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Wednesday, February 11, 2015
Drunk Driving Declining, Drugged Driving on the Rise: Government Report
February 10th, 2015/
Fewer Americans are driving drunk, but a growing number are driving under the influence of marijuana and other illegal drugs, according to a new government report.
Since 2007, the number of drivers testing positive for alcohol decreased by almost one-third, the Associated Press reports. The report, by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), found over the same period more than 15 percent of drivers tested positive for at least one illegal drug, compared with 12 percent in 2007. The number of drivers who tested positive for marijuana increased by almost 50 percent, from 8.6 percent in 2007 to 12.6 percent last year.
Mark Rosekind, who heads NHTSA, told the AP, “The rising prevalence of marijuana and other drugs is a challenge to everyone who is dedicated to saving lives and reducing crashes.”
Over the last two years, 22 percent of drivers tested positive for at least one drug that could affect safety, including illegal drugs, prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications.
During weekend nighttime hours, about 8 percent of drivers had some alcohol in their system, and 1.5 percent had a breath alcohol content of .08 percent or higher—the legal limit in every state.
A second survey conducted by NHTSA found people who use marijuana are more likely to be involved in accidents. The agency acknowledged the findings may be due in part to the demographics of marijuana users. Young men, who are at increased risk for vehicle crashes, are also more likely to use marijuana.
In a news release, NHTSA said it plans further research on drugged driving, including a roadside survey in Washington state, where recreational marijuana is legal. The agency will also conduct a simulator study with the National Institute on Drug Abuse to determine the driving behavior of people under the influence of drugs.
New Programs in Schools Aim to Fight Rising Abuse of Prescription Painkillers
February 10th, 2015/
Schools in two states are starting to use new programs designed to fight prescription painkiller abuse, Reuters reports. The programs, being rolled out in Illinois and Pennsylvania, are designed for middle school and high school students.
The programs’ developers say it is more effective to target painkillers, a narcotic of choice for teens, rather than emphasizing a more generalized anti-drug approach. They focus on the science of addiction instead of scare tactics, the article notes.
The programs face challenges, particularly in the area of funding. In 2011, money for the former Office of Safe and Drug Free Schools and Communities, which funded school prevention programs, was cut. Anti-drug programs have also fallen by the wayside as schools increasingly focus on academic testing. Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE), a prevention program that was widely used, has since been criticized in many evaluations for failing to prove effective in deterring drug use.
One of the new programs, Narcotics Overdose Prevention and Education (NOPE), teaches students how to recognize symptoms of a drug overdose. It emphasizes the importance of quickly seeking medical attention for a person who has overdosed. The program also teaches teens it is dangerous to use prescription drugs unless they are following a doctor’s orders.
Another program, called Heroin Prevention Education, uses interactive software based on the life of a teen who is recovering from addiction to heroin. The teen began abusing opioid painkillers after having his wisdom teeth extracted, and then moved on to using heroin.
Legislators in other states, including New York, New Jersey and Wisconsin, have proposed measures that would require public schools to educate students about opioid drug abuse.
Tuesday, February 10, 2015
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“Not only do we want to give up worry, but we must learn how to work our way out of problems. Worry is the antithesis of overcoming. We worry when the conditions overwhelm us. Overcoming is when we overwhelm the problems. Today I shall overcome all worry and will work my way out of my problems. I will overcome worry. And, forevermore, I shall say bon voyage to worry.” -February’s Reflections for Growth booklet by Jean Kirkpatrick, Ph. D.
“When you begin to worry, go find something to do. Get busy being a blessing to someone; do something fruitful. Talking about your problems or sitting alone, thinking about it, does no good; it serves only to make you miserable. Above all else, remember that worrying is totally useless. Worrying will not solve your problem.” -Joyce Meyer
“Our fatigue is often caused not by work, but by worry, frustration and resentment.”
-Dale Carnegie
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Statement #4, “Problems bother me only to the degree I permit them to.”
I now better understand my problems and do not permit problems to overwhelm me.
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BASIC STEPS IN PROBLEM SOLVING*
1. Identify the problem. Write down concrete observations about it. Can you break it into parts? The incorrect identification of a problem virtually assures that you won’t fix it. Don’t focus on other people, you can’t change them. You need to learn to cope with the problem yourself.
2. Generate Solutions. Many women see situations as black or white. There are usually more than two options---list a couple dozen of them! Consider every possible solution to your problem---even if unrealistic. If fleeing to Mexico is a solution, write it down.
3. Compare your options. Try your favorite one first, while taking into consideration the consequences. Perhaps you want to combine several. If none appeal to you, you may be seeking the perfect solution. Alas, there probably isn’t one that doesn’t require a tradeoff, so start weighing compromises to get unstuck.
