January Alcohol & Drug Information Available
To Hearing-Impaired Persons Via 711
The Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse of Bergen, Inc. wishes to advise hearing-impaired persons who use the Text Telephone system (TTY) that they may obtain substance abuse information directly from the Council (a non-TTY user) by contacting the 711 voice relay system.
The procedure is quite simple. Upon receiving a text communication from a TTY user, the 711 operator will contact the Council in order to voice-relay the TTY-user’s request for alcohol/drug information, such as printed material; location, weekday and time of an AA/NA meeting; referral to assistance for an intervention, or assessment/outpatient/inpatient treatment programs.
The Council will make an initial voice response to the request which the 711 operator will then text-type to the TTY user. The text/voice communications will be relayed back and forth by the 711 operator until the Council can successfully fill the TTY user’s information needs by mailing out the printed information directly to the TTY user and/or providing referral resources contact persons’ name, address and telephone number via the 711 operator.
The pamphlet “Roads 2 Recovery - Disability and Coexisting Substance Abuse” is available from the Council free of charge, as is a Bergen County directory of wheelchair-accessible AA/Alanon/NA/ Naranon meetings. The Council also recommends another helpful resource: Signs of Sobriety, Inc.- Support for Deaf and Hard of Hearing -(609)882-7177 TTY, (609) 882-7677 V, (609) 882-6808 Fax, sosnj@aol.com. One of the support services offered by Signs of Sobriety is providing to deaf/hearing impaired persons, who do not lip-read, an interpreter to accompany them to an AA meeting.
For additional information, call the Council at: (201) 488-8680.
Contact Person: Ronnie Jacobs (201) 488-8680
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February Inhalant Abuse: Nothing to Sniff At
Inhalants are any substances which produce intoxication when inhaled intentionally. The four major categories are solvents, such as paint thinners, gasoline, and glues; aerosols, such as hair, deodorant, and paint sprays, and vegetable oil sprays for cooking; anesthetics or gases, such as ether, propane, and nitrous oxide, which is used as an aerosol propellant in whipped cream; and nitrites, such as cyclohexl nitrite, amyl nitrite and butyl nitrite.
The most typical usage involves “sniffing” or “snorting” inhalants directly from the container. Liquid solvents may be poured onto a rag and held over the mouth for “huffing”. Another method of inhalant use is “bagging” - placing the substance into a bag or balloon and inhaling.
Inhalant users experience effects similar to that of heavy drinking - euphoria, stimulation, and loss of inhibition. Also, some users may experience temporary sensory and perceptual hallucinations.
The high which is experienced from inhalant use is rapid and short-lived. Physically, inhalants depress the body’s central nervous system, creating short term effects such as decreased blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, drowsiness, nausea and vomiting. Long term effects of chronic inhalant use include include short term memory loss, liver and kidney damage, and permanent brain damage. Any inhalant use - even first time use - may result in sudden death, typically from heart failure.
According to data from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), inhalants still are most commonly used by white and hispanic youth in their late childhood and early adolescence. Findings from other research resources also indicate that college students at the undergraduate level participate in inhalant use as well.
The Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse of Bergen, Inc., has available, free of charge, “A Parents’ Guide to Preventing Inhalant Abuse”, “Facts About Inhalant Use”, “Tips For Teens - About Inhalants”. To obtain this literature and for additional information, call (201) 488-8680.
Contact Person: Ronnie Jacobs (201) 488-8680
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March ALCOHOL-FREE WEEKEND kicks off
NATIONAL ALCOHOL AWARENESS MONTH in APRIL
Since 1987, April has been designated as National Alcohol Awareness Month, a national prevention through education effort. The Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse of Bergen, Inc., is encouraging Bergen County parents and other adults to participate in ALCOHOL-FREE WEEKEND, Friday, April 4th through Sunday, April 6th, 2003, by abstaining from serving and drinking alcoholic beverages for this 72-hour period.
Alcohol-Free Weekend promotes heightening adult alcohol awareness. It provides an opportunity to demonstrate and to learn that alcohol need not be a necessary ingredient for social situations or recreational activities to be a success. Adults taking part in this alcohol-free weekend will be sending a powerful message to young people, “ you don’t have to drink beer, wine or hard liquor in order to have a good time, to have fun, to relax, unwind and enjoy yourself.”
