At Least 6 More States Considering “Good Samaritan” Laws to Prevent Overdose Deaths

By Join Together Staff | February 25, 2014 | 2 Comments | Filed in Community Related, Drugs, Legislation & Prevention

At least six states are considering joining the 17 states that have passed “Good Samaritan” laws, designed to prevent drug overdose deaths. The laws grant limited immunity to people who seek help for someone who has overdosed, USA Today reports.

Maine, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Virginia are considering the measures, the newspaper notes.

In addition, 17 states have expanded access to the overdose antidote naloxone. The treatment, sold under the brand name Narcan, has been used for many years by paramedics and doctors in emergency rooms. It is administered by nasal spray. The medication blocks the ability of heroin or opioid painkillers to attach to brain cells. The U.S. Office of National Drug Control Policy says it is encouraging police departments to carry Narcan.

North Carolina and Oklahoma are among the states that have passed Good Samaritan laws with the support of conservative Republican legislators. The measures have the support of groups including the American Medical Association, American Public Health Association, the U.S. Conference of Mayors and the National Association of Drug Diversion Investigators.

Republicans spearheaded Good Samaritan and naloxone legislation in North Carolina last year. According to Robert Childs, Executive Director of the North Carolina Harm Reduction Coalition, since the naloxone legislation went into effect in April, there have been 45 documented cases of overdose reversals due to the use of naloxone. The coalition has dispensed more than 700 reversal kits in the past five months.

Maine Governor Paul LePage opposes the naloxone access bill under consideration in his state. He says making naloxone more available would encourage more drug use. He also vetoed a Good Samaritan bill last year.

More Must be Done to Prevent Prescription Drug Abuse in Military

By Join Together Staff | February 25, 2014 | Leave a comment | Filed inMilitary, Prescription Drugs & Prevention

The Department of Defense needs to do more to prevent prescription drug abuse among members of the military, according to a new government report. Some branches of the military are doing a better job than others in medication management policies, the report concluded.

The report, by the department’s Inspector General’s office, examined policies related to troops wounded in combat who are taking multiple medications, according to USA Today. The Army aggressively guards against “doctor shopping” and using the same prescription to obtain more medication than has been prescribed, the report notes. The Army closely monitors a soldier’s prescriptions when he or she is receiving four drugs, including one controlled substance.

The Navy’s medication management policies vary by location; in some locales, close monitoring occurs only when a sailor or Marine receives five controlled substances. “Medication management policies, especially for the high-risk patient population of wounded warriors, need to be standardized,” the report states.

The Pentagon should be more aggressive in seeking approval of the federal government in letting pharmacies take back unused medication from troops, the report recommends. “Take-back” programs are currently conducted only twice a year at military installations. “Wounded warriors did not have a reliable, safe, accessible and accountable method to dispose of medications that were no longer needed for treatment,” the report said. “As a result, wounded warriors may be at risk for overdose or misuse of unneeded medications that could result in unnecessary hospitalization and death.”

The Department of Defense responded that corrective steps are being taken, the article notes.

In 2010, almost 1,000 troops were hospitalized for drug overdoses, according to the report. In 2011, a survey of troops found one-fourth use pain medications.

Drunk Driving Crashes Reduced Since Drinking Age Was Raised to 21

By Join Together Staff | February 25, 2014 | Leave a comment | Filed inAlcohol, Legal, Legislation, Prevention & Young Adults

Raising the minimum drinking age to 21 has been associated with a reduced rate of drunk driving crashes among young Americans, according to a new review of studies.

The increased legal drinking age has also led to a reduction in other health threats associated with heavy drinking, including unsafe sex, suicide and dating violence, HealthDay reports.

In one study, researchers found 36 percent of U.S. college students said they had engaged in binge drinking (five or more drinks in one sitting) in the past two weeks in 2011, compared with 43 percent in 1988—the first year all states implemented a legal drinking age of 21. Among high school seniors, binge drinking decreased from 35 percent in 1988, to 22 percent in 2011.

The findings are published in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs.

