Asac Action: Area Substance Abuse Council Board of Directors

asac action
The monthly newsletter of the Area Substance Abuse Council
Area Substance Abuse Council Board of Directors

Rosanne Van Cura President Nicole Pizzini Vice President Dave Romont Secretary Nancy Lowenberg Treasurer BOARD MEMBERS Don Davis Keith Dirks Norman Griser Sharon Hallstoos Malinda Lamb Linda Langston Al Rathje Jason Sanders Hesta Stoffel Sue Wilbur LaSheila Yates Mark Zaiger Nancylee Ziese __________________ John Garringer Executive Director
Troubling News Regarding Synthetic Marijuana

In December the National Institute on Drug Abuse released the 2011 Monitoring the Future survey, which included some troubling new information on the prevalence of synthetic drug use among high school seniors. The results indicate that one in nine high school seniors had used Spice or K2 over the past year. That means synthetic marijuana is now the second most frequently used illicit drug, after marijuana, among high school seniors. These synthetic drugs are dangerous. Poison Control Centers operating across the Nation have reported over 5,500 calls relating to synthetic marijuana as of October 31 of this year. Thats almost double the number received in all of 2010. These drugs cause serious adverse health effects, including agitation, anxiety, nausea, vomiting, fast and racing heartbeat, elevated blood pressure, tremors, seizures, hallucinations, and paranoid behavior. Making matters worse, these drugs are often marketed as legal substances. They are sometimes labeled as herbal incense and sold in small pouches or packets over the Internet, in tobacco and smoke shops, drug paraphernalia shops, gas stations, and convenience stores. Parents are the most powerful force in their teens lives. It is important that parents talk to their teens about the serious consequences of using marijuana in whatever form it may come, including synthetic forms like K2 and Spice. Affect of Synthetic Marijuana on ASAC Programming We are seeing an increase number of adolescents reporting use of synthetic marijuana. Testing for synthetic marijuana, however, is currently too costly for the agency to absorb. A general urinalysis (U/A) to test for alcohol and drug use is $5.00. The cost to test for synthetic marijuana is $35. Conducting U/As helps clients to remain in clean and in recovery. Unfortunately, until ASAC obtains a funding source to cover this expense, we are not able to test for synthetic marijuana.
Issue: February 2012
Binge Drinking an Increasing Problem

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) reports new estimates show that binge drinking* is a bigger problem than previously thought. More than 38 million US adults binge drink, about 4 times a month, and the largest number of drinks per binge is on average 8. This behavior greatly increases the chances of getting hurt or hurting others due to car crashes, violence, and suicide. Drinking too much, including binge drinking, causes 80,000 deaths in the US each year and, in 2006 cost the economy $223.5 billion. Binge drinking is a problem in all states, even in states with fewer binge drinkers, because they are binging more often and in larger amounts.
Binge drinking means men drinking 5 or more alcoholic drinks within a short period of time or women drinking 4 or more drinks within a short period of time.
Prevent Iowa Youth Addiction Facebook Page

The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) recently launched a new tool for protecting the health of Iowas youth. The Prevent Iowa Youth Addition Facebook (www.facebook.com/preventiowayouthaddiction) is a great way to stay informed and contribute to the discussion about some new (and not so new) dangers facing Iowas youth. IDPH Tobacco Division is leading the launch with an emphasis on new products the tobacco industry is test marketing. Called dissolvables, these smokeless tobacco products closely resemble mints, toothpicks, and even breath strips. These products are particularly dangerous to children in terms of potential addiction, nicotine poisoning, school performance problems, and future tobacco use.
Binge drinking is a dangerous and costly public health problem
Through the Facebook page, parents, teachers, binge drinkers. It is important to consider the amount people school administrators and others can learn about the dangers that smokeless products pose to Iowa youth. drink when they binge and how often they do so. Group with most binge drinkers: 18-34 years Age group that binge drinks most often: 65+ years Income group with most binge drinkers: more than $75,000 Income group that binge drinks the most often and drinks most per binge: less than $25,000 Most alcohol-impaired drivers binge drink. Most people who binge drink are not alcohol dependent or alcoholics. More than half of the alcohol adults drink is while binge drinking. More than 90% of the alcohol youth drink is while binge drinking.
Binge drinking is about more than just the number of
Binge drinking costs everyone

Drinking too much, including binge drinking, cost $746 per person, or $1.90 a drink, in the US in 2006. These
include health care expenses, crime, and lost productivity.

