Stories and Successes |
8/12/2019 0 Comments Headed to college?
Are you heading off to college within the next few weeks? If so, you're probably feeling excited and nervous all at once. You might be wondering if you'll get along with your roommate, or if the academics will really be harder than in high school. Maybe you're afraid leaving home, or you're excited for the chance to meet people with the same interests as you.
No matter how you're feeling about leaving for college, one of the things you may not have thought about was peer pressure and access to substances like alcohol, prescription, and illicit drugs.
If you experience feelings of anxiety, worry, or loneliness, drugs may seem like a quick fix. If you're being offered this kind of escape, it might seem like "no big deal." But the fact is, alcohol, misused prescriptions, and other drugs can have extremely harmful and detrimental effects on your brain and overall health. Things to Consider:
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-8255) is also a great place to talk about those feelings--even if you are not experiencing suicidal thoughts. You can also watch the video below with a trusted adult and ask them to talk about it with you. This video helps inform adults on how to help you cope with some of the new stressors you may be facing.
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"...all of my friends, like all of my best friends, are addicted to nicotine..." JUUL is an e cigarette brand that currently has teens across America addicted to nicotine. JUUL was introduced to the market in 2015. It's sleek, and looks similar to a USB thumb drive. Because JUUL does not contain the burning tobacco that traditional cigarettes do, it was looked to as a safer alternative for adult smokers. However, because of the way JUUL has been marketed among youth, this device has led to what some call a "teen addiction crisis." According to Scott Gottlieb, FDA Commissioner, "E-cigs have become an almost ubiquitous and dangerous trend among teens. The disturbing and accelerating trajectory of use we are seeing in youth and a resulting path to addiction must end." According to an NBC News video: 1. JUUL appeals to underage kids, especially with its fruity flavors 2. JUULing leads kids to cigarette use 3. The high nicotine content makes JUULing highly addictive regardless of age 4. We don't yet know the long term health effects Some believe that JUUL can be the harm-reduction "missing link" between prevention and addiction, but even if JUUL does not contain the harmful tobacco smoke traditional cigarettes do, we don't have enough research yet to know what long-term effects use can have. And the marketing of JUUL seems to be targeting young people--not always lifelong smokers. Founder of JUUL admitted in an interview that the advertising geared to youth was "probably not our best foot forward." He claims the product was meant to be used solely by "adult smokers" as a harm-reduction tool. But for many people, a harm reduction strategy for lifelong smokers is not worth an entirely new generation of people addicted to nicotine. Scott Gottlieb, FDA Commissioner, "The FDA will not tolerate a whole generation of young people becoming addicted to nicotine as a tradeoff for enabling adults to have unfettered access to these same products." A new generation of young people is dependant on nicotine because of these products. It is important to stand up for thoughtful advertising techniques that employ best practices, and encourage retailers not to promote or sell to minors.
7/29/2019 0 Comments Meth on the RiseThe news is full of information regarding the opioid crisis. However, methamphetamine has made a comeback. In fact, many criminal justice agencies are currently seeing more individuals testing positive for methamphetamine than opioids. Facts about Methamphetamine (Meth)Is a powerful, highly addictive stimulant that affects the central nervous system.
People use meth by smoking, swallowing, snorting, or injecting the drug. Crystal meth is a form of the drug that looks like glass fragments or shiny, bluish-white rocks. Short-term health effects from using meth include increased wakefulness and physical activity, decreased appetite, increased blood pressure and body temperature. Long-term health effects include
Withdrawal symptoms can include
The most effective treatments so far are behavioral therapies and motivational incentives. Community support and mental health services are vital to people maintaining sobriety. If we all work to reduce the stigmas surrounding addiction, it will lead to the removal of barriers in acknowledging the problem, seeking and accessing treatment and, ultimately, to recovery. Reach out to the JCDPC Quick Response Team if you or a loved one struggles with an addiction. Call (260) 251-3259 or email allyssa@jcdpc.org. 7/22/2019 3 Comments Big News for IndianaOn July 15th , State Health Commissioner Kris Box, M.D., FACOG, issued a standing order effective August 1, 2019, allowing Hoosiers to purchase tobacco cessation products at Indiana pharmacies without having to obtain an individual prescription from their physician. Indiana becomes only the 12th state with a standing order allowing pharmacists to prescribe tobacco cessation products, eliminating financial and time barriers for individuals considering quitting smoking. Dr. Jennifer Walthall, MD MPH, Secretary of Indiana Family and Social Services Administration also announced
Indiana Medicaid will follow Gov. Holcomb’s directive to reimburse health care providers offering tobacco cessation counseling for expectant mothers. She also announced that Indiana Medicaid will remove copayments for tobacco cessation products for pregnant women or members up to one year postpartum. Click here to watch the video of the press release. Click here to read the full press release. The Division of Mental Health and Addiction (DMHA) and Rethink Tobacco Indiana have collaborated to conduct a reassessment of DMHA-funded agencies’ (health centers) efforts to implement the State Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 7, passed in 2010. Biennial assessments will occur to determine efforts and need for support to provide and maintain a tobacco-free workplace environment. Click here to view highlights of the assessment. This post was a release from Rethink Tobacco Indiana. 7/15/2019 2 Comments Who are you hurting by smoking?