“The evidence is clear that there would be consequences if we lowered the legal drinking age,” lead researcher William DeJong of Boston University School of Public Health, said in a journal news release. He called for increased enforcement of the legal drinking age, instead of lowering the age, to further decrease alcohol-related health threats among young adults. “Some people assume that students are so hell-bent on drinking, nothing can stop them. But it really is the case that enforcement works,” he said.

In 2008, a group of more than 100 U.S. university presidents and chancellors called for re-evaluating the legal drinking age, pointing to a hidden culture of heavy drinking among college students.

Good morning everyone,
This is a reminder that The Next Overdose Prevention and Education Advisory Board Meeting is this Wednesday!

Please note: If you have already RSVP’d, there is no need to RSVP again.

If you have not RSVP’d yet and are interested in attending, just follow the link below or simply reply to this email.

Wednesday February 26th

Time: 5:00pm - 6:30 pm

Location: Chancellor Center - Classroom #2

Council Rock Coalition for Healthy Youth

30 N. Chancellor St. Newtown, PA 18940

215-944-1006

Light food and beverages will be provided.

ALL SECTORS OF THE COMMUNITY ARE WELCOME AND ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND !
Please forward this open invite to your contacts!
Click here to RSVP !
You are invited to come out and find out what is being done in both Bucks County as well as state wide in response to overdose deaths and the increased use of opioid drugs. You are invited to be part of not only the conversation but learn how you can be part of the solution.
The Overdose Prevention and Education Advisory Board goals include but are not limited to:

· Educate others on the topic.

o Outreach and education creates partnerships that may then focus on other initiatives or strategies.

· Train members to facilitate Overdose Prevention and Education trainings.

· Promote awareness and encourage further action.

o Actions may include getting the word out and gaining support for legislative actions such as Senator Pileggis HB 1164 – good Samaritan Act.

Please feel free to David Fialko with any and all questions at 215-230-8218 x 3162

Click this link for more information- Unintentional Drug Overdoses: An unfortunate trend affecting all communities and what you can do.
This program is made possible by funding through the

Bucks County Drug Alcohol Commission, Inc.

Sincerely,
David Fialko, BS

Prevention Specialist

The Council of Southeast Pennsylvania, Inc.

252 West Swamp Rd. Unit 33, Doylestown, PA 18901

Office: 215-230-8218 x 3162

February 25 v 23 TWELVE STEPPING WITH POWER IN THE PROVERB

As surely as a north wind brings rain, so a gossiping tongue causes anger .

Step 10  -We continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong, promptly admitted it.

Out of all my defects of character , this is the one I struggle with most . What I have to try and do is mind my own business . I have to consider the person I am talking about ! Its called trust and once you lose it is almost impossible to earn it back .Someone told me your mouth is a cage and your teeth are bars so lock it up tight and just listen .

Jesus said I am the truth the life the way ,no one comes unto the father but through me . 

Like us on Facebook                      www.councilsepa.org               Follow us on Twitter       The Council and PRO-ACT are pleased to invite you to the William Way LGBT Community Center 1315 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107 (13th and Spruce Streets)   Wednesday evening, February 26, 2014 for a new showing of the feature documentary film about the 23.5 million Americans living in long-term recovery, and the emerging public recovery movement that will transform how alcohol and other drug problems are dealt with in our communities.    To view the trailer, click here  Doors open at 5:30 pm; Welcome and Expo Opportunities 6:00-6:30 pm; Film Begins at 6:30 pm followed by a Panel Discussion (8-9 pm) with the following  behavioral health and public policy experts: Roland Lamb, Director, Office of Addiction Services Philadellphia Department of Behavioral Health & Intellectual disAbility Services   Christopher Whitney, Public Health Professional Board of Directors, The Council of Southeast Pennsylvania, Inc.  Brooke M. Feldman, Community Outreach Coordinator Mental Health First Aid Unit, Dept. of Behavioral Health & Intellectual disAbility Services Fred Martin, Project Coordinator PRO-ACT Philadelphia Recovery Community Center    Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions of panelists Tickets You may purchase tickets in advance or at the door for the same price of $15 (thanks to our sponsors) Click here to purchase tickets now For sponsorship information email Michael Harper here  or call 215-345-6644, ext 3109 www.councilsepa.org