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asac actionArea SubstanceAbuse Council

Board of Directors

Rosanne Van CuraPresident

Nicole PizziniVice President

Dave RomontSecretary

Nancy LowenbergTreasurer

BOARD MEMBERS Don Davis

Keith Dirks Norman Griser Sharon Hallstoos

Malinda LambLinda Langston

Al RathjeJason SandersHesta StoffelSue Wilbur

LaSheila YatesMark Zaiger

Nancylee Ziese __________________

John Garringer Executive Director

Issue: February 2012

The monthly newsletter of the Area Substance Abuse Council

Troubling News Regarding Synthetic Marijuana

In December the National Institute on Drug Abuse released the 2011 Monitoringthe Future survey, which included some troubling new information on the

prevalence of synthetic drug use among high school seniors. The results indicatethat one in nine high school seniors had used Spice or K2 over the past

year. That means synthetic marijuana is now the second most frequently usedillicit drug, after marijuana, among high school seniors.

These synthetic drugs are dangerous.Poison Control Centers operating acrossthe Nation have reported over 5,500 callsrelating to synthetic marijuana as of October 31 of this year. Thats almostdouble the number received in all of 2010.These drugs cause serious adverse healtheffects, including agitation, anxiety,

nausea, vomiting, fast and racing heartbeat,elevated blood pressure, tremors, seizures,hallucinations, and paranoid behavior.

Making matters worse, these drugs are often marketed as legal substances.They are sometimes labeled as herbal incense and sold in small pouches or

packets over the Internet, in tobacco and smoke shops, drug paraphernalia shops,gas stations, and convenience stores.

Parents are the most powerful force in their teens lives. It is important that parents talk to their teens about the serious consequences of using marijuana in

whatever form it may come, including synthetic forms like K2 and Spice. Affect of Synthetic Marijuana on ASAC Programming

We are seeing an increase number of adolescents reporting use of syntheticmarijuana. Testing for synthetic marijuana, however, is currently too costly

for the agency to absorb. A general urinalysis (U/A) to test for alcohol and drug use is $5.00. The cost to test for synthetic marijuana is $35. Conducting U/As helps clients to remain in clean and in recovery. Unfortunately, until

ASAC obtains a funding source to cover this expense, we are not able to test for synthetic marijuana.


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Binge Drinking an Increasing Problem

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) reports new estimatesshow that binge drinking* is a bigger problem than previouslythought. More than 38 million US adults binge drink, about 4times a month, and the largest number of drinks per binge ison average 8. This behavior greatly increases the chances of getting hurt or hurting others due to car crashes, violence, andsuicide. Drinking too much, including binge drinking, causes80,000 deaths in the US each year and, in 2006 cost the econ-omy $223.5 billion. Binge drinking is a problem in all states,even in states with fewer binge drinkers, because they are

binging more often and in larger amounts.

Binge drinking is a dangerous and costly publichealth problem Binge drinking is about more than just the number of

binge drinkers. It is important to consider the amount peopledrink when they binge and how often they do so.

Group with most binge drinkers: 18-34 years Age group that binge drinks most often: 65+ years Income group with most binge drinkers: more than $75,000 Income group that binge drinks the most often and drinks most per binge: less than $25,000 Most alcohol-impaired drivers binge drink. Most people who binge drink are not alcohol dependent or alcoholics. More than half of the alcohol adults drink is while binge drinking.

More than 90% of the alcohol youth drink is while binge drinking.

Binge drinking costs everyone Drinking too much, including binge drinking, cost $746 per person, or $1.90 a drink, in the US in 2006. These

include health care expenses, crime, and lost productivity. Binge drinking cost federal, state, and local governments about 62 cents per drink in 2006, while federal and

income from taxes on alcohol totaled only about 12 cents per drink. Drinking too much contributes to over 54 different injuries and diseases, including car crashes, violence, and

sexually-transmitted diseases. The chance of getting sick and dying from alcohol problems increases significantly for those who binge drink more

often and drink more when they do.

Everyone can help prevent binge drinking Choose not to binge drink themselves and help others not to do it. Drink in moderation if they do drink. The US Dietary Guidelines on alcohol consumption recommend no more than 1

drink per day for women and no more than 2 drinks per day for men. Pregnant women and underage youth shouldnot drink alcohol.

Support effective community strategies to prevent binge drinking. Support local control of the marketing and sale of alcohol. Support the minimum legal drinking age of 21.

