Yates Substance Abuse Coalition
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Mission

To engage, advocate, inform, and bring awareness of alcohol and other substance abuse issues through education, prevention, enforcement, and treatment to build a healthy, safe, and substance abuse free community

Contact Information
Council On Alcoholism
624 W. Washington Street
Geneva, NY 14456
315.789.0310    
​
[email protected] 

Combat Heroin
Addicted ?
To Call for HELP
1-833-4FLACRA
(1-833-435-2272)
Toll Free Call!

24/7 Availability for all persons in need
Immediate Response Team Serving Ontario and Yates counties

Calendar of Events

Meeting Time
3rd Wednesday of the month at the Penn Yan United Methodist Church, 166 Main St., Penn Yan, NY   from 3:00 - 4:00
Picture
Facebook Page
Visit our Facebook page there is a link at the top of the page or you can Click Here


Rural Finger Lakes County Strugles to Find Resources to Combat Opioid Epidemic
By BRETT DAHLBERG • MAR 7, 2019
For five rural counties around the Finger Lakes, FLACRA is the only provider of certain state-sanctioned treatments for opioid use disorder. On a per capita basis, those counties have some of the highest death rates due to opioid overdose in New York state.
Click Here for the entire story and Streaming Audio of the interview. 

Opioid Awareness PSA: See the Signs, Save a Life: Video

News

SIMPLE STEPS TO SAFE MEDICINE STORAGE

​Nearly 9 in 10 parents agree that it’s important to store medicine up high and out of reach of children after every use, but nearly 7 in 10 report that they aren’t actually doing so. Watch our new video, made with the support of Johnson & Johnson Consumer, Inc. to see what it means to put medicine out of reach and sight and for more tips to protect kids at home. 
​
Click Here to view a great video to protect kids

Unite To Face Addition Rally
(Written by: Partnership for a Drug-Free Kids)
On Sunday, October 4, we joined 25,000 individuals and advocacy organizations for the UNITE to Face Addiction Rally on the National Mall in Washington D.C. It was a powerful, historic gathering that brought together people, communities and organizations to face addiction and stand up for recovery.

Through this first-of-its-kind event, we were able to collect signatures in support of the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act, (S.524/H.R.953) legislation that would increase addiction prevention, treatment and recovery services. We also asked members of the crowd to share their personal stories and took photos of their written responses, as part of our #howmanyfamilies photo campaign.


Thank you for your ongoing support and stay tuned for more updates from the Partnership’s advocacy team. Together, we are working to end addiction in America.

​Watch our video capturing the spirit of the UNITE to Face Addiction event!
UDETC News Letter
The Underage Drinking Enforcement Training Center (UDETC) at the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation (PIRE) is pleased to bring you the latest edition of our Resource Alert. To view the news letter Click Here

Questions and Answers
1. What do heroin addicts typically do with stolen ID’s?
As answered by Lieutenant Scott Backer:  The only type of ID crimes we are seeing in Yates county involving  addicts are:

 1.       Stolen checks that are then forged and cashed to buy drugs.
 2.       Stolen ATM and credit cards.

2. Who does heroin affect?   
Jackie Shrader answered:  Heroin effects the user and EVERYONE in close relationship to him/her. That includes family,   friends, teammates, co-workers, neighbors---virtually everyone with whom they have contact. 

3. Why  isn’t any amount (of heroin) considered a felony?    
Answered by Lieutenant Scott Backer:  Contrary to the popular belief that we send people to prison for    possessing a small amount of marihuana, the truth is we are not even sending people who possess heroin to prison. New York State Penal Law section 220.03, makes Criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree, possession of up to half an ounce (~14 grams) of heroin, a class A misdemeanor. The only way this will change is if pressure is put on the legislature in Albany to change the law. 

