Welcome!
Our coalition represents agencies, schools, government, businesses, and concerned citizens in Tompkins County, all working to reduce substance abuse among middle and high school youth through the use of effective, evidence-based programs and practices.
Raising teenagers today is full of challenges and rewards. This website offers information about local resources, advice for families, information for teens, NY laws on underage drinking, excellent web links, and more. Take a look around and consider signing up to stay in touch at Contact Us.
Upcoming events:
- The next meeting of the Coalition Board will be Friday, September 17, 9:00 - 10:30, Human Services Building (Bev Livesay Conference Room), 320 W. State St., Ithaca
In the News:
Coalition, Teens Partner to Provide “Sticker Shock”
GrassRoots Weekend
1 in 5 U.S. High School Students Have Abused Prescription Drugs
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced that the 2009 National Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) (www.cdc.gov/yrbss) found that 1 in 5 high school students in the United States have ever taken a prescription drug, such as OxyContin, Percocet, Vicodin, Adderall, Ritalin, or Xanax, without a doctor’s prescription. Details.
A Day in the Life of American Adolescents: Substance Use Facts Update
A new "day in the life" report from SAMHSA says that every day 508,000 adolescents aged 12-17 in the United States drink alcohol; 641,000 use illicit drugs; and more than 1 million smoke cigarettes. Details.
With Teen Drinking, Parent Rules Do Affect Teens' Choices
Researchers say that parents' approach to addressing teen drinking does influence a teen's behavior. Details.
A Cigarette a Month Can Get a Kid Hooked
A study of adolescent smokers in the journal Pediatrics tracks the course of addiction to nicotine among a group of sixth-graders. After following 1,246 middle-school children for four years, researchers say a pattern emerged of occasional smoking that led to an addiction to tobacco: A cigarette a month will do it. Details.
Hospital Admissions for Prescription Drug ODs Up 65 Percent
About 71,000 people were admitted to U.S. hospitals for prescription-drug overdoses in 2006, up from approximately 43,000 in 1999, according to a new report. Researcher Jeffrey H. Coben of the West Virginia University School of Medicine and colleagues found that accidental poisonings involving opioids, sedatives, and tranquilizers increased 37%, compared to a rise of 21% for accidental poisonings involving other substances. The report noted that unintentional poisoning is now the second-leading cause of accidental injury death in the U.S. Coben and colleagues said that urban, middle-aged women seem especially vulnerable to prescription-drug overdoses. The rate of intentional poisonings involving prescription opioids, sedatives and tranquilizers also more than doubled during the seven-year study. Hospitalizations for methadone poisoning increased more than for any other drug. The study was published in the April 2010 issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
Ban on Mailing Tobacco Signed by President Obama
The U.S. Postal Service will no longer deliver tobacco products by mail under legislation signed into law earlier this month by President Barack Obama.
"Enactment of this legislation is a milestone in the fight to keep kids from smoking and prevent tax evasion that costs taxpayers billions each year," said Matthew L. Myers, president of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. The new Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking (PACT) Act was overwhelmingly approved in both the House and Senate.
The American Academy of Pediatrics Releases Policy Statement on Teen Drinking
The American Academy of Pediatrics issued a policy statement underscoring the critical role that pediatricians play in discouraging children and teens from drinking alcohol. Details.
Partnership for a Drug Free America Warns Parents about Prescription Drug Abuse
Abuse of prescription drugs is an emerging trend. Details.
Teens Who Drink With Parents May Still Develop Alcohol Problems
Many parents take the approach of trying to teach responsible drinking by letting their teenagers have alcohol at home. However, a new study published in the latest issue of the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, shows that this approach is ineffective. Details.
Adults Largely Responsible for Underage Drinking
According to a nationwide report by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), more than 40 percent of the nation’s estimated 10.8 million underage current drinkers (persons ages 12 to 20 who drank in the past 30 days) were provided free alcohol by adults 21 or older. Details.
More People Killed by Drugs than by Car Accidents in New York
A new report by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) concluded that in more than 16 states, including New York, more people were killed by drugs than by auto accidents. The study, which was reported by the Associated Press, found that the majority of drug-related deaths were caused by the abuse of painkillers. Full report.
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Great new resource for parents
The brand new Get Informed section of StraightDopeForParents.org has a wealth of user-friendly, research-based tools that complement Joseph A. Califano Jr.'s new book, How to Raise a Drug-Free Kid: The Straight Dope for Parents.
In Get Informed, you'll find online tips on:
- How to recognize risk factors that often precede adolescent substance abuse
- What parents can do if they think their child is using drugs
- Coaching kids to turn down drug offers
- Hosting and setting rules for teen parties
- Preparing children to avoid substance use in college
Parents will also find resources for advice and support -- including a new Facebook group -- plus links to some of the most helpful resources on the web from a variety of government, nonprofit and academic sources.
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Area students participate in survey
In October, 2010 area students will again take part in the New York State Youth Development Survey. Data from the 2008 student survey (grades 6-12) has provided valuable information to schools, districts, the Community Coalition for Healthy Youth, Tompkins County Youth Services and other planning groups about youth behaviors and attitudes. To see a Powerpoint presentation of the data, click here, for the Summary of Highlights, click here. For more information, contact Kris Bennett, 274-5310.
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Acting U.S. Surgeon General Kenneth Moritsugu's Call to Action on Underage Drinking
Free brochures and booklets:
Click here to send us an e-mail with your name and address and we can send you free materials.
What to do about an underage drinking party:
Do you know of a party where underage youth are drinking? Does this worry you?
You can call the NY State Police at 1-866-UNDER21 to make an anonymous report for any "field" party or "house" party or instance of someone purchasing alcohol for use by a minor. The NY State Police will contact local law enforcement to check it out.
For more information on what the laws are in New York, go to Know the Law.