Binge drinking cost federal, state, and local governments about 62 cents per drink in 2006, while federal and
income from taxes on alcohol totaled only about 12 cents per drink.
Drinking too much contributes to over 54 different injuries and diseases, including car crashes, violence, and
sexually-transmitted diseases.
The chance of getting sick and dying from alcohol problems increases significantly for those who binge drink more
often and drink more when they do.
Everyone can help prevent binge drinking

Choose not to binge drink themselves and help others not to do it. Drink in moderation if they do drink. The US Dietary Guidelines on alcohol consumption recommend no more than 1
drink per day for women and no more than 2 drinks per day for men. Pregnant women and underage youth should not drink alcohol. Support effective community strategies to prevent binge drinking. Support local control of the marketing and sale of alcohol. Support the minimum legal drinking age of 21. For more information on binge drinking go to http://www.cdc.gov/VitalSigns/BingeDrinking
Great American SpitOut

The Great American SpitOut is on February 16. Anyone who uses tobacco is encouraged to make an effort to quit tobacco for the day (and forever!). By doing so, you will be taking an important step towards a healthier life.
Tips for Quitting Tobacco Use

Plan ahead. If possible put together a plan. Begin by tapering off each day so that your body can adjust slowly to the new nicotine levels. Learn when you crave. If you can track each time you crave nicotine for one week (or even one day), you can learn when you have your cravings. Perhaps its right when you wake up, or after each meal. Maybe theres a song you hear or a certain spot on your way to work that you pass that will trigger a craving. Once you know when you crave you can make a plan for each of those moments to avoid the craving. Use the rule of HALT. Dont allow yourself to get Hungry, Angry, Lonely or Tired. All of these things can trigger cravings. If you avoid these feelings, you can keep yourself on the right track. Embrace the 5 Ds. If you are having a craving for nicotine, you should Drink Water, Delay using your tobacco product, Discuss your craving with a friend, Distract yourself, take a few Deep breaths.
Your Own Quit Kit

The day you decide to quit, consider putting together a survival kit to help you succeed. You might consider including: -Water bottle -Tooth picks or coffee stirrers -Cinnamon candy such as fireballs -Gum -Stress ball or smooth stone (to keep your hands busy) -Card with all of your reasons to quit smoking -A picture of something you would buy (or pay off) with the money you save from quitting -Quitline Iowa (I-800-QUITNOW). To learn more about quitting smoking, contact ASAC Prevention Services in Cedar Rapids or Clinton offices or call Quitline Iowa at 1-800-Quit NOW for free, confidential tobacco cessation counseling services. ACT NOW: While supplies last, Linn County residents qualify for 8 weeks of nicotine replacement therapy.
Underage Drinking Prevention Day on the Hill

Twenty-three youth and adults from the Jones County Safe and Healthy Youth Coalition, their youth advisory committee, and Jones County schools student advocacy groups attended the Underage Drinking Prevention Day on the Hill on January 30. The group toured the Capitol including the Dome, received some legislative process training with other youth from across Iowa, and attended a press conference about the Social Host bill. One of the Jones County students, Tyler Jeffrey, a sophomore at Anamosa High School, spoke at the press conference representing Iowas youth. Tyler is also a BEASTS (Being Excellent and Staying Totally Safe) member, the Jones County Safe and Healthy Youth Coalitions youth advisory group. The press conference was sponsored by the Iowa Alliance of Coalitions for Change (AC4C). The Jones County group was then recognized in the House of Representatives by Representative Lee Hein.
Tyler Jeffrey speaking at the AC4C Press Conference
Group Picture with the Jones County Representatives
To the right is a picture of Chris Branstad with the adults and youth from Jones County who attended the Underage Drinking Prevention Day on the Hill. Governor Branstads wife has taken up the cause of promoting substance abuse prevention and treatment. Chris Branstad also spoke at the press conference.
Wellness Message 20 minutes

Thats how long it takes for your body to benefit from quitting smoking, says the Mayo Clinic. Your blood pressure goes down, your heart rate slows and your hands and feet get warmer as your circulation improves. In just 24 hours, your heart attack risk drops. After 48 hours, your senses of taste and smell improve.
ASAC Prevention Specialists, Curt Wheeler and Amy Doerrfeld, with Cedar Rapids Mayor Ron Corbett
Please go to www.getactivecr.com to make a pledge to help Cedar Rapids become a Blue Zone Community.

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asac action

The monthly newsletter of the Area Substance Abuse Council

Area Substance Abuse Council Board of Directors

Troubling News Regarding Synthetic Marijuana

Issue: February 2012

Binge Drinking an Increasing Problem

Prevent Iowa Youth Addiction Facebook Page

Binge drinking is a dangerous and costly public health problem

Binge drinking costs everyone

include health care expenses, crime, and lost productivity.

often and drink more when they do.

Everyone can help prevent binge drinking

Great American SpitOut

Tips for Quitting Tobacco Use

Your Own Quit Kit

Underage Drinking Prevention Day on the Hill

Tyler Jeffrey speaking at the AC4C Press Conference

Group Picture with the Jones County Representatives

Wellness Message 20 minutes

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