December is National Drunk, Drugged and Distracted Driving (3D) 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)? Did you know that the number of people killed in distraction-affected crashes decreased slightly from 3,360 in 2011 to 3,328 in 2012. An estimated 421,000 people were injured in motor vehicle crashes involving a distracted driver, this was a nine percent increase from the estimated 387,000 people injured in 2011? (Source: Distraction.gov).

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. For drivers 15-19 years old involved in fatal crashes, 21 percent of the distracted drivers were distracted by the use of cell phones ” 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.

Coalition 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. Driving is a serious responsibility. Discuss what it means to be a safe driver with your teen and set ground rules for when they're behind the wheel. If your teen is on the road, they should stay off the phone. Remember: It can wait! No text message is more important than your life (or another).

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.

Tips for Preventing Underage Drinking: For Parents During the Holiday Season

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.