Friday, September 11, 2009
Thursday, September 03, 2009
Safe place for old drugs
A Modesto Bee photo spot on the Drop the Drugs Event in Turlock. Click here to view.
Overe 20,000 pills/medications collected in Turlock.
Posted by
Stan Prevention
at
10:42 AM
Tuesday, September 01, 2009
Drop the Drugs: Turlock
Event offers disposal of unused medicines
The latest national studies on drug abuse show prescription medicines are rapidly becoming the drug of choice for teenagers.In an effort to stem the tide of accessibility and to promote environmentally friendly practices, multiple law enforcement and social agencies are joining together for the Drop the Drugs event. Click here to read the complete story.
Posted by
Stan Prevention
at
9:11 AM
Teen Drinkers Often Intend to Get Drunk, Survey Finds
Most teens are not regular drinkers, but those who do drink on a monthly basis are frequently imbibing in order to get drunk, according to a major finding of the 2009 Teen Survey released today from The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA*) at Columbia University. Click here for complete story.
Posted by
Stan Prevention
at
9:07 AM
Friday, July 17, 2009
PEI Plan Implementation Status
BHRS received State approval for Stanislaus County’s Prevention and Early Intervention (PEI) Plan in May 2009. Initial steps towards implementation of the Plan include (1) Board of Supervisor approval to accept the funds, and (2) the development of a management team to execute the plan.
Current budget issues (both State & local) have slowed implementation, forcing BHRS to extend the anticipated implementation timeline described in the PEI Projects. This extension is unavoidable. Currently, BHRS continues to reorganize to accommodate budget cuts by restructuring all parts of the organization, re-assigning staff and, unfortunately, implementing reductions in force. For now, we have an approved budget that is "whole"; however, depending on what happens with the State budget that could change. BHRS does not have any reason to believe that MHSA-PEI funds are at-risk, and we are fortunate to have these new funds to establish community-based prevention and early intervention programs. PEI programs support the Board of Supervisors’ commitment to Healthy Communities, and BHRS has taken the community’s direction to ensure that outcomes are strongly incorporated into the Plan from the beginning. Our hope is that these programs become a lasting and valuable asset that continues the momentum of increasing our diverse communities' capacity to develop, support and strengthen emotional health and wellness for everyone.
When BHRS takes substantive steps to implement the PEI Plan, there will be clear announcements posted on this website, e-mails sent to all who have attended BHRS planning events and announcements/public notices placed in seven key newspapers in the County. It will be hard to miss the announcements!
In the meantime, we are preparing whatever we can prior to implementation.
Thank you for your patience, commitment and continued partnership. If you have any questions - please give us a call.
Posted by
Stan Prevention
at
10:07 AM
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Setting Up a Neighborhood Watch Program
From Examiner.com - Launched in 1972, Neighborhood Watch is a crime prevention program joining citizens and law enforcement, with the citizens keeping a trained eye and ear on their communities to make them safe. The program, sponsored by the National Sheriff’s Administration (NSA), took off quickly: in just ten years, 12 percent of the population was involved in a Neighborhood Watch, according to NSA.
For valuable tips on how to start your own Neighborhood Watch Program click here.
Posted by
Stan Prevention
at
8:08 AM
Labels: crime, neighborhood watch, Prevention, Sheriff
Smoking Marijuana = Supporting Drug Cartels
As the drug war rages in Mexico, some antidrug advocates are using the occasion to jump-start a movement against marijuana.
Aaron Byzak, president of the North Coastal Prevention Coalition, an antidrug group in north San Diego County, says he'll focus on the Mexican drug war when he addresses 1,000 seventh- to 10th-graders at the group's annual antidrug festival, also held on April 20, at an amusement park in Vista, Calif. Mr. Byzak will urge the kids to think of Mexico's drug lords if they're offered a puff.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Alcohol Related Services Act of 2009 (AB 1019)
From Marin Institute - The Alcohol Related Services Act (AB 1019) is a bill authored by Assembly Member Jim Beall (D - San Jose). The legislation establishes the Alcohol-Related Services Program (ARS) within the California Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs.
- The ARS Program is specifically designed to mitigate the enormous social and economic harm caused by alcohol sales in California. The bill would assess a mitigation fee (not a tax) on spirits, wine and beer, equivalent to 10 cents a drink for beer, wine, and spirits.
