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Tips for Preventing Underage Drinking: 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 2012 survey of Putnam County students in grades 8 - 12 revealed that 44.6% of respondents believe that parental attitudes favor alcohol and drug use. What better way to end 2012 and begin 2013 than for parents throughout Putnam County to loudly and affirmatively voice their disapproval of alcohol and other drug use.

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 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.

December is National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month

Did you know that of the fatal crashes in 2010, the highest percentage of drunk drivers was for drivers ages 21 to 24 (34 percent), followed by ages 25 to 34 (30 percent) and 35 to 44 (25 percent)?

On December 1, 2010, President Barack Obama signed a Presidential Proclamation stating that December would be observed as National Impaired Driving Prevention Month.  The Proclamation focuses not only on the prevention of drinking and drugged driving, but the prevalence of “distracted driving” due to “electronic equipment and texting”. The Proclamation is a call for all individuals to practice safety by not getting behind the wheel impaired by alcohol and drugs, including those drugs prescribed by a medical provider.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) announced the results of a nationwide survey related to impaired driving. The self reporting survey concluded that “In an average year, 30 million Americans drive drunk , 10 million drive impaired by illicit drugs.”

 

Thousands of people die due to the prevalence of drinking or drugged driving, and many innocent lives are shattered as a result.  The ramifications don’t end with injury or family loss. According to the National Council on Alcoholism and Other Drug Dependencies “the annual cost of alcohol-related crashes totals more than 51 million dollars”.

 

“The Putnam County Communities That Cares Coalition is dedicated to preventive measures geared towards reducing the intake of alcohol and illicit drugs, especially to protect our youth.  This includes reckless or negligent behavior when using prescribed medication. This is not only a local priority, but a national concern as well ” said Joseph DeMarzo, Deputy Commissioner of Putnam County Mental Health, Social Services and Youth Bureau.

 

“The prevention of debilitated driving, whether it is from substance use or distracted driving is imperative at any time. That being said, the holiday season is a time when more gatherings take place and traveling is sometimes inevitable. We encourage individuals to utilize public transportation should they drink or use medication. It will protect you, your family, and the community as a whole” said Elaine Santos, Putnam County Communities That Care Coalition Coordinator.

 

Mothers Against Destructive Decisions (MADD) Tips for Residents :

 

• Designate a sober driver before celebrations begin.
• Never serve those under the age of 21 alcohol.
• Plan safe parties, including providing non-alcoholic drink options to guests and not serving alcohol the last hour of the gathering.
• Be prepared to get everyone home safe in case your plans or individual circumstances change.

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 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.

Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving!

The Putnam CTC Coalition is thankful to be able to serve Putnam County with alcohol and drug prevention activities throughout the year. We love this community. We wish you all a safe and happy holiday!

Putnam County Med Take Back a Continued Success!

Thank you to the many residents that came out yesterday for the Putnam County Medication Take Back Event! Over 85,000 pills/doses were collected coming to 320 pounds of unwanted/unused meds that were disposed! Our next event is scheduled for April 2013-we will keep you updated!

Photos by Elaine Santos, Coalition Coordinator

Marijuana Ballot Initiative Summation in the US- Who passed legalization and who didn't

We would like to thank Save Our Society From Drugs and CADCA for the following marijuana ballot initiative summation:

Putnam CTC Coalition's Marijuana Prevention Ad

 

2012 State Ballot Initiatives

 

Arkansas

 

•Arkansas “medical” Marijuana Question – sought to legalize marijuana under the guise of medicine and allow for the establishment of marijuana dispensaries licensed by the state. The question was sponsored by Arkansans for Compassionate Care. Defeated – 52 percent opposed 48 percent supported.

 

Oregon

 

•Measure 80, Int. 9 Oregon Cannabis Tax Act Initiative - sought to legalize and regulate the cultivation, possession and sale of unlimited amounts of marijuana. The measure would also prohibit regulation and fess to grow hemp. Defeated – 56 percent opposed 44 percent supported.

 

Montana

 

•Initiative Referendum 124 - sought to reaffirm legislation passed in 2011 that replaced the state’s current ““medical”” marijuana law and replaced it with a more restrictive program. Passed – 66 percent voted to keep legislative changes to the “medical” marijuana program.

 

Colorado

 

•Amendment 64 allows those 21 years of age and older to possess up to one ounce of marijuana and cultivate six marijuana plants. The initiative also allows for over-the-counter sale of marijuana, reduces penalties for larger possession charges and legalizes hemp farming. Passed- 55 percent supported 45 percent opposed.

 

Massachusetts

 

•Question Three– legalizes marijuana under the guise of medicine and allows for the establishment of marijuana dispensaries. Passed – 63 percent supported 37 percent opposed.

 

Washington

 

•Initiative 502 – allows adults 21 and over to purchase marijuana from state-licensed and state-regulated businesses. Creates a regulatory system, much like the liquor control system, in which a board oversees licensing of marijuana producers, processors and retailers, and imposes an excise tax of 25 percent at each step. Passed – 56 percent supported 44 percent opposed.

Fall Putnam County Medication Take Back Day Rescheduled for Saturday, 11/17/12

 The Putnam County Communities That Care Coalition, in collaboration with the Putnam County Health Department and Putnam County Sheriff’s Department, will be holding a Fall Medication Take Back Event at Putnam Hospital Center (PHC) on the rescheduled date of Saturday, November 17, 2012. This postponement took place due to the recovery process related to Hurricane Sandy.

To help combat this growing threat to our nation’s children Putnam Hospital Center will host the event on Saturday, November 17, 2012. The disposal hours are between 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Please enter through the PHC Wagner Cancer Pavilion entrance. Signage will be posted leading to the disposal area. Individuals can dispose of prescription medication, over the counter medication, and pet medication. Syringes will NOT be accepted. Please keep all medications in their original packaging and remove personal patient information.  Here are some steps you can take to prevent the misuse of prescription and over the counter medicine:

·         Take inventory of your prescription and over-the-counter medicine.

·         Lock your medicine chest.

·         Dispose of your unused, unwanted, and expired medicine in your home or at a proper disposal site

·         Take your medicine(s) exactly as prescribed.

·         Talk to your children about the dangers of prescription drug abuse.

The most recent National Survey on Drug Use and Health shows prescription medicines to be the most abused drugs by Americans, other than marijuana and found that 70% of people who abuse prescription pain relievers say they got them from friends or relatives. A recent study on drug use by of teens by the Partnership for a Drug Free America (PDFA) found that one in 9 children are abusing prescription pain relievers to get high.

For more information, please call Mary Rice of the Putnam County Health Department at (845) 808- 1390 ext. 43164 or Elaine Santos of the Putnam County Communities That Care Coalition at (845) 225-4646.

Please visit and join us on Facebook by searching “Putnam County Communities That Care – NY” or on Twitter at http://twitter.com/#!/PutnamCTCNY.