2007 May - Metropolitan Drug Commission
Transcription
2007 May - Metropolitan Drug Commission
Alert May 2007 Metropolitan Drug Commission A PUBLICATION OF NEWS AND EVENTS Metropolitan Drug Commission releases 2007 Community Statsbook at local substance abuse seminar The highly anticipated fourth edition of the Community Statsbook was released at the Metropolitan Drug Commission’s seminar Not in My Backyard! A comprehensive look at local substance abuse. The May 3rd event was co-sponsored by the University of Tennessee Law Enforcement Innovation Center and held at the Community Law Office. Metropolitan Drug Commission Epidemiologist Stephanie Armbrister presented highlights of local drug use and substance abuse treatment within the community. A panel of experts followed answering audience questions regarding the newly released data and offered personal insight into substance abuse in Knox County. Panel members included: Dr. Kip Wenger—ER Medical Director, University of Tennessee Medical Center; Mark Miller—Deputy Director, Knox County Health Department; Dr. Roger Nooe—Director, Office to Implement the 10 Year Plan to End Chronic Homelessness; Hilde Phipps—Asst. Director of Addiction Services, Helen Ross McNabb; Chief Gus Paidousis—Deputy Chief, Knoxville Police Department; Lt. Chris Holloway—Knox County Sheriff’s Office; Darrell Smith—Knox County Juvenile Court; Marty Iroff—Knox County Schools; and Dr. Kathy Brown—Knox County Health Department. Abuse of pain Everyone in attendance received a copy of the Community Statsbook. The Metropolitan medications like Drug Commission’s goal in creating the hydrocodone and Community Statsbook was to shed light on important issues and allow needed data to be Oxycontin is both easily accessible and comprehensive for the entire community. Government agencies “absolutely, and non-profits can greatly benefit from these data to justify the need for grant money in unequivocally their applications. With this latest Community Statsbook, the Metropolitan Drug rampant,” Commission and similar agencies can according to Dr. pinpoint exactly “where” we are and prioritize areas of need so as to most efficiently allocate Kip Wenger resources and spot trends to target them before they become a major problem. Contents of the Community Statsbook include: patterns of alcohol use; patterns of drug use; substance abuse treatment; substance abuse and morbidity; substance abuse and mortality; law enforcement regulation of alcohol and other drugs; and substance abuse and homelessness. One issue that came to light at the forum, was the abuse of prescription drugs. Abuse of pain medications like hydrocodone and Oxycontin is “absolutely, unequivocally rampant,” according to Dr. Kip Wenger, medical director at the University of Tennessee Medical Center emergency room. “The diversion, misuse, and abuse of prescription medications is an increasing problem with significant societal implications. Anything we can do to document the extent of the problem and educate both patients and providers about the issues is of huge public health benefit.” The Community Statsbook can be viewed online at the Metropolitan Drug Commission’s website www.metrodrug.org under “Local Statistics.” For more information, contact the Metropolitan Drug Commission at (865) 588-5550. The 2007 Community Statsbook can be accessed at the Metropolitan Drug Commission's website www.metrodrug.org. under the "Local Statistics" link. Community Statsbook: Highlight on Substance Abuse Treatment Important treatment outcomes were collected during preparations of the 2007 Community Statsbook. What is the most common type of treatment sought? According to the Annual Outcomes Evaluation Reports of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Treatment in Knox County, Tennessee Fiscal Year 2005-2006, the most common type of treatment received by individuals in Knox County was residential (48.7%). Of those residential treatment clients, the male to female ratio was 60% to 40% respectively. When did clients start abusing drugs? Among individuals in Knox County was residential, 63.5% began using substances at age 17 or younger--supporting the theory that early prevention is crucial. Three out of four of these treatment clients also reported that they had a family member who is or was an abuser--most commonly this was a parent. How long did clients wait to receive treatment? Another point of concern was the percentage of clients who waited to receive treatment: 63.5% waited for treatment and 50% waited 15 days or more prior to receiving treatment. Clients who spent 181 days or more in treatment were least likely to relapse; however, the average number of days individuals in Knox County stayed in treatment was 31 to 60 