June 26, 2008
In this issue:
Oregon Fears Heroin is Tempting More Kids
In the wake of Oregon's crackdown on methamphetamine, police say, heroin has become a cheaper, more plentiful alternative, especially for kids tempted to venture beyond marijuana and alcohol.
Heroin deaths remain far below the highs of the late 1990s, yet heroin used alone or in combination with other drugs now kills more Oregonians than meth and cocaine combined. Last year, 115 people died from heroin overdoses, up 29 percent from the year before.
Click here to read the rest of the article.
New CAMY Report: Youths Exposed to More Alcohol Ads in 2007
Youth exposure to alcohol advertising on television has risen by 38% since the Center on Alcohol Marketing and Youth (CAMY) began monitoring this exposure in 2001. From 2001 to 2007, the number of alcohol advertisements seen in a year by the average television-watching 12-to-20-year-old increased from 216 to 301. In 2007, approximately one out of every five alcohol advertisements was placed on programming that youth ages 12 to 20 were more likely per capita to see than adults of the legal drinking age.
Click here to read the entire CAMY report.
Oppose Amendment to Prohibit Enforcement of Federal Law Regarding Smoked Marijuana
Congressman Maurice Hinchey (D-22nd/NY) is expected to offer an amendment to the FY 2009 Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies (CJS) Appropriations bill which will prohibit the enforcement of Federal law pertaining to smoked marijuana in States that have decriminalized its use for “medicinal” purposes.
If we are to be successful in defeating this amendment, it is imperative that your Representative hears that you do not support this amendment to the FY 2009 CJS Appropriations bill.
Take Action: Contact your Representative and strongly encourage him/her to oppose any amendment to prohibit the enforcement of Federal law pertaining to smoked marijuana in states that have decriminalized its use for medicinal purposes.
Click here to take action now!
New from the Partnership for a Drug-Free America: A Parent's Guide to the Teen Brain
The Partnership for a Drug-Free America launched a new website to help parents grasp teen behavior and connect with their kids. Designed to help parents navigate the confusing, often frustrating teen years, “A Parent’s Guide to the Teen Brain” translates recent scientific findings that shed light on how brain development shapes teens’ behavior and personalities into easy-to-understand tips and tools for parents.
The site, which is live at www.drugfree.org/teenbrain, was created in collaboration with the top scientists and researchers on addiction at the Treatment Research Institute in Philadelphia and Boston-based WGBH, leaders in broadcasting and educational multimedia.
Click here to view the new website.
California Will Tax and Regulate Alcopops as Liquor
The decision by the California Board of Equalization (BOE) to regulate alcopop drinks as distilled spirits rather than beer has received final approval by the state Office of Administrative Law, meaning higher state taxes on drinks like Bacardi Breezers, Mike's Hard Lemonade, and Smirnoff Ice.
"I believe that the ultimate effect of this regulatory change will be positive," said BOE chair Judy Chu, Ph.D. "It will send a signal to youth that alcopops are hard liquor -- because these drinks will now have costs that are similar to hard liquor. It will make it harder for young people to access alcopops, and that can only be helpful in reducing underage drinking."
Click here to read the rest of the article.
New "We Don’t Serve Teens" Underage Drinking Prevention Website
To teens, the word "summer" means freedom. School is out and teens have more time with friends, often with reduced supervision. Unfortunately, summer is a time when teens are at high risk to start drinking – and when teen drunk-driving deaths are at their highest. The "We Don’t Serve Teens" campaign targets easy teen access to alcohol with the reminder, “Let's make it a safe summer. Don’t serve alcohol to teens.”
"We Don't Serve Teens" is a national campaign to prevent underage drinking brought to you by the Federal Trade Commission, the nation's consumer protection agency.
Click here to read more about "We Don't Serve Teens."
Save The Date: Institute Latino Training
Save the date: August 21-22, 2008, from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm each day at the Holiday Inn in Wilsonville for the second annual Latino Institute. Presenters will be Yvette Flores, Fred Garcia and Manuel Nevarez. The Institute will be presented exclusively in Spanish. The cost is $50.00.
The Latino Institute is sponsored by Addiction Counselor Certification Board (ACCBO), Addictions & Mental Health Division, Central City Concern and Northwest Frontier Addiction Technology Transfer Center (NFATTC). For more information contact: ACCBO at accbo@accbo.com, or NFATTC at bryanm@ohsu.edu or call 503-378-6001.
Click here to download the institute flyer.
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.
