News

February 2014 – Recently CVS Pharmacy joined the ranks of the over 2,000 pharmacies in New York State that have agreed to not sell tobacco products in their stores. This is a good time to reflect and help more people to understand why this concept makes perfect and complete sense as a strategy to reduce social acceptability of smoking.

Tobacco is the only consumer product that, when used as intended, kills at least one half of its long term users – including nearly 25,400 New Yorkers each year. In 2008, the tobacco industry spent approximately 90% of their 10.5 billion dollar marketing budget on point-of-sale advertising because studies show that marketing at the point-of-sale influences smoking initiation among youth and stimulates purchasing among smokers trying to quit. Research tells us that reducing the availability of tobacco products helps people to quit smoking. Pharmacies are considered licensed health care facilities with missions driven by providing health products and services – because of this, the sale of tobacco products in pharmacies makes tobacco use seem more acceptable to children because this is where they go to get the medicine which helps them feel better. Would a doctor ever prescribe tobacco to a patient? No. Why is it not a conflict of interest for pharmacies, which provide health care, to also profit from harmful tobacco products known to cause cancer, heart and pulmonary disease? The Pharmacist Society of the State of New York (PSSNY) – the largest pharmacy association in the state representing nearly 2,700 pharmacists – demonstrated their support of these concepts by passing a resolution supporting putting an end to the sale of tobacco products in pharmacies back in 2009.

So thank you, CVS, Wegmans, Kmart, Target and all the other independent pharmacies and stores that have put the health of their consumers first; who are not afraid to stand tall in their commitment of doing so. For more information on tobacco free initiatives, visit www.tobaccofreenys.org

May 2014 – Medical marijuana may be legal in New York State soon; it has already been approved in 21 states for numerous conditions. As the community’s leading agency dedicated to prevention and advocacy surrounding substance use, mental health and behavioral issues, the thought that our community might undo decades of work regarding the perception of risk by making medical marijuana legal is more than disconcerting. There are several issues and concerns surrounding not only the medicinal benefits of use, but also the harmful effects of smoking marijuana. Noted concerns include the increase in psychotic disorders, declined IQ, respiratory problems, contamination, and a host of dispensing issues. (JAMA, May 20, 2014) Critical to the safety of the public is FDA approval of any medical marijuana. With FDA approval are certain safeguards that are inherent in the process, including: labeling, dosage, strength of ingredients, expiration dates, production quality standards, and warning of harmful interactions.

Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America, CADCA, reports that “residents of states with medical marijuana have marijuana abuse/dependence rates almost twice as high as states without such laws. Increased use rates lead to higher addiction rates. Marijuana addiction affects about 1 in 9 people who start using the drug; if one starts using marijuana in their teens, the addiction rates jump to 1 in 6 users. More than 2/3 of treatment admissions involving those under the age of 18 cite marijuana as their primary substance of abuse, more than three times the rate for alcohol and more than twice that of all other drugs combined.”

Research has shown that through the legalization of marijuana, it makes its use more normalized and is perceived to be less harmful, thus increasing usage; this is most “problematic given that many of the negative effects of marijuana are most pronounced in adolescents.” (JAMA, May 20, 2014)

What should you do? Stay informed – Read proposed legislation at http://www.cadca.org/policy-advocacy; talk to your elected officials and tell them how you feel; and get involved in local prevention efforts by contacting Center for Family Life and Recovery, Inc. at 315.733.1709 or visit their website at www.whenthereshelpthereshope.com.

May 2014 – It’s that time of year—the season for graduation, rites of passage for millions of teens across the country. It’s also time to get parents, educators, students, and local communities on board and prepared to prevent underage drinking. For many teenagers, June only means one thing – Graduation! Now more than ever is the time to candidly talk to your teens about the dangers of underage drinking which is often so prevalent during graduation.

The 2011 Youth Risk Behavior Survey6 found that among high school students, during the past 30 days
• 39% drank some amount of alcohol.
• 22% binge drank.
• 8% drove after drinking alcohol.
• 24% rode with a driver who had been drinking alcohol.

