![[Home]](../images/bhome.gif){kind=small}
![[What's New]](../images/bnews.gif){kind=small}
![[Services]](../images/bservs.gif){kind=small}
![[Feedback]](../images/bfeed1.gif){kind=small}
Listing of Articles...
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Grand Island City Council Okays Smoke-Free Buildings and Parks |
|
Compliance Checks Find 125 Sales of Tobacco to Minors
PRIDE-Omaha, Inc. assisted Douglas County law enforcement officials in coordinating the largest tobacco compliance check in Nebraska history during March and April.
The survey found that 125 retail license holders sold tobacco to minors who were working in conjunction with law enforcement.
Attempts were made to check all 749 licensed tobacco retailers in Douglas County. Of the 543 that were actually checked, 23% failed. Forty-one percent of the failures did not check for ID.
Of the total, 16% of the bars failed, 22% of the convenience stores failed and 37% of the supermarkets failed.
No tickets were issued because accurate baseline data was sought. In the past, after receiving a citation for sales to minors some retailers have called and faxed other retailers to tell them that police are checking.
This operation is the first of at least six coordinated compliance checks before December, 2003. Tickets will be issued to offenders during the future checks.
PRIDE-Omaha, Inc.’s Bj Whitmore is the coordinator for the compliance check program. She notes that “58% of children who use tobacco get their cigarettes directly from a retailer. Our community needs to send a message to license holders that they must work harder not to sell tobacco to children.”
The compliance check enforcement is funded through a grant from the Nebraska Health and Human Services System/Tobacco Free Nebraska Program as a result of the Master Settlement and LB1436.
Parents: Be Warned About New “Kiddie” Alcohol Product
A powerful new alcohol product called “Zippers” has been introduced in the Midwest. Zippers are packaged cups of fruity-flavored gelatin with l2% alcohol. (A beer is usually 4 - 5% alcohol.)
The brightly colored packaging and cheery labels look like the regular gelatin snack packs that thousands of school children take to school each day for lunch.
Drug prevention groups such as PRIDE-Omaha, Inc. are warning parents and schools to be informed about Zippers. Adults should know that Zippers could make it very easy to take alcohol to school, no matter what the child’s age.
“Even though the lid on each Zipper cup states that it contains alcohol, once the foil top is peeled off, the cup looks like any other gelatin lunch snack pack,” says Susie Dugan, Executive Director of PRIDE-Omaha, Inc.
The manufacturer, BPNC, headquartered in Toledo, Ohio, states that these sweet alcoholic drinks are aimed at 24 to 44 year-old women who like “entertaining, nights out with friends (and) fun with no regrets.” However, Dugan advises parents and other concerned adults to visit the Zippers website, www.zippershot.com, to see the youthful-oriented promotions of this alcohol product. The slogan for Zippers is “Get caught in one.”
“Parents who log on to the site can quickly see that the marketing is clearly appealing to young people – the same young people whose lives are being harmed and ruined because of alcohol use,” states Dugan.
Currently, Zippers are not sold in Nebraska. However, they are available in several surrounding states, including Iowa.
USA Today, 4-29-02
www.zippershot.com
The Mailbox Bomber and The Marijuana Connection
Luke Helder was arrested on May 7, 2002, in connection with mailbox pipe bombings in five states. Six people were injured as a result of the bombs.
Helder’s five-day crime spree left midlanders shaken and those who knew the college student in his formative years puzzled. Most who knew Helder as a boy in Pine Island, Minnesota described him as a typical, quiet, nice kid.
As questions of why and how this average youngster turned into a person capable of such terror, one common theme emerges—his heavy use of marijuana.
According to a report on Fox television news on May 8, 2002, a close friend noted that Helder had been smoking “a lot” of marijuana. The friend stated that Helder spent much time defending the drug and was working hard to get marijuana legalized. Helder’s record also indicated that he was arrested for possession of marijuana paraphernalia. The friend stated that the arrest infuriated Helder.
Susie Dugan, Executive Director of PRIDE-Omaha, Inc. notes, “As experts attempt to explain Helder’s bizarre behavior, I hope they do not overlook the part marijuana might have played in his transformation.” Marijuana, Dugan notes, can cause paranoia and strange behavior. Many of today’s marijuana devotees spend hours on the Internet proclaiming the drug’s virtues. They spend endless hours fighting to have it legalized. The drug and the politics of fighting government restrictions becomes all-consuming for some.
“Society tends to accept the theory that only poor children or children of color are at risk to use drugs. Helder’s case once again reminds us that all children are at risk to use marijuana and other drugs,” says Dugan. “And we cannot ignore the powerful drug culture that continues to promote marijuana to all of our children.”
