Spring 2012

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Parents of Teens Influence

friends 2

Teen Marijuana Use 3

Message for end of school

celebrations 4

Happenings 5-6-7

Drug Abuse Trends 8

Resource Guide 9

Contact Information 10

Kids Corner 10

Please feel free to pass our

newsletter along to anyone

who may be interested

Prevention is the Key to Commonwealth Health Did you know these facts about Substance Abuse Prevention

Return on Investment Saves $5 to $25 for every $1 invested in Evidenced Based Programs

Taxpayer Savings Saves tax payer $$$ across the board in healthcare criminal justice education and treatment costs

MARCH FOR ADDICTION AWARENESS

A March for Awareness was held at 11 am Saturday June 2 at the

Westmoreland County Courthouse

Citizens who hope to stop the cycle of drug addiction took to Greens-

burgs streets on Saturday in a March for Awareness The event was or-

ganized by Take a Stand and Sages Army two local groups fighting to

stop addiction Participants walked the streets starting at the county

courthouse on Main Street

Our Mission

The purpose of Community Prevention

Services of Westmoreland is to foster healthy life-styles for all people in Westmoreland County

Pennsylvania by providing comprehensive prevention services utilizing the six

federal strategies

Information Dissemination

Education

Alternative Activities

Problem Identification amp Referral

Community Based Process

Environmental Approach

CPSW Staff

Tim Phillips CADC Director

Renee Kelly Prevention Specialist

Marie Fuga Prevention Specialist

David Tharp Prevention Specialist Peg Osselborn Administrative Secretary

fostering healthy lifestyles for all people

Page 2 Spr ing 2012

The parents of teenagersrsquo friends can have as

much effect on teensrsquo decisions about sub-

stance use as their own parents a new study

suggests

If the parents of a teenagerrsquos friends are not

aware of their own childrsquos alcohol or drug use

or condone it then it is more likely the teen

will drink or smoke the study found

ldquoAmong friendship groups with lsquogood parentsrsquo

therersquos a synergistic effect mdash if your parents

are consistent and aware of your where-

abouts and your friendsrsquo parents are also

consistent and aware of their (childrenrsquos)

whereabouts then you are less likely to use

substancesrdquo study author Michael Cleveland

at Penn State University said in a news re-

lease ldquoBut if you belong to a friendship group

whose parents are inconsistent and your par-

ents are consistent yoursquore still more likely to

use alcoholrdquo

The study included 9000 ninth graders who

were asked about their closest friends their

parentsrsquo discipline and whether their parents

knew who their friends were HealthDay re-

ports The researchers broke the teens down

into about 900 groups of friends A year later

the teens were surveyed about their sub-

stance use

The researchers found substance use in

tenth grade was significantly related to par-

enting behavior of friendsrsquo parents This was

true even after taking into account the effects

of the teenagersrsquo own parentsrsquo behaviors

and their friendsrsquo substance use

ldquoI think that it empowers parents to know that

not only can they have an influence on their

own children but they can also have a posi-

tive influence on their childrenrsquos friends as

wellrdquo said Cleveland ldquoAnd that by acting to-

gether mdash the notion of lsquoit takes a villagersquo mdash

can actually result in better outcomes for

adolescentsrdquo

The study appears in the Journal of Studies

on Alcohol and Drug

Parents of Teensrsquo Friends Can Influence Substance Use

By Join Together Staff

Our Mission

The purpose of Community Prevention

Services of Westmoreland is to foster healthy life-styles for all people in Westmoreland County

Pennsylvania by providing comprehensive prevention services utilizing the six

federal strategies

Information Dissemination

Education

Alternative Activities

Problem Identification amp Referral

Community Based Process

Environmental Approach

CPSW Staff

Tim Phillips CADC Director

Renee Kelly Prevention Specialist

Marie Fuga Prevention Specialist

David Tharp Prevention Specialist Peg Osselborn Administrative Secretary

fostering healthy lifestyles for all people

Page 2 Spr ing 2012

The parents of teenagersrsquo friends can have as

much effect on teensrsquo decisions about sub-

stance use as their own parents a new study

suggests

If the parents of a teenagerrsquos friends are not

aware of their own childrsquos alcohol or drug use

or condone it then it is more likely the teen

will drink or smoke the study found

ldquoAmong friendship groups with lsquogood parentsrsquo

therersquos a synergistic effect mdash if your parents

are consistent and aware of your where-

abouts and your friendsrsquo parents are also

consistent and aware of their (childrenrsquos)