Jay County Drug Prevention Coalition was recently awarded with a Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Grant. According to The Truth Initiative Indiana is among a small group of states that have seen an increase in Tobacco use in the past few years, despite a national decrease in use. And Jay County has some of the highest rates of Tobacco use in the state according to the Indiana State Department of Health.
Twenty-two percent of adults in Jay County smoke compared to Indiana's rate of 21% and the nationwide rate of 17%. Percent of women who smoke is also higher in Jay County than the overall state rate, and cost of smoking related birth effects are more than $62,000 in the county. It is commonly believed that quitting tobacco could interfere with with recovery from mental illness or addictions, however, according to Rethink Tobacco, "Tobacco treatment during addictions treatment is associated with a 25% increased likelihood of long-term abstinence from alcohol and illicit drugs." If you smoke tobacco, you may be putting more loved ones at risk than you realize. Secondhand smoke can have a negative effect on pets as well as people. According to the FDA, "Dogs can develop changes in their airways and lungs that are similar to those found in people who smoke." And the effect on cats can be even worse: "Studies show that cats living in smoking households have a two- to four-times increased risk of an aggressive type of mouth cancer called oral squamous cell carcinoma. The cancer is often found under the base of the tongue, where the thirdhand smoke particles tend to collect after grooming. Of the cats that develop oral squamous cell carcinoma, less than 10% will survive 1 year after diagnosis, even if they’ve had chemotherapy, surgery, or radiation treatment."
So, what should you do if you or a loved one smokes? Quitting can be hard - especially without support. If you would like to have help and support to quit smoking, reach out to us here at JCDPC for resources, or visit the Tobacco Quitline tab on our website. We would love to help you, your family, and your pets live a healthy and tobacco free life, and our dream is to see Jay County become a leader in Tobacco education and prevention.
7/8/2019 2 Comments Announcing new Logo!Today, we are excited to announce our new logo! We had several great entries to our contest which closed in the middle of June, and we worked with our entire coalition to decide on the winner! Thank you to everyone who sent in a submission!
Congratulations to Danielle Heinrichs of Portland, Indana who submitted our winning logo! Danielle is a Jay County High School graduate and she works at Sister Duo Design Market. 7/1/2019 0 Comments Freedom from AddictionFreedom: the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint. I asked a few people to tell me about what "freedom from addiction" means to them. Their responses were simple yet poignant, seemingly small but powerful.
“I have freedom in relationships. [Before I was sober] I couldn’t be counted on for anything. I would say I was going to do something, but in the end I wouldn’t follow through because I would have to get dope. Now I have freedom to make my own schedule and be reliable.” “I have freedom to enjoy a concert. I can go, listen to the music, enjoy it and remember it.” “I have freedom from being scared when I see a cop behind me. If a police officer pulls me over, I can confidently allow them to search my car. They will see the basketball and shoes in my back seat.” “I have freedom to carry money. In the past every time I had went to my bills and to dope. I never shopped because if I wanted that shirt it would just take away my dope money. Now I have freedom to spend my money on things like ice cream for my girls.” “I have freedom to own and care for a pet.” “I have freedom from probation. I’m not tied down to a curfew or to paying fines.” “I have freedom from worry of what others will think of me. When I was using, if something would come up missing, I felt I had to prove that I didn’t take it. Now I don’t have to worry about people’s expectations and assumptions about me.” “I have freedom with my time. I can do what I want because I’m not constantly thinking about getting my dope.” “I have freedom with my parents. They trust me now. I can stay in their house without them there now and they know that nothing will come up missing besides food.” What could freedom from addiction mean to you? Washington, D.C. - According to a report released today, the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy's (ONDCP) Drug-Free Communities (DFC) programs continue to yield consistently reduced youth substances use rates.
