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Police in Suffolk County, New York, recently began offering high school students cash rewards for information about drug dealers. Police are guaranteeing the anonymity of all students that provide information. Some parents are upset about the new program, calling it an inappropriate enticement of their children, and that the program may be putting the kids in harm's way. Parent like Nick Nardone, however, support the program. A month ago, Mr. Nardone lost his 17-year-old to a heroin overdose. He says, "This heroin epidemic has to be fought ... you can't be soft on the issue." Police are encouraging students to call or text police if they know of anyone who may be selling heroin, cocaine, marijuana, or prescription drugs. All calls are confidential and students can earn up to $500 if a tip leads to the arrest of a drug dealer.

(Source: www.newsday.com)

Labels: new york, students

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Colby College hosted a speaker this week on the topic of college drinking. Robert Dana, vice president for student affairs at University of Maine at Orono, travels across the country speaking on the topic of alcohol abuse on college campuses. Dana commented, "I think alcohol and college students is a real problem everywhere. ... It's a societal problem. ... If we're going to effectively address it, we have to do something about it."

Dana believes that the problem is not easily solvable and requires collaboration by students, staff, law enforcement, substance-abuse professionals, and others. "You can't take a tremendously complicated public-health problem and wink and nod it away; you've got to embrace it."

The April 12th arrest of two intoxicated Colby students for assault and trespassing brought the issue of student drinking to the forefront. The college has instituted policies and procedures over the last several years which have resulted in decreasing numbers of alcohol-related arrests. Dana believes that talking, thinking, and acting on the issue are important for all colleges because alcohol and substance abuse extend far beyond the campus. "It allows us to be always engaging the subject, which is a major public health crisis in this country. The reality is, there are all sorts of things that cause substance-abuse problems, and we're living in a substance-abusing culture."

(Source: www.morningsentinel.mainetoday.com)

Labels: alcohol, college-drinking, drinking, students

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According to an article appearing this week in the Boston Globe, a disturbing number of students in rural Vermont are abusing alcohol, marijuana, and other drugs. Contrary to the state's idyllic image of pristine farmland and healthy living, concerns are growing regarding youth drug and alcohol abuse.

According to recent data from the United States Health and Human Service Department, Vermont had the highest and second-highest rates of teen alcohol use and binge drinking, respectively. These rankings also represent a significant increase as compared to data from 2005-2006, in which Vermonters were ranked eighth in those categories.

Locals believe that denial has played a large part in the fact that this problem has not been addressed sooner. Lori Augustyniak, executive director of the Cabot Coalition (a nonprofit organization against substance abuse), commented: "There's denial among all ages. ... The feeling is, we do live in this idyllic, wonderful place, and it's not possible that this is going on." (Source: www.boston.com)

Labels: underage-drinking, students

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School officials from Washoe County, Nevada managed to capture the attention of a roomful of teenagers with the debut of a documentary titled “The Truth About Prescription Drug Use and Abuse.”

“At the back of the room Thursday, Davy Jones and Cathy Bandoni, whose 15-year-old son, Austin died last year after an accidental methadone overdoes, watched the video, in which they talk about his passions and finding him dead. At one point, Jones and Bandoni left the auditorium in tears.” [Source: Reno Gazette-Journal]

During an interview later, Bandoni said she’s glad the film was done “by kids for kids,” believing it’s likely to have a greater impact. Surveys have shown that prescription drug abuse by teenagers increased from 10.1 percent in 2007 to over 14 percent last year.

 

Labels: prescription drugs, drug prevention, students, schools, awareness

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