that affect our children. Please call the National Council on Alcoholism & Drug Dependencies of Putnam at 845-225-4646, Ext. 13 for information and referrals. Please visit and join us on Facebook by searching ―Putnam County Communities That Care – NY or by searching Twitter at ―PutnamCTCNY.

For more information, visit www.StopImpairedDriving.org.
 

Sheriff Smith and the Putnam CTC host Merchant Education Seminar

-Carmel, NY

Putnam County vendors and businesses with active liquor licenses are encouraged to attend the Merchant Education Seminar on Monday, July 11, 2011. The seminar, a collaborative effort between the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department and the Putnam County Communities That Care Coalition, will focus on current rules and regulations within the State of New York pertaining to the sale of alcoholic beverages and include any recent mandates or updates. This session will also provide a great opportunity for business owners to ask questions and express any concerns they may have with the administration of the liquor authority program.
The seminar will also feature scheduled speakers Sheriff Donald D. Smith, District Attorney Adam Levy, and a representative from the State Liquor Authority.

The goal of the program is to limit youth access to alcohol, review existing laws in place, and provide an important education and awareness opportunity to keep both businesses and the community safe.
The free seminar will be held on Monday, July 11, 2011 from 10:00 a.m. – approximately 12:30 p.m. at the Putnam County Bureau of Emergency Services Training and Operations Services Building, Donald B. Smith Campus, 112 Old Route Six, Carmel, NY 10512.

The Putnam County Communities that Care Coalition is an anti-drug coalition that works to build a safe and
healthy family oriented community, which includes reducing the use of harmful substances by our adolescents. It is composed of individuals from all sectors of the community who work together to reduce risk factors and
strengthen protective factors through education, enforcement, and policy initiatives.

Attendees must RSVP by July 1, 2011 by contacting Coalition Coordinator Elaine Santos at 845-225-4646 or emailing putnamdfcgrantee@gmail.com.

Summer Alert: The 411 on "Alcopops"

Flavored Malt Beverages (FMB‟s) also known as Alcopops are highly sweetened drinks that contain the same amount of alcohol as a beer. The drinks can also contain caffeine which helps to mask the taste of the alcohol. Marketers use fun or dramatic names, messages and colorful graphics that attract young people. Examples of Alcopops are Jack Daniels Lynchberg Lemonade, Mikes Hard Cranberry Lemonade, Skyy Blue, Zima Citrus, Smirnoff Ice, Four Loko, Doc Otis Hard Lemonade, Sparks, etc. 

According to the Marin Institute, Alcopops are „beer‟ which makes them much easier to buy than hard alcohol. In a number of states, that means they‟re available wherever beer is available, such as convenience stores gas stations and mini-marts.” 

Due to their design, many alcopops look similar to both their caffeinated, non caffeinated and non-alcoholic counterparts, causing confusion for both the merchant and consumer. 

Due to the diverse fruit flavors and high sugar content, females are more attracted to Alcopops than males (Marin Institute) As a result, marketers tend to aggressively target this female population. According to a June 2011 report from the New York State Standing Committee on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse, chaired by Senator Jeffrey D. Klein (D- Bronx/Westchester), “The first alcopops contained 5 to 6% alcohol and often came in 12 oz bottles or cans (they are now going up to 12%).  Their fruit flavors and sweetness earned them the nickname “cheerleader beer” or “chick beer.” This 

second generation of products now contains up to 12% alcohol and come in 16 to 24 oz cans and 7 to 12 oz bottles.  Users commonly refer to them as “Binge in a Can” or “Black-out in a Can”.  However, the industry often markets them as “progressive adult beverages.” Despite this, all young people are trying alcopops, unaware of the detrimental effects it has on their health and perception. 

Health risks for minors include: 

•  Increased anxiety, panic attacks, headaches, sleep deprivation, and stomach aches. 
• The hindrance of frontal lobe brain development (the brain does not stop developing until the early 20‟s) 
• Increased risk of injury and/or death while operating a motor vehicle. 

A 2009 Marin Institute Report stated that underage Alcopop consumption has led to a cost of $548,560,000, 24 deaths, and 20,121 incidents of harm in New York State alone. These statistics are based on traffic accidents, suicides, violence, poisonings and fetal alcohol syndrome. 

Parents are encouraged this summer to speak to their children about the danger of alcopops. “Our goal here is to encourage brand and consumption awareness so that parents and their children know what an acceptable drink is and what isn‟t, especially when the beverage looks or sounds like a fruit drink. What want everyone to have a safe summer.” stated Joseph DeMarzo, Director of the Putnam County Youth Bureau/Mental Health Department. Parents are also encouraged to keep an inventory of their own alcohol supply to prevent any oversight.  

Members of the Putnam CTC Coalition are available if you have any questions or would like for us to do a presentation to your organization on this or any other substance abuse trends that affect our children. Please call the National Council on Alcoholism & Drug Dependencies of Putnam at 845-225-4646, Ext. 13 for information and referrals. Please visit and join us on Facebook by searching “Putnam County Communities That Care – NY” or by searching Twitter at “PutnamCTCNY”. 