4.  Do you have to give your name when you call the hotline or tips? As answered by Lieutenant Scott Backer:   No. Callers to the tip line at (315) 536-5558 may remain anonymous. People can also email me directly at [email protected] . It should be understood that an anonymous tip, while useful for developing more information, cannot be used for probable cause. Many people are under the false impression that once we receive an anonymous tip, we can then use that tip to obtain a search warrant or base other legal process on that tip. While the information is appreciated, people who are willing to give written statements are always better.

 5. If an addicted person wants to stop using, what is the first step they should take to get help?  
Answered by Jackie Shrader- People who want to stop using have options:   
a) ask their sponsor (AA, NA) or a family member or friend to stay with them to keep them safe until they reach treatment. It is unsafe physically & psychologically in many circumstances to go through withdrawal without professional supervision during the process.

b) call a treatment agency, present at an ER, present at a detox center.

 Sue Wager answered:  I would stress that the most important step is to tell someone. That person can help you decide in which direction you want to go and even help you to navigate the referral process.   

6. What are your comments on the legalization of marijuana? 
Answered by Jackie Shrader : Marijuana is a gateway drug that  leads to use of even more dangerous substances. So, legalizing it will 'up the anty' in terms of the danger level of drugs that will replace it as a gateway. 
Pregnancy and Marijuana Use
Publication by: March of Dimes
Below is a link to this article.
pregnancy-e-cigarettes_and_marijuana-effects-1-2019.pdf
File Size: 238 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Question and Answer 
From the question boxes at PYA and PYMS

Question: HOW TO HELP YOURSELF WITH YOUR DRUG ADDICTION?
You don't recover from an addiction by stopping using. You recover by creating a new life where it is easier to not use. 
You don't have to change everything in your life. But there are a few things and behaviors that have been getting you into trouble, and they will continue to get you into trouble until you let them go. The more you try to hold onto your old life in recovery, the less well you will do.

Avoid High-Risk Situations

Some common high-risk situations are described by the acronym, HALT:

Hungry Angry Lonely Tired
How do you feel at the end of the day? You're probably hungry because you haven't eaten well. You're probably angry because you've had a tough day at work or a tough commute home. You may feel lonely because you're isolated. You don't have to be physically alone to feel lonely. And you're tired. That's why your strongest cravings usually occur at the end of the day.

Here's another way of looking at high-risk situations.  You need to change:
People. (People who you use with or who are related to your use. People who you have conflicts with, and who make you want to use. People who you celebrate with by using. People who encourage you to use either directly or indirectly.) Places. (Places where you use or where you get your drugs or alcohol.) Things. (Things that remind you of your using.) Coping Skills Two important coping skills for recovery:  The ability to relax and manage stress; the ability to change negative thinking.

Recovery requires complete honesty. You must be one-hundred percent completely honest with the people who are your supports: your family, your doctor, your therapist, the people in your 12 step group, and your sponsor. If you can't be completely honest with them, you won't do well in recovery.  When you're completely honest you don't give your addiction room to hide. When you lie you leave the door open to relapse. Recovery isn't about one big change. It's about lots of little changes.           

(https://www.addictionsandrecovery.org/)
NEED HELP?  Call Alcohol/Addictions Crisis Center:  FLACRA, 28 E. Main Street, Clifton Springs, NY  
(315) 462-7070


How to Help Minimize the Risks of IV Drug Use
Partnership for Drug-Free Kids Drugfree.org 

One of the outcomes of the current opioid epidemic is an increased rate of intravenous (IV) drug use — meaning directly injecting opioids or other substances into a vein. It’s a practice that layers risk on top of risk. Yet unfortunately, simply knowing the risks isn’t an effective deterrent, nor a bridge to addiction treatment.

It’s important to understand how and why IV drug use may become a factor when someone is struggling with opioid use (including heroin, fentanyl and most prescription pain relievers). We've put together a series of four videos (approx. 3 minutes each) that will help explain the relationship between opioid addiction and IV drug use, so that you can help your son or daughter can get the support and treatment they need.

