Why 21?

A spate of recent articles in The Lawrence Journal World have sparked heated discussion throughout the state of Kansas and nationwide. More than 100 colleges have come together under the umbrella of the Amethyst Initiative to suggest a dialogue on lowering the minimum drinking age from 21 to 18.

We commend KU for not joining the Amethyst Initiative. There is no evidence that lowering the drinking age will reduce binge drinking or other risky behaviours. In fact, the minimum 21 drinking age law has been heralded as one of the most effective public safety laws ever passed. It is also one of the nation's most examined laws, with countless studies that have been conducted to measure the law's effectiveness--all of which have come to the same conclusion: this law saves lives.

Alcohol-related fatalities and injuries have decreased, saving 900 lives per year as estimated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 17,000 Americans are alive and well today thanks to the adoption of this law by all states in 1988--that's more than enough to pack Allen Fieldhouse to the rafters. Youth drinking rates have also declined since 1988. Binge drinking has decreased 15% among high school seniors. A look at all the research between 1960 and 2000 shows that the minimum 21 drinking age laws decrease underage consumption of alcohol.

For a complete fact sheet on "Why 21" please visit our DCCCA website. History of the law, research and statistics, and responses to many common objections to the law (i.e. age of military service) are included.

For Journal-World articles visit:

http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2008/aug/20/ku_abstains_effort_lower_drinking_age/
http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2008/aug/19/should_drinking_age_be_lower/

What's the Number One Reason Teens Use Drugs?

Stress. According to new data released by the Partnership for a Drug-Free America, stress has overtaken 'to feel cool' and 'to have fun' as the top reason teens say they use drugs. Although overall teen drug use is declining, prescription drug abuse is rising at an allarming rate. Up to 1 in 5 teens has abused a prescription medication, and 41% think it is safer to abuse a prescription drug than an illegal drug.

If you're concerned about how stress in your child's life, please attend Parents University in Troy on August 25th. Experts in youth development will be speaking on the topic of kids and stress.

For more information about the 2007 PDFA survey results visit their website at:

www.drugfree.org

Teen Marijuana Use in Douglas County Exceeds State Rates

Substance abuse among youth is a growing concern in Douglas County. Read more about the issues we face, and the latest efforts to treat teens who have already started abusing drugs and alcohol:

http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2008/jul/28/substance_abuse_growing_concern/

Free University!

The Doniphan County Interagency Coaltion is proud to announce its second annual Parents University. This free event open to parents, grandparents, and professionals will be held August 25th at Troy Elementary School from 6:00-8:30 p.m. Please join us for an evening devoted to learning more about kids and stress. Free child care and dinner will be provided, as well as door prizes including gas cards. For more details see the PU Flyer, link below:


http://www.dccca.org/documents/DoniphanCoParentsUniversity.PDF

Take Action Against Beer Ads in the NCAA

Taken from the Center for Science in the Public Interest's Take Action website:

Since 2005, 348 institutions of higher education — including Arizona State, Ohio State, Texas Tech, and the Universities of Florida, Minnesota, and Nebraska — and 16 athletic conferences have endorsed the Campaign for Alcohol-Free Sports TV’s “College Commitment” pledge to work toward eliminating beer advertising during televised college sports.

That pledge essentially asks that the NCAA live up to the intent of its own policies on advertising. The NCAA’s advertising and promotional standards on their face plainly “exclude those advertisements and advertisers...that do not appear to be in the best interests of higher education and student-athletes.” NCAA advertising rules specifically prohibit ads for cigarettes, other tobacco products, organizations promoting gambling, and alcoholic beverages, yet they permit ads for beverages with alcohol content of 6% or less (beer)!

Please take a moment to send a quick message to NCAA President Myles Brand urging the Association to take a leadership role to remove all alcohol advertising from televised NCAA sporting contests. This action would support college administrators’ efforts to help reduce alcohol-related problems, send a consistent message to college students and other young people about the impact of underage and excessive drinking on their health and well-being, and conform to general NCAA advertising policies.

http://takeaction.cspinet.org/campaign/attn_myles_brand

Make a Dinner Date with Your Daughter

A new study released by the University of Minnesota finds that middle-school girls who eat with their families at least five times a week are much less likely to use alcohol, tobacco or marijuana five years later. Even girls who reported they had a less-than-perfect relationship with their parents were half as likely to engage in substance abuse if they had a regular family meal.

For tips and tools on how to engage your kids around the table:

http://casafamilyday.org/familyday/
http://www.kansasfamily.com/GetInvolved-FamilyDay.cfm

For a full article summary please visit:

http://www.jointogether.org/news/research/summaries/2008/family-meals-have-greater.html

Join Us at the Atchison County Fair!

July 22-25 the Atchison County Dream Team will be at the Atchison County Fair in Effingham, in the big blue building. Stop by our booth for great giveaways from the prevention center including hypercolor pencils and cups! Learn more about what the Dream Team is doing in Atchison and get to know some of our members.

For more information about the fair please visit:

http://www.atchisoncountyfair.com/