Vote on the PSA you like best!

Vote on the PSA you like to see on TV in Putnam! Both have prevention messages about alcohol/substance use. We'd love your input!

 

 

First video link: http://www.facecatalog.org/Early_Onset_Television_PSA_p/tv17.htm

 

Second video link: http://www.facecatalog.org/Thin_Line_Television_PSA_p/tv52.htm

Please VOTE AT THIS LINK HERE: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/NK7WHLF

Thank you!

Putnam Represented at New York State Hearing on Underage Drinking

-Albany, NY 

Assemblyman and Chairman of the Assembly’s Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Committee Steven Cymbrowitz (D- Brooklyn), along with Representatives Felix Ortiz (D-Brooklyn), Marcos Crespo (D-Bronx), Michael DenDekker (D- Queens), and Eric Stevenson (D-Bronx) held a hearing on Wednesday, May 25, 2011 in Albany, NY, regarding underage drinking in New York State in light of the possible cuts facing substance use prevention services. The hearing included testimony from youth leaders, law enforcement personnel,  NYS Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) Commissioner Arlene Gonzalez-Sanchez,  John Coppola, Executive Director of the NYS Association of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Providers (ASAP), and Dan Sisto, Chairman of Law Enforcement Against Drunk Driving. 

Putnam County was represented at the hearing by Kristin E. Cafiero, Executive Director of the National Council on Alcoholism and Other Drug Dependencies/Putnam and Elaine N. Santos, Putnam County Communities That Care Coalition Coordinator. The hearing focused on the prevention of underage drinking by limiting accessibility, curbing the high amount of advertising youth are exposed to on a daily basis, researching the possibility of an alcohol beverage surcharge, and discussing the controversial move of allowing wine to be sold in supermarkets and gas stations in the State. Also discussed were the possible consequences, positive and/or negative, of lowering the drinking age. Future hearings will take place for each specific strategy or concern outlined during the 17 testimonies. 

Both Putnam representatives were on hand to participate in the important discussion and stand for the County’s stance on risk and protective factors as it relates to underage alcohol intake. “In Putnam County, we have a rate of 38.8% of all students’ grades 8-12 admitting to alcohol consumption within the past 30 days, so we must remain vigilant in trying to take preventive measures to protect our youth. Cutting prevention services at a time when our community needs it most would be tragic” stated Cafiero. 

Cymbrowitz said that it was clear from the testimony of many of the witnesses that New York State must continue to invest in providing a full range of preventive services.  “In 2007, substance abuse cost New York State $3.5 billion due to work loss, medical care and other problems related to young people using alcohol. Now is not the time to cut spending on prevention programs.  With a multi-billion price tag on underage drinking we can’t afford to ignore the problem, we must deal with it head on”. 

For alcohol and substance information and referral services, please contact the National Council on Alcoholism and Other Drug Dependencies at (845) 225-4646.   

April is Alcohol Awareness Month

 

April 2011

Drinking too much alcohol can lead to health problems, including alcohol poisoning, hangovers, and an increased risk of heart disease. This April, during Alcohol Awareness Month, the Putnam County Communities That Care (CTC) Coalition encourages you to take this time to educate yourself and your loved ones about the dangers of alcohol abuse.

In New York State alone, there were 1,231 drunken driving fatalities in 2008.  To spread the word and prevent alcohol abuse, the Putnam CTC Coalition is joining other organizations across the country to honor Alcohol Awareness Month to prevent alcohol abuse in our community.

According to the 2010 Communities That Care Prevention Needs Assessment Survey reports that 64% of Putnam County youth grades 8-12 have used alcohol in their lifetime.  Tragic health, social and economic problems result from the use of alcohol by youth. Underage drinking is a causal factor in a host of serious problems, including homicide, suicide, traumatic injury, drowning, burns, violent and property crime, high risk sex, fetal alcohol syndrome, alcohol poisoning, and need for treatment for alcohol abuse and dependence.

Community norms that foster alcohol abuse are a major factor … and parental support, monitoring and communication can significantly reducing drinking among adolescents.

The CTC Coalition encourages all parents to:

• Increase awareness of alcohol use disorders and the success of prevention and treatment.
• Educate yourself and loved ones, especially our youth, about the dangers of alcohol abuse.
• Support and encourage referrals for treatment for individuals when an alcohol addiction is suspected or present.

If you are drinking too much, you can improve your health by cutting back or quitting. Keep track of how much you drink, avoid places where overdrinking occurs, and find new ways to deal with stress. If you are concerned about someone else’s drinking, offer to help.

Members of the Putnam CTC are available if you have any questions or would like for us to do a presentation to your organization on this or any other substance abuse trends that affect our children. Please call the National Council on Alcoholism & Drug Dependencies of Putnam at 845-225-4646, Ext. 13 for further information and referral services. Please visit and join us on Facebook by searching “Putnam County Communities That Care – NY.