Working together to reduce underage alcohol problems and to increase access to treatment in New Hampshire
E-UPDATE 2/7/2007
Success Story
New Futures News
Legislative Update
Resources
In the News
Upcoming Events
Success Story
Advocacy: A Smart Way to Effect Change
Advocacy: "The act of pleading or arguing in favor of something, such as a cause, idea, or policy."
This month's "success story" comes from a CLI Partner whose 10 year old son's spelling homework included using the word 'community' in a sentence. Having observed his mother's evolving advocacy work over the years, the sentence he wrote says a great deal about her commitment to effecting change: "The community came together to stop drugs and alcohol." Speaking out about the issues that are important to us is a responsibility we all share.
If you would like to advocate to reduce underage alcohol problems and increase access to treatment in our state, consider participating in CLI. On March 8, 2007 New Futures will host a leadership retreat in Londonderry. Contact lking@new-futures.org or visit http://www.new-futures.org/ for information.
New Futures News
a. Good Luck, Jennifer Wierwille Norton
Please join us in wishing good luck to Jennifer Wierwille Norton, who has left her position as Policy Director at New Futures. Jen's contributions to the organization and the issue of alcohol and other drug problems in the state have been substantial, and we wish her well in her future endeavors.
b. "Welcome" to Tricia Lucas
Please join us in welcoming Tricia Lucas to the New Futures team as Policy Director. Before joining New Futures, Tricia served for fourteen years at the Department of Health and Human Services in a number of legal and administrative positions and developed expertise in program areas related to children's services, mental health and health care. Tricia managed the department's legislative work for four years and supervised the state budget process for the Division for Juvenile Justice Services for four years. She is a graduate of the College of Wooster and Harvard Law School and came to public service after a stint in private practice as a corporate attorney. She was an original member of the Belknap County Juvenile Justice Initiative, which ultimately became the Belknap County Citizens' Council. Tricia can be reached at our Concord office 225-9540 or via email at: tlucas@new-futures.org.
Legislative Update
a. New Legislature in Session
The new legislative session convened January 3, 2007. Approximately 1300 bill have been introduced this session. Although the text of many of the bills is not yet available, the titles suggest that there are a number that will be important to those of us interested in alcohol and other drug policy. As the bills come out in print, New Futures will develop positions as appropriate and share that information with you. To see the list of titles for yourself, go to: www.gencourt.state.nh.us/ie/lsrsearch/
b. UPDATE ON THE 2008-2009 Biennium Budget
The first step in the state budget process occurs on February 15, 2007 when the Governor presents his proposed 2008/2009 biennial budget (July 1, 2007 - June 30, 2009) to the Legislature. New Futures will carefully review the Governor's proposed budget for funding for alcohol, tobacco, and other drug prevention, intervention and treatment. Following its introduction, the House of Representatives will begin its deliberations on the Governor's proposed budget and will conduct public hearings work sessions in the House Finance Committee. We will continue to keep you updated as the budget process moves forward.
Resources
a. Searchable On-Line Event Calendar
You are invited to post trainings and events related to alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs on New Futures' event calendar. Go to www.new-futures.org/calendar, scroll down and click on the red button that says "submit an event for our calendar." Go to the same address and pick a category or just click dates on the calendar to see what's going on.
b. Substance Abuse Prevention Certification
The deadline for submitting completed Substance Abuse Prevention Certification applications for the March written exam is Feb 2, 2007. Because ethics training has not been offered, applications missing that one piece will be accepted. To learn more about prevention certification send a message to prevcertnh@hotmail.com
c. Podcasts on Youth Exposure to Alcohol Advertising on the Radio
The Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) is not known for being the most user friendly publication. New "podcasts" allow people to listen to one or five minute reports on a variety of topics. See the list at: www2a.cdc.gov/podcasts/browse.asp?nu=l
d. New Fact Sheet on Costs of Underage Alcohol Use
The PIRE fact sheet on the costs of underage alcohol problems has been updated with 2004 data. Download your own and share them with other interested parties at www.udetc.org/UnderageDrinkingCosts.asp.
e. Supercourse: Alcohol Use, Abuse, and Dependence
Supercourse is a global repository of lectures on public health and prevention targeting educators across the world. A lecture by the director of the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism is available at: www.pitt.edu/~super1/lecture/lec25521
f. Recovery Community Services Program
Eight grants of up to $350,000 each are expected to be awarded to public and private nonprofit organizations and agencies. The money can be used to support efforts to prevent addiction relapse and promote sustained recovery. Application deadline is Feb. 28, 2007. www.grants.gov/search/search.do?mode=VIEW&oppId=12007
g. Drug Court Discretionary Grant Program
The grants support drug courts that target nonviolent offenders (adults and families). Grants will be awarded in three categories: implementation grants, enhancement grants, and statewide grants. Application deadline is March 6, 2007. www.grants.gov/search/search.do?
