Binge Drinkers Often Drive Drunk, Researchers Say

A study of 14,000 binge drinkers found that 12 percent admitted driving after their most recent episode of heavy alcohol consumption, the Associated Press reported Sept. 1.
Researchers from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also found that about half of those who drove drunk did so within two hours of consuming seven or more drinks, and that about a quarter drove after downing 10 drinks or more.
About half of binge drinkers who drove under the influence had been drinking at a bar, restaurant, or nightclub. Researchers called for states to more rigorously enforce laws against establishments overserving their customers.
The study is scheduled to be published in the October 2009 issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.-->
This article summarizes an external report or press release on research published in a scientific journal. When available, links to the sources are provided above.

Upcoming Events

National Recovery Month - September 2009
The RPC will be hosting an evening event for the public to help raise awareness by hearing from a panel of those in recovery, community resources, and professionals who can help. Check back for more specifics

Family Day- a day to eat dinner with your children
September 28, 2009
Children who eat dinner regularly with their family are at less risk of experimenting with risky behaviors. Check out www.kansasfamily.com to find out about family day events in your community.

Sobering Truth: Emerging youth drug trends in Kansas
September 29, 2009 9 am to 3 pm
Workshop for anyone who wants to know more about the drug trends in Kansas. Carol Spiker, Prevention Team Leader, with Prevention and Recovery Services in Topeka will be the workshop presenter. Cost is $45 and will include workshop materials and lunch. Pre-registration is required at www.greenbush.org or calling 620-724-6281.

The Dangers of Mixing Energy Drinks with Alcohol

Mixing energy drinks with alochol has gotten a lot of media attention, leaving many to wonder if this practice is safe. But studies are revealing some very dangerous effects of mixing these cocktail drinks. www.righthub.com/health/dietnutrition.

FDA and Public Health Experts Warn About Electronic Cigarettes

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today announced that laboratory annalysis of electronic cigarette samples has found that they contain carcigogens and toxic chemicals such as diethylene glycol, an ingredient used in antifreeze. For more information check out www.fda.gov/newsevents.

$1 Spent on Prevention Saves $10, Study Says

Investing in addiction prevention programs yeilds a 10-1 return for society, according to researchers from Iowa State University who studied the Iowa Strengthenign Families Program and the Life Skills Training Program.

Researchers Richard Spoth, Ph.D. and Max Guyll, Ph.D., detailed findings from the "Prevention's Cose Effectiveness: Illustrative Economic Benefits of General Population Interventions" and "Prevention of Substance-related Problems: Effectivenes of Family-focused Prevention" studies for a conference sponsored by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the World Health Organization.

"Effective and efficient prevention promises to save possibly billions of dollars per year, provided we can learn how to effectively implement it on a larger scale," Spoth, director of ISD's Partnerships in Prevention Science Institute .

For more information, check out www.jointogether.org

Enough of the Puff: tax may cut smoking rates

By Will Dunham
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A big hike in the federal tax on cigarettes taking effect on April 1 may prompt 1 million U.S. smokers to quit, according to public health experts.
Expansion of a popular public health insurance program for lower income children is being financed by an increase in the federal excise tax on a pack of cigarettes of about $1.01 per pack, up from the current 39 cents on a $4.35 pack.
Smoking kills about 440,000 Americans annually and costs the nation $193 billion in medical expenses and lost productivity, said Dr. Terry Pechacek of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Office on Smoking and Health.
"There is almost unanimous agreement across the scientific community and policymakers that raising the price of cigarettes in whatever fashion has a consistent effect on reducing smoking rates, increasing the quit rate among adult smokers and preventing the initiation of regular smoking by children and young adults," Pechacek said in a telephone interview.
Danny McGoldrick, the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids advocacy group's vice president for research, said the formula is simple: as prices rise, fewer people buy cigarettes.
McGoldrick forecast the tax hike will persuade just over 1 million current smokers to quit and prevent 2 million children from starting. These changes will avert about 905,000 smoking-related deaths and save $44.5 billion in healthcare expenses over time, McGoldrick predicted.
President Barack Obama signed the expansion of the State Children's Health Insurance Program on February 4. President George W. Bush had twice vetoed the bill, which also raises federal taxes on cigars and other tobacco products.
The industry is unhappy. Higher prices will lead to at least a 10 percent decline in cigarette sales and could put 117,000 people out of work, said Thomas Briant, executive director of the National Association of Tobacco Outlets.
LOST JOBS
Briant, whose group represents the operators of 2,500 retail stores, tobacco wholesalers, cigarette manufacturers and others, decried "the single largest tax increase on a product in the history of the United States."
"There's going to be an immediate drop-off in sales because of that tax increase as of April 1," Briant said. "We expect the fall-out from that in terms of job losses to take about six to nine months from that date."
Retail store clerks and cashiers, truck drivers who deliver cigarettes, warehouse workers, sales representatives and others may lose jobs, Briant said.
U.S. smoking rates have been declining slowly for decades. The CDC's most recent data showed about 19.8 percent of U.S. adults -- 43.4 million people -- were smokers in 2007.
Smoking rates vary by state -- from a high of 28 percent in Kentucky to a low of 12 percent in Utah. Rates are often higher where state tobacco taxes are lower. The average state tax is $1.32 per pack, ranging from a low of 7 cents in South Carolina to a high of $2.75 in New York state.
State taxes have more than doubled in the past six years and more states and localities are banning smoking from public places like office buildings, restaurants and bars.
Daniel Smith, president of the American Cancer Society's Cancer Action Network, said the next important step is for Congress to give the U.S. Food and Drug Administration power to regulate tobacco products. The FDA already oversees drugs, medical devices, most foods, cosmetics and animal drugs.
A House of Representatives panel approved the long-stalled measure on March 4. It still needs passage by the full House and Senate. "This is the year to make it happen," Smith said.