days (23.8%). According to Hilde Phipps, Assistant Director of Addiction Services at CenterPointe Adult Services, a division of Helen Ross McNabb, “we cannot keep clients as long as they need to be kept because we have waiting lists of 18 to 20 weeks for residential treatment sessions.” This identifies a possible reason the time spent in treatment is often less than desired among clients who seek treatment in Knox County. What about domestic violence? Clients who reported committing domestic violence dropped from 11.6% at admission to 0% at follow-up, an encouraging decline. Similarly, another positive feature of treatment was identified regarding health. More than 4 out of 5 clients who sought treatment in Knox County reported an improvement in their physical health following treatment. For more information, contact Stephanie Armbrister at (865) 588-5550. _______________________________________________________ Figure 1: Abstinence Rates by Days in Treatment. Source: Annual Outcomes Evaluation Reports of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Treatment in Knox County, Tennessee Fiscal Year 2005-2006. MAY 2007 PAGE 2 PRIDE Team "kicks butts" Every day, more than 4,000 kids try their first cigarette; another 1,000 kids become addicted smokers, one- third of whom will die prematurely as a result. On Weds. March 28th, the Fulton High School PRIDE Team joined thousands of teens across the country to take part in Kick Butts Day, a nationwide initiative to stop youth tobacco use. The PRIDE Team displayed the common household ingredients found in tobacco products and second-hand smoke. SGT Kelly Copeland with the TN National Guard set up lung kits to demonstrate tobacco’s devastating effects on a smoker. Through this drug education outreach project, the PRIDE Team sent two important messages: (1) they wanted their peers to be aware of the harmful ingredients found in tobacco products; and (2) they wanted their elected leaders to do more to protect them from tobacco. For more information about the Fulton High School PRIDE Team or to offer financial support, contact Tyra Haag at 588-5550 or Terry Templin at 594-1240. Fulton PRIDE Team promotes Alcohol Awareness month In an on-going effort to keep students safe and alcohol free, the Knoxville Police Department hosted the sixth annual Prom Challenge, Thurs. April 5 at West High School. In celebration of April as Alcohol Awareness Month, members of the Fulton High School PRIDE Team jumped right in to help make the event a successful one. The focus of the event was to educate area youth in a fun and inviting atmosphere about the dangers of underage drinking and driving under the influence. The Metropolitan Drug Commission’s Prevention Theatre production Menace, a drama about the social, health and legal consequences of underage drinking, was the feature film. The poignant part of the evening occurred during Knoxville native Blake McMeans’ keynote speech. Blake was a tennis phenomenon with plans to play for UT before going pro. On a cold November night in 1994, after a night of drinking, Blake made the tragic decision to drive himself home. Blake made it to the road his family lived on, but hit a tree and was left paralyzed. PRIDE Team members played an important role with all aspects of the event that included: setting up an impairment obstacle course, serving Buddy’s Bar-B-Q and cleaning up after the event was over. Other educational activities included a mini-driving course using golf carts and Fatal Vision goggles, field sobriety tests and the Metropolitan Drug Commission’s game show “Wheel of Misfortune.” SGT Kelly Copeland shows the damaging effects of a smoker's lungs. Make Knox Co. parks safer-volunteer as a Park Vol Congratuations to Knox County Parks and Recreation for receiving an CHIEF JERRY HARNISH at East and Knox Parks Association! The Four Star award from the Tennessee Recreation County Elementary Award recognized the Park Vols Program as the best new program in the state. Park Vols is a volunteer-based alert system for the county that allows frequent park-goers the opportunity to play a more significant role in the safety and preservation of area parks. Park Vols keep parks clean, help with park improvement projects and provide information to park visitors. What really makes this program special is the decrease in vandalism and crime due to the Park Vols presence. Monitoring parks is an effective strategy to reduce crime, drug use and illegal trafficking. There are 45 parks in Knox County totaling nearly 19,000 acres. The following parks are in urgent need of Park Vols: Melton Hill, Solway, Carter, East Knox, Forks of the River, Maloney Road, Nicholas Bell, Beverly and Marine. For more information about Knox County