For more information on binge drinking go to http://www.cdc.gov/VitalSigns/BingeDrinking

Prevent Iowa Youth AddictionFacebook Page

The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) re-cently launched a new tool for protecting the healthof Iowas youth.

The Prevent Iowa Youth Addition Facebook (www. facebook .com/ preventiowayouthaddiction) isa great way to stay informed and contribute to thediscussion about some new (and not so new) dan-gers facing Iowas youth.

IDPH Tobacco Division is leading the launch withan emphasis on new products the tobacco industry istest marketing. Called dissolvables, these smoke-less tobacco products closely resemble mints, tooth-

picks, and even breath strips. These products are particularly dangerous to children in terms of poten-tial addiction, nicotine poisoning, school perform-

ance problems, and future tobacco use.Through the Facebook page, parents, teachers,school administrators and others can learn about thedangers that smokeless products pose to Iowa youth.

Binge drinking means men drinking 5 or more alcoholicdrinks within a short period of time or women drinking 4or more drinks within a short period of time.


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Great American SpitOutThe Great American SpitOut is on February 16. Anyone who uses tobacco is encouraged tomake an effort to quit tobacco for the day (and forever!). By doing so, you will be taking animportant step towards a healthier life.

Tips for Quitting Tobacco UsePlan ahead. If possible put together a plan. Beginby tapering off each day so that your body can ad-

just slowly to the new nicotine levels.

Learn when you crave. If you can track eachtime you crave nicotine for one week (or even oneday), you can learn when you have your cravings.Perhaps its right when you wake up, or after eachmeal. Maybe theres a song you hear or a certain

spot on your way to work that you pass that willtrigger a craving. Once you know when you craveyou can make a plan for each of those momentsto avoid the craving.

Use the rule of HALT . Dont allow yourself to getHungry, Angry, Lonely or Tired. All of these thingscan trigger cravings. If you avoid these feelings,you can keep yourself on the right track.

Embrace the 5 Ds. If you are having a craving for nicotine, you should Drink Water, Delay

using your tobacco product, Discuss your craving with a friend, Distract yourself, take a fewDeep breaths.

Your Own Quit KitThe day you decide to quit, consider putting together a survival kit to help you succeed.You might consider including:

-Water bottle-Tooth picks or coffee stirrers-Cinnamon candy such as fireballs-Gum-Stress ball or smooth stone (to keep your hands busy)

-Card with all of your reasons to quit smoking-A picture of something you would buy (or pay off) with the money you save from quitting-Quitline Iowa (I-800-QUITNOW).

To learn more about quitting smoking, contact ASAC Prevention Services in Cedar Rapidsor Clinton offices or call Quitline Iowa at 1-800-Quit NOW for free, confidential tobacco ces-sation counseling services.

ACT NOW: While supplies last, Linn County residents qualify for 8 weeks of nicotine re-placement therapy.


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Twenty-three youth and adults from the Jones County Safe and Healthy Youth Coalition , their youth advisory committee, and Jones County schools student advocacy groups attended the Under-age Drinking Prevention Day on the Hill on January 30. The group toured the Capitol including theDome, received some legislative process training with other youth from across Iowa, and attended a

press conference about the Social Host bill. One of the Jones County students, Tyler Jeffrey, a

sophomore at Anamosa High School, spoke at the press conference representing Iowas youth. Tyler is also a BEASTS (Being Excellent and Staying Totally Safe) member, the Jones County Safe andHealthy Youth Coalitions youth advisory group. The press conference was sponsored by the IowaAlliance of Coalitions for Change (AC4C). The Jones County group was then recognized in theHouse of Representatives by Representative Lee Hein.

Underage Drinking Prevention Day on the Hill

Tyler Jeffrey speaking at the AC4C Press Conference Group Picture with the Jones County Representatives

To the right is a picture of Chris Branstadwith the adults and youth from Jones Countywho attended the Underage Drinking Preven-

tion Day on the Hill. Governor Branstadswife has taken up the cause of promoting sub-stance abuse prevention and treatment. ChrisBranstad also spoke at the press conference.

Wellness Message20 minutes Thats how long it takes for your body to

benefit from quitting smoking, says theMayo Clinic. Your blood pressure goesdown, your heart rate slows and your hands and feet get warmer as your circu-lation improves. In just 24 hours, your heart attack risk drops. After 48 hours,your senses of taste and smell improve.

ASAC Prevention Specialists, Curt Wheeler and AmyDoerrfeld, with Cedar Rapids Mayor Ron Corbett

Please go to www.getactivecr.com to make a pledge to help Cedar Rapids become a BlueZone Community.

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