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From the Desk of Joe Boggio

The coalition has been very active this past month and April is sure to be just as busy. The Chili Cook Off/Job Fair was one of the most successful events in the history of the coalition and a great deal of information has been collected through the survey cards regarding the community concerns about underage drinking, smoking marijuana and tobacco use. More details about the survey will be available in the May newsletter. On March 23, a town hall meeting to discuss underage drinking was held with a panel of community members and experts in the field of drug and alcohol prevention. Mr. Rob Breckenridge has been to each of the Health classes this month talking to students about drugs and alcohol and identifying refusal skills. Ms. Maryanne Keating has also been to the Health class and educated the students regarding tobacco use and addiction.

A group of coaches and administration recently attended an informational session on a new program titled Life of an Athlete presented at Colby Sawyer College by the regional prevention network. Many pieces of the program fit with the values of the high school administration and coaching staff and the potential for implementing Life of an Athlete is very high. Another training specifically for coaches is scheduled for late June.

April is Alcohol Awareness Month and the coalition will be working in the schools providing education to the high school students around the dangers of drunk and drugged driving in preparation for the high school prom on May 12 and graduation in June. Our annual reminder to parents about the social hosting laws will be conducted with Public Service Announcements being broadcast and lawn signs distributed. Parents need to know that if they have knowledge of a party where underage drinking may be taking place that they may call 211 to make an anonymous report and keep our youth safe. One of the statistics that the presenter at Life of an Athlete cited indicated that alcohol use nearly doubles from seventh to eighth grade. Most of the time youth this age acquire the alcohol from parents who have not secured the alcohol they have at home. So if you have alcohol in your home be sure to keep it secure and away from your teens.

The coalition is working with the Drug Enforcement Agency and Hinsdale Police to hold another Prescription Drug and Over the Counter medicine Take Back Day. It is scheduled for April 28th from 10:00am to 2:00pm so keep an eye out for more information.

As always, if you are reading this article and think you would like to help out with any of our initiatives, just contact us at 603-336-6135. Volunteers and new members are always welcome!

The Drug Enforcement Administration has scheduled another National Prescription Drug Take Back Day event for Saturday, April 28, 2012 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. This will be the fourth event to take place since the inception of this initiative 18 months ago. A total of nearly 500 tons of unwanted or expired medications have been collected nationwide. In New Hampshire 8,944 pounds have been collected over the last three collection events. A permanent medication drop-off station has been installed at the Keene Police Department on Marlboro Street, and the Monadnock Voices organization and area coalitions will set up drop off stations around the Monadnock area in which people can drop off unused medications. Drop locations to date will be located in Hinsdale, Jaffrey, Peterborough and Marlborough.

For more information call: 1-800- 882-9539.

What you should bring:

Prescription or over-the-counter medications, in solid or liquid forms. Medications should be kept in their original containers. Black permanent marker may used to make patient identifying information (name, address, etc.) completely illegible to protect privacy. The name of the medication should remain intact and completely legible. What will not be accepted: Illicit substances (marijuana, etc.), intravenous solutions, injectables, and syringes (due to potential hazard posed by blood-borne pathogens). Please separate prescription medications from over the counter and bring in separate bags. This is a free, anonymous program. Turn in your unused, unwanted, or expired medication, no questions asked.

NH Hampshire Statistics

The most prevalent categories of prescription drug abuse include opioid pain relievers and stimulants.

26.7% of young adults ages 18-25 surveyed reported past 30 day use of prescription drugs without a doctor’s order.

Those who abuse prescription and over-the -counter medications are much more likely to have considered suicide or attempted suicide.

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Prescription Drug Take Back Day Planned for April 28th

Do you have news or an upcoming event to share with us? We can be reached at 603-336-6135

The Hinsdale Community Coalition is a group of adults and youth working together to create and maintain a healthy community for all.

19 Main Street at the Millstream Community Center

603-336-6135 e-mail hpc.coordinator@gmail.com

Rob Breckenridge, HMHS Student Assistance Counselor, Addresses Prescription Drug Abuse

Dear Parents,

Prescription medication abuse is a growing problem here in NH. Please take the time to talk to your teen about the dangers of abusing prescription and over-the-counter drugs. These are powerful drugs that, when abused, can be just as dangerous as street drugs. Tell your teen the risks far outweigh any "benefits." The good news is that you can take steps immediately to limit access to these drugs and help keep your teen drug-free. The following practical suggestions could make a big difference.

Safeguard all drugs at home. Monitor quantities and control access. Take note of how many pills are in a bottle or pill packet, and keep track of refills. This goes for your own medication, as well as for your teen and other members of your household. If you find you have to refill medication more often than expected, there could be a real problem—someone may be taking your medication without your knowledge. If your teen has been prescribed a drug, be sure you control the medication, and monitor dosages and refills.

Set clear rules for teens about all drug use, including not sharing medicine and always following the medical provider's advice and dosages. Make sure your teen uses prescription drugs only as directed by a medical provider and follows instructions for OTC products carefully. This includes taking the proper dosage and not using with other substances without a medical provider's approval. Teens should never take prescription or OTC drugs with street drugs or alcohol. If you have any questions about how to take a drug, call your family physician or pharmacist.

Be a good role model by following these same rules with your own medicines. Examine your own behavior to ensure you set a good example. If you misuse your prescription drugs, such as share them with your kids, or abuse them, your teen will take notice. Avoid sharing your drugs and always follow your medical provider's instructions.

Properly conceal and dispose of old or unused medicines in the trash. Unused prescription drugs should be hidden and thrown away in the trash. So that teens or others don't take them out of the trash, you can mix them with an undesirable substance (like used coffee grounds or kitty litter) and put the mixture in an empty can or bag. Unless the directions say otherwise, do NOT flush medications down the drain or toilet because the chemicals can pollute the water supply. Also, remove any personal, identifiable information from prescription bottles or pill packages before you throw them away.

Ask friends and family to safeguard their prescription drugs as well. Make sure your friends and relatives, especially grandparents, know about the risks, too, and encourage them to regularly monitor their own medicine cabinets. If there are other households your teen has access to, talk to those families as well about the importance of safeguarding medications. If you don't know the parents of your child's friends, then make an effort to get to know them, and get on the same page about rules and expectations for use of all drugs, including alcohol and illicit drugs. Follow up with your teen's school administration to find out what they are doing to address issues of prescription and over-the-counter drug abuse in schools.

Thanks so much for your ongoing support. Please feel free to contact me if I can be of assistance.

Robert Breckenridge M.Ed. HMHS Student Assistance Counselor rbreckenridge@hnhsd.org 336-5984 ext. 144