Undersheriff, Jon Zerby and the collected medications!

By Cara Gresham, Take Back Coordinator, San Juan Island Prevention Coalition

On Wednesday, August 4, 2010 the Medication Take Back Program debuted at Friday Harbor Drug, Ray’s Pharmacy on Orcas Island, and Lopez Island Pharmacy. Overall, it was a great success!

Cara Gresham, Take Back Coordinator; Cynthia Stark-Wickman, San Juan Island Prevention Coalition Coordinator; and Undersheriff, Jon Zerby were stationed in Friday Harbor Drug from 10am to 2pm to collected people’s returned medications as well as answer questions about the program. The total amount of medications taken back at Friday Harbor Drug was 34.5 lbs. Way to go San Juan Island residents!

Both Ray’s Pharmacy on Orcas and Lopez Island Pharmacy also had a good turnout. Thank you to everyone for turning in your medications for safe disposal. This will make a huge difference.

The Take Back Program will be an on-going program the first Wednesday of each month. The next Medication Take Back Day is Wednesday, September 1, 2010 from 10am to 2pm. Go dig out your old and/or unused medications and get rid of them safely! We hope to see an even larger turnout in September.

Future Take Back Days: Sept 1, Oct 6, Nov 3, and Dec 1

Betty Baker (right) was the first community member to bring back medications!

Undersheriff Jon Zerby, Take Back Coordinator Cara Gresham, Hazardous Waste Coordinator Helen Venada, and community member Kathie Ward (from left to right)

Take Back Coordinator Cara Gresham; Brad Fincher, Chair of San Juan Island Prevention Coalition, and Undersheriff Zerby holding a bag of returned medications (from left to right)

San Juan Island Prevention Coalition Coordinator, Cynthia Stark-Wickman; Friday Harbor Drug pharmacist, Norm Degraaff; Sheriff Bill Cumming; and Undersheriff, Jon Zerby (left to right). Medication Take Back Coordinator, Cara Gresham (front)

San Juan Island Prevention Coalition

Medication Take Back Program Info

By Cara Gresham, Intern, San Juan Island Prevention Coalition

Health care providers have been prescribing and administering medications for years, so what has changed? The use and abuse of illegal drugs and alcohol has been a social problem of ever-changing proportion. The latest drug of choice is prescription medications. Prescription drug abuse is on the rise throughout the nation and is adversely affecting the nation’s youth. According to the Office of National Drug Control Policy, young adults ages 18 to 25 have the highest rate of prescription drug abuse, followed by teens ages 12 to 17.

Easy access plays a key role in why prescription drug abuse is on the rise. The number one way youth are gaining access to prescription drugs and other medications are from family and friends. Youth are not necessarily stealing these medications either. The 2008 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) states that 56% of youth who are abusing prescription drugs, are obtaining them from friends or family for free. Youth are also abusing their own prescription medications, and/or using over-the-counter medications that they buy or find in the family’s home. The number one cause of emergency medical calls and deaths among youth have moved away from blunt force trauma (i.e. car accidents) to overdoses. The Office of National Drug Control Policy states that by 2008, emergency room visits for the misuse of prescription or over-the-counter medications became as common as those for the use of illicit drugs. Just because pills are prescribed by a health care provider does not mean they are safe.

For me this represents a sad state of affairs for our youth, families, and country. As someone pointed out to me, is this not the age group which abuse falls most heavily on? This may be true, and that in itself makes the need for organizations such as Prevention Coalitions and programs like the Drug Take Back Program all that much more important. Decreasing access to prescription drugs to lower abuse rates among youth is a vital part of creating Drug Free Communities. Medication Take Back Programs are a great way to help decrease access, and be more environmentally friendly.

People in San Juan County should no longer feel there isn’t an alternative to dispose of medications than flushing them down the toilet, throwing them in the garbage, or letting them gather dust in a medicine cabinet. Individual community members can make a big difference in the decrease of substance abuse. Bringing unused, unwanted, or expired medications back to your local pharmacy on Take Back days will help increase safe disposal and decrease access. Remember, you can make a difference in decreasing prescription drug abuse in the lives of youth in our community.