whereabouts then you are less likely to use

substancesrdquo study author Michael Cleveland

at Penn State University said in a news re-

lease ldquoBut if you belong to a friendship group

whose parents are inconsistent and your par-

ents are consistent yoursquore still more likely to

use alcoholrdquo

The study included 9000 ninth graders who

were asked about their closest friends their

parentsrsquo discipline and whether their parents

knew who their friends were HealthDay re-

ports The researchers broke the teens down

into about 900 groups of friends A year later

the teens were surveyed about their sub-

stance use

The researchers found substance use in

tenth grade was significantly related to par-

enting behavior of friendsrsquo parents This was

true even after taking into account the effects

of the teenagersrsquo own parentsrsquo behaviors

and their friendsrsquo substance use

ldquoI think that it empowers parents to know that

not only can they have an influence on their

own children but they can also have a posi-

tive influence on their childrenrsquos friends as

wellrdquo said Cleveland ldquoAnd that by acting to-

gether mdash the notion of lsquoit takes a villagersquo mdash

can actually result in better outcomes for

adolescentsrdquo

The study appears in the Journal of Studies

on Alcohol and Drug

Parents of Teensrsquo Friends Can Influence Substance Use

By Join Together Staff

Page 3 Spr ing 2012

National Study Teen ldquoHeavyrdquo Marijuana Use Up 80 Percent Since 2008

One in Ten Teens Reports Using Marijuana at Least 20 Times a Month

New York NY ndash May 2 2012 ndash New nationally projectable survey results released today by The Partnership at Drug-

freeorg and MetLife Foundation found that past-month marijuana use ndash particularly heavy use ndash has increased signifi-

cantly among US high school students since 2008

The Partnership Attitude Tracking Study sponsored by MetLife Foundation found that 9 percent of teens (nearly 15

million) smoked marijuana heavily (at least 20 times) in the past month Overall past-month heavy marijuana use is up

80 percent among US teens since 2008

Concerning Trends in Teen Marijuana Use According to the New PATS Data (2008-2011)

Past-month use is up 42 percent (up from 19 percent in 2008 to 27 percent in 2011 which translates to about 4 mil-

lion teens)

Past-year use is up 26 percent (up from 31 percent in 2008 to 39 percent in 2011 which translates to about 6 million

teens)

Lifetime use is up 21 percent (up from 39 percent in 2008 to 47 percent in 2011 which translates to nearly 8 million

teens)

This marks an upward trend in teen marijuana use over the past three years The last time marijuana use was this wide-

spread among teens was in 1998 when past month use of marijuana was at 27 percent

ldquoThese findings are deeply disturbing as the increases wersquore seeing in heavy regular marijuana use among high school

students can spell real trouble for these teens later onrdquo said Steve Pasierb President and CEO of The Partnership at

Drugfreeorg ldquoHeavy use of marijuana ndash particularly beginning in adolescence ndash brings the risk of serious problems and

our data show it is linked to involvement with alcohol and other drugs as well Kids who begin using drugs or alcohol as

teenagers are more likely to struggle with substance use disorders when compared to those who start using after the teen-

age yearsrdquo

Teen Marijuana Use Has Become a Normalized Behavior Teens now report seeing more of their peers smoking marijuana and only 26 percent agree with the statement ldquoin my

school most teens donrsquot smoke marijuanardquo (down from 37 percent in 2008) Also 71 percent of teens say they have

friends who use marijuana regularly (up from 64 percent in 2008)

Teen past-month ldquoheavyrdquo marijuana users are significantly more likely than teens who have

not used marijuana in the past year to

use cocainecrack (30 times more likely)

use Ecstasy (20 times more likely)

abuse prescription pain relievers (15 times more likely)

abuse over-the-counter medicines (14 times more likely)