Make plans now! October is Red Ribbon Drug Prevention Month in Omaha. The entire month is set aside to remind the public that there is much we can do to reduce the devastating toll drugs take, especially on youth.
The Kick-Off Walk and Rally will be held at Heartland of America Park, 8th and Douglas Streets, from 1 pm to 3 pm, Sunday, September 29, 2002. There will be games, booths, music, food, prizes, contests and lots of fun for the whole family.
Please make plans now. All individuals, groups, bands and drill teams are invited to participate in the walk. There will be three $100 Spirit Awards for youth groups. Your youth group can also sponsor a booth, game or activity for younger children.
Please note the participant registration forms on Pages 4 and 5 of this newsletter. Please fill out the forms and mail to PRIDE-Omaha, Inc. or contact our office with questions at 402-397-3309 or www.pride.org.
Joel Jensen was elected as the new President of the PRIDE-Omaha, Inc. Board of Directors at the Annual Board of Directors meeting April l6, 2002. Mr. Jensen succeeds Peggy Kelley who served five terms as President and ably guided the Board with energy and unique foresight.
Mr. Jensen is Second Vice-President in Commercial Real Estate at First National Bank in Omaha. He has ten years experience in the banking field. Joel is a graduate of the University of Nebraska at Omaha. He and his wife Crista have three children and expect another addition to the family in August.
Other officers elected include Tim Grollmes as Vice-President, Pat Phalen as Secretary and Lynn Svoboda as Treasurer.
Members elected to three-year terms as Directors-At-Large to the Board at the Annual Meeting of the Membership are:
- Leticia Barajas
- Bob Blair
- Pam Ehrhart
- Cindy Hart
- John Kellogg
- John Kwapnioski
- Lou Myers
- Louise Rassmussen
- Mary Salcedo
Lt. Mark Schenkelberg was elected to a one-year term.
The newly-elected members join the following current members:
- Elaine Anderson
- Meridith Gofta
- Linda Hall
- Toni Hernandez
- Jim Jensen
- Judy Johns
- Jillyn Kratochvil
- Rick Lenarduzzi
- Tracey Strehle
Thank you to all of the volunteer Board Members and Officers for the dedicated service they each donate and provide to PRIDE-Omaha, Inc.
Alcohol Killing 1,400 College Students Each Year
A new report concludes that alcohol-related incidents kill 1,400 college students each year.
The study by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism’s Task Force on college drinking was released April 9, 2002.
The report states that alcohol consumption contributes to 600,000 criminal assaults, 500,000 injuries and 70,000 sexual assaults each year. Also, 2,000,000 college students acknowledged having driven a car after drinking. Four hundred thousand students between the ages of 18 and 24 reported having engaged in unprotected sex while under the influence of alcohol.
The study found that males, incoming freshmen, members of the Greek system, and athletes were the heaviest drinkers. Among those who drank the least are: students attending religious schools, two-year institutions and historically black colleges.
Susie Dugan, Executive Director of PRIDE-Omaha, Inc. comments, “Until this study, the commonly-reported number of college students who died from alcohol or other drugs was about one per week, or 50-55 per year. It is very discouraging to know that the actual rate of college deaths is more than 26 times that number.”
Ms. Dugan notes also, “Parents need to actively dialogue with colleges on this topic. No mom or dad pays huge tuition bills to colleges to, in turn, have a son or daughter returned home in a body bag.”
Editor’s note: PRIDE-Omaha, Inc. has information on campus use of alcohol and other drugs and strategies parents can use to keep their college students safer. Just call (402) 397-3309.
The following two resources are available. Call (402) 397-3309 for more details.
“S•T•E•P•S” Curriculum - A new supplemental prevention curriculum for grades kindergarten through third is now available from PRIDE-Omaha, Inc.
SAFE HOMES
Banners are now available for SAFE HOMES parent groups free of charge.Tobacco Free Nebraska Presentations
The Nebraska Health and Human Services System has recently created a Tobacco Free Nebraska (TFN) cd-rom, which presents an excellent overview of statewide tobacco prevention efforts in Nebraska, as a result of LB 1436. This presentation is intended to make the public aware that the Tobacco Control and Prevention Movement is not just a local initiative but much broader in scope, including many communities throughout the state.
If your group or organization is interested in learning more about local and statewide activities to prevent and reduce tobacco use (especially among young people) and efforts to eliminate exposure to secondhand smoke, we would be happy to make this presentation available.
Kathy Burson is presently seeking opportunities to deliver this exciting and informative presentation to your local church, civic and/or service group. The presentation can be tailored to your group’s needs as far as length of the presentation and local or statewide interest. Please call Kathy at (402) 397-3309 or e-mail kburson@pride.org.
Kathy Burson Selected To Board of Health
Congratulations to PRIDE-Omaha, Inc.’s Kathy Burson. Kathy has been appointed to the new Sarpy and Cass County Board of Health. This Board is an advisory group to the Sarpy and Cass County Department of Health that is being established following enabling legislation last year. Kathy was selected from a field of fifteen candidates.
Kathy is the Tobacco Prevention Coordinator for PRIDE-Omaha, Inc. She has also just been elected to serve her second term as President of the Metropolitan Omaha Tobacco Action Coalition (MOTAC). MOTAC is a coalition comprised of over 50 individuals, organizations and educational groups.
Kathy also serves as Chairperson for the Tri-County Media Committee, a group that is working on a coordinated tobacco prevention campaign for Douglas, Sarpy, and Cass Counties. Kathy has her Masters Degree in Community Health Education. Kathy and her husband Jim have three children ages 21 to 27.
World No Tobacco Day is set for May 31. This day is an international event, designated by the World Health Organization that draws attention to the need to reduce tobacco use and eliminate the promotion of tobacco products throughout the world.
In Nebraska, the day has been expanded to No Tobacco Week. This week focuses on the image of a positive future for all children. That future includes children not being targeted by the tobacco industry and children who will live longer, healthier lives in smoke-free environments.
Groups are planning activities throughout No Tobacco Week. If you would like a copy of a planning kit, “Nebraska No Tobacco Week 2002” produced by Health Education, Inc., please contact PRIDE-Omaha, Inc. at 402-397-3309.
...Because Secondhand Smoke Kills...
On May 1, 2002, the Douglas County Public Building Commission voted unanimously not to make the City/County Civic Center smoke-free. Currently, smoking is allowed in County offices of some elected officials, in certain stairwells and in a designated smoking room. All City offices in the complex are smoke-free.
The Commission debated the issue after the Douglas County Board of Health brought forth a recommendation to make the entire building smoke-free. Groups such as G.A.S.P., the Metropolitan Omaha Tobacco Action Coalition (MOTAC), and PRIDE-Omaha, Inc. joined the Board of Health in asking the Commission to make this public building smoke-free.
Among the reasons to make all buildings used by the public smoke-free:
Secondhand smoke is the third leading cause of preventable death in our city, in our county, in our state and in our nation. As many as 70,000 deaths each year are related to exposure to secondhand smoke.
There is no known “safe” level of secondhand smoke exposure.
There are 200 known poisons in secondhand smoke, 50 of which can cause cancer.
Secondhand smoke cannot be entirely eliminated by air filtering systems.
Secondhand smoke does not stay in “designated smoking areas”. It drifts completely throughout buildings.
Exposure to secondhand smoke in restaurants and worksites can cause workers to be 34% more likely to get lung cancer.
Secondhand smoke is a Class “A” carcinogen, the same as asbestos.
Children exposed to secondhand smoke experience 150,000 to 300,000 cases of lower respiratory tract infections each year.
Secondhand smoke is now the leading cause of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) in babies.
Children generally receive 50% more exposure than the average adult because they have smaller airways, breathe more rapidly and have more lung area per body than adults.
Children exposed to secondhand smoke have more cases of pneumonia, bronchitis, asthma, colds, middle-ear infections, chronic cough, wheezing and phlegm than those not exposed.
If you can smell tobacco, you are being exposed to toxins and poisons.
If you cannot smell the tobacco being smoked in a building, you can still be exposed to lingering toxins and poisons.
Smoke-free environments help encourage tobacco prevention among youth. The more smoke-free environments that are established, the fewer opportunities children have to smoke.
Following the jimson weed death last year of a Pierce, Nebraska high school student, parents and school officials are paying closer attention to new information that more Nebraska teens are trying this drug. Reports include rural students as well as Omaha-area young people.
Jimson weed (Datura Stramonium) has long grown wild in Nebraska and other plains states. It is a large annual herb growing three to five feet tall. It is called stink weed, Jamestown Weed, angel’s trumpet, thorn apple, and loco weed. All parts of the jimson weed are poisonous.
Jimson weed stems are green to purple. Jimson weed leaves are oval with jagged-toothed edges. Its flowers are 2 – 5 inch long funnel-shaped white or violet flowers. Both the flower and plant give off a strong odor.
