Family Day on September 23rd- 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 eighteen years. 

“Family Day is a national movement to encourage parents to frequently eat dinner with their kids and be involved in their children’s lives. Family Day will be celebrated nationwide this year on Monday, Sept. 23rd”, stated Joseph DeMarzo, Coalition Co-Chairperson. According to CASAColumbia’s report The Importance of Family Dinners VII, 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  

The report also found that teens that have frequent family dinners are likelier to get better grades in school and to say they have an excellent relationship with their parents.  

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 Joseph DeMarzo, Coalition Co-Chairperson.

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) have 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 Coordinator. 

For a FREE Family Dinner Kit please visit: http://casafamilyday.org/familyday/tools-you-can-use/family-dinner-kit/ 

Members of the Putnam County 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. 

Attention Parents and Educators: Health Concern Over Club Drug ‘Molly’

Tragedy struck over Labor Day weekend at New York City’s three day Electric Zoo music festival, held on Randall’s Island, after two concert-goers, both in their twenties, overdosed and died at the event after consuming “Molly”. At least four others remain in critical condition at area hospitals.  Thousands of teens and young adults attend the festival each year, As a result of the deaths, the third day of the concert was cancelled.

Many parents are asking “What is Molly”? According to the Partnership for a Drug Free America, “Molly,” is the powder or crystal form of MDMA, which is the chemical used in Ecstasy. Some claim that Molly is less dangerous than other illegal drugs because it’s not physically addictive, more pure than other forms of ecstasy and will not cause cognitive impairment as it doesn’t kill brain cells. The reality, however, is that the use of Molly – a stimulant drug – comes with serious health risks. The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) notes that it can cause confusion, anxiety, depression, paranoia, sleep problems and drug craving.

Health risks and signs of Molly can include anything from involuntary teeth clenching, sudden loss of appetite, a loss of inhibitions, transfixion on sights and sounds, nausea, signs of depression and/or sadness, not being able to get out of bed for extended periods,  blurred vision and chills and/or sweating. More serious risks can even include increased heart rate and blood pressure and seizures.

Molly has been a popular drug at music festivals this year and is also mentioned in several popular songs including Miley Cyrus’ “We Can’t Stop”. Festivals are perhaps the most hazardous of settings, because when combined with the hot crowded conditions, intake of MDMA can lead to severe dehydration and dramatic increases in body temperature. This, in turn, can lead to muscle breakdown and kidney, liver and cardiovascular failure. An additional risk of taking Molly is the potential of it being “cut” or mixed with other harmful substances by someone else, despite claims of it being pure.

The Coalition advises parents to know the facts, talk with their kids and don’t take the use of Molly lightly.

If you suspect your child is using Molly (MDMA), please call 911 immediately or take to the Emergency Department of your local hospital. The Upstate Poison Control Center can also be reached at 1-800-222-1222.

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.

Parent Alert: What are Shatter, Dabs and BHO?

"Scariest was the case of a young woman  who was hospitalized from a near-fatal allergic reaction  in which her throat closed up after smoking dabs."   -Animal New York ("Dabs: The World's Most Powerful and Sought After Weed Product)   What is "dabs?"    Dabs, otherwise known as butane hash oil (BHO), is an extremely potent extract created by passing butane through high-grade marijuana. Following the evaporation of the butane, a thick oil or resin remains.  The oil is most commonly vaporized using a special water pipe known as a rig, although it can be consumed orally as well.  Hash oil use has recently increased and is quickly becoming a more popular method of use among adolescents.      The resulting high is far stronger than that from marijuana, due to hash oil's very high levels of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol).  While very strong strains of marijuana are around 25% THC, the 2009 United Nations "World Drug Report" states that hash oil can contain upwards of 60% THC.  Additional reports suggest that the THC content of hash oil can reach as high as 90%.   Even more concerning is the fact that butane, an extremely flammable and dangerous solvent, is used in the creation of butane hash oil.  A number of people have been injured in fires and explosions resulting from attempts to manufacture butane hash oil.  Additionally, there is risk of the final product having dangerous impurities due to the extraction methods and ingredients used.  Exposure to butane can cause numerous health problems, including neurotoxic effects.   It is crucial for parents to be aware of the increase in popularity of hash oil, and know what to look for.  Due to its concentrated form, hash oil is used in smaller amounts than marijuana and is much easier to conceal.  Hash oil can appear in various forms, be referred to by a number of different slang terms, and be manufactured using a variety of items.       Names: Hash oil, hashish oil, butane hash oil (BHO), honey oil, honey, honeycomb, dabs, earwax, wax, shatter, budder, concentrate, whip Looks Like: Dark brown, amber, or golden oil or resin, pale or yellowish wax, tar, honey or honeycomb        Related Items to Look For: Butane containers, glass or metal tubes, glass baking dishes, isopropyl alcohol, coffee filters       "Among incidents related to its production and use  were untrained cooks 'blowing themselves up' blasting  butane in jury-rigged home labs, and 'overdoses,' which as  with strong marijuana are not fatal but involve extreme discomfort  to the point of freaking out for long periods of time."   -Animal New York ("Dabs: The World's Most Powerful and Sought After Weed Product)      For more information on drugs of abuse, and the many other challenges that young people face every day, visit our Youth Challenges page. Courtesy of NotMyKid