For more information on the Medication Take Back Program, call the Take Back Coordinator, Cara Gresham, at 360-378-9683 or email her at cara.preventionsanjuan@hotmail.com.

San Juan Island Prevention Coalition

By Susan Grout, MA. Psych, LMHC

As simplistic as it sounds, I am in the business of making people happier. No one walks by my or any other counselor’s office and says, “Hey, it’s a nice day, think I’ll go in for counseling.” Clients come in because they’re carrying around problems that need discussing, if not always solving.

Long ago, I read a pivotal study by Dr. Martin Seligman that positively influenced me. In the 1980’s his group performed an unkind experiment with dogs on “learned helplessness.” They shocked the dogs randomly until they just gave up, lay down in their cages and awaited the next jolt. They had induced despair. The story could have ended there, with a pack of neurotic dogs. However, these were scientists who had hearts as well as brains and they decided to see if they could help these dogs recover. So, using sausages as rewards, they coaxed the dogs out of their pens. With some of the dogs it took as few as 10 times dragging them by the collar to the sausages, with others as many as 50 times, but ultimately all of the dogs recovered. It made me think that perhaps I could help clients find the particular “sausage” that would coax them out of their own cages.

The drug companies would have you believe that only with their particular drug can you recover from depression. Pharmacology does have its place in psychotherapy, but significantly less than the drug companies would have you believe. The truth about antidepressants is that, in controlled studies, placebos did almost as well. [Turner et al, University of Oregon Health and Science 2006 and a 2005 article in Scientific American]. Pharmaceuticals is a multi-billion dollar industry and the last thing they want you to know is that there is a more natural route to recovery from depression that is nearly as effective as their drugs. [Caution: If you are taking an antidepressant and want to stop, do not cease taking your medication. Talk to your doctor about withdrawing slowly.] The alternative and, in my opinion, superior route to happiness consists of simple things like following a healthy, nutritious diet, exercising regularly (that means most days), having good supportive friends, becoming aware and mindful in your life and seeking counseling when troubled.

To be fair, I have seen cases where clients have been diligent about this non-drug approach and still were not able to escape their cage. In these cases antidepressants may also be a necessary adjunct. Numerous studies have shown that psychotherapy coupled with antidepressants greatly enhances recovery from depression. Yet, this seems not to be well understood in our culture. Is it because people are embarrassed to seek professional help? Most of us can’t make our own sausages so we turn to the butcher. Sometimes people just need a little tug on their collar in order to view their life in a new way. Counseling can provide that tug on the collar.

Susan Grout is a licensed mental health counselor here in Friday Harbor. You can reach Susan at 378-3212.

Medication Take Back Program Info

Written by: Cara Gresham, Intern, San Juan Prevention Coalition

July is National Prescription Drug Abuse Awareness Month. To help raise awareness locally, the San Juan Prevention Coalition and the Sheriff’s Office are launching a Medication Take Back Program.

Prescription drug abuse is on the rise and falls second only to marijuana. According to the Office of National Drug Control Policy young adults ages 18 to 25 have the highest rate of prescription drug abuse followed by teens ages 12 to 17.

Youth are getting prescription drugs from their own prescribed medications or from friends or family. Keep medications in a safe and secure place, and remember to dispose of them by taking them back to the pharmacy or local take back program. 71,000 children under the age of 18 are seen every year in emergency rooms due to unintentional prescription or over-the-counter medication overdoses. Take Back Programs exist around the Nation, offering a safe place for citizens to dispose of unused, unwanted, or expired medications.

The San Juan Island Take Back Program will kick off in August, and will be ongoing . The drop off dates will be the first Wednesday of every month. The Take Back Program is a partnership between the San Juan Sheriff’s Office, the San Juan Island Prevention Coalition, Ray’s Pharmacy on Orcas, Friday Harbor Drug, Lopez Pharmacy, Lopez Island Prevention Coalition, Orcas Island Prevention Partnership, as well as other community partners.