Social disapproval of marijuana among teens remained the same with 61 percent of teens saying they disapprove of their

peers using marijuana (About 41 percent say they lsquostrongly disapproversquo) The PATS data also found an erosion of anti-

marijuana attitudes among teens with only about half of teens (51 percent) saying they see ldquogreat riskrdquo in using mari-

juana down significantly from 61 percent in 2005

ldquoWe have also seen a considerable decline over the past five years in the proportion of teens seeing great risk associated

with marijuana userdquo says Professor Lloyd Johnston the principal investigator of the nationwide Monitoring the Future

study conducted at the University of Michigan ldquoWe believe that this decline in perceived risk has played an important

role in the increases in teen use of marijuana as it has done in the past The fact that perceived risk is still falling por-

tends a further increase in userdquo

Parents play a major role in their childrenrsquos choices

about alcohol tobacco or other drugs In a recent

national survey of parents and teens by the National

Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Co-

lumbia University one-third of teen partygoers

have been to parties where teens were drinking al-

cohol smoking marijuana or using cocaine ecstasy

or prescription drugs while a parent was present By

age 17 nearly half (46 percent) of teens have been

at such parties where parents were present

Community Prevention Services of Westmor-

land and Westmoreland Community Action are

working to bring the Parents Who Host Lose The

Most Donrsquot be a party to teenage drinking public

awareness campaign to Westmoreland County to

provide parents good information about the health

risks and the legal consequences of providing alco-

hol to youth The campaign encourages parents and

the community to send a unified message at prom

and graduation time that teen alcohol consumption

is not acceptable

Hosting a prom or graduation party where alcohol

is available to underage youth is illegal and can

pose serious health risks and legal ramifications for

everyone involved Parents should understand that

taking away the car keys does not solve all of the

problems related to underage drinking Every day at

least six youth under 21 die from non-driving alco-

hol-related causes such as drowning and suicide

sexual activity and delinquent behaviors also in-

crease with underage drinking There are many

health-related consequences of youth consuming

alcohol including negative effects on brain develop-

ment deviant behavior including stealing and skip-

ping school and a greater risk of becoming alcohol-

dependent later in life

Parents who knowingly allow a person under age

21 to remain on their property while consuming or

possessing alcoholic beverages can be prosecuted

and face a jail sentence fines and loss of property

Adults providing alcohol to underage youth sends a

mixed message and can only add to a teenagerrsquos

confusion about the acceptability of drinking They

are also sending the message to teens that they do

not have to obey the law Research shows that most

teenagers appreciate it when their parents set

boundaries and establish expectations that are fairly

enforced Our youth deserve to live and grow to

adulthood in an environment where alcohol is not

misused Letrsquos be unified in our message and host

alcohol-free parties with plenty of fun activities to

show our youth that we care about their future

A Unified Message for End of School Year Celebrations Parties

Page 4 Spr ing 2012

H A P P E N I N G S

Page 5 Spr ing 2012

Mt Pleasant School District Poster Contest

Community Prevention Services of Westmoreland partnered with the Mt Pleasant Area Drug Awareness group

and event co-founder District Judge Roger Eckels for the Drug Awareness Poster and Coloring Page Contest

The contests have been hosted annually by the Mt Pleasant Area Drug Awareness group which offers the event

as a way to raise awareness with the students in the Mt Pleasant Area School District

H A P P E N I N G S

The Maxwell Elementary Students had fun

participating in an Applebee Pond Puppet

show

Parent Volunteer Mrs Holloway fielding ques-

tions from the students about the Applebee

Pond Puppet message of making healthy

choices

Prevention Specialist Marie Fuga presenting

an Alcohol Tobacco and other drug educa-

tional program to 3rd grade students from La-

trobe Derry and Ligonier public and private

schools at Legion Keener Park

The Health Fair was sponsored by the Latrobe

Hospital Aid Society

Latrobe Hospital Aid Society Legion Keener Park Health Fair

Page 6 Spr ing 2012

Maxwell Elementary Students Applebee Pond Puppet Show

UNDER-AGE DRINKING EXPO

Westmoreland Drug and Alcohol Commission Inc and the Greensburg Council on Alcohol and Youth spon-

sored the 4th Annual Underage Drinking Education Expo Saturday May 19 2012 at Westmoreland Mall in

Greensburg The purpose of the expo was to increase awareness about underage drinking through education

and prevention

Fourteen vendors participated in the expo and provided valuable educationalinformational materials on the

risks and consequences of underage drinking Youngwood Volunteer Fire Department members held a demon-

stration with their rescue dogs and the Westmoreland County Sheriff Departmentrsquos K-9 unit also attended the

fair The dogs were a very poplar part of the event An artist from Mugshotz Caricatures created caricature