Parks & Recreation, visit www.knoxcounty.org/parks. Anyone with a caring heart may volunteer as a Park Vol by contacting Ola Cole at (865) 215-6600. All volunteers will be trained and will receive Park Vols t-shirts. The Park Vols Program is sponsored by Wal-Mart and the Knox County Sheriff's Department. Park Vols make Knox County parks safer for everyone! A few weeks later the PRIDE Team sponsored a mock crash demonstration at Fulton High School. PRIDE Team members made signs with messages that read “It’s illegal,” “We want you back,” “Stay sober,” “Don’t drink,” “Permanent brain damage sucks,” and “Parents who host lose the most.” Statistics show that traffic deaths among teens during typical prom season weekends (April through May) are higher than any other time of year. According to a 2004 National Institute on Drug Abuse study, more than 94 percent of 12th-graders, 84 percent of 10th-graders and 65 percent of eighth-graders reported alcohol is “very easy” or “fairly easy” to get, and a recent American Medical Association poll showed that adults are the most common source of alcohol for teens. For more information about the Fulton High School PRIDE Team or to offer financial support, contact Tyra Haag at 588-5550 or Terry Templin at 594-1240. PRIDE Team members encircle the wrecked car donated by KPD. PRIDE Team members with keynote speaker Blake McMeans. MAY 2007 PAGE 3 Reach Out Now: Talk to a 5th grader about alcohol For the third year, the Metropolitan Drug Commission and community leaders recently provided elementary schools with a program entitled Reach Out Now: Talk to a 5th Grader about Alcohol. Students learned ways to make healthy decisions about drinking and alternative activities to underage drinking. They also saw how alcohol affects brain development by adding rubbing alcohol to egg yolks with medicine droppers provided by the Knox County Health Department. The program curriculum was developed by the partnership established by SAMHSA, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and Scholastic Inc. WIVK's Jack Ryan and Wyvick the Frog at West View Elementary. Covenant Health's Missy Kane at West Haven Elementary. Local actor Jarron Vosburg at Christenberry Elementary. Study finds link between depression and first use of alcohol or drugs Youths who faced depression in the past year were twice as likely as those who did not have depression to take their first drink or use drugs for the first time, according to a new report by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Rural Metro's Kurt Weiger at Gap Creek Elementary. The NSDUH Report, Depression and the Initiation of Alcohol and Other Drug Use among Youths Aged 12 to 17, showed that in 2005 2.2 million youths experienced a major depressive episode in the past year. A major depressive episode is defined as a period of two weeks or longer during which there is depressed mood or loss of interest or pleasure and at least four other symptoms that reflect a change in functioning, such as problems with sleep, eating, energy, concentration and self-image. WATE's Tearsa Smith at Lonsdale Elementary. Drug Alert: Spykes The recent controversy about Anheuser-Busch’s “Spykes” energy drinks has prompted grassroots advocacy as well as broader concerns about mixing alcohol and energy drinks. Sold in pocket-sized bottles and containing 12 percent alcohol, Spykes is being marketed as an additive for beer and other alcoholic beverages. Critics see the product’s bright packaging and fruity flavors — Spicy Lime, Hot Chocolate, Spicy Mango, and Hot Melons — as a blatant attempt to market the product to children. Spykes are designed to be consumed on their own, or to add sweetness (and additional alcohol) to beers. The Anheuser-Busch site, which has no age-verification system for users, also provides cocktail recipes as well as teen-friendly accessories like Instant Messaging icons and cell phone ringtones. Spykes cost 75 cents to $1 each. Spykes are also fortified with caffeine, ginseng, and guarana—ingredients typically associated with energy drinks that are popular with young people. Health officials have expressed concern that caffeinated alcoholic beverages can give young people the impression that they can drink more without becoming intoxicated or that the prospect of driving after drinking might seem safer. Among youths who had not used alcohol before, 29.2 percent of those who faced depression took their first drink in the past year, while 14.5 percent of youths who did not have a major depressive episode took their first drink. And 16.1 percent of youths who faced depression and had not previously used illicit drugs began drug use; in contrast, 6.9 percent of youths who did not have a major depressive episode began