For questions or further information contact:

Take Back Coordinator: Cara Gresham

(360) 378-9683

Cara.preventionsanjuan@hotmail.com

Medication Drop Off

Wednesday August 4, 2010

10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Friday Harbor Drug

Prescription Take Back Coordinator, Cara Gresham (center) welcomed by San Juan Island Prevention Coalition Coordinator, Cynthia Stark-Wickman (left) and Chair, Brad Fincher.

CALL FOR INCREASED INVESTMENT IN PREVENTION

 

Article by Cara Gresham, San Juan Island Prevention Coalition Intern with technical assistance from Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA)

Washington, D.C. – The 2009 Monitoring the Future Survey, released in December 2009 by the National Institute on Drug Abuse and the University of Michigan, showed that while there were slight decreases in the use of cocaine and methamphetamine among youth, marijuana and prescription drug abuse showed no signs of slowing down. In fact, marijuana use among adolescents increased gradually over the past two years after years of declining use; and past year rates of Vicodin and OxyContin abuse increased during the last 5 years among 10th graders and remained unchanged among 8th and 12th graders.

Several drugs showed signs of increasing with attitudes softening for drugs such as marijuana, ecstasy, inhalants and LSD. For example, the percentage of 8^th graders who view occasional marijuana use as potentially harmful dropped to 44 percent, compared to 48 percent last year. In addition, the perception of “great risk” associated with marijuana use declined among 8^th and 10^th graders.

 “The 2009 Monitoring the Future survey is a wake-up call to all of us. It shows that our teens still don’t understand the dangers of abusing prescription drugs, such as Vicodin and OxyContin; and they don’t realize the harm that marijuana use can cause,” said Cynthia Stark-Wickman, San Juan Prevention Coordinator. Beliefs and attitudes about these drugs are going in the wrong direction.  The decreases of perception of harm around marijuana and inhalants are especially concerning, as that often leads to an increase in use.  

“The San Juan Island Prevention Coalition plays a critical role in addressing drug abuse in San Juan Island, Washington and in implementing strategies to change attitudes and availability. But we need to increase our investment in substance abuse prevention in order to make a dent in these problems.  More young people need to get the message that these drugs are harmful if we are to reverse these trends, but our coalition can’t do it alone. We need the help of everyone in the community” said Brad Fincher, Chair of the San Juan Prevention Coalition.

More information on the National 2009 Monitoring the Future Survey is available at www.monitoringthefuture.org. The San Juan County and Washington State Healthy Youth Survey is available at http://www.doh.wa.gov/healthyyouth/reports/default.htm.

 Locally we need the continued support of the community to help decrease use among our youth. The 2008 Healthy Youth Survey showed a significant increase in marijuana use in the past 30 days from 3% in sixth grade, up to 32% in twelfth grade. These numbers indicate higher use for local youth compared to state and national use. Use of pain killers, such as Vicodin and or OxyContin to get high in the past 30 days among tenth graders was 17% according to the 2008 Healthy Youth Survey, almost double the state average. For further questions, inquiries, or to become involved, call the San Juan Island Prevention Coalition at 378-9683 or email at prevention@centurytel.net.

San Juan Island Prevention Coalition

Carrie Unpingco, Coalition Media Coordinator

By Carrie Unpingco

Associate Trustee of the San Juan Island Prevention Coalition

 Everyone has a different idea of what makes a person healthy. What does being healthy mean to you? Are you healthy enough if you can walk a mile in 30 minutes? Or, are you healthy if you never eat junk food? If all you can find time for is 20 minutes a day to relax, does that make you healthy? Honestly, it’s difficult to know if what we’re doing is good enough, or if what we’re doing is too much. Being healthy is a constant battle between not enough and too much.

Now that our society understands so much more about health, we are constantly bombarded by the media with rules to live by. Just what we need is more rules, right?!