portraits for expo visitors

Youngwood Volunteer Fire Department Rescue Dogs And Handlers

Westmoreland County Sheriffrsquos Department

Canine Unit

Page 7 Spr ing 2012

H A P P E N I N G S

Page 8 Spr ing 2012

FYImdashDRUG ABUSE TRENDS

Theres a new troubling trend among teenagers -- trying

to get drunk by guzzling hand sanitizer Childrens Hos-

pital of Los Angeles reports that six area teens have

landed in emergency rooms with alcohol poisoning af-

ter drinking the cheap liquid

The teens are distilling the hand sanitizer products

which typically contain at least 62 percent ethyl alco-

hol using salt to separate the alcohol The result is a

powerful 120 proof shot

If a person has never had alcohol before they can get

drunk almost instantaneously Dr Calvin Lowe told

NBC Los Angeles Its very very dangerous

Using hand sanitizer to get drunk is similar to earlier

get-wasted fads of young people downing mouthwash

or cough syrup also known as robo-tripping In 2010

the cough medicine abuse trend prompted a Food and

Drug Administration panel to weigh whether to require

a prescription to buy products containing

dextromethorphan the ingredient found in numerous

over-the-counter cough and cold medicines The FDA

panel voted against the proposal

While there have been prior cases of people drinking

hand sanitizer the salt procedure is relatively new

Helen Arbogast injury prevention coordinator-Trauma

Program at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles said in a

statement Although the emergency room cases appear

limited to Los Angeles county for now experts are con-

cerned the trend could go viral as more teens discover

how to distill the liquid sanitizer on the web Childrens

Hospital is recommending that concerned parents treat

hand sanitizer like liquor or medicine -- dont leave it

lying around NBC reports

(Lets hope this trend doesnrsquot make itrsquos way east)

Troubling Trend Teens Guzzling

Hand-Sanitizer Over-the-Counter Drug Abuse

Some medications have psychoactive (mind-

altering) properties and because of that are some-

times abusedmdashthat is taken for reasons or in ways

or amounts not intended by a doctor or taken by

someone other than the person for whom they are

prescribed In fact prescription and over-the-counter

(OTC) drugs are after marijuana (and alcohol) the

most commonly abused substances by Americans 14

and older

The classes of prescription drugs most commonly

abused are opioid pain relievers such as Vicodin or

Oxycontin stimulants for treating Attention Deficit

Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) such as Adderall

Concerta or Ritalin and central nervous system

(CNS) depressants for relieving anxiety such as

Valium or Xanax1 The most commonly abused

OTC drugs are cough and cold remedies containing

dextromethorphan

People often think that prescription and OTC drugs

are safer than illicit drugs but thatrsquos only true when

they are taken exactly as prescribed and for the pur-

pose intended When abused prescription and OTC

drugs can be addictive and put abusers at risk for

other adverse health effects including overdosemdash

especially when taken along with other drugs or al-

cohol

H A P P E N I N G S

Page 5 Spr ing 2012

Mt Pleasant School District Poster Contest

Community Prevention Services of Westmoreland partnered with the Mt Pleasant Area Drug Awareness group

and event co-founder District Judge Roger Eckels for the Drug Awareness Poster and Coloring Page Contest

The contests have been hosted annually by the Mt Pleasant Area Drug Awareness group which offers the event

as a way to raise awareness with the students in the Mt Pleasant Area School District

H A P P E N I N G S

The Maxwell Elementary Students had fun

participating in an Applebee Pond Puppet

show

Parent Volunteer Mrs Holloway fielding ques-

tions from the students about the Applebee

Pond Puppet message of making healthy

choices

Prevention Specialist Marie Fuga presenting

an Alcohol Tobacco and other drug educa-

tional program to 3rd grade students from La-

trobe Derry and Ligonier public and private

schools at Legion Keener Park

The Health Fair was sponsored by the Latrobe

Hospital Aid Society

Latrobe Hospital Aid Society Legion Keener Park Health Fair

Page 6 Spr ing 2012

Maxwell Elementary Students Applebee Pond Puppet Show

UNDER-AGE DRINKING EXPO

Westmoreland Drug and Alcohol Commission Inc and the Greensburg Council on Alcohol and Youth spon-

sored the 4th Annual Underage Drinking Education Expo Saturday May 19 2012 at Westmoreland Mall in

