December 14, 2006
In this issue:
Congress Passes First Major Underage-Drinking Law
A bill that's being called an important first step towards addressing the national problem of underage drinking was approved by both the U.S. Senate and House this week, and heads to President Bush's desk for approval.
The Sober Truth on Preventing (STOP) Underage Drinking Act, which was initially approved on a 373-23 vote in the House of Representatives on Nov. 14, passed the Senate by unanimous consent on Dec. 6 and won final approval in a slightly amended form in the House on Dec. 7. Bush is expected to sign the bill into law.
Click here to read the entire article.
Employers Send a Safe and Sober Message About Office Parties and Drinking
The office is frequently a place where employees and employers get together to celebrate special events. Office parties typically mean lots of music, food and drinks. If the drinks include alcohol, however, office parties can have very unfortunate consequences.
Opinions vary regarding the appropriateness of making alcoholic beverages available at office parties or other company-sponsored events. Ignoring the possibility that some employees or guests may drive home "under the influence" invites trouble.
In that spirit, the Department of Labor’s Working Partners for an Alcohol- and Drug-Free Workplace is offering a valuable and updated online resource to help your constituents and you adopt a safe and responsible approach to holiday celebrations.
Click here for more information.
Order Your Oregon Partnership YouthLine Calendar Today - The Perfect Gift for the Holidays
The 2007 YouthLine 12 month calendar featuring artwork created by YouthLine Volunteers is now available to order for only $10.00. Also available are a set of four YouthLine notecards designed by YouthLine Volunteers, for only $8.00. All proceeds will be used to fund the Oregon Partnership YouthLine.
Oregon Partnership’s YouthLine is a free and confidential 24-hour youth crisis, counseling, and referral line, with referrals for the entire state of Oregon. Teen volunteers skilled in peer counseling techniques answer calls from 877-553-TEEN Monday through Friday from 4-10 p.m. Adults who also answer Oregon Partnership’s Alcohol and Drug HelpLine in addition to 1-800-SUICIDE answer during all other hours.
Click here to download an order form.
Click here for more information.
Crisis Line Services Volunteer Training
Oregon Partnership is seeking volunteers to staff its
alcohol and drug helpline/suicide crisis lines. Training to
volunteer on these crucial lines will take place beginning on Saturday
January 27, 2007. The Winter training schedule takes place on four
Saturdays, from 8:30am – 4:30pm. Training will be held Saturday January
27, February 3, 10, and 17. Accompanying ASIST training will be held
Saturday, Feb. 24 and Sunday, Feb. 25 from 8:30am – 4:30pm. Must attend
all.
Participants will receive 56 hours of
professional training, an Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training
(ASIST) certificate, Americorps opportunities for educational scholarship
and 225 hours towards ACCBO certification.
Oregon Partnership's Alcohol and Drug HelpLine is a free, confidential referral service that provides information about substance abuse and refers clients to professional treatment providers. Every year the HelpLine serves thousands of Oregonians looking for a way to deal with the disease of addiction.
Click here to download the winter training flyer.
Click here for more information.
Has Santa’s Workshop Moved to Las Vegas?
Get ready for what has become an annual marketing onslaught of gambling-related toys, books and paraphernalia as we approach the holiday shopping season. Today’s is the first generation to grow up in a society where gambling is widely accepted.
Research indicates that 60 to 90 percent of youth engage in gambling, and that youth problem gambling rates are two to four times higher than those of adults. Surveys of Oregon teens tell us drugs, alcohol and gambling often travel together, yet many parents see gambling as a relatively safe pastime and encourage it as an alternative activity.
Click here for more information on problem gambling.
Washington County Youth Summit a Great Success
A recent rainy Beaverton day did not dampen the enthusiasm of more than 350 Washington County students as they ran from their school buses into the Beaverton Foursquare Church for the second annual Washington County Youth Summit. The summit was hosted by the Washington County Commission on Children and Families.
This year's Youth Summit topics included: underage drinking, civic engagement and student success. Youth summit speakers included State Senator Ryan Deckert, and Nigel Wrangham, a certified alcohol and drug counselor for the Substance Abuse Prevention Program at the University of Oregon.
Do you have information to share with your prevention colleagues around the state? Please send to: dslifman@orpartnership.org.
Thank you for your continued support of this publication.
