S U M M E R
2 0 1 2
Prevention for Putnam
Putnam County Communities That Care Coalition
Drunk Driving Is a Deadly Problem This Fourth of July
Coalition Chairpersons:
GOAL/POSITIONING: The goal is to warn people of the dangers and consequences of
driving while impaired. Impaired-driving crashes killed more than 10,000 people in
2010, accounting for 31 percent of all traffic-related fatalities in the United
States. That’s an average of one alcohol-impaired-driving fatality every 51 minutes.
KEY MESSAGES:
During the July 4th holiday, alcohol is a major factor in fatal crashes
Joseph DeMarzo
Kristin McConnell
Newsletter
Editor/Coalition Coordinator:
Elaine Santos
CTC Coalitions:
Carmel CTC Coalition
Mahopac CTC Coalition
Putnam County CTC Coalition
Putnam Valley CTC Coalition
Contact:
1717 Route Six, Suite 201
Carmel, NY 10512
Email for more information on
CTC @
putnamdfcgrantee@gmail.com
Like us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
Visit us on Blogger
Impaired driving fatalities spike during nighttime hours. The proportion of
alcohol impairment among drivers involved in fatal crashes in 2010 was almost
five times higher at night (6pm to 5:59am) than during the day (6am to
5:59pm) for the July 4th 2010 holiday period (6:00pm July 2 - 5:59am July 6.) In
fact, more than 80 percent of alcohol-impaired driving fatalities took place at
nighttime (6 p.m. to 5:59 a.m.)
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 392 people
were killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes during the Fourth of July holiday in
2010 (6:00pm July 2- 5:59am July 6.) Of those fatalities, 39 percent were in
crashes that involved at least one driver or motorcycle operator with a blood
alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher.
Alcohol impairs many of the skills that safe driving requires, including judgment,
concentration, comprehension, coordination, visual acuity and reaction time.
The tragedies and costs from drinking and driving impaired do not just end at
the potential death, disfigurement, disability and injury caused by impaired
drivers.
This summer don’t let your 4th of July end in an arrest—or even worse, death.
Make smart decisions. Plan ahead so you can ensure a safe way home.
Driving impaired or riding with someone who is impaired is not worth the risk.
The consequences are serious and real. Not only do you risk killing yourself or
someone else, but the trauma and financial costs of a crash or an arrest for
driving while impaired can be really significant and not the way you want to
celebrate the July 4th holiday.
Remember: Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving. Don’t drink or drug and drive.
Save the Date!
“The Opioid Addiction
Epidemics: A Public
Health Crisis” Seminar
Dr.Andrew Kolodny
September 14, 2012
8:30-12:00 p.m.
Putnam Hospital Center
Call 225-4646 for more
information
“What You Always
Wanted to Know About
Substance Abuse”
Seminar
Fall Medication Take
Back Day
Dr. Steven Kipnis
Putnam Hospital Center
October 26, 2012
9:00-12:00pm
Putnam Hospital Center
Call 225-4646 for more
information
Call 225-4646 for more
information
November 3, 2012
VOLUME 1, ISSUE 4
SUMMER 2012
The Top Ten Oddest (and Dangerous) Drug Trends
Parents be warned. These are some of the oddest trends we’ve heard of in the past few years. They are not in order of
risk (they are all equally dangerous)!
10. Drunken Gummies: Soaking gummy bears in vodka to turn the candy into an alcohol cover up. The gummy bear
absorbs the alcohol, becomes a little more plump, nobody can detect it has alcohol in it.
9. Salvia Divinorum - The psychoactive plant is available for purchase and is legal in most states, although a recent
surge in use (or at least in media interest of) the hallucinogen has put salvia's legality at risk.
8. Bath Salts -This powdery synthetic drug is sold online, in convenience stores and in smoke shops can affect the body
in ways similar to cocaine and methamphetamines. Are not the same “bath salts” we have come to know as being
sold from bath and body shops.
7. Whippets - The huff of nitrous oxide (NO) left in a carefully managed can of Reddi Wip after all the cream is gone.
Whipped-cream-in-a-can is propelled by nitrous oxide. This usage is the source of the term "whippet". The term has
come to refer to any little canister that'll give you a hit of NO. Leads to brain damage (and can lead to death the first
time of use).
6. K2 and Spice - Synthetic cannabis -- legal herbs laced with psychoactive chemicals often referred to as Spice or K2 - is designed to mimic the effects of marijuana. Dangerous, addictive, and not for human consumption. For more on
K2 and Spice visit: http://www.drugfree.org/drug-guide/k2-spice
5. Skittles Party - A "skittle party" is when kids each bring a variety of prescriptions - think Ritalin, Oxycodone, Tylenol with
Codeine - to a "party". They toss the pills into a bag/container/box. Then they reach in, pull out a random medication
and consume it.