We are supposed to eat a balanced diet. Healthy fats like nuts are good for you, but only a handful. Exercise 30-60 minutes most days of the week, but much more if you’re trying to lose weight. Monitor your alcohol intake. One to two glasses of wine a day is good for your heart. But remember women, more than two drinks will increase your risk of breast cancer. Oh, and don’t forget to spend time with family and friends because being social is part of wellness. But also take time out for yourself each day. By the way, when was your last check up? These “rules” are confusing and constantly contradict one another. No wonder so many people can’t stay on track.

But we don’t have to give up. We owe it to ourselves and our family and friends to stay healthy. And it doesn’t have to be difficult.

As a community health educator, I believe health is a lifelong journey. We learn and grow every day by listening to our bodies and what works for us. I have chosen to make healthy choices so I am able to experience the things in life I most enjoy. But no one is perfect. We can’t do it all every day, but we can do good most of the time.

Health education is individualistic. Everyone has their own set of goals and interests of what they want to do or change. I want to influence and help inspire individuals in our community to maintain healthy lifestyles or change the belief that it’s too hard to get started. It doesn’t have to be done all at once. Little changes to your lifestyle make for a big change in your quality of life. It can also be fun! Here are some ideas of little things that can make a huge difference!

• Eat a variety of fresh foods
• Do something active every day
• Try a new activity or hobby just for you
• Drink lots of water
• Eat at home as a family
• Relax
• Laugh
• Get enough sleep

Carrie works as the Administrative Assistant at Inter Island Medical Center. Click here to view the IIMC website.

Another school year is quickly coming to an end, and on the minds of all high school seniors is graduation! Often this “rite of passage” is viewed by many as a chance to celebrate with drinking alcohol or using illegal substances.

Thankfully, our community has stepped up to help offer our graduating seniors another option, Project Grad Night, an all-night, alcohol and drug-free party exclusively for them! With participation over 94% each year from the senior class, the buy-in is huge! What makes this so powerful is the students have made a conscious choice to enjoy their graduation night without drugs or alcohol.  In the end, only the students can make the decision for themselves. According to the 2008 Washington State Healthy Youth Survey, “About two out of three seniors choose not to drink alcohol.”

Project Grad Night is the community at its best. Students, parents, local business owners and community members come together to support our youth in helping to make healthy choices. Not only will this positive influence be felt on grad night, but it is our hope they will continue to make decisions about how they want to celebrate other “special passages” as they move into adulthood and the decisions it will require.

The graduating seniors will be whisked off 10 minutes after their graduation ceremony on to a thrilling, fun and engaging night of activities. The planning has been in the works for the past year for the 2010 graduating seniors. In 2007, Project Grad Night was first introduced on San Juan Island. Parent volunteer, Joyce Stimpson, was involved from the start and continues to help facilitate the program. Her son Loch, FHHS ‘07 Grad said, “It was nice of Project Grad Night to take the stress off of the kids to come up with a party because there was already one planned.”

Each year, the planning committee of senior parents try to keep the events a surprise making the night that much more intriguing and safe. Because it is a surprise, it gives the students the feeling of a “natural high.”  Events in past years have included “sumo wrestling,” a game of “Survivor” on Jones Island, and a sunrise cruise aboard the whale watch boat the Odyssey. Graduate Loch adds, “I think the feeling of doing something as a class for the last time gets understated far too much with this experience.”

This will be a night to remember, especially since they will be alcohol and drug-free. Graduation night is supposed to be fun, not fatal. Give those graduating seniors a huge congrats as you send them on their way that night. They’ve already shown great wisdom in their plans for their big night out!

Much gratitude also goes out to the many volunteers and donors giving their time, talents and resources to make this happen! The San Juan Island Prevention Coalition supports this program, but it’s through fundraising efforts by senior parents and the students in our community that make Project Grad Night a reality!  Here’s to a healthy future for the 2010 Graduating Seniors!

Project Grad Nite Website