1)
FATAL TEEN DRUNK DRIVING CRASHES FALL BY HALF
The number of fatal
alcohol-related crashes involving teenage drivers fell by more than
half over the past two decades, the CDC reported yesterday. The rate
fell 46 among all age groups, from 12.6 per 100,000 people in 1982 to
6.7 per 100,000 people in 2001. The CDC says the sharpest drop came
from 16- and 17 year-old drivers, who had a 60 percent decrease in fatal,
alcohol-related crashes.
The CDC credited
several initiatives for the major drop, including strict drunk driving
laws, community education programs and a shift in public attitudes about
drunk driving.
To read more about
the latest statistics, visit http://www.cdc.gov/od/oc/media/pressrel/fs021206.htm.
2)
BRITISH STUDY SAYS MARIJUANA DOES NOT LEAD TO OTHER DRUG USE
A new study shows
that teens who use marijuana may not be more likely to try hard drugs,
such as cocaine or heroin. Researchers from RAND Drug Policy Research
Center found that teens who took hard drugs were predisposed to do so,
whether they tried marijuana first or not. Teens had access to marijuana
by age 16, while the majority had no exposure to cocaine, heroin or
hallucinogens until they were 20.
The study was published
in the British journal, Addiction.
3)
SUDDEN INFANT DEATHS LINKED TO MOTHER’S DRINKING
A new NIH study
indicates that mothers who drank alcohol during pregnancy increased
the risk their babies would die of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
But the risk of SIDS fell 80 percent in homes where a public health
nurse visited, compared with homes that did not have visits. The study
evaluated data from infants who died of SIDS in the Indian Health Service
region covering the Plains states.
Researchers say
the findings suggest that strengthening public health programs and working
to reduce alcohol use among women on Indian reservations could cut SIDS
deaths.
To read more about
this study, visit http://www.nih.gov/news/pr/dec2002/nichd-03.htm.
4)
SAMHSA TO EDUCATE PUBLIC, DOCTORS ON BUPRENORPHINE
SAMHSA will roll
out a 14-state education initiative called “New Paths to Recovery”
to inform physicians and the public about buprenorphine, a new medical
treatment for addiction to prescription pain relievers and heroin. For
the first time, physicians will be able to treat opiate addicts with
buprenorphine in their offices. They must receive a minimum of eight
hours of training and obtain a waiver that allows them to prescribe
certain controlled substances. The use of buprenorphine is expected
to help increase treatment capacity around the country.
“New Paths
to Recovery” kicks off December 10, at the J.W. Marriott in Washington,
D.C. SAMHSA Administrator Charles G. Curie and DEA Administrator Asa
Hutchinson, will be on hand for the event.
5)
HIT US WITH YOUR BEST SHOT CONTEST WINNER #20; VIEW PHOTO AT WWW.CADCA.ORG
This week's winner
of CADCA's "Hit Us With Your Best Shot" photo contest is NCADD-OC
Community Alliance Network of Irvine, CA. The photo was submitted by
Vivian Romero.
The winning picture’s
caption reads: “Taking a stance against tobacco, staff of the
NCADD-OC Community Alliance Network (CAN) and members of the community
united in celebration of World No Tobacco Day. Orange County, according
to the CDC’s Local Health Needs Assessment projected a 13% prevalence
of smoking among urban adult populations. In celebration of non-smokers
and an opportunity to dissuade current smokers, over thirty agencies
and entertainers gathered to promote healthy lifestyles along a beautiful
stretch of Huntington Beach.”
Our contest has
ended. CADCA judges are selecting our “Photo of the Year.”
The winner will receive a Sony digital camera and $250 cash! We will
announce the winner in next week’s E-News. The Photo of the Year
will be also be on display at Forum XIII in February.
6)
SIGN UP FOR FORUM XIII NEWS ALERTS
Want to be the first
to know about the latest Forum XIII news? From special offers, promotions
and discounts, up-to-the-minute announcements and schedule changes,
just sign up by emailing forumnews@cadca.org.
Type SUBSCRIBE in the subject line, and you'll be automatically enrolled
to receive our Forum alerts. Also, keep visiting our web page at www.cadca.org
for continuous updates.
Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America and CADCA are registered trademarks.
Use by permission of CADCA only.