Seeds are eaten or a tea is made from the plant in order to produce a “high”. The plant is being promoted by some as a “safe” and cheap high. The plant, however is not safe to consume. Symptoms of jimson weed poisoning can include dry mucous membranes, thirst, difficulty swallowing and speaking, blurred vision and photophobia. These symptoms can be followed by hyperthermia, confusion, agitation, combative behaviors, hallucinations, seizures, coma and death.
Thank you, NBC ! Thank you, Readers !
Thank you to all readers who sent messages to NBC Television urging that company not to air commercials for liquor.
On March 20, 2002, NBC Television announced that it was reversing its decision to run liquor ads on television. In December, NBC had signed a multi-million dollar advertising contract with Deageo’s U.S. subsidiary Guinness UDV.
The network did not announce the reasons for the reversal. However, prevention organizations such as PRIDE-Omaha, Inc. led campaigns against the liquor ads on television. In our last newsletter, PRIDE-Omaha, Inc. urged supporters to contact NBC Chairman Robert C. Wright to protest the liquor promotion. Our newsletter noted that millions of underage children would be exposed to hard liquor ads, just as they have been exposed for decades to appealing, funny, and seductive beer ads.
Congress, consumer groups, health organizations and the beer industry also fought against the television liquor ads. Says Susie Dugan, Executive Director of PRIDE-Omaha, Inc., “Even though the beer industry’s efforts to ban the liquor ads probably had a huge impact, ordinary citizens and grassroots organizations who spoke up should be proud that we played a part in changing a very dangerous idea.”
Dugan added, “We should take heart that when concerned citizens work together, we truly can challenge those who might promote any drug to our children.”
Plattsmouth Bans Self-Service Tobacco Displays
On March 20, 2002, the Plattsmouth City Council voted unanimously to ban self-service store displays of tobacco products.
This action makes Plattsmouth the first city to mandate that all tobacco products be kept behind the counter or under lock and key.
Self-service tobacco displays feature single packs of tobacco that are placed at kids’ eye level and out of the line of sight of store clerks.
Several studies, including those of the American Lung Association of Colorado, have criticized self-service displays as enticements for children to shoplift tobacco.
Other studies have found that some retailers are paid “slotting fees” or “placement fees” by the tobacco companies to display tobacco in this manner. The “slotting fees” compensate retailers for stolen merchandise.
Eliminating easy access to tobacco is important because children can become addicted to tobacco as early as the third cigarette.
The Cass County Tobacco is a Drug (TAD) Coalition supported the new ordinance. PRIDE-Omaha, Inc. Executive Director Susie Dugan testified at the hearing in support of the ordinance also.
Says Sandy Thomas, Chairperson for TAD, “We are extremely pleased that the City Council has the foresight to pass an ordinance of this importance that will assist us in keeping tobacco out of the hands of our youth.”
Grand Island City Council Okays Smoke-Free Buildings and Parks
On May 7, 2002, the Grand Island, Nebraska, City Council voted to ban smoking in all city buildings, vehicles and selected areas of parks. The selected park areas include bleachers, ball fields, pool areas and the skate park.
Mayor Ken Gnadt cast the deciding vote after the Council split 4 - 4 on the ordinance. Because the ban is in the form of a resolution or written policy, it takes place immediately.
Young people representing the Tobacco-Free Hall County Coalition helped lead the fight for the ordinance. According to an article in the Grand Island Independent, 5/8/02, Laura Haberman, a senior at Grand Island High School stated, “It will be positive for the youth of Grand Island.” Ms. Haberman said that adults and teens are the role models for younger children, and not smoking in front of children playing in parks is a step toward encouraging children to stay smoke-free.
Several other young people testified at the City Council meeting. Jason Meis, a Central Catholic sophomore stated that the ordinance sets a secondhand smoke standard for Grand Island by creating smoke-free places for youth.
Clint McCarthy, a city electric employee stated that, “Unfortunately, those who can be the most harmed by secondhand smoke and may want to speak up often can’t because they’re children.”
- Grand Island Independent, 5/8/02
The following resources have been added to the PRIDE-Omaha, Inc. Resource Center and Library for reference and loan:
“Reach Out Now”
Three lesson plans for fifth-grade teachers are included in this packet. Also includes a four-page family take-home activity guide. PRIDE-Omaha, Inc. has several free packets available for teachers or parents.“Spit Tobacco”
A new handout for junior and senior high school students. Lists the dangers of using spit tobacco.
© 2002 PRIDE-Omaha, Inc. All rights reserved.