4. Nutmeg High- If taken in large enough doses, the sweet spice can act as a hallucinogen -- and, in some cases, can
lead to sudden sniffing death syndrome. (Huffington Post)
3. Vodka Eyeballing: is the practice of ingesting vodka through the eye socket for a quick buzz. Reports of this practice
as a new fad surfaced in the media beginning in 2010, as hundreds of clips of persons engaging in (or purporting to
engage in) the practice were posted on the internet. The practice has been condemned by the American Academy
of Ophthalmology.
2. Hand Sanitizer Used as an Alcoholic Drink: Teenagers are showing up in Los Angeles emergency rooms after drinking
inexpensive liquid hand sanitizers to get drunk. Hand sanitizer is a cheap and easily accessible and 62% ethyl alcohol.
1. Vodka Tampons: Vodka tampons are exactly what they sound like. Teens supposedly soak a tampon in alcohol and
consume it by either taking as shots or inserting the tampons in their rectums or vaginas. This way, alcohol is absorbed
directly into the bloodstream through the membrane walls. "[It's a] quicker high, they think it's going to last longer, it's
more intense," reports Dr. Dan Quan from Maricopa Medical Center in Phoenix. (Huffington Post)
Coalition Member Spotlight
Robert Zanotti
Parents are the most important influence on our children. We have many wonderful, caring parents in Putnam
County. One Coalition member, representing the parent sector, who has proven time and time again his devotion
to prevention of alcohol and substance abuse is Robert Zanotti! A long time member of the Putnam Valley PTSA,
Robert is a dedicated member of the Putnam Valley CTC Coalition. He is a member of the Strategic Planning
Committee, the pre prom committee, and the Simulated Impaired Driving Experience committee. Despite his
heavy work schedule and commute to New York City, Robert is always the first to volunteer for Coalition led
activities, the most recent being the Prevention Needs Assessment Survey Administration. Robert always keeps the
Coalition informed by sending along new stories on drug trends, especially those directly influencing our youth.
Since he has joined the CTC Coalition, Robert has become a strong advocate for activities designed to inform and
save Putnam youth.
Please join us in thanking Robert for his hard work and dedication to the cause of alcohol and drug prevention!
2
VOLUME 1, ISSUE 4
SUMMER 2012
820 pounds collected at Med Take Back Event
The Putnam County Communities That Care Coalition, in conjunction with the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office
and Putnam County Department of Health, held a Medication Take Back Day event on Saturday, April 28, 2012.
The initiative took place at Putnam Hospital Center (PHC) from 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Putnam Hospital Center,
Putnam Family and Community Services, and Arms Acres also partnered in the successful event.
Within the five hours, a total of 217 area residents dropped off approximately 242,188 pills/doses, 6% of which
were “controlled” medications. Pharmacists Alfred Dioguardi (PHC), Angelo DeSimone (PHC), Maria Winn (PHC),
Pat Courtney (Shop Rite), and Health Educator Sarena Chisick graciously donated their time and expertise to
properly dispose of the medications.
The 820 pounds of unused or unwanted medications were then destroyed at an undisclosed location. This was
the most attended “take back” event since the program was implemented in 2010. Since its inception, nearly
two tons of medications, many of them controlled substances, have been collected.
The “Medication Take Back” initiative encourages Putnam County residents to:
Take inventory of your prescription, over-the-counter medicine, and vet medications.
Lock your medicine chest.
Dispose of your unused, unwanted, and expired medicine in your home or at a proper
disposal site.
Take your medicine(s) exactly as prescribed.
Talk to your children about the dangers of prescription drug abuse.
The Putnam County Communities That Care Coalition, Sheriff’s Office, and Health Department applaud residents
for disposing of these unwanted items in a sanitary and safe way. The success of this initiative is a community
effort that has been effective in not only protecting our youth, but our environment. Each day we see evidence
of the toll prescription drug abuse has on our community. By participating in the Medication Take Back event,
Putnam County residents are given the opportunity to ensure safety for themselves and New York’s waterways.
The Medication Take Back event partners were awarded the Fred L. Dill Service Networking Award by the
Putnam Community Service Networking Award for its efforts to promote health and well-being of Putnam’s
adolescents by reducing their use of prescription drugs through the organization and implementation of this
program.
The Medication Take Back
Day Team
3
VOLUME 1, ISSUE 4
SUMMER 2012
My Personal Story-“We Must Prescribe to the Truth”
The following is a true account of prescription drug abuse. It is being shared with permission from the author, who asked to remain
anonymous. The New York Times recently published an article titled Risky Rise of the Good- Grade Pill, which extensively reveals the
severity of the prescription drug abuse epidemic. In conjunction with this report, The Times has also published numerous testimonials from
students about their experiences with study aids and the ever present drug culture that has become the norm in academic settings across the
country: In Their Own Words: ‘Study Drugs.’ These were one of the testimonials submitted.
