The cities of Omaha, Lincoln, and Bellevue have been considering several issues regarding exposure to secondhand smoke in the workplace.

In December 2003, the Lincoln City Council approved a smoke-free workplace ban that had many exemptions. Critics called the ordinance weak and unenforceable. The ban was to go into effect in July 2004. As implementation became imminent, the City Council re-considered some of the provisions in late June. In a surprise move, chief sponsor Ken Svoboda offered an amendment to move to 100% smoke-free worksites. The ordinance passed.

Opponents, led primarily by bar owners, quickly garnered enough signatures to place the issue on the ballot. The Lincoln City Council will study the matter and decide whether to place it on the ballot in November 2004 or May 2005. In the interim, no ban is in effect in Lincoln.

In April, Bellevue Council Member Theresa Hatcher asked the Bellevue City Council to request the city attorney’s office to draft a smoking ban ordinance. Instead, a commission composed of two council members and the mayor agreed to study the issue. Results were announced on July 26. The committee recommended and the Council accepted that:

	No ordinance be drafted
	The state legislative representative be asked to support a statewide smoking ban
	The Council monitor what is happening with the Omaha ordinance.

On July 7, Omaha City Councilman Marc Kraft sponsored an open forum on smoking bans. Over 300 people attended, with slightly more supporters than opponents.

On July 27, two ordinances were introduced by Councilman Kraft. One ordinance called for 100% smoke-free worksites and the other called for the same, with the exemption of free-standing bars that have no kitchens. The public hearing on the ordinances was held on August 17. Two resolutions, both aimed at sending the issue of smoke-free worksites to the state legislature, were also postponed until the August 17 date.

PRIDE-Omaha, Inc. is concerned with clean indoor air issues because scientific evidence exists that the fewer places there are for people to smoke, the fewer opportunities there are for children to smoke.

The public can express their concerns on the clean indoor air issue, or any other issue, to Omaha’s Mayor and City Council representatives.

All of the above can be contacted by mail at 1819 Farnam Street, Omaha, NE 68183. If you do not know your councilman’s name, please call the PRIDE-Omaha, Inc. office at 402-397-3309. Ì

Nebraskans Acting to Control Tobacco (N-ACT) has been formed by the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, American Lung Association, and Health Education, Inc.

During a luncheon at Mahoney State Park on July 28, the group announced its formation. The group also honored two state senators, Jim Jensen and Dennis Byars, for their leadership in tobacco prevention legislation.

The purpose of N-ACT is to advocate for policy change regarding tobacco. The group will be active in promoting changes to the conditions that foster tobacco use. Policy change is being applauded by drug prevention advocacy groups as the most efficient and effective way of changing behavior, especially among young people.

Individual and organizational memberships are available. Members will receive a quarterly e-mail newsletter, action alerts, and an invitation to the annual statewide conference and lobby day. Since the group will be lobbying, donations are not tax-deductible. For additional information, contact PRIDE-Omaha, Inc. at 402-397-3309. Ì

The Marin Institute, an alcohol industry watchdog group, is leading the fight against the latest advertising campaign from Molson USA.

The ad campaign “Friends” defines “friends” as casual sex partners and gives men the “tools” to help seduce women into bed. The campaign provides fake business cards, photos, and stickers meant to “help guys start a conversation that really goes somewhere.” Related billboards establish that the difference between friends and “friends” is sex.

The Marin Institute states that the advertising campaign violates the Beer Institute’s voluntary marketing and advertising code. The ads do not portray beer in a responsible manner and in good taste. Molson USA states that the campaign is all in fun.

For more information on this campaign, log on to www.marininstitute.org.

On July 7, 2004, the U. S. House of Representatives voted 268 to 148 against the Hinchey Amendment banning the federal government from prosecuting people for the “medicinal” use of marijuana.

The ban had been actively supported and promoted by pro-drug advocates, many of whom have long advocated for drug use in all forms. Supporters had boasted that they were set to stage protests in front of the office of each representative who voted against the measure last year. Organizers said 135 protests were held across the country prior to this year’s vote.

Nebraska Rep. Lee Terry and Rep. Tom Osborne voted to kill the Hinchey Amendment this year, as they had done last year. Nebraska Rep. Doug Bereuter voted for the Hinchey Amendment. Last year, after he voted for the amendment, Rep. Bereuter’s office reported that he feels this issue is one of “state’s rights.”