VIDEO ONE: How Opioid Addiction Can Lead to IV Use


VIDEO TWO: How IV Use Creates Additional Risk

VIDEO THREE: How to Spot the Signs of IV Use

VIDEO FOUR: How to Help a Loved One
 
Watch the Full Video Series Now
​Underage Drinking Myths Versus Fact
812363HHS Pub SMA-18-4299 First printed 2008. Revised 2018.
You probably see and hear a lot about alcohol—from TV, movies, music, social media,
and your friends. But what are the real facts? Here are some common myths and facts
about alcohol use. 

Click on the PDF for the rest of the Article
Underage Drinking Myths vs Facts-4-19-18.pdf
File Size: 1287 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Why Teens Try Drugs and Alcohol 
There is no single reason why teenagers use drugs or alcohol. But here are some of the core issues and influences behind the behavior of teenage drug and alcohol use.

It’s important that you, as a parent, understand these reasons and talk to your kids about the dangers of drinking and using drugs.
  1. Other People — Teenagers see lots of people consuming various substances. They see their parents and other adults drinking alcohol, smoking cigarettes and, sometimes, trying other substances. Also, a teenager’s social scene often revolves around drinking and smoking marijuana. Sometimes friends urge one another to have a drink or smoke pot, but it’s just as common for teens to start trying a substance because it’s readily available and they see all their friends enjoying it. In their minds, they see drug use as a part of the normal teenage experience.
  2. Popular Media — Forty-five percent of teens agree with the statement: “The music that teens listen to makes marijuana seem cool.” And 45 percent of teens agree with the statement “Movies and TV shows make drugs seem like an ok thing to do.” (PATS 2012) So be aware of the media that your son or daughter is consuming and talk to them about it.
  3. Escape and Self-Medication — When teens are unhappy and can’t find a healthy outlet for their frustration or a trusted confidant, they may turn to chemicals for solace. Depending on what substance they’re using, they may feel blissfully oblivious, wonderfully happy or energized and confident. The often-rough teenage years can take an emotional toll on children, sometimes even causing depression, so when teens are given a chance to take something to make them feel better, many can’t resist. For example, some teens abuse prescription medicine to manage stress or regulate their lives. Sometimes they abuse prescription stimulants (used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) to provide additional energy and the ability to focus when they’re studying or taking tests. Others are abusing prescription pain relievers and tranquilizers to cope with academic, social or emotional stress.
  4. Boredom — Teens who can’t tolerate being alone, have trouble keeping themselves occupied or crave excitement are prime candidates for substance use. Not only do alcohol and marijuana give them something to do, but those substances help fill the internal void they feel. Further, they provide a common ground for interacting with like-minded teens, a way to instantly bond with a group of kids.
  5. Rebellion — Different rebellious teens choose different substances to use based on their personalities. Alcohol is the drug of choice for the angry teenager because it frees him to behave aggressively. Methamphetamine, or meth, also encourages aggressive, violent behavior, and can be far more dangerous and potent than alcohol. Marijuana, on the other hand, often seems to reduce aggression and is more of an avoidance drug. Some teens abuse prescription medicine to party and get high. LSD and hallucinogens are also escape drugs, often used by young people who feel misunderstood and may long to escape to a more idealistic, kind world. Smoking cigarettes can be a form of rebellion to flaunt their independence and make their parents angry. The reasons for teenage drug-use are as complex as teenagers themselves.
  6. Instant Gratification — Drugs and alcohol work quickly. The initial effects feel really good. Teenagers turn to drug use because they see it as a short-term shortcut to happiness.
  7. Lack of Confidence — Many shy teenagers who lack confidence report that they’ll do things under the influence of alcohol or drugs that they might not otherwise. This is part of the appeal of drugs and alcohol even for relatively self-confident teens; you have the courage to dance if you’re a bad dancer, or sing at the top of your lungs even if you have a terrible voice, or kiss the girl you’re attracted to. And alcohol and other drugs tend not only to loosen your inhibitions but to alleviate social anxiety. Not only do you have something in common with the other people around you, but there’s the mentality that if you do anything or say anything stupid, everyone will just think you had too many drinks or smoked too much weed.
  8. ​Misinformation — Perhaps the most avoidable cause of substance use is inaccurate information about drugs and alcohol. Nearly every teenager has friends who claim to be experts on various recreational substances, and they’re happy to assure her that the risks are minimal. Educate your teenagers about drug use, so they get the real facts about the dangers of drug use.
Opioid Quarterly Report
Yates County numbers are on Page 119 and 120 of the PDF linked below. The numbers are off somewhat. We had 3 fatal overdoses in 2016 but they only show 2. They show 3 naloxone administrations by law enforcement in 2016. There were at least 10.  
Link 
https://www.health.ny.gov/statistics/opioid/data/pdf/nys_jul17.pdf