- Because the bill creates a fee program, only a majority vote of both houses is required, with the Governor’s signature. This mitigation fee, or charge for harm, will generate approximately $1.44 billion to pay for alcohol-related services in California.
- Currently, the alcohol industry bears no economic responsibility for the problems its products cause. California lags in charging for alcohol harm compared to the progress made in tobacco control over the last 40 years. Most of the fees will be paid by the heaviest alcohol producers, which are foreign corporations such as Anheuser-Busch InBev, SAB Miller, and Diageo.
Posted by
Stan Prevention
at
8:46 AM
Labels: alcohol, alcohol cost, alcohol related services program, legislation
Marin Institute Publishes New Guide For Regulating Alcohol Advertising
Critical Tool for Advocates and Policymakers to Protect Youth
Posted by
Stan Prevention
at
8:35 AM
Labels: advertising, alcohol, marketing, media, underage youth, young people
Monday, April 13, 2009
The NSDUH Report: Nonmedical Use of Adderall® among Full-Time College Students
Nearly 90% of the full-time college students who had used Adderall® nonmedically in the past year also were past month binge alcohol drinkers and more than half were heavy alcohol users.
From the Office of Applied Studies (OAS) - Among persons aged 18 to 22, full-time college students were twice as likely to use Adderall® nonmedically in the past year as those who had not been in college at all or were only part-time students.
Students under the legal drinking age who used Adderall® were also more likely to be binge drinkers or heavy drinkers than their underage counterparts who had not used Adderall® nonmedically.
For more interesting statistics from OAS and to read the National Survey on Drug Use and Health report click here.
To learn more about risks and consequences, signs and symptoms of the abuse of prescription drugs like Adderall and Ritalin click here to visit Parents. The Anti Drug.
Why are college students abusing stimulant drugs? For some insight to this question click here to visit the website of University of Miami's student newspaper The Miami Hurricane or click here to read an interesting article from Canada's McLean's Magazine.
Posted by
Stan Prevention
at
11:37 AM
Labels: alcohol, binge drinking, college, prescription drugs, report, research, stimulants, students, study, substance abuse
Report: Alcohol Laws Save Lives
It is estimated that zero-tolerance and purchase/possession laws save 732 lives each year.
Posted by
Stan Prevention
at
11:15 AM
Labels: alcohol, alcohol offenses, alcohol possession, alcohol purchase, drunk driving, fatalities, laws, report, research, study, Underage drinking, underage drinking laws, underage youth, youth
Tuesday, April 07, 2009
New Study Reveals Snapshot of a Binge Drinker
CDC Says Typical Binge Drinker is White, Young, Relatively Affluent Male
Posted by
Stan Prevention
at
10:08 AM
Labels: adolescents, alcohol, binge drinking, Prevention, research, study
Friday, April 03, 2009
SAMHSA Report: Exposure to Substance Use Prevention Messages and Substance Use among Adolescents 2002 to 2007
Posted by
Stan Prevention
at
1:27 PM
Labels: adolescents, Alcohol Awareness Month, media, Prevention, prevention messages, prevention programs, report, SAMHSA, survey, Teens, young people
Spring is in the Air: Underage Drinking Prevention in Stanislaus County
Programs take aim at teens:
Proms, grad nights can lead to drinking
Posted by
Stan Prevention
at
10:54 AM
Labels: alcohol, education, graduation, Party Patrol, Prevention, prom, risk, SAMHSA, Underage drinking, underage youth
What Kids Need: Spiritual Development
Spiritual development involves core issues of meaning, purpose, belonging, and identity that give young people a sense that they matter and are part of something bigger than themselves.
- The center integrates current understandings of human development with spiritual development.
- The center recognizes spiritual development as linked to, but not the same as, religious development. It seeks to engage both religious and secular thought leaders, scholars, and practitioners in examining and attending to young people’s spiritual development.
- The center is intentionally multi-faith, multicultural, and interdisciplinary, bringing together insights and perspectives from the social sciences, religious studies, and other fields.
- The center is international, seeking to examine spiritual development in a global context.
Posted by
Stan Prevention
at
9:31 AM
Labels: research, Search Institute, spiritual development, spirituality, theory, what kids need, young people, youth development
Trend Alert: "Smoking" Smarties
Middle-school students have found a new use for Smarties candy -- "smoking" them.