On March 15, 2004, using the Illinois Drug Dealer Civil Liability Act, the family of a teenager who died of a drug overdose won a $16 million judgment against the dealers of the drug.

David Lorenz filed the lawsuit after his son Steven, 17, died from an overdose of an amphetamine that looked like the club drug Ecstasy. The family states that they wanted to send a message. Said Lorenz, “I’m hoping there will be less people who will be willing to take the chance to become a drug dealer.”

The case is the first to win a judgment using the 1996 Illinois Drug Dealer Civil Liability Act that allows anyone hurt by the sale of illegal drugs to sue.

The Santa Cruz City Council has decided to postpone a vote on a resolution that would have required movies with smoking scenes to receive an automatic “R” rating.

Mayor Scott Kennedy asked the Council to delay its vote so that more people would have the opportunity to comment on it.

The National Drug Intelligence Center is warning about two new designer drugs that are now available on the street and on the Internet.

AMT is the common name for an illegal synthetic drug called alpha-methyltryptamine. Other names include IT-290, 3-IT, Spirals, and 3-(2-aminopropyl)indole. Abused for the hallucinogenic and stimulative effects it produces, AMT belongs to a class of chemical compounds called tryptaminers.

AMT is available as a powder, tablets, or capsules. The drug can also be administered by snorting or smoking. The high can last from 12 to 48 hours. It is often used at raves, night clubs, and private parties.

AMT can produce visual and auditory disturbances and distortions, increased blood pressure, blurry vision, dilated pupils, and nausea. It can produce hallucinations, emotional distress, nervousness, tension, irritability, restlessness, and inability to sleep. AMT can also diminish inhibitions, leading to high-risk sexual activity or accidents. Overdoses of AMT can lead to death.

The other designer drug is called 5-MeO-AMT, another tryptamine. This drug is typically available as a powder. The powder is commonly dissolved in water or alcohol and used to saturate sugar cubes, candy, small pieces of gelatin, or blotter paper. The powder also can be pressed into tablets or placed in capsules.

The London Observer reports that some British police are calling on the government to reverse the new cannabis law that downgraded possession of cannabis to a Class C drug.

Under the revised law, individuals can still be arrested for possessing marijuana or other Class C drugs, although it is highly unlikely. The person would have to be showing signs of aggressive or dangerous behavior.

Jan Berry, Chair of the Police Federation, said that the change has brought a “sense of lawlessness” to the streets of London and many marijuana smokers are openly flaunting their smoking of the drug.

New Mexico law enforcement officials are using a new state law to identify and punish liquor stores and individuals providing alcohol to minors, the Santa Fe New Mexican reported on July 13, 2004.

Under this new law, anyone who provides alcohol to a person under the age of 21 can be prosecuted on felony charges.

On August 3, 2004, voters in Detroit, MI voted to legalize marijuana for “medicine.” The vote was 59% for and 41% against, with 65,101 people voting.

Timothy Beck, spokesperson for the Detroit Coalition for Compassionate Care, declared that this vote is just the first step. Ann Arbor, MI will be next, and then the fight will be taken to the state level.

Opponents of the change say it will send the wrong message to young people about drug use and is part of a push for broader legalization of marijuana.

Researchers at the St. Louis University School of Medicine say large doses of marijuana may be related to stroke deaths among teenagers.

The research team studied three teenage boys, two of whom died from strokes shortly after smoking marijuana. All three had similar types of strokes centered in the cerebellum. None could be explained by any other cause. All three boys had similar symptoms after smoking large doses of marijuana, including headaches, problems seeing, and difficulty walking.

Although virtually all parents in America (98%) say they have talked with their children about drugs, only 27% of teens say they are learning a lot at home about the risks of drugs, according to a new national study by the Partnership for a Drug-Free America.

A website, www.theantidrug.com, helps address the challenge of talking to young people about drugs. In today’s hectic culture, parents are challenged to find opportunities to talk to their children about drugs. Yet the more effective your communication, the more at ease your child will feel about discussing drugs and other sensitive issues with you.

The following are some helpful tips when talking with your children: