![[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...
The Partnership for a Drug Free America’s annual report finds that only one percent of parents think their child has ever tried Ecstasy. In fact, twelve percent of teens report having tried the drug. Parental misperceptions often enable increased teen drug use.
These facts come on the heels of new reports that Ecstasy is more dangerous than previously presumed.
Studies at Johns Hopkins University found that it takes fewer doses of the drug to cause extensive damage to dopamine neurons in brain cells. Research at Toronto’s Centre for Addiction and Mental Health found that lowered serotonin levels caused by just one night’s dose of the drug can result in permanent brain damage.
Ecstasy is a drug often available at raves (all night dance parties). It produces feelings of euphoria, floating, hallucinations, anxiety, muscle tension, teeth clenching, nausea, blurred vision, chills, sweating, tremors, seizures and heart failure or extreme heat stroke. Ì
- Omaha World Herald
, 10/21/02Scientific American, 9/27/02
Neurology, 7/25/02
Omaha Passes Law To Limit Youth Access To Tobacco
On October 10, 2002, Omaha Mayor Mike Fahey signed into law Ordinance No. 36062. This Ordinance will require retailers to put all tobacco products behind counters and out of the direct reach of children.
The law takes effect February 1, 2003, and applies to all tobacco license holders except 18-and-older humidor rooms or legally operated vending machines. The penalty for noncompliance is a fine of up to $200 for the first violation and up to $500 on subsequent violations.
The Ordinance, sponsored by City Councilman Garry Gernandt, was passed unanimously October 8, 2002, by the Omaha City Council.
The law was suggested to Councilman Gernandt by youth tobacco prevention groups, G.I.F.T. and RAGE. These groups, along with other teen prevention groups have conducted Operation Storefront surveys and have researched the ways tobacco is marketed to children.
PRIDE-Omaha, Inc., together with 30 other organizations representing over 58,000 members/volunteers, supported the concept. On October 16, 2002, representatives from Metro Omaha Tobacco Action Coalition (MOTAC) presented Councilman Gernandt with a plaque thanking him for his efforts to limit youth access to tobacco. Ì
S.K.A.T. KIDS WORK FOR TOBACCO-FREE CAMPUSES
Sarpy Kids Against Tobacco (S.K.A.T.), a Sarpy County youth tobacco prevention organization, testified before the Papillion/LaVista School Board meeting on October 14, 2002.
The group asked the Board to make all school district campuses tobacco-free. Papillion/LaVista Public Schools, like most other schools, require the interior of all schools be tobacco-free. However, smoking for adults is allowed in certain areas on the grounds, in vehicles, and at school activities.
The S.K.A.T. group asked the Board to join other school districts, such as Omaha Public Schools, Westside Community Schools, and Millard Public Schools in banning all use of tobacco on school property.
B
esides the dangers of secondhand smoke, S.K.A.T. teens pointed out that schools should be special places for children. Adults should be good role models and help change the societal norm.The group also pointed out that the District can assist those employees who want to quit by promoting the free Nebraska Quit Line, 1-866-NEB-QUIT (1-866-632-7848). Telephone quit lines have had cessation success in other states.
The Board took no action on the request, but indicated that the topic might be brought up at a future meeting. Ì
Representatives from the tobacco industry are now appearing in communities in other states. They purport to be working toward clean indoor air policies. These representatives approach city councils or local boards of health, asking these bodies to draft resolutions to encourage the state legislature to pass a statewide clean indoor air bill.
However, the state bill being suggested is very weak and is meant to suppress the development of more effective local ordinances.
Ì“R” Rated Movie Linked To Future Drug Use
A study by Dartmouth Medical School researchers reveals that children who are not allowed to watch R-rated movies are at least three times less likely to take up smoking and drinking than those with no movie restrictions.
The study, reported in Prevention Magazine, 9/02, surveyed 4,500 school children in grades five through eight.
Among children allowed to see R-rated movies, about 46% had tried alcohol, and 35% had tried tobacco. This compares with just 2 to 4% of the no R-rated movies group.
Says researcher Madeline Dalton, PhD, “For kids in this age group, movies can be almost as influential as their peers.”
Prevention Magazine
recommends that parents may be able to curb preteen use of alcohol or tobacco by not allowing children under 17 to see R-rated movies.The magazine also recommends that parents
www. Screenit.com for film ratings;
check the online resource,
go with children when they rent videos, since videos are not organized according to ratings;
actively supervise children and know what children are doing and seeing.
- Prevention Magazine, 9/02
Thanks to Kelly Gould for forwarding this information to PRIDE-Omaha, Inc.
GROUP CALLS FOR TRUTH IN “MEDICAL” MARIJUANA HOAX
Drug-Free Kids: America’s Challenge, a nonprofit network of parents and grandparents across America, is challenging print and electronic media to seek and report the truth about the “medical” marijuana issue.
As the movement to legalize marijuana as “medicine” grows, Joyce Nalepka, President of Drug-Free Kids: America’s Challenge, states that those in the medical marijuana movement are “putting on white coats and expressing concerns about the sick.” It is important that media look beyond pseudo-policy groups funded by drug legalization advocates for information on this issue, she states. The legalizers pushing this “medical” agenda are often admitted drug users.
Nalepka cites several points that media and the public should remember:
The US Supreme Court examined this issue in 2001 and unanimously ruled, “There is no medical defense for smoked marijuana.”
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is the only agency authorized to determine what is medicine. FDA requires that medicines meet rigid standards of safety and efficacy. Marijuana has over 480 different chemicals that are unstable and over 50 of them are psychoactive.
The National Institutes of Health states, “People with HIV and other diseases of the immune system should avoid marijuana.” (NIH Publication 98-4036, p. 17)
Robert DuPont, MD, First Director, National Institute on Drug Abuse, states, “The simple point to be emphasized is that burning leaves do not make medicine. Marijuana smoke, in particular, is known to contain harmful chemicals which adversely affect ALL body systems including the immune system, brain, lungs and reproductive system.”
On September 17, 2002 US Surgeon General Richard Carmone reported that more than half of all teenagers in drug treatment programs are there because of marijuana.
If you or your group would like more information on how to support this effort, contact Ms. Nalepka at Amercares@aol.com
. Ì
LB 1436 Funding Has Created Much POSITIVE Change In Omaha Area
In March 2000, the Nebraska legislature passed LB1436, a bill to create and fund a comprehensive tobacco prevention plan for our state. The bill authorized $21 million for three years. The 2002 legislature voted to cut $5 million from the plan. The total $16 million is far short of the minimum $42 million the Centers for Disease Control recommends for states the size of Nebraska.
The current funding ends December 31, 2003 unless the Unicameral reauthorizes the program. After two years, the Omaha-area tobacco prevention community now looks back and is proud of its accomplishments. On these two pages, groups throughout Cass, Douglas, and Sarpy Counties, including Ethnic Minority Outreach groups, outline some of the many effective activities and changes created by LB 1436 and urge the legislature to help continue this fine work. Ì
This high school project included educational materials on tobacco given to all area high schools. As a result, 1,000 youth participated by signing a "No Tobacco Pledge".
In the Spring of 2002, a celebration of the program’s success was shared through a presentation by the youth to Governor Mike Johanns. The middle school project was implemented in the Fall of 2002. Ì
American Cancer Society Sponsors The Great American Smokeout
Approximately 775 sixth-grade students from Douglas, Sarpy, and Cass Counties are participating in a letter writing contest on clean indoor air issues. Winners will be announced during the ACS Great American Smokeout on November 21, 2002. Ì
Cass County TAD Makes A Difference
Cass County TAD (Tobacco is a Drug) has been very busy in tobacco prevention and control. Directed by Sandy Thomas, the coalition presented numerous educational programs and workshops throughout the county.
In March 2002, the Plattsmouth City Council passed, 8-0, the first Nebraska ordinance banning self-service tobacco displays.
In April, Vice Chair Alex Williams, received the state youth award for his work with the teen tobacco prevention project. TAD surveyed all restaurants in the county, and is working to encourage voluntary smoke-free dining.
TAD is busy collecting signature cards in support of clean indoor air. Over 100 youth have signed tobacco-free pledge cards. TAD and Plattsmouth Police conducted a first round of compliance checks. The failure rate was 37.5%. Ì
Research indicates that retail tobacco license holders comply with laws regarding sales to minors, if regular, quarterly compliance checks are conducted.
To date, three compliance checks have been made of all tobacco retailers in Douglas County. The results have been dramatic. The failure rate for the first compliance check was 23 percent. For the second round it was 17 percent, and for the third round, 12 percent. Ì
MOTAC Education Efforts Increase Through Media
MOTAC and other coalitions are increasing their educational impact through more contacts with local media. PRIDE-Omaha, Inc. has conducted media advocacy training workshops and provides technical assistance to all tobacco prevention organizations.
As a result, these groups helped educate the public on 29 different tobacco prevention topics, generating over 60 different stories in the Omaha metro area. Ì
EDAT ~ Ethnic Diversity Against Tobacco
This Douglas County Outreach youth group attended the "Youth to Youth" National Conference in June 2002. They sponsored a Back to School “School Supply Project” on August 31, 2002. This youth group also participated in Operation Storefront on August 10, 2002. Ì
TATU ~ Teens Aggressively Taking Uthority
… It Begins With YOU
The TATU program at Mt. Sinai Church trains 13-to-18-year olds on tobacco prevention issues. They, in turn, teach younger children. TATU has twenty active teens who have educated over 100 other young people
Among their activities...
TATU sponsored a Youth Fair in June 2002. Close to 75 youth and adults attended. TATU created and performed the "STOMP IT OUT" dance at the fair.
TATU organized ADULT INFORMATION NITE on tobacco education. Close to 30 people attended.
Led by Vickie Young, TATU held a letter-writing campaign on the dangers of secondhand smoke October 19, 2002. Twenty-five adults and seven youth attended.
TATU is sponsoring the STOMP IT OUT QUIZ BOWL 2002. It will be held at North High School on November 23, 2002 from 9 am-2 pm. Cash prizes will be given. Eight teams from Douglas and Sarpy Counties are competing. Ì
RAGE ~ REDUCING ACCESS GETTING EVEN
RAGE was formed in the Summer of 2002 to help steer youth tobacco prevention activities in the tri-county area.
The first activity was to plan and conduct an Operation Storefront Project. RAGE surveyed 86 stores in Douglas County and 11 stores in Cass County on August 10, 2002. Results of the Operation found that, out of 97 stores surveyed, 34% of tobacco products were placed by the door; 28% of tobacco products were placed by children's items; 16% of tobacco products were in front of the counter; and 15.6% of tobacco products were placed below three feet.
RAGE held a press conference on September 21, 2002 releasing the results of Operation Storefront. Members of RAGE testified at the public hearing for the Omaha Tobacco Placement Ordinance on October 1, 2002. The Ordinance passed unanimously. Ì
S.K.A.T. ~ Sarpy Kids Against Tobacco
The Sarpy Kids Against Tobacco (S.K.A.T.) has sponsored several educational and fun activities:
County Youth Kick-Off Program on April 20, 2002
Back-2-School Bash on August 7, 2002. Seventy-three kids attended and 62 signed tobacco-free pledges
LaVista Nite Out
Papillion Nite Out
Family Day at Office Depot
Operation Storefront with 20 youth and 8 adults
Papillion/LaVista School Board Meeting on October 14, 2002. Four youth and two adults presented to the board encouraging them to adopt a campus-wide tobacco-free policy
S.K.A.T. Haunted House on October 26, 2002. Ì
Sponsored by Our Healthy Community Partnership, the Second Annual Youth Congress 2002 ~ “Empowering Our Youth Against Tobacco” will be held November 13, 2002. This event is geared for 6th, 7th, and 8th-grade teams. Teams will consist of up to ten youth and one or more adults. Teams may qualify for a stipend for their school/community tobacco/drug prevention action project. Ì
Chicano Awareness Center and UNMC Community Partnership Youth Programs
The Chicano Awareness Center Summer Advantage Program graduated 20 youth in grades four through nine.
Graduates had to complete a series of activities aimed at changing attitudes in the community about tobacco. One of the activities, "Back At 'Ya", resulted in Latina Style magazine stopping all tobacco advertising.
Jackson Academy also was involved in the Summer Program and participated in such activities as "Smoke Out Smoking" and "Back At 'Ya" magazine subscription cards.
The Chicano Awareness Center also sponsored a Latino Youth Conference and educational programs at Liberty Elementary School and Our Lady of Guadalupe. Ì
is there a meth lab in your neighborhood?
Methamphetamine (meth) is a dangerous, psychoactive drug. Its use continues to increase in communities throughout the Midwest.
Meth can be manufactured easily, and labs producing it can be found in rural, urban and suburban areas. Even automobiles can house mobile meth labs.
These labs are toxic and extremely dangerous. Meth is cooked using ordinary but hazardous chemicals such as drain cleaner, lantern fuel, battery acid and other dangerous substances. Combining these chemicals with ephedrine or pseudoephedrine can cause explosions, fires and toxic fumes that can hurt people and the environment.
The meth cooking process creates residue that can contaminate drinking water or can seep into plaster, wood or carpeting.
What to look for:
Unusual or strong odors (like cat urine, ether, ammonia, acetone or other chemicals)
Windows or doors covered, blacked out or reinforced
Excessive trash including items such as antifreeze, lantern fuel cans, red-stained coffee filters and duct tape
Large amounts of glass containers (including glass tubes, beakers or funnels)
Heavy automobile or foot traffic, especially at night.
If you suspect a meth lab:
ÌImmediately contact your local law enforcement agency
In Nebraska, you can call 1-800-SIC WEED
Leave the area. Fumes can be very dangerous.
- Midwest HIDTA
“Dior Addict” Prompts National Protest
A national ADDICTION IS NOT FASHIONABLE campaign was announced on October 21, 2002 to protest the new fragrance and makeup line called “Dior Addict”.
A national coalition of drug treatment and prevention professionals, celebrities, parents and concerned citizens rallied simultaneously in New York City, Washington DC, Miami, Minneapolis/St. Paul and Los Angeles to announce the protest letter writing campaign.
“We must condemn the glamorization of addiction for profit,” states Richard Brown, MD, University of Wisconsin. Maine Youth Advocate Marty O’Brien adds that Dior is “preying on young women to buy into the concept that addiction is hip.”
The groups launched the campaign after asking Dior to change the name of the product and being told to “put it in writing.”
You can help. Individuals and organizations are asked to send letters or e-mails to Dior asking them to re-name the product and end the “Addict” campaign:
Veronica Post, Consumer Affairs
Dior
19 East 57th Street
New York, NY 10022
Phone (Perfume Division) 212-931-2200
www.lvmh.com
Ì
National Campaign Takes Aim At NFL Liquor Ads
A national campaign has been launched to urge the National Football League’s (NFL’s) Washington Redskins, Miami Dolphins and New England Patriots to reverse their decisions to sell airtime and advertising space to Diageo.
Diageo is the world’s largest producer of alcoholic beverages. Its products include Captain Morgan’s rum, Smirnoff vodka and Jose Cuervo rum. The alcohol company recently announced an unprecedented multi-million dollar, multi-year advertising contract with the three NFL teams.
The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) is leading the campaign to challenge this advertising of hard liquor in NFL football stadiums and during NFL football telecasts.
“The NFL should not be a partner with the liquor industry in marketing booze to children — a lucrative present and future market for the industry,” states Bill England, Manager of the CSPI Alcohol Policies Project. England also notes that liquor signs in stadiums will be seen by underage persons. If these signs are picked up on television, even more children will see them. Kids see enough beer ads already, and beer is the number one drug of choice among young people.
England also states that, barring action by the liquor industry or the NFL, Congress should be called upon to impose meaningful restrictions.
You can help! Send a letter to:
Commissioner Paul Tagliabue
National Football League
280 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10017
Fax: 212-681-7575
Express your disapproval of linking liquor ads with the NFL. Urge him to maintain the League’s 50-year voluntary ban on liquor ads.
Go to http://www.cspinet.org/booze/tell_nfl.htm to become involved or to receive additional ideas and actions.
ÌYouth See More Alcohol Ads Than Adults
A study by the Center on Alcohol Marketing and Youth at Georgetown University finds that America’s youth saw far more alcohol ads in magazines in 2001 than did adults.
The study, released September 24, 2002, found that marketers of beer delivered 45% more advertising to youths than to adults in magazines in 2001 and 27% more for distilled spirits brands.
A September 1999 Federal Trade Commission report on the alcohol industry’s marketing practices urged the industry to raise its standards to reduce underage alcohol ad exposure.
“We think the industry is falling short of goals the FTC set in 1999,” states Jim O’Hara, the Executive Director of the Georgetown Alcohol Marketing Center.
Frank Coleman, Senior Vice President of the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, blasted the study stating that, “We’re opposed to underage drinking. The industry spends $10 million a year on responsibility programs to fight underage drinking.”
The study looked at $320 million worth of alcohol advertising in magazines during 2001. The information was compared with data on how much each magazine was seen by teens or adults.
ÌThe following two resources are available. Call (402)397-3309 for more details.
“S•T•E•P•S” Curriculum ~ A supplemental prevention curriculum for grades kindergarten through third is available from PRIDE-Omaha, Inc.
are available for SAFE HOMES parent groups free of charge. ÌSAFE HOMES Banners
© 2002 PRIDE-Omaha, Inc. All rights reserved.