Greensburg The purpose of the expo was to increase awareness about underage drinking through education

and prevention

Fourteen vendors participated in the expo and provided valuable educationalinformational materials on the

risks and consequences of underage drinking Youngwood Volunteer Fire Department members held a demon-

stration with their rescue dogs and the Westmoreland County Sheriff Departmentrsquos K-9 unit also attended the

fair The dogs were a very poplar part of the event An artist from Mugshotz Caricatures created caricature

portraits for expo visitors

Youngwood Volunteer Fire Department Rescue Dogs And Handlers

Westmoreland County Sheriffrsquos Department

Canine Unit

Page 7 Spr ing 2012

H A P P E N I N G S

Page 8 Spr ing 2012

FYImdashDRUG ABUSE TRENDS

Theres a new troubling trend among teenagers -- trying

to get drunk by guzzling hand sanitizer Childrens Hos-

pital of Los Angeles reports that six area teens have

landed in emergency rooms with alcohol poisoning af-

ter drinking the cheap liquid

The teens are distilling the hand sanitizer products

which typically contain at least 62 percent ethyl alco-

hol using salt to separate the alcohol The result is a

powerful 120 proof shot

If a person has never had alcohol before they can get

drunk almost instantaneously Dr Calvin Lowe told

NBC Los Angeles Its very very dangerous

Using hand sanitizer to get drunk is similar to earlier

get-wasted fads of young people downing mouthwash

or cough syrup also known as robo-tripping In 2010

the cough medicine abuse trend prompted a Food and

Drug Administration panel to weigh whether to require

a prescription to buy products containing

dextromethorphan the ingredient found in numerous

over-the-counter cough and cold medicines The FDA

panel voted against the proposal

While there have been prior cases of people drinking

hand sanitizer the salt procedure is relatively new

Helen Arbogast injury prevention coordinator-Trauma

Program at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles said in a

statement Although the emergency room cases appear

limited to Los Angeles county for now experts are con-

cerned the trend could go viral as more teens discover

how to distill the liquid sanitizer on the web Childrens

Hospital is recommending that concerned parents treat

hand sanitizer like liquor or medicine -- dont leave it

lying around NBC reports

(Lets hope this trend doesnrsquot make itrsquos way east)

Troubling Trend Teens Guzzling

Hand-Sanitizer Over-the-Counter Drug Abuse

Some medications have psychoactive (mind-

altering) properties and because of that are some-

times abusedmdashthat is taken for reasons or in ways

or amounts not intended by a doctor or taken by

someone other than the person for whom they are

prescribed In fact prescription and over-the-counter

(OTC) drugs are after marijuana (and alcohol) the

most commonly abused substances by Americans 14

and older

The classes of prescription drugs most commonly

abused are opioid pain relievers such as Vicodin or

Oxycontin stimulants for treating Attention Deficit

Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) such as Adderall

Concerta or Ritalin and central nervous system

(CNS) depressants for relieving anxiety such as

Valium or Xanax1 The most commonly abused

OTC drugs are cough and cold remedies containing

dextromethorphan

People often think that prescription and OTC drugs

are safer than illicit drugs but thatrsquos only true when

they are taken exactly as prescribed and for the pur-

pose intended When abused prescription and OTC

drugs can be addictive and put abusers at risk for

other adverse health effects including overdosemdash

especially when taken along with other drugs or al-

cohol

H A P P E N I N G S

The Maxwell Elementary Students had fun

participating in an Applebee Pond Puppet

show

Parent Volunteer Mrs Holloway fielding ques-

tions from the students about the Applebee

Pond Puppet message of making healthy

choices

Prevention Specialist Marie Fuga presenting

an Alcohol Tobacco and other drug educa-

tional program to 3rd grade students from La-

trobe Derry and Ligonier public and private

schools at Legion Keener Park

The Health Fair was sponsored by the Latrobe

Hospital Aid Society

Latrobe Hospital Aid Society Legion Keener Park Health Fair

Page 6 Spr ing 2012

Maxwell Elementary Students Applebee Pond Puppet Show

UNDER-AGE DRINKING EXPO

Westmoreland Drug and Alcohol Commission Inc and the Greensburg Council on Alcohol and Youth spon-

sored the 4th Annual Underage Drinking Education Expo Saturday May 19 2012 at Westmoreland Mall in

