June 2009 - Newsletter

Healthy Beliefs.  Clear Standards.  Community Involvement.
What does the term “healthy beliefs and clear standards” reference?
How would you define the term?

The ACHC and the 14 community coalitions across Oakland County continue to interview concerned citizens and countywide leaders guided by the evidence-based Communities Mobilizing for Change on Alcohol (CMCA) prevention approach.  The CMCA method utilizes one-on-one interviews to get people talking about their opinions and ideas around ways to prevent underage drinking.  A portion of the interviews also will be used to get a read on adult perceptions of how many drinks is too many as well as finding out what can be done to support law enforcement’s role in reducing impaired driving.

The knowledge gleaned from the interviews will be used to further establish Oakland County’s definition of “healthy beliefs and clear standards” as protective factors by actions that reduce underage access to alcohol.

If you want to be interviewed and have your say in determining Oakland County’s healthy beliefs and clear standards regarding underage drinking prevention and adult consumption guidelines, please send an email request to donnis@achconline.org.

Party Season Heats Up.
June marks the beginning of the months associated with relaxation and parties.  Have a fun time, but don’t relax your standards when it comes to underage drinking and drug use.  Keep apprised of what activities your kids have planned—and make sure that alcohol or unlawful use of prescription drugs is not part of the activity.

Did you know that kids who begin drinking by age 15 are five times more likely to develop alcohol and drug problems than those who begin drinking at 21?  In Oakland County, 41.9% of ninth graders report having consumed alcohol by that age.  And most of those kids report getting their alcohol at home or at the home of a friend.  So remember, your kids and their friends are watching you.  Be a role model for them.  If you drink alcohol, make sure you keep it in a safe place where your kids and their friends will not be enticed.

Do not become the parent known for offering alcohol at parties. It is illegal…and expensive and embarrassing if you get caught.  Instead, talk to your children about the risks of underage drinking.  Empower them to make healthy choices and firm decisions regarding alcohol and substance use, and your party season is sure to be a success.

Tipping the Scales.
Everyone is concerned with the economy these days.  And everyone is examining and re-prioritizing the way money is spent.  So, the new research from The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) at Columbia University packs a sobering monetary punch.

The findings show that over 15% of any state’s entire budget goes to fund substance abuse, addiction, and the consequences of both.  That means that 94 cents out of every dollar goes to deal with the consequences via public programs such as health care, criminal justice, education, child welfare and mental health.  Surprisingly, only about two cents per dollar goes to prevention, treatment and research programs designed to reduce this burden on you, the taxpayer.
 
What does that mean to Michigan?  It means that each taxpayer pays $523.10 for the consequences of substance use.  Of that amount, only $4.92 is spent on treatment and prevention versus $462.88 spent on the judicial and corrections systems, substance abuse and addiction education, health, family assistance, public safety and the state workforce. 

That’s way out of balance.  Especially in a state where people are even more aware of the ways in which their money is being spent.  Wouldn’t it make more sense to invest the money up-front in preventing addictive behaviors?  Our medical care plans focus on health and prevention, so why shouldn’t our state programs?  Prevention makes the most out of our state’s resources while limiting the negative impact substance abuse has on our society.  Plus, a prevention approach creates a more harmonious, holistic, and secure community.