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In The News

Lock your prescription drugs

A survey of 12- to 17-year-olds in the U.S. has found that about 20 percent said they have given their prescription drugs like Oxycontin and Darvocet to friends or obtained drugs the same way. About one-third of those who borrowed medications said they had experienced an allergic reaction or other negative side-effects as a result.

"Recent studies show:

More than 2.5 million Americans aged 12 and older began nonmedical use of prescription drugs in 2008 — outnumbering first-time users of marijuana by 300,000.
About one in 10 high school seniors used the powerful pain reliever Vicodin for nonmedical reasons in the past year.
More than one million adolescents (12-17) and 2.7 million young adults (18-25) needed treatment for an illicit drug problem in 2008. Only about 11 percent of these received treatment at a specialty facility.

As these numbers indicate, patterns of drug use change over time, and constant reevaluation and refinement are required to ensure federal, state and local programs are aimed at addressing current and future challenges, rather than those of the past."¹

Pediatricians on Board to Support DTL
Physicians in the Association of Adolescent Medicine recently heard from Ron Rivlin, Montgomery County Dept. of Health and Human Services, Director of the Juvenile Assessment Center and Eydie Balsam, DTL Coordinator, who provided physicians information on well-visit assessment questions. He also noted that if substance abuse is suspected in youth, referrals should be made through the County's Screening and Assessments for Children and Adolescents (SASCA) at 240-777-1430.

They also spoke to the group about the abuse of non medical use of prescription drugs. With the recent rise of adolescents experimenting with prescription drugs she urged the doctors to talk with their patients about the dangers of sharing their medicines as well as taking medicines from their peers. DTL will be working with the pediatricians to create an educational brochure that can be placed in waiting rooms.

The meeting of physicians was chaired by Dr. Dana Kornfeld, pediatric and adolescent physician at Georgetown Hospital and board member of the Family Support Center. DTL will continue to work with Dr. Kornfeld to increase messaging to area physicians and present at the annual meeting in the spring. This outreach involves physicians as a critical point of intervention.

Team Sports Participation Increases Binge Drinking in Male Teens
A CADCA research study reports that contrary to what most of us think, youth, especially boys, may actually drink and fight more if they participate in team sports. Read more at:
http://www.cadca.org/resources/detail/team-sports-participation-increases-binge-drinking-male-teens

40 Non-profits receive grants to provide youth healthy activities!
Montgomery County Health and Human Services provides mini-grants for 40 non-profit groups. The groups raise awareness about underage substance abuse; provide alternative activities, such as wrestling clubs, post-prom activities and camping. All the while, youth receive messages about staying healthy, safe and drug and alcohol free. For more information about how to become a grantee, contact Eydie Balsam at ebalsam@fscone.org

Maryland Out of School Time Network Adopts Quality Standards
For more information in quality program standards, developed for Maryland by the Maryland Out of School Time Network (MOST) recently developed quality standards for Maryland. Read more at: http://www.mdoutofschooltime.org/uploads/MOST_standards.pdf

¹December 8, 2009. "A Message from ONDCP Director Kerlikowske" (Office of National Drug Control Policy)