When planning family outings or get-togethers with friends, it is quite easy to select locations such as movie theaters, skating rinks, and sports arcades where alcohol is not available. Few bowling alleys are licensed to serve alcohol. Many restaurants are not licensed to serve alcohol; some offer customers the option to “bring your own”.
The purpose of Alcohol-Free Weekend is to raise awareness of the risks associated with alcohol use and misuse, and to help identify persons who may be at risk for alcohol-related problems and situations which present risks for alcohol abuse. If any Alcohol-Free Weekend participants discover they can’t go without a drink during this period, the Council urges them to call for information and referral to AA/Al-Anon meetings, early intervention and other treatment programs.
To obtain free literature such as “Thinking about Drinking”, “How to Cut Down on your Drinking”, “How to know if Someone has a Problem with Alcohol”, call the Council at: (201) 488-8680. Contact Person: Ronnie Jacobs 201-488-8680 Back to Top -----------------------
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November "Student Drug-Testing Booklet Available" As part of its National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign, the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) has created a booklet "What You Need to Know About Drug Testing in Schools" as a resource for schools and communities which may be considering a drug-testing program. The ONDCP Anti-Drug Media Campaign was developed for and targets young people ages 9-18, and the parents and other adults who have an influence on the choices youth make to lead drug-free lives. The Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse of Bergen, Inc. recently added this publication to its Resource Center inventory. The booklet provides a brief review of the U.S. Supreme Court June 2002 ruling to allow random drug tests for all middle and high school students who participate in competetive extracurricular activities. Prior to this ruling, school drug testing had been allowed for student athletes only. The booklet also provides a broader understanding of this often controversial issue as well as solid, up-to-date information on which a decision can be based. The publication explains what drug testing entails, who pays for it, who does the testing, what the drug testing shows about an individual's drug use and, perhaps equally important, what it does not indicate. The Council also received a synopsis report from the Center for Substance Abuse Research (CESAR) at the Universiity of Maryland, College Park, which describes the 2001-2002 survey results of seven public schools and two private schools which had implemented student drug testing programs. The survey covered the programs' policies, procedures, history, and results. In all of the nine schools, the purpose of the student drug testing program in the prevention of drug use rather that punishment, and the program is part of a larger, comprehensive drug education and prevention initiative. The CESAR report also indicated that "the mahor piece of advice offered to other schools interested in starting their own drug testing program was to involve parents, law enforcement, and other community members in the planning process and to make sure they understand that the program is intended to help students say no to drugs". Persons interested in receiving free of charge the CESAR report and "What You Need to Know about Drug Testing in Schools" should call Ronnie Jacobs at the council office (201) 488-8680. Back to Top -----------------------
December Celebrating the Holidays
"Planning Alcohol-Safe and Drug-Free Parties" While Alcohol is often a big part of holiday celebrations, many people have come to realize that alcohol need not be, perhaps should not be the main attraction at holiday parties. In the spirit of promoting fun and safe festivities, the Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse of Bergen, Inc. would like to offer some suggestions. Getting Your Party Started: Encourge lively conversation, games, music, dancing - all of which keep the focus on fun, not alcohol. Prepare and provide plenty of nutritious and appealing food to slow the effects of alcohol, and to ensure that guests will not drink on an empty stomach. Avoid too many salty foods which tend to make people thirsty. Never serve alcohol to someone who is under the legal drinking age (21). Never ask children to serve alcohol. Make it clear that no drug use will be tolerated. If You Choose to Serve Alcohol: Offer a variety of non-alcoholic beverages (sparkling water, fancy juice drinks, soft drinks) for guests who prefer not to drink alcohol. If you prepare an alcoholic punch, use a non-carbonated base, like fruit juice. Alcohol is absorbed into the bloodstream faster with a carbonated base. Avoid letting guests mix their own drinks. Choose (or hire) a reliable bartender who abstains from alcohol at the party and who can keep track of the size and number of drinks that guests consume. Before Your Guests Depart: Stop serving alcohol at least 1-1.5 hours before the party ends, and offer desserts and non-alcoholic beverages from that time on. Remember, coffee cannot sober up someone who has had too much to drink. Only time can do that. It takes one hour to metabolize one drink. If some guests have had too much to drink, provide alternatives to driving: call a taxi, ask if a non-drinking guest would drive him/her home, do the driving yourself, or offer your place to spend the night. The Council extends best wishes for happy holidays to everyone in ergen County. For additional Alcohol and other drug information, referral to intervention/treatment programs, call (201) 488-8680. Back to Top ----------------------- |