ONDCP released the 2018 Executive Summary and End-of-Year Report for its DFC grant recipients, which work at the local level to prevent youth substance use, including prescription drugs, marijuana, tobacco, and alcohol. Last year, the Trump Administration marked the 20th anniversary of the program by awarding the largest number of grants ever. "Reversing the pattern of addiction in America starts with ensuring the next generation understands the dangers of substance use. The Trump Administration has made record investments in our Drug-Free Communities because they are proven, effective prevention programs that provide support at the local level. We will continue working with the hundreds of coalitions across the country dedicated to helping young Americans make the safe and healthy choice not to use drugs," ONDCP Director Jim Carroll said. The past 30-day substance use rates among youth living in DFCs since its inception highlighted in the report, include:
To view the 2018 Executive Summary, click HERE. To view the 2018 National Evaluation End-of-Year Report, click HERE. For a map of current DFCs across the country, click HERE. The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy works to build a stronger, healthier, drug-free society today and in the years to come by leading and coordinating the development, implementation, and assessment of United States drug policy. The Office also administers two grant programs: High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas and Drug-Free Communities. 6/24/2019 0 Comments Vaping on the Rise"Monitoring the Future" (MTF) is a survey of drug use and attitudes among 8th, 10th, and 12th graders in hundreds of schools across the country. The most striking result of this year's survey is a substantial increase in vaping. Overall, rates of vaping are second only to alcohol among substances surveyed, with 17.6 percent of 8th graders, 32.3 percent of 10th graders, and 37.3 percent of 12th graders reporting past-year vaping. Types and TrendsIn the survey, students were asked what substances they had consumed via vaping—nicotine, marijuana, or "just flavoring." "Just flavoring" usage was most commonly noted by 8th graders. Tenth graders reported identical rates of "just flavoring" and nicotine vaping (24.7 percent), and 12.4 percent reported vaping marijuana. A higher percentage of 12th graders reported vaping nicotine than flavoring alone, and 13.1 percent reported vaping marijuana. Students do not always know what is in the device they are using; labeling is inconsistent, and they often use devices bought by other people. The most popular vaping devices on the market do not offer options that are nicotine-free. Surgeon General's ConcernsWhile the use of traditional cigarettes remains at the lowest levels in the survey's history, the increase in vaping is concerning. The Surgeon General has this to say about youth and e-cigarettes: "Risks include nicotine addiction, mood disorders, and lowering of impulse control; Nicotine can harm the parts of the brain that control attention and learning; Nicotine can prime the adolescent brain for addiction to other drugs such as cocaine; The aerosol can contain: ultrafine particles that can be inhaled deep into the lungs; flavorings linked to a serious lung disease; volatile organic compounds such as benzene (found in car exhaust); and heavy metals, such as nickel, tin, and lead. Please educate your kids about the dangers of vaping, especially when they don’t know exactly what they are consuming.
6/17/2019 0 Comments Older Adults Medicine SafetyWhat are medicines? What are drugs? Why is it important to be safe with medication? Medicine, sometimes referred to as drugs, include: Prescriptions (prescribed by your doctor), over the counter pills, liquids, and creams (such as Tylenol for a headache or cough syrup for a cold), and vitamins. For the safety of you and your loved ones, it is important to practice medicine safety! The first step in medicine safety is to let your doctor and healthcare provider know about all of the medications you currently take--even if they are over the counter. This is important because some drugs can counteract one another or cause negative side-effects. Tools such as a Tracking your Medication Worksheet can be helpful when remembering which medications you currently use. The second step in medicine safety is to remember to ask your pharmacist for help! A Tracking your Medication Worksheet can also be helpful when seeking advice from a pharmacist. A helpful tip: try to have all of your prescriptions filled in the same place so that your records are easier to track. The third step in medicine safety is to keep track of your medications and store them in a safe place away from children. For the safety of you and your loved ones, lock your medications in a Medicine Lock Box if possible. Frequently check medications to make sure they have not expired. If they are expired, reach out to JCDPC to find out how to safely dispose of medications. For more information on medicine safety, reach out to JCDPC or visit the National Institute on Aging's Website. |
AuthorMultiple Authors including coalition staff, board members, and coalition members contribute to this page. Archives
March 2023
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Location100 N. Meridian Street
Portland, Indiana 47371 |
About UsThe Jay County Drug Prevention Coalition (JCDPC) is part of the statewide network of the Indiana Commission to Combat Drug Abuse. The JCDPC is the Local Coordinating Council (LCC) for the community.
Contact UsGeneral Info:
(260) 251-3259 jcdpccontact@gmail.com Recovery Info: allyssa@jcdpc.org Prevention Info: jake@jcdpc.org |
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