Medication Take Back Day on 9.21.13 - Cold Spring

FASD Awareness Day on 9.9.2013

 

At 9:09 a.m. on September 9, 1999, the first international Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) Awareness Day was observed. The date and time were chosen to mark the ninth minute of the ninth hour of the ninth day of the ninth month, which serves as a reminder that FAS, like all Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD), is completely preventable. Yet, alcohol-exposed pregnancies continue to be a leading cause of birth defects and mental retardation in the United States, and children with an FASD often go unrecognized or are misdiagnosed, even as adults. (SAMHSA)

 “In the United States half of all pregnancies are unplanned” per the CDC. This includes the unplanned pregnancies of teenagers. 5 things you should know about Drinking Alcohol during Pregnancy:

1. Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can cause a baby to be born with birth defects and have disabilities. These conditions, called fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, or FASDs, are among the top preventable birth defects and developmental disabilities. FASDs can cause problems in how a person grows, learns, looks, and acts. FASDs can also cause birth defects of the heart, brain, and other major organs. These problems last a lifetime.
    
2. There is no known amount of alcohol that is safe to drink while pregnant. All drinks with alcohol can hurt an unborn baby. A 12-ounce can of beer has as much alcohol as a 5-ounce glass of wine or a 1-ounce shot of liquor.
    
3. There is no safe time to drink during pregnancy. Alcohol can harm a baby at any time during pregnancy. It can cause problems in the early weeks of pregnancy, before a woman even knows she is pregnant.
    
4. Too many women continue to drink during pregnancy. About 1 in 8 pregnant women in the United States reports alcohol use in the past 30 days. And about 1 in 50 pregnant women in the United States reports binge drinking in the past 30 days (having five or more drinks at one time).
    
5. Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders are 100% preventable. Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders are 100% preventable—if a woman does not drink alcohol while she is pregnant. (CDC)

Per the Center for Disease Control (CDC), Signs and Symptoms of an FASD include: Abnormal facial features, such as a smooth ridge between the nose and upper lip (this ridge is called the philtrum), small head size, shorter-than-average height, low body weight, poor coordination, hyperactive behavior, difficulty paying attention, poor memory, difficulty in school (especially with math), learning disabilities, speech and language delays, intellectual disability or low IQ, poor reasoning and judgment skills, sleep and sucking problems as a baby, vision or hearing problems, problems with the heart, kidneys, or bones.

A toll-free inquiry line (1-866 STOPFAS) and email address (fasdcenter@samhsa.hhs.gov) available for questions you may have.  If you are someone you know is struggling with alcohol and addiction, please call the National Council on Alcoholism and Other Drug Dependencies/Putnam for information and referral services at (845) 225-4646.

September is Recovery Month

The observance of National Recovery Month, which takes place each September, raises awareness of substance use and mental disorders, celebrates individuals in long-term recovery, and acknowledges the work of prevention, treatment and recovery service providers. 