drug use. The rates of first-time use for specific drugs, such as marijuana, cocaine, heroin, hallucinogens, inhalants, and non-medical use of prescription drugs, showed a similar association between past year depression and drug initiation. The rates of drug initiation were higher for youths who reported depression in the past year than for those who did not. ”Recognizing depression early and helping youths receive appropriate help may prevent substance use,” said Terry Cline, Ph.D., SAMHSA Administrator. While 8.8 percent of youths overall reported depression in the past year, the rate grew gradually with age. Among 12-year-olds, 4.3 percent had faced depression in the past year, but the percentage climbed to 11.9 percent of 17-year-olds. Among young women, the rate of depression was triple that for young men, 13.3 percent vs. 4.5 percent. Rates across racial/ethnic groups were similar. The NSDUH Report: Depression and the Initiation of Alcohol and Other Drug Use among Youths Aged 12 to 17 is available at http://oas.samhsa.gov/2k7/newUserDepression/newUserDepression.cfm. Copies may be obtained free of charge by calling 1-877-SAMHSA-7 (1877-726-4727). Request inventory number NSDUH07-0503. Metropolitan Drug Commission Non-Profit Org. P.O. Box 53375 Knoxville, TN 37950-3375 Phone: 865.588.5550 Fax: 865.588.0891 US Postage Paid Knoxville, TN Alert This project is funded under an agreement with TCCY www.metrodrug.org VISIT OUR WEBSITE for information about starting or maintaining a Drug-free Workplace Program; parent resources; treatment options; general drug descriptions, including warning signs and effects; and local and national research about drug use. Permit #940 MAY 2007 Announcements The East Tennessee Council on Children and Youth will present “Early and Adolescent Brain Development and the Effects of Child Abuse” on May 23, 2007 from 10 am to 3 pm at the Knox Co. Public Defender’s Office (1101 Liberty Ave.) Lecturers include Dr. Jon Ebert (Vanderbilt University Medical Center), Dr. Carolyn Stinnett (Knox Co. Family Resource Center) and Tim Perry (Children and Youth Services Bristol/Johnson City). Registration is $10. For more information contact Robert E. Smith at (865) 594-6658 or [email protected]. Symposium for the Advancement of Family Therapy will host Context & Connection: Transforming Life Narratives Sept. 24-25, 2007 at the Knoxville Airport Hilton. Instructor Monica McGoldrick, Ph.D. will conduct the event. Cost is $195. To register, contact Margaret Fuqua at (865) 688-0163 or [email protected]. Attendees will receive 12 credit hours. The Metropolitan Drug Commission now offers the link to Join Together’s online drug-screening tool. The tool asks users to answer questions about past and present drug use. Users then receive feedback about the risks of their drug use, and advice about when and where to seek more information, evaluation and help. Visit www.metrodrug.org and click “Drug Screening.” September 25 October 23 November 27 December 18 Join our efforts! Would you like to become a community leader in youth substance abuse prevention? Join the DrugFree Community Coalition. The coalition meets from 121 p.m. on the 4th Tuesday of every month at the Knox County Health Department Community Room (140 Dameron Ave, Knoxville, TN 37917.) Participation can increase knowledge of substance abuse and the tough issues our young people are facing today. If you would like to join our efforts, contact Aneisa McDonald at (865) 588-5550 or [email protected]. The remaining 2007 meeting dates are below: May 22 June 26 July 24 August 28 MDC in Action PAGE 4 Treatment Referrals Prevention Materials & Resources Website Hits During the fourth quarter (January - March), the MDC serviced the community by providing: 121 2,851 234,981 2006-2007 MDC Board of Directors Terry Upshaw Morgan Pam Moultry Suzan Puhl Murphy General Randy Nichols Dr. Roger Nooe Chief Sterling Owen, IV Mayor Mike Ragsdale Councilwoman Marilyn Roddy Carol Scott Hon.Tony Stansberry Public Defender Mark Stephens Commissioner Tank Strickland Charles W. Swanson Dr. Donna Wright Tim Wright, Chair John Gill, Vice Chair Russ Jensen, Treasurer Karl Keierleber, Secretary Debbie Boles Ashley Carrigan LaQuisha Carter Hon. Bruce Guyton Charles K. Hannon, Jr. Mayor Bill Haslam Shobhna Hassanadka Mary Lou Horner Sheriff Tim Hutchison Hon. Tim Irwin Mark Jones Dr. Parinda Khatri Nancy Merritt Dick Moran C OMMISSION Metropolitan Drug Commission P.O. Box 53375 Knoxville, TN 37950-3375 Phone: 865.588.5550 Fax: 865.588.0891 www.metrodrug.org To submit an announcement or article to the Metropolitan Drug Commission’s ALERT, please call (865) 588-5550. RUG METROPOLITAN D A PUBLICATION OF NEWS AND EVENTS Metropolitan Drug Commission MAY 2007