4. Write out a detailed plan. Include everything you need to do to accomplish you goal, and establish dates for completing each step. Consider outside help. Keep your expectations realistic. If your problem involves changing your behavior in relationships, don’t expect others to respond right away.
5. Put your plan into action.
6. Check on yourself. In three or four weeks, evaluate how well your plan is working. If it isn’t, don’t feel you have failed---what you learn may help you identify the problem more precisely. Maybe you will find new options or see a more realistic view of what will work. Make another plan and keep trying.
*This is an excerpt from the WFS Workbook: Coping With Stress by Margaret Pruitt, Ph. D. This item may be purchased at: http://www.wfscatalog.org/
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Alcohol was my solution to just about every problem before my New Life. NO MORE. WFS continues to assist me in learning new avenues in identifying the problem and then putting action into finding and then coming to a conclusion. I learn, grow and feel competent and wiser with each problem solved.
I like and understand how Jean mentions, “Overcoming is when we overwhelm the problems.” Often times I have found myself stuck with a problem. Sometimes it may take time to figure out what the problem actually is and, on occasion, I need to determine if it belongs to me. Naming my feelings helps tremendously and I usually see a pattern beginning to develop in my thoughts or attitudes. Once I have reached this point, creativity can assist me in coming up with different solutions. I can honestly say that I have not once listed a couple dozen! (Although I have listed about 10 options.)
Reaching a solution comes easier for me today with action behind Statement #4. I no longer feel overwhelmed with worry and my attitude towards problems is shifting. I view worry as a welcome mat opening to wisdom!
Hugzzz, Karen
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Hi 4C Women,
WFS taught me to problem solve rather than remain in the worry phase; which is where I stayed most of the time. I also learned the difference between everything being a problem or worry and focus on those issues that truly needed attention. One of the best guidelines of WFS is that we do not give advice to others; instead, we share in how we resolved an issue. What a great learning tool in learning to listen, to again trust our instincts and share our outcome with others. We know our history better than anyone else and yet to be open to considering other solutions is part of the personal growth we can experience in an atmosphere of non-judgment and sharing. The “Basic Steps in Problem Solving” are just one of the great ways we encourage and support each other and ourselves on becoming responsible for our choices. -Dee
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Thank you, Karen and Dee, for your words of encouragement and inspiration to start off our week! ~Becky Fenner, WFS Director
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| Email: newlife@nni.com * Tel: 215-536-8026 * Fax: 215-538-9026 | ||||
| http://www.womenforsobriety. | ||||
Women for Sobriety, Inc.Saturday, February 7, 2015
February 7 CHAP 51 v 12 v 13 TWELVE STEPPING WITH STRENGTH FROM THE PSALMS
Restore to me the joy of your salvation,and make me willing to obey you .Then I will teach your ways to rebels , and they will return to you . ( GODS BIG BOOK )
Salvation - preservation or deliverance from harm, ruin, or loss. (GOOGLE)
Rebel- a person who rises in opposition or armed resistance against an established government or ruler.(GOOGLE)
STEP 12. Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these Steps, we tried to carry this message to people, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.
Spiritual Awakening- "God's quickening visitation of his people, touching their hearts and deepening his work of grace
in their lives." (J. I. Packer)
It is very important to know the meaning of these words and especially the term " Spiritual Awakening " ! If you look closely at the Psalm and the part that says make me willing to obey is a statement that speaks volumes . Also take a look at teach rebels your ways ! None of us are willing to obey God and live a life that is full of right living and peace. From the time of birth we rebel and go against the grain ,well at least I did. As I grew there was no way in hell you were gonna tell me what to do or how to get there .I was in every sense of the word a Rebel ,I even have a tattoo of a rebel skull to prove it . God uses our rebellion to teach us ,break us ,and shape us into the master pieces he has envisioned us to be . In my rebellion I discovered drugs and alcohol and that was adding a match to dynamite .My rebellion became insanity and once there my head and heart became stone and absolutely no one could tell me anything because , I knew everything .One day during a medical procedure I almost lost my Father and the pain and fear of that brought on my spiritual awakening God heard my tears and He touched my heart and broke me !Suddenly I realized my life was not about me it was about my family !The reality of the heartache and pain I caused them was dropped on me like a ton of bricks ! Though the first year of my recovery was hard and very painful , Gratitude became my attitude and humility became the way !
Ezekiel 12:2, "Son of man, thou dwellest in the midst of a rebellious house, which have eyes to see, and see not; they have ears to hear, and hear not: for they are a rebellious house. (GODS BIG BOOK) BY Joseph Dickerson
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