Join the Center for Family Life and Recovery, Inc. on June 3rd from 6:30-7:30 as we listen to a panel presentation with representation from Law Enforcement, local college representatives, community coalition leaders and more. This presentation will give youth and adults an overview on the effects of underage drinking and what parents should be looking for and what they should be talking about with their family. Participants will come away with at least two action steps to put into action immediately.

What: Town Hall Meeting; “Your kids are listening, what are you saying?”
When: June 3, 2014 from 6:30PM-7:30PM
Where: Center for Family Life and Recovery, Inc. 502 Court Street Suite 401, Utica NY 13502
Why: To help prevent Underage Drinking around Graduation time.

For more information on the upcoming Town Hall meeting, contact Samantha Madderom, Prevention, Advocacy and Training Specialist for CFLR, Inc., at 315-733-1709 or smadderom@cflrinc.org.

Center for Family Life and Recovery, Inc. is proud to be the area’s leading expert for advocacy, prevention, counseling, training and recovery services. As a community partner, it is important to us that we continue spreading the message of hope to our area; especially, as we transform the lives of individuals and families by providing help and hope through advocacy, prevention, counseling and training.

May 2014 – Oneida County Professional Training Coalition and Center for Family Life and Recovery, Inc. will present an educational workshop by Bill De Joy, LCSW-R, entitled “Trauma: From Theory To Treatment on Friday, May 16th, 2014 at Delta Lake Inn, Rome, New York (Sponsored by the Oneida County Department of Mental Health). This workshop will take place from 9:00A.M. – 4:00P.M. (Registration begins at 8:30A.M.). The cost is $35.00 per participant, and includes morning coffee, set-up, lunch & program materials. Please register prior to this event. To register, please visit CFLR, Inc.’s website at www.whenthereshelpthereshope.com or email srivera@cflrinc.org.

This workshop will enable participants to go through a variety of Trauma Theories that educate participants on how trauma is individually manifested. There will be discussion of the sources of trauma such as Childhood, Abuse, Disasters, Shootings, and Grief. There will be time to discuss the treatment techniques, so that all of the information above can be employed in a way that promotes safety and trust in order to better help the traumatized person function at the highest level possible.

Individuals encouraged to attend this workshop include: social workers, addiction treatment and/or prevention professionals, case managers, case workers, residential providers, parole and probation staff, marriage and family therapists, hospital staff and administrators, professionals who are confronted with situations involving sexual behaviors in young children and adults, and others serving individuals with co-occurring psychiatric and substance use disorders.

May 2014 – National Prevention Week will be celebrated May 18 – 24th this year. National Prevention Week is an annual health observance dedicated to increasing public awareness of, and action around, substance abuse and mental health issues; it is an opportunity to join with other individuals, organizations, and coalitions in our community to promote prevention efforts, educate others about behavioral health issues, and create and strengthen community partnerships.

Center for Family Life and Recovery, Inc., invites you to join them on Wednesday, May 21st at their Utica Office, 502 Court Street, Suite 401 from 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM to find out how you can get involved in creating a healthier community that embraces wellness. Find out how to support a variety of prevention efforts, as well as how to get involved in Project Recover, a systematic community-wide support network for individuals in recovery, and their families. Perhaps you’re interested in getting involved in the Suicide Prevention Coalition? Maybe you’re interested in being a mentor for a youth, adult or veteran living with a mental illness or dual diagnosis?

Each day of National Prevention week will have a special theme. You are encouraged to visit CFLR, Inc’s FaceBook page throughout the week to learn more about each theme, including: Prevention and Cessation of Tobacco Use; Prevention of Underage Drinking; Prevention of Prescription Drug Abuse and Marijuana Use; Prevention of Alcohol Abuse; Prevention of Suicide; and Promotion of Mental Health.

For more information on National Prevention Week, contact Judith H. Reilly, Community Programs Director for CFLR, Inc., at 315.768.2641 or jreilly@cflrinc.org.