Greensburg The purpose of the expo was to increase awareness about underage drinking through education

and prevention

Fourteen vendors participated in the expo and provided valuable educationalinformational materials on the

risks and consequences of underage drinking Youngwood Volunteer Fire Department members held a demon-

stration with their rescue dogs and the Westmoreland County Sheriff Departmentrsquos K-9 unit also attended the

fair The dogs were a very poplar part of the event An artist from Mugshotz Caricatures created caricature

portraits for expo visitors

Youngwood Volunteer Fire Department Rescue Dogs And Handlers

Westmoreland County Sheriffrsquos Department

Canine Unit

Page 7 Spr ing 2012

H A P P E N I N G S

Page 8 Spr ing 2012

FYImdashDRUG ABUSE TRENDS

Theres a new troubling trend among teenagers -- trying

to get drunk by guzzling hand sanitizer Childrens Hos-

pital of Los Angeles reports that six area teens have

landed in emergency rooms with alcohol poisoning af-

ter drinking the cheap liquid

The teens are distilling the hand sanitizer products

which typically contain at least 62 percent ethyl alco-

hol using salt to separate the alcohol The result is a

powerful 120 proof shot

If a person has never had alcohol before they can get

drunk almost instantaneously Dr Calvin Lowe told

NBC Los Angeles Its very very dangerous

Using hand sanitizer to get drunk is similar to earlier

get-wasted fads of young people downing mouthwash

or cough syrup also known as robo-tripping In 2010

the cough medicine abuse trend prompted a Food and

Drug Administration panel to weigh whether to require

a prescription to buy products containing

dextromethorphan the ingredient found in numerous

over-the-counter cough and cold medicines The FDA

panel voted against the proposal

While there have been prior cases of people drinking

hand sanitizer the salt procedure is relatively new

Helen Arbogast injury prevention coordinator-Trauma

Program at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles said in a

statement Although the emergency room cases appear

limited to Los Angeles county for now experts are con-

cerned the trend could go viral as more teens discover

how to distill the liquid sanitizer on the web Childrens

Hospital is recommending that concerned parents treat

hand sanitizer like liquor or medicine -- dont leave it

lying around NBC reports

(Lets hope this trend doesnrsquot make itrsquos way east)

Troubling Trend Teens Guzzling

Hand-Sanitizer Over-the-Counter Drug Abuse

Some medications have psychoactive (mind-

altering) properties and because of that are some-

times abusedmdashthat is taken for reasons or in ways

or amounts not intended by a doctor or taken by

someone other than the person for whom they are

prescribed In fact prescription and over-the-counter

(OTC) drugs are after marijuana (and alcohol) the

most commonly abused substances by Americans 14

and older

The classes of prescription drugs most commonly

abused are opioid pain relievers such as Vicodin or

Oxycontin stimulants for treating Attention Deficit

Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) such as Adderall

Concerta or Ritalin and central nervous system

(CNS) depressants for relieving anxiety such as

Valium or Xanax1 The most commonly abused

OTC drugs are cough and cold remedies containing

dextromethorphan

People often think that prescription and OTC drugs

are safer than illicit drugs but thatrsquos only true when

they are taken exactly as prescribed and for the pur-

pose intended When abused prescription and OTC

drugs can be addictive and put abusers at risk for

other adverse health effects including overdosemdash

especially when taken along with other drugs or al-

cohol

UNDER-AGE DRINKING EXPO

Westmoreland Drug and Alcohol Commission Inc and the Greensburg Council on Alcohol and Youth spon-

sored the 4th Annual Underage Drinking Education Expo Saturday May 19 2012 at Westmoreland Mall in

Greensburg The purpose of the expo was to increase awareness about underage drinking through education

and prevention

Fourteen vendors participated in the expo and provided valuable educationalinformational materials on the

risks and consequences of underage drinking Youngwood Volunteer Fire Department members held a demon-

stration with their rescue dogs and the Westmoreland County Sheriff Departmentrsquos K-9 unit also attended the

fair The dogs were a very poplar part of the event An artist from Mugshotz Caricatures created caricature

