Public Health News for November 2011
Protect your Family from Carbon Monoxide (CO) Poisoning
According to the Center for Disease Control, carbon monoxide poisoning kills hundreds and makes thousands more sick every year. Carbon Monoxide is an invisible, odorless poisonous gas that can be produced by your gas and oil-burning furnaces. Other household items in-cluding portable generators, and charcoal grills produce this poison gas. To keep your family safe the CDC recommends:
- Have your furnace inspected every year.
- Install battery operated CO detectors near every sleeping area in your home.
- Check CO detectors regularly to be sure they are functioning properly.
- Never use a generator inside your home or garage, even if doors and windows are open.
- Only use generators outside, more than 20 feet away from your home, doors, and windows.
Drugged Driving and Traffic Fatalities
Compiled by Prevention Resource Center, a Program of Family Counseling Center &
a Missouri Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Funded Regional Support Center
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, one in three American drivers who were killed in motor vehicle crashes tested positive for drugs in 2009 (of those with known test results). That fatality rate in Missouri is over half. Roughly one in eight weekend, nighttime drivers test positive for illicit drugs, and nearly one in four (23%) of fa-tally injured drivers who test positive for drugs are under the age of 25 according to the office of National Drug Policy control. (Note: the term ―drugs‖ as used here does not include alcohol. It includes prescription drugs used for medical purposes, prescription drugs used for nonmedical purposes, and illicit drugs).
THE FACTS
From the National Highway Traffic Administration
- In 2009, narcotics and cannabinoids accounted for almost half of all positive results.
- The percentage of drivers who were killed in motor vehicle crashes who were subsequently tested and received positive results, increased from 28% in 2005 to 33% in 2009.
- Overall alcohol was involved in approximately one-third (34%) of all crashes involving fatally injured drivers, yet among drivers who tested positive for any drug, 48% also tested positive for alcohol.
- Overall, marijuana is the illegal drug most often detected in impaired drivers, fatally injured drivers, and motor vehicle crash victims. (National Institute on Drug Abuse)
- Marijuana use may double the risk for traffic crashes. (Epidemiologic Review. Doi:10.1093/epiev/mx017).
- Based on data from 2005 to 2009, over 2 out of every 5 fatally injured drivers who tested positive for marijuana were under the age of 25 (Office of National Drug Control Policy).
- Marijuana can impair a driver’s judgment, concentration, perception of time and speed, and ability to draw on information obtained from past experiences, skills essential for safe driving.
- The higher the level of cannabinoids found in the blood and the greater the frequency of use, the more driving skills are impaired and the more likely that the driver caused the crash.
- Research shows that impairment increases significantly when marijuana use is combined with alcohol. Studies have found that many drivers who test positive for alcohol also test positive for THC, making it clear that drinking and drugged driving are often linked behaviors.
- One in ten high school seniors self-reported that in the last two weeks they had driven a car after using marijuana.
- In 2009, the percentage of fatally injured drivers who were not tested for drugs was higher in Missouri than the national average (46% vs. 32%)
- In 2009, even though fewer fatally injured drivers were tested, the percentage of all fatally injured drivers who tested positive for drugs was higher in Missouri than the National average (27% vs. 18%).
- Missouri law requires evidence that a drug causes impairment to meet the standard of Driving Under the Influence of Drugs (DUID). It does not have a per se law, which allows prosecution for simply driving with the presence of drugs or metabolites in the body, either a specified level or with any level of detection. The exception to per se law in Missouri is for alcohol, which has a legal limit of .08 Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) for adults and .01 BAC for minors. Per se laws limiting any detectible level of alcohol (for minors) or for illegal drugs are often referred to as Zero Tolerance or ZT laws.
Recommendations from the Office of National Drug Control Strategy in order to Reduce Drugged Driving
- Encourage states to adopt Per Se drug impairment laws.
- Collect further data on drugged driving.
- Enhancing prevention of drugged driving by educating communities and professionals. Provide increased training to law enforcement on identifying drugged drivers.
- Develop standard screening methodologies for drug-testing labs to use in detecting the presence of drugs.
How to Intervene to Stop Bullying: Tips from Health Resources Services Administration
Bullying is aggressive behavior that is persistent, intentional, and involves an imbalance of power or strength. Children and youth who are bullied need clear messages of support from adults. Although we want children to be strong and assertive so that they can stand up to kids who bully, adults must realize that many children aren’t ready to do this. Adults play critical roles in helping students who are bullied and in creating a healthy, safe climate in your school and community. As adults we may feel uncertain about how to handle bullying when we see or hear it happening. If the situation is not handled properly, we could end up promoting rather than reducing bullying. When you see or hear bullying:
- Immediately stop the bullying: Stand between the child or children who bullied and those who were bullied, preferably blocking eye contact between them. Don’t send any student away—especially bystanders. Don’t immediately ask about or discuss the reason for the bullying or try to sort out the facts.
- Refer to the bullying behavior and to the relevant school rules against bullying. Use a matter-of-fact tone of voice to state what behaviors you saw/heard. Let students know that bullying is unacceptable and against school rules (e.g., ―Calling someone names is bullying and is against our school rules, Or ―That was bulling. I won’t allow students to push or hurt each other that way).
- Support the bullied child in a way that allows him or her to regain self-control, to ―save face, and to feel supported and safe from retaliation. Make a point to see the child in private if he or she is upset, but don’t ask what happened at the time of the incident. It can be very uncomfortable to be questioned in front of other students. Let his or her teacher know what happened so that they may provide additional support and protection. Increase supervision to assure that the bullying is not repeated and does not escalate.
- If appropriate, impose immediate consequences for students who bully others. Let students who bully know that you will be watching them and their friends closely to be sure that there is no retaliation. Notify colleagues. Provide follow-up as needed.
For the entire Stop Bullying Now! Take a Stand. Lend A Hand Resource Kit, visit: www.stopbullyingnow.hrsa.gov.
WIC Clinic Schedule January and February 2012
| We will be doing certifications, re-certifications, and nutrition education each day. Listen to KWRT 1370 AM for cancellations due to inclement weather. Or, call Dorothy after 9:00 a.m. (660)882-2626. |
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