Facts about Drugs

Other Question and Answers About Drugs and Alcohol 
These Questions were posed by 8th graders.  Click on the file below.
PYMS 8th grade health class Q and A.pdf
File Size: 634 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File


DRUG VOCABULARY
 
What is a drug?
 A drug is any chemical you take that affects the way your body and mind work. Alcohol, caffeine, aspirin and nicotine are all drugs. A drug must be able to pass from your body into your brain.
 
What is addiction?
 When a drug user can't stop taking a drug even if he wants to (compulsive behavior), when they continue to use the drug despite knowing the negative consequences, it's called addiction.  The continued use of the drug interferes with daily life and still they do not stop taking it.  When people start taking drugs, they don't plan to get addicted.  A person who is addicted might do almost anything—lying, stealing, or hurting people—to keep taking the drug.
 
What do we mean by “cutting” in relation to drugs?
 A cutting agent is a chemical used to "cut" (dilute, water down) drugs with something less expensive than the drug itself to make “more” of the drug. Sometimes cutting is used to add to the drug to hook customers even more on the drug.  These adulterants (cutting agents) look like or have other characteristics of the drug to disguise that they are there.  Sometimes these chemicals can be just as dangerous or even more so than the original drug.
 
What is drug withdrawal?
Withdrawal refers to the physical problems and emotions you experience if you are dependent on a substance (such as alcohol, prescription medicines, or illegal drugs) and then suddenly stop or drastically reduce your intake of the substance.  All drugs have emotional withdrawal – anxiety, depression, restlessness, etc.  Many drugs also have a physical withdrawal such as – increased sensitivity to pain, Sweating, hot flashes, flu-like symptoms, lack of or increased appetite, etc.
 
Emotional Withdrawal Symptoms
Anxiety
Restlessness
Irritability
Insomnia
Headaches
Poor concentration
Depression
Social isolation
 
Physical Withdrawal Symptoms
Sweating
Racing heart
Palpitations
Muscle tension
Tightness in the chest
Difficulty breathing
Tremor
Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
 
Dangerous Withdrawal Symptoms
Grand mal seizures
Heart attacks
Strokes
Hallucinations
Delirium tremens (DTs)
 
What is a drug overdose?
 Many substances can cause harm when too much is taken, including alcohol, prescription and over-the-counter medications, illegal drugs and some herbal remedies.
The risk is increased when more than one drug is taken at the same time (a cocktail) or the body is not used to taking a certain drug.  An overdose occurs when a toxic (poisonous) amount of a drug or medicine is taken. Permanent brain damage or death may occur.

A person’s likeliness to overdose varies with age, state of health, how the substance was consumed and other factors. Permanent brain damage or death is a risk in some cases. This may be instant or may follow more slowly if organs are permanently damaged.
 
Symptoms of drug overdose
A wide range of signs and symptoms can occur when a person overdoses, and everyone responds differently. Signs and symptoms depend on a variety of factors including which drug is taken, the amount taken and the person’s state of health at the time.