From Join Together - The Wall Street Journal reported March 20 that students are crushing the sugary candy discs into a powder, tearing off one end of the cellophane wrapper, pouring the powder into their mouths, and then blowing the dust out of their mouths and nose.
Adults worry about the health ramifications associated with such behavior, but they are also concerned that it may lead to kids smoking cigarettes or marijuana.
To read the complete story on Join Together click here.
To view an instructional video posted on youtube for how to smoke smarties click here.
Wednesday, April 01, 2009
States Looking at Alcohol in a New Light
From Marin Institute - Legislative bodies in numerous states have introduced bills regarding alcohol advertising, alcopops, and/or taxes on alcoholic beverages. Also, a few governors have included alcohol taxes in recent state budget proposals.
Posted by
Stan Prevention
at
3:00 PM
Labels: advertising, alcohol, alcopops, legislation, marketing, taxes
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Report: Treatment Admissions for Prescription Pain Killers on the Rise
Largest share of treatment admissions is still for alcohol abuse, but a significant decrease seen over the past decade
The Treatment Episode Data Set (TEDS) 2007 Highlights report also indicates that although alcohol-related admissions still account for the largest share (40 percent) of the 1.8 million treatment admissions occurring throughout the country during 2007, this reflects a reduction from 50 percent in 1997.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Study: Alcohol Images Increase Consumption
"Money, not morality, is the principle of commerce and commercial nations." -Thomas Jefferson
Posted by
Stan Prevention
at
1:58 PM
Labels: advertising, alcohol, marketing, media, report, research, study, underage youth
Study: Investing in Prevention Yields Big Return for Society
$1 Spent on Prevention Saves $10, Study Says
From Join Together - Investing in addiction prevention programs yields a 10-1 return for society, according to researchers from Iowa State University (ISU) who studied the Iowa Strengthening Families Program and the Life Skills Training Program.
Posted by
Stan Prevention
at
8:49 AM
Labels: cost, economic impact, Prevention, research, study
Monday, March 16, 2009
Obama's New Drug Czar: Calling for a Coordinated Comprehensive Approach
The challenge requires prevention, treatment, and enforcement - and it starts with our youth.
Posted by
Stan Prevention
at
10:13 AM
Labels: drug czar, enforcement, Kerlikowske, ONDCP, President Obama, Prevention, treatment
Shoulder Tap Operations: Think Twice About Buying Alcohol for Minors
25 arrested in Stanislaus County on suspicion of furnishing alcohol to a minor.
Posted by
Stan Prevention
at
9:23 AM
Labels: alcohol, decoys, enforcement, legal drinking age, minors, Modesto police, shoulder tap, Underage drinking, underage youth, undercover
Friday, March 13, 2009
What Kids Need: Thriving and Sparks
A spark is something that gives your life meaning and purpose. It's an interest, a passion, or a gift. What do you bring to the world that is good, beautiful, and useful?
From Search Institute - Thriving highlights the unique gifts and capacities of each young person. A thriving life involves discovering and nurturing one’s own “spark” and being supported and guided by a family and community that celebrate that spark.
What Are “Sparks”?
SPARKS are…the hidden flames in kids that excite them and tap into their true passions.
SPARKS come from…the gut. They motivate and inspire. They’re authentic passions, talents, assets, skills, and dreams.
SPARKS can…be musical, athletic, intellectual, academic, relational—from playing the violin to enjoying working with kids or senior citizens.
SPARKS can…ignite a lifelong vocation or career, or balance other activities to create an emotionally satisfying, enriched life.
SPARKS get…kids going on a positive path, away from the conflicts and negative issues—violence, promiscuity, drugs and alcohol—that give teens a bad name and attract so much negative energy.
And SPARKS give you the five steps for igniting sparks in your teens.
To learn more about Sparks and to access valuable downloads and resources click here.
To read about the current research on thriving and sparks click here.
Posted by
Stan Prevention
at
1:15 PM
Labels: Prevention, resiliency, Search Institute, sparks, strengths, thriving, what kids need, young people, youth development
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Absolut Responsibility: Vodka Company Promoting Moderation
Posted by
Stan Prevention
at
3:13 PM
Labels: Absolut, advertising, binge drinking, drunk, moderation, responsibility