This year’s Recovery Month theme, “Join the Voices for Recovery: Together On Pathways to Wellness,” emphasizes that while the road to recovery may be difficult, the benefits of preventing and overcoming mental and/or substance use disorders are significant and valuable to individuals, families, and communities. The theme also highlights that people in recovery achieve healthy lifestyles, both physically and emotionally, and contribute in positive ways to their communities. They also prove to others that prevention works, treatment is effective, and people recover.” (SAMHSA)

Recovery Month spreads the message that behavioral health is an essential part of health and one’s overall wellness, and that prevention works, treatment is effective, and people can and do recover from substance use and mental disorders. 

Recovery Month highlights the importance of communities nationwide to promote prevention, treatment, and recovery services not only in September, but throughout the year. In 2009, 4.3 million people aged 12 or older (1.7 percent of the population) received treatment for substance use disorders, and 30.2 million adults aged 18 or older (13.3 percent of the population) received services for mental health problems according to the 2009 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. 

Recovery Month highlights the benefits of treatment and recovery for not only the individual, but for their family, friends, workplace, and society as a whole. By educating the public that prevention works, treatment is effective, and people can and do recover from these conditions, stigma associated with substance use and mental disorders and treatment services can be eliminated. 

Recovery Month can help people understand the importance of supporting: 1. Individuals in long-term recovery; 2 Those in need of treatment; 3.Those who work within the treatment field; and 4. Prevention, treatment and recovery support services.

Alcohol and drug treatment services available in Putnam County are:

Arms Acres
www.armsacres.com
845-225-5202
Putnam Family & Community Services
www.pfcsinc.org
845-225-2700
St. Christopher's Inn
www.stchristophersinn-graymoor.org
1-800-424-0027
Walter Hoving Home
www.walterhovinghome.com
845-242-3674

For more information, or if you need a referral, please call the National Council on Alcoholism and Other Drug Dependencies/Putnam at (845)225-4646 or visit www.putnamncadd.org

Know! To Connect With Your Kids This Summer

 

It’s July, which means many of us parents are hearing that all too familiar complaint from our kids, “I’m bored.”
While we tend to want to shake our heads and groan at the uttering of this typical tween/teen phrase, we should actually consider it an opportunity to connect. Next time you hear it, try this (you’ll take them by surprise):
“You know, I’m bored too. Let’s go   grab some ice cream  .“
Of course you can’t always just drop what you’re doing, but sometimes you can and sometimes you should. If your schedule permits, try taking a day off work, put social commitments on hold, forget the laundry that needs folded and lawn that needs mowed and set aside a full day to be present with your child.
Family experts say that the most well-adjusted children, and those less likely to fall to negative peer pressure (like alcohol and other drug use), are the ones whose parents are warm and supportive, moderate on discipline and expectations of maturity and high in communication.
  Knowing this, we should take full advantage of any opportunity to connect, communicate and strengthen the bond with our children. Contrary to popular belief, our tweens/teens actually want and need our time and attention, and what we say and do deeply influences their present and future choices and behaviors.
So before the summer break gets away from us, and it’s back to the non-stop action that the school year brings, let’s connect!
     •   Create a Family Summer Bucket List: Sit down with your children to come up with
         some activities they would like to do as a family this summer. It can be as simple as
         taking a family bike ride or heading to the movies together, or something that
         requires a little more planning like a weekend camping trip or heading out of town to
         catch a sporting event.     
     •   Include Their Friends in the Fun: Summer is a great time to get to know your
         children’s friends. Arrange to take a group of them to an amusement park or a
         summer concert of their choice. Even if they head off in a different direction once you
         arrive, you’ll have that precious time during the car ride there – talk and listen to your
         captive audience!
     •   Additional Summer Activities for Parent/Child Togetherness: Pack a picnic and head
         to the park, grab some popcorn and enjoy an outdoor movie, choose a book for a
         family reading club, create a fun meal together, host a cookout with friends, take a
         canoe or boating adventure, go for a long walk, hike, volunteer at your favorite
         charity organization, plant a family garden, take a how-to class, work on a home
         improvement project, help a neighbor.
The possibilities are endless. Whether you choose a cooking class or a long stroll through the neighborhood, the important piece is that you are giving your child what they critically need to navigate successfully through the teen years, YOU. Enjoy the summer together.

Source: The Drug Free Action Alliance and The Fountain Magazine: Parenting Styles and How They Affect Children, 2001.