portraits for expo visitors

Youngwood Volunteer Fire Department Rescue Dogs And Handlers

Westmoreland County Sheriffrsquos Department

Canine Unit

Page 7 Spr ing 2012

H A P P E N I N G S

Page 8 Spr ing 2012

FYImdashDRUG ABUSE TRENDS

Theres a new troubling trend among teenagers -- trying

to get drunk by guzzling hand sanitizer Childrens Hos-

pital of Los Angeles reports that six area teens have

landed in emergency rooms with alcohol poisoning af-

ter drinking the cheap liquid

The teens are distilling the hand sanitizer products

which typically contain at least 62 percent ethyl alco-

hol using salt to separate the alcohol The result is a

powerful 120 proof shot

If a person has never had alcohol before they can get

drunk almost instantaneously Dr Calvin Lowe told

NBC Los Angeles Its very very dangerous

Using hand sanitizer to get drunk is similar to earlier

get-wasted fads of young people downing mouthwash

or cough syrup also known as robo-tripping In 2010

the cough medicine abuse trend prompted a Food and

Drug Administration panel to weigh whether to require

a prescription to buy products containing

dextromethorphan the ingredient found in numerous

over-the-counter cough and cold medicines The FDA

panel voted against the proposal

While there have been prior cases of people drinking

hand sanitizer the salt procedure is relatively new

Helen Arbogast injury prevention coordinator-Trauma

Program at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles said in a

statement Although the emergency room cases appear

limited to Los Angeles county for now experts are con-

cerned the trend could go viral as more teens discover

how to distill the liquid sanitizer on the web Childrens

Hospital is recommending that concerned parents treat

hand sanitizer like liquor or medicine -- dont leave it

lying around NBC reports

(Lets hope this trend doesnrsquot make itrsquos way east)

Troubling Trend Teens Guzzling

Hand-Sanitizer Over-the-Counter Drug Abuse

Some medications have psychoactive (mind-

altering) properties and because of that are some-

times abusedmdashthat is taken for reasons or in ways

or amounts not intended by a doctor or taken by

someone other than the person for whom they are

prescribed In fact prescription and over-the-counter

(OTC) drugs are after marijuana (and alcohol) the

most commonly abused substances by Americans 14

and older

The classes of prescription drugs most commonly

abused are opioid pain relievers such as Vicodin or

Oxycontin stimulants for treating Attention Deficit

Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) such as Adderall

Concerta or Ritalin and central nervous system

(CNS) depressants for relieving anxiety such as

Valium or Xanax1 The most commonly abused

OTC drugs are cough and cold remedies containing

dextromethorphan

People often think that prescription and OTC drugs

are safer than illicit drugs but thatrsquos only true when

they are taken exactly as prescribed and for the pur-

pose intended When abused prescription and OTC

drugs can be addictive and put abusers at risk for

other adverse health effects including overdosemdash

especially when taken along with other drugs or al-

cohol

Page 8 Spr ing 2012

FYImdashDRUG ABUSE TRENDS

Theres a new troubling trend among teenagers -- trying

to get drunk by guzzling hand sanitizer Childrens Hos-

pital of Los Angeles reports that six area teens have

landed in emergency rooms with alcohol poisoning af-

ter drinking the cheap liquid

The teens are distilling the hand sanitizer products

which typically contain at least 62 percent ethyl alco-

hol using salt to separate the alcohol The result is a

powerful 120 proof shot

If a person has never had alcohol before they can get

drunk almost instantaneously Dr Calvin Lowe told

NBC Los Angeles Its very very dangerous

Using hand sanitizer to get drunk is similar to earlier

get-wasted fads of young people downing mouthwash

or cough syrup also known as robo-tripping In 2010

the cough medicine abuse trend prompted a Food and

Drug Administration panel to weigh whether to require

a prescription to buy products containing

dextromethorphan the ingredient found in numerous

over-the-counter cough and cold medicines The FDA

panel voted against the proposal

While there have been prior cases of people drinking

hand sanitizer the salt procedure is relatively new

Helen Arbogast injury prevention coordinator-Trauma

Program at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles said in a

statement Although the emergency room cases appear

limited to Los Angeles county for now experts are con-

cerned the trend could go viral as more teens discover

how to distill the liquid sanitizer on the web Childrens

Hospital is recommending that concerned parents treat

hand sanitizer like liquor or medicine -- dont leave it

lying around NBC reports

(Lets hope this trend doesnrsquot make itrsquos way east)

