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Thursday, January 19, 2012
Monday, January 9, 2012
Attention Parents and Educators: Health Concern Over "Lazy Larry's"
Public health officials are concerned about the sale of ―relaxation brownies laced with the sleep aid melatonin called "Lazy Larry's" (also known as "Lazy Cakes").
The brownies, intended for adults, are causing concern because they are marketed towards children and teens with its colorful and flashy packaging. The cartoon of 'Lazy Larry' also appears to be drug induced and relaxed on the cover of the product which attracts the attention of teens who think they will get a quick high after eating the brownies. The brownie manufacturers direct consumers to ―take half a brownie, twice a day -to relieve stress and combat sleeplessness. The product is sold at head shops, convenience stores, and major retailers across the country. They are also sold online. The cakes retail for $2.50 to $4 — a high price, considering that a 60-count bottle of 8-mg melatonin tablets costs $11.
Due to the 8 grams of melatonin in the product, the brownies were first marketed as a dietary supplement in mid 2011 to avoid mandatory approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The safety of a dietary supplement is, by law, the manufacturer‘s responsibility. In August of 2011 the FDA cited the Memphis-based company HBB LLC, the makers of the ―'Lazy Larry' product, stating that they do not consider melatonin to be a harmless food additive and the brownies are "adulterated" because they contain them. The FDA also cited ―medical research that has shown concerns about potential reproductive, cardiovascular, ocular and neurological issues as side effects of using the drug (melatonin). (FDA). A teen could be having a physical reaction to a Lazy Larry, so it is important adults are aware of this new product and the potential harm it can cause on children and teens.
Kush Cakes or Lulla Pies are also popular "lazy cakes", however they have not been cited by the FDA.
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.
The Truth About Energy Drinks
Energy drinks are beverages that are specifically marketed to young people, with names like Red Bull, Venom, Monster, Adrenaline Rush, 180, ISO, and Sprint. These drinks contain large doses of caffeine (as much as 80 mg), sugar and other legal stimulants like guarana and ginseng. When compared to the 37mg of caffeine in a Mountain Dew or the 23mg in a Coca-Cola Classic, it is clear that energy drinks pack a big punch.
There are also alcoholic energy drinks that are in the market that children are getting their hands on that look similar to the non alcoholic energy drinks. Examples of these dangerous drinks are Four Loko, Joose and Sparks. The marketing on the television and on the internet use fun or dramatic names, messages and colorful graphics that attract young people.
In the short-term, consumption of energy drinks can boost the heart rate and blood pressure (sometimes causing palpitations), dehydrate the body and, like other stimulants, prevent sleep. Energy drinks should not be used while exercising or to enhance athletic performance, as the combination of fluid loss from sweating and the diuretic quality of the caffeine can leave the user severely dehydrated. Additional health risks include increased anxiety, panic attacks, headaches, sleep deprivation, and stomach aches. (Martine Institute, 2007)
According to the NCAA Banned-Drug Classes, use of caffeine (guarana) is prohibited, as it is considered to be a stimulant. Any individual with a urine concentration that exceeds 15 micrograms/ml is considered to be ‘positive’. It is worthy to note that “the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not strictly regulate the supplement industry; therefore purity and safety of nutritional dietary supplements cannot be guaranteed. Impure supplements may lead to a positive NCAA drug test”.
Members of 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 Putnam County Youth Bureau at 845-808-1600 Ext. 46117 or the National Council on Alcoholism/Putnam at 845-225-4646, Ext. 13 if you have any questions. Please visit and join the Putnam CTC Coalition on Facebook by searching “Putnam County Communities That Care – NY” or on Twitter at http://twitter.com/#!/PutnamCTCNY or call 845-225-4646.
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
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
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
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
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