General symptoms of a drug overdose may include:
nausea
vomiting
abdominal cramps
diarrhoea
dizziness
loss of balance
seizures (fitting)
drowsiness
confusion
breathing difficulties/not breathing
internal bleeding
hallucination
visual disturbances
snoring deeply 
turning blue 
coma.
Great Articles
Crime Labs Race to ID New, Lethal Opioids
article-scientific_american-new_lethal_opioids-7-2017.pdf
File Size: 287 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Pink: Stronger Than Heroin, But Legal In Most States
by ANDREW BLANKSTEIN

Two 13-year-old boys in the ski town of Park City, Utah died within 48 hours of each other in September, likely overdosing on a powerful heroin substitute that had been delivered — legally — to their homes by the U.S. mail, and is now turning up in cities across the nation. For the Full Story Click Here
Legalized Marijuana Cited for Increase in Drugged Driving Accidents

Oct 27 2015
By: Ashley Halsey III, The Washington Post
Drunk drivers have long been the scourge of the roadways, and they still are, but now drivers on drugs are becoming a menace that rivals them, according to a new federal report.
A quadrupling use of prescription drugs since 1999, and legalization of marijuana use in some states are cited among the reasons drug use has become an increasing threat to roadway safety, according to a report released Wednesday by the Governors Highway Safety Association, an organization of state highway safety officers.
​For the full story Click Here
New Report Urges National, State Action on Drugged Driving
First look at drugged driving, its impact on traffic safety and what states can do.
By: http://www.ghsa.org
​

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Drug use by drivers is a mounting concern, particularly in light of more permissive marijuana laws (now legal for medical use in D.C. and 23 states and recreational use in four states and D.C.1) and an increase in prescription drug abuse (the amount of prescription painkillers dispensed in the U.S. has quadrupled since 19992). Any drug – whether illegal, filled by a prescription, or over-the-counter – can impair a person’s ability to safely operate a vehicle. To read the rest of this story Click Here 
 “Keeping Youth Drug Free” 
To read this article click here

"Lower Drinking Age May Bring High School Dropouts"
September 29, 2015
www.Childsafetynetwork.org
To read the Article Click Here


"Not for Human Consumption: Spice and Bath Salts" 
 03/03/2015
www.samhsa.gov 
Eighteen-year-old Kurtis Hildreth likely had no idea how dangerous and deadly Spice was, but in 2013 he smoked a fatal dose of the synthetic cannabinoid. His family has since spoken out publicly, raising awareness of the legal drug, marked “not for human consumption.” A recent SAMHSA report revealed emergency department visits resulting from the synthetic marijuana more than doubled in just one year. To read the rest of this story Click Here

"Dying To Be Free"
(www.huffingtonpost.com/)
This article was sent to us by: John Christensen
The last image we have of Patrick Cagey is of his first moments as a free man. He has just walked out of a 30-day drug treatment center in Georgetown, Kentucky, dressed in gym clothes and carrying a Nike duffel bag. The moment reminds his father of Patrick’s graduation from college, and he takes a picture of his son with his cell phone. Patrick is 25. His face bright, he sticks his tongue out in embarrassment. Four days later, he will be dead from a heroin overdose. To read the rest of this story
Click Here


By Tara Haelle
HealthDay Reporter

www.healthday.com
"More U.S. Newborns Enduring Drug Withdrawal: Study"

SUNDAY, April 26, 2015 (HealthDay News) -- The number of U.S. infants admitted to neonatal intensive care units to treat symptoms of drug withdrawal has nearly quadrupled since 2004, researchers report.
​

Neonatal abstinence syndrome -- a drug-withdrawal syndrome that often occurs after exposure to prescription narcotic painkillers during pregnancy -- affected only seven babies for every 1,000 admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in 2004. By 2013, that number had jumped to 27 infants for every 1,000 babies in the NICU, the study revealed. To read the rest of this story Click Here

April 20, 2017
By: PAT (Psychotherapist & Partnership Parent Coach)

"Fentanyl and Synthetic Opioids: 5 Things You Need to Know"


Deaths from fentanyl and other synthetic opioids (not including methadone rose a staggering 72 percent in just on year, from 2014 to 2015. To read more Click Here. 

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