Troubling Trend Teens Guzzling

Hand-Sanitizer Over-the-Counter Drug Abuse

Some medications have psychoactive (mind-

altering) properties and because of that are some-

times abusedmdashthat is taken for reasons or in ways

or amounts not intended by a doctor or taken by

someone other than the person for whom they are

prescribed In fact prescription and over-the-counter

(OTC) drugs are after marijuana (and alcohol) the

most commonly abused substances by Americans 14

and older

The classes of prescription drugs most commonly

abused are opioid pain relievers such as Vicodin or

Oxycontin stimulants for treating Attention Deficit

Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) such as Adderall

Concerta or Ritalin and central nervous system

(CNS) depressants for relieving anxiety such as

Valium or Xanax1 The most commonly abused

OTC drugs are cough and cold remedies containing

dextromethorphan

People often think that prescription and OTC drugs

are safer than illicit drugs but thatrsquos only true when

they are taken exactly as prescribed and for the pur-

pose intended When abused prescription and OTC

drugs can be addictive and put abusers at risk for

other adverse health effects including overdosemdash

especially when taken along with other drugs or al-

cohol

DRUG amp ALCOHOL SUPPORT

Alcoholics Anonymous724-836-1404

Al-Anon800-628-8920

Narcotics Anonymous412-391-5247

Report Underage Drinking888-863-3721

Underage Drinking Program724-832-5880

DUI Program724-832-5880

SMOKING CESSATION

PA Smoking Quitline877-724-1090

Westmoreland Toll Free

Quitline888-664-2248

NO-HABIT

Westmoreland Tobacco1-888-664-2248 Cessation Helpline

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Blackburn Center888-832-2272

METHADONE SUBOXONE TREATMENT

MedTech724-834-1144

RHJ Medical724-696-9600

PARENTING

ParentWISE800-544-0227

OUTPATIENT TREATMENT

Gateway Greensburg724-853-7300

Greenbriar New Kensington724-339-7180

Outside In724-837-1518

SPHS Behavioral Health

Latrobe724-532-1700

Greensburg724-834-0420

Mon Valley724-684-6489 ext 4200 New Kensington724-339-6860

RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT

Twin Lakes Center800-452-0218

White Deer Run800-255-2335

Gateway Rehab800-472-1177

Greenbriar800-637-4673

HOPE

PREVENTION

Community Prevention Services

Of Westmoreland724-834-1260

St Vincent College Prevention Projects724-805-2050

CASE MANAGEMENT800-220-1810

DRUG AND ALCOHOL RESOURCE GUIDE

Spr ing 2012

A program of the Drug-Free Action Alliance

724-684-9000 Ext 4446

Page 9

Penn State Extension offers free individual

information and direct help in person or by

phone to Westmoreland County residents

wanting to quit using tobacco

Tobacco PreventionCessation Program

724-837-1402 fax 724-837-7613

Community Prevention Services of Westmoreland offers substance abuse prevention and recovery education pro-grams to Westmoreland County We serve children adults senior citizens and community groups Please call us today to find out how our programs can help you or your organization Phone 724-834-1260 x 132 226 South Maple Avenue Greensburg Pa 15601 tphillipswestmorelandcaorg

Are you interested in someone addressing your group on substance abuse prevention and recovery

The Community Prevention Services of Westmoreland Newsletter invites your organization to submit any articles or in-formation for inclusion in the newsletter by contacting CPSW at 724-834-1260 ext 132 or

by faxing your article to 727-853-9572

Community Prevention Services of Westmoreland is funded by the Westmoreland Drug and Alcohol Commission Inc through a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Health Bureau of Drug and Alcohol Programs

The Department of Health Bureau of Drug and Alcohol Programs and the Westmoreland Drug and Alcohol Commission Inc specifically disclaim responsibility for any analysis inter-pretations or conclusions herein

Page 10 Spr ing 2012

Drug Free Workplace Programs are available Call the number above to see how we can help your workplace

stay drug free

Community Prevention Services of Westmoreland offers substance abuse prevention and recovery education pro-grams to Westmoreland County We serve children adults senior citizens and community groups Please call us today to find out how our programs can help you or your organization Phone 724-834-1260 x 132 226 South Maple Avenue Greensburg Pa 15601 tphillipswestmorelandcaorg

Are you interested in someone addressing your group on substance abuse prevention and recovery

The Community Prevention Services of Westmoreland Newsletter invites your organization to submit any articles or in-formation for inclusion in the newsletter by contacting CPSW at 724-834-1260 ext 132 or

by faxing your article to 727-853-9572

Community Prevention Services of Westmoreland is funded by the Westmoreland Drug and Alcohol Commission Inc through a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Health Bureau of Drug and Alcohol Programs

The Department of Health Bureau of Drug and Alcohol Programs and the Westmoreland Drug and Alcohol Commission Inc specifically disclaim responsibility for any analysis inter-pretations or conclusions herein

Page 10 Spr ing 2012

Drug Free Workplace Programs are available Call the number above to see how we can help your workplace

stay drug free