“It was the toughest semester of my life. I was taking six classes, my grandmother had passed
away just days before finals, and I was too emotionally and mentally shot to focus on anything.
Hours slid by and nothing was getting done. My worst fear was coming true—I was going to fail
my exams.
After venting to my friend about my troubles, he responded by handing me a little blue tablet
marked AD 10. Having never taken any prescription pill, I was a bit hesitant, but considering my
desperate circumstances, I decided to down it. Subtle stimulation is one thing, such as a caffeine
rush, but encephalic overdrive characterized by robotic like tunnel vision that allows you to scan
hundreds of pages of bland text with no desire to stop, is literally a mind blowing sensation. An
electric wave of euphoria pulsated through my body giving me a sense of intellectual
invincibility. Before I knew it, I was Barry Bonds in the library and Adderall was my academic
steroid—every final was knocked out of the park.
Tired of buying overpriced pills from friends, I decided to get an ADHD screening. By the end of a
seemingly nonchalant psychiatric evaluation—during which I was asked if I had ever tried a
friend’s Adderall prescription to which I answered yes—I was prescribed 50 mg a day because
the doctor considered me to be a “big guy.”
At first the pills came off as a miracle drug but it wasn’t long before I developed an unshakable
amphetamine dependence that reduced me to the likes of a wired zombie. Fast forward 8
months later, I was arrested in a sensationalized campus drug bust for selling some of my
prescription to an undercover. Long story short, I not only overdosed and nearly died from
America’s favorite study aid, it cost me my full-ride scholarship, it led to thousands in legal fees,
and it ruined my life for quite some time. Socrates was killed because he was convicted of
corrupting the youth, but if you ask me the lax distribution and institutional endorsement of
amphetamine study aids are what is truly poisoning the youth.
Fortunately, today, I am a rising senior at Emory University majoring in political science and film. Of
particular interest to me is the rampant issue of prescription drug abuse, particularly in the context
of its prevalence amongst young people. As a person who has greatly benefited from the
liberating process of recovery and from the power obtained in understanding the truth about
addiction and dependency, I now work to expand prevention and education materials at a
national organization aiming to provide a more thorough and comprehensive look at prescription
drug use, abuse, addiction, and recovery.
Thank you for your time.”
Please do not reprint without prior approval.
4
VOLUME 1, ISSUE 4
SUMMER 2012
Protecting Your Children from Tobacco
By Diane Moore
three teen smokers will continue smoking into
adulthood, even if they want to quit. Tragically,
one in three of them will die from their tobacco
use.
Are we fighting a losing battle? United
States Surgeon General Kathleen Sebelius recently
reported that the tobacco industry spends $1
Million dollars every hour marketing their products.
In New York State it’s $1 Million dollars a day. 1
Clearly, we cannot outspend them, but we can
outsmart them! Local governments can enact
ordinances that restrict how tobacco is marketed
(like requiring opaque screens over tobacco
“power walls”, etc.), where tobacco can be sold
(outside of school zones, for example), and how
many tobacco retailers can operate in a
particular district; Film, internet, and television
companies can eliminate smoking in kids
programming; And, state and local governments
can continue to support the Tobacco Control
Program, and the youth prevention program,
Reality Check.
With caring parents and a supportive community
environment, our children will stay tobacco free.
As a parent of three teenage sons, I have
spent the last 19 years trying to keep my boys
safe. When they were little I childproofed our
home, taught them about stranger danger, and
kept the poison control number on our fridge just
in case. When they got older I began to teach
them about healthy eating and the dangers of
tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs. Being a
parent is hard work, and we can use all the help
we can get to ensure our kids grow up happy and
healthy.
Which is why it frustrates me to no end that
there are those who seek to undue all of the hard
work we do as parents. The tobacco industry is a
prime example of this; they continue to market
their products in a way that is attractive to young,
impressionable children. They use bright colors,
and interesting packaging. They use candy
flavorings, and place their products in the most
prominent locations in stores. Tobacco is often
featured in movies, television, and on the internet.
The more kids see it, the more likely they are to
smoke.
It is a well-known fact that most tobacco
smokers (up to 90%) began smoking when they
were under the age of 18. In fact, internal industry
documents revealed the following quote from a
tobacco executive “Realistically, if our Company
is to survive and prosper, over the long term we
must get our share of the youth market.” 1 Big
Tobacco refers to young people as “replacement
smokers” because they replace those who stop
smoking, usually because of death. Two out of
Diane Moore is the coordinator for the Putnam County Youth
Bureau’s Reality Check program, a youth action initiative of
the New York State Tobacco Control Program. Teen members
of Reality Check develop and implement community
education campaigns, media outreach, and government
education activities all with a goal of preventing tobacco use.
For more information contact Diane at 845-808-1600 x46123.
1
1
www.tobaccofreekids.org
www.surgeongeneral.gov
Reality Check teen members – 2012 Youth Summit, Staten Island, NY
5