In the News
a. Youth Exposure to Televised Alcohol Ads Rising
A proliferation of liquor and other alcohol ads on cable TV has contributed to a 41-percent increase in youth exposure to television alcohol advertising, according to a new report from the Center on Alcohol Marketing and Youth (CAMY). www.camy.org
b. Environmental Strategies Needed to Reduce Binge Drinking
Binge drinking is the most common pattern among high school youth who drink alcohol and is strongly associated with many other risky behaviors. Limiting youth access is critical to reducing underage alcohol problems. http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/abstract/119/1/76
c. AAP: Screen Adolescents for Prescription Drug Abuse
Adolescents should be screened at all annual health maintenance visits for the misuse of alcohol, marijuana, and other drugs-including prescription and over-the-counter medications. http://download.journals.elsevierhealth.com/pdfs/journals/0031-398X/PIIS0031398X06715521.pdf
d. Early Drinkers More Likely to Drink to Relieve Stress as Adults
A new study finds that people who started drinking at 14 or younger are significantly more likely to drink to relieve stress when they are older. Young adolescents would benefit from prevention efforts that include stress-reduction techniques as an alternative to drinking. www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1530-0277.2006.00265.x
e. JOIN TOGETHER: Comprehensive Treatment Helps Homeless Youth Avoid Addiction
Homeless youth who attended drop-in centers that provided a comprehensive intervention program significantly reduced their addiction and mental-health problems and enjoyed increased social stability. www.jointogether.org/news/research/summaries/2007/study-comprehensive.html
f. Australian Teens Drink More Than Americans
A comparison of underage alcohol use by Australian and American high school students finds the Australians' rates of binge drinking are higher than those of the Americans. The legal drinking age is 18 in Australia and many parents introduce alcohol in small quantities. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?
g. JOIN TOGETHER: Anatomy of an Advocacy Campaign
In just a few short weeks, an advocacy campaign succeeded in getting three of America's top retailers to stop selling a series of games that critics say promote binge and underage drinking. http://www.jointogether.org/news/features/2007/drinko-anatomy-of-an.html
h. Brain Can Recover from Excessive Alcohol Use
Excessive alcohol use can shrink the brain, impairing memory, learning, and organizational skills. But the brain also can recover most if not all of its capabilities when drinking stops, researchers say. www.sun-sentinel.com/features/health/sfl-122alcoholabstinence,0,4299432.story?coll=sfla-news-health
Upcoming Events
See all this and more at: www.new-futures.org/calendar
a. New Hampshire Initial Training on Substance Abuse
February 9, 2007
May 11, 2007
August 10, 2007
November 9, 2007
This 6-hour workshop is designed to give participants the ability to recognize alcohol and other drug problems of their clients and to understand the holistic nature of the disease of addiction. It also presents information on effects on the family, intervention strategies, and recovery. To register, contact lois.a.davieau@dhhs.state.nh.us, (603) 271-5889, (800) 852-3345, ext. 5889.
b. Working with Retailers: Self Policing Strategies and Collaborative Initiatives Teleconference
March 15, 2007 3:00 - 4:15 p.m.
This presentation will, from the retail perspective, highlight the barriers to gaining participation from the retail community and provide insights into proven ways to increase retail stakeholder involvement and increase self-policing efforts to reduce underage drinking. Participants will also learn strategies for addressing retailers who do not "get on board." Learn more and register at www.udetc.org.
c. HBO's ADDICTION Project - Series of Documentaries
Begins March 15
This 14-part series defines addiction as a chronic relapsing brain disease that is treatable. The series is eye-opening and ultimately hopeful, providing guidance in navigating the often confusing world of addiction treatment and recovery. www.jointogether.org/news/yourturn/announcements/2007/hbo-the-addiction-project.html.
d. Alcohol and Crime Among Youth Teleconference
April 19, 2007 3:00 - 4:15 p.m. Eastern Time
How strong is the relationship between youth alcohol use and criminal behaviors? Presenters for this call will discuss the relationship between alcohol and crime among youth and provide strategies for preventing alcohol-related criminal activity among youth. Learn more and register at www.udetc.org.
e. Recovery as Prevention
April 21, 2007, 1:00 pm EST Via Telephone and Online
RSVP by April 19 by emailing webinar@facesandvoicesofrecovery.org your full name, organization, and preferred email address.
f. Student Athlete Codes of Conduct That Work Teleconference
May 17, 2007 3:00 - 4:15 p.m. Eastern Time
Research shows that High School athletes drink more than other students. Call participants will learn about the purpose of alcohol codes for High School athletes, code components, and the positive results emerging from implementation of such codes. Learn more and register at http://www.udetc.org/.
