Underage drinking is happening in our community, as early as 6th grade. In a local school, 1.7% of middle-schoolers had had a drink in the past 30 days. Nearly 17% of children felt that there was slight to no risk of harming oneself if they drank 5 or more drinks once or twice a week. 16% said there was slight or no risk in harming oneself if they drink one or two alcoholic beverages nearly everyday.

Though these numbers are not extremely high, young children are beginning to lower their perception of risk of drinking alcohol. The lower this perception becomes, the higher the risk actually is. If children do not perceive risk, they are more likely to try something. Trying to drink alcohol at such a young age is very dangerous for the developing brain and can lead to harmful consequences. It is important to inform children that the legal drinking age is 21 because by then, brains are almost fully developed, which keeps the brain safer. Alcohol is a toxin, and informing people of this is important for lowering the usage amongst underage persons.

In 2015, roughly 2% of heroin contained fentanyl in it, whereas now, 40% of heroin has fentanyl in it. Fentanyl is a deadly chemical that produces a high for significantly cheaper than heroin, which is why drug dealers tend to cut heroin with this chemical. For reference, one kilo of heroin would cost $60,000, but a kilo of fentanyl is only $3,000. This chemical is dangerous because it is very strong, in fact, 44% of ODs in Morris County had fentanyl in their drugs. It does not take much to be deadly, and when buying heroin, there is no known amount of fentanyl in it, nor would a dealer ever tell their secrets. Not only is fentanyl found in heroin, but it starting to be found in other drugs, like cocaine and marijuana. Fentanyl is also being pressed to look like pills.

Fentanyl is a profit making chemical, that due to the price, is becoming more and more common. As opioid use increases, so will the use of fentanyl. Drug dealers are not looking for what is the safest, only for what will produce the most amount of profit. Acknowledging the increase risk of fentanyl and understanding its potency is important for keeping yourself and your loved ones safe.

Since January of 2018, arrests have gone up for drug dealers and users. But, along with this rise, there has also been a rise in both fatal and non-fatal overdoses. When viewing a map, and the data, it is clear that these arrests and overdoses are not people who are travelling through Morris County, but rather residents of Morris County. There has been not a single community without an overdose in 2018. All communities are effected, regardless of socioeconomic status, race, gender, or religion. When looking at the projected outcomes, it seems as though opioid related deaths in Morris County will surpass last years number of 80 deaths.

Morris County is often thought of as being an upper middle class community, and people overlook the possibilities of drug use or abuse in this community but it is clear that we need to be safer and proactive on this issue. Opioids do not discriminate, addiction does not discriminate. Be aware, be proactive.

For the past several months, CCSHM has been delivering tool kits to local bars, restaurants, and liquor stores. These tool kits contain a black light, an ID book, a “Get Your ID Out” card, and a letter from CCSHM. These tool kits can be utilized to examine ID cards and have key things to look for that a fake ID most likely will not have. Aside from being able to separate the fake IDs from real ones, these tool kits will also let underage people know that bars and liquor stores are looking more thoroughly at identification and having the get your id out signs will make people aware of carding before even entering the liquor store.

These tool kits are putting us one step closer to eliminating underage drinking in the peak locations in Morris County.

Check out this PDF from Operation Prevention.

• There are 144 drug overdose deaths per day in the
  United States. Sixty-three percent of those deaths are
  related to pharmaceutical opioids or heroin.
  OO 6.4 million Americans indicated misusing prescription
  opioids in 2015.
  OO Nearly one in five teens say they have used prescription
  medicine at least once in their lifetime to get high.
  OO Opioids have been linked to 60 percent of drug
  overdoses in the U.S.
  OO In 2015, 58 percent of 12th grade students reported
  a “great risk” in trying heroin.

On Wednesday, December 5th, CCSHM hosted the Tackling Opioids through Prevention in Athletes conference. At this conference, we distributed a toolkit with information about best practices for coaches, athletic directors, and others who work directly with young athletes. The majority of heroin addicts started using prescribed opiates before turning to heroin, which is the concern when it comes to athletes. Sports related injuries can lead to the prescribing of pain relievers, including opiates such hydrocodone (Vicodin), and oxycodone (Oxycontin), and Codeine, to name a few. This exposure can quickly lead to addiction.

At the conference, parents Don and Bobbie Riebel spoke about their experience with addiction. In 2013, the Riebel’s lost their son, Colin, to an overdose. Colin was a young athlete. He was a pitcher and played on the football team. Colin tore his rotator cuff pitching and tore his ACL several times, all of which resulting in surgery and Percocets. They shared his experience of struggling with addiction, advancing from the pain killers he was prescribed, to turning to heroin because it was significantly cheaper. They shared his success that he underwent in a treatment center, coming home a changed man. But, something never changed and, unfortunately, Don found Colin unresponsive early one morning.

Aside from the Riebel’s, Dr. Steven Aydin spoke about the opiate epidemic. Dr. Aydin is a pain management doctor based out of Bergen County. Dr. Aydin gave a powerful presentation on the rise of opiate use in the United States. He showed the audience how deaths due to opioid overdoses has dramatically increased, and is likely to continue to increase. Dr. Aydin discussed the importance of alternatives to opiates, like prescribing NSAIDS or using nerve blockers. He also discussed the importance of not letting athletes return to play before they are ready.

Overall, the conference was a great success of explaining the dangers that young athletes face when it comes to injuries. If you have any questions or are interested in getting a copy of the toolkit, please email Barb Kauffman at BKauffman@mcpik.org.

Fentanyl has been a rising issue when it comes to drug use, abuse, and deaths. Fentanyl is a very cheap but powerful drug that get cuts into many other drugs so that dealers can sell more, for a lower cost, increasing profit. Fentanyl is 50x stronger than heroin, which is what fentanyl is often cut with. Fentanyl is so lethal that just a few grains can cause an overdose or a death. Even though fentanyl is cut with heroin, generally, it has been found in most drugs, from marijuana, to cocaine, to heroin.

Recently,  a State Trooper in Nebraska pulled over a vehicle containing 54 kilograms of fentanyl, which is enough to kill 25 million people. The two men driving the vehicle were New Jersey residents. Use of fentanyl in drugs had gone up by over 50% between 2016 and 2017, and is predicted to go up, even more. Though it is in the works to have an antidote made for fentanyl, there is nothing yet. Narcan can assist with heroin and opiates, but it takes a lot more narcan to reverse the effects of fentanyl and only lasts for a shorter period of time.

‘Tis the season of glad tidings and good cheer, but for people in recovery from drug or alcohol addiction, the holidays can be an especially trying time to stay healthy and sober.

Unrealistic expectations, over-commitment, unhealthy eating, financial strain and fatigue can fray emotions. Travel complications and busy schedules can add to the stress, as well. You might be spending your holidays away from your addiction recovery support system and sober routines, which can make you more vulnerable to relapse. Holiday customs, childhood memories and annual gatherings that are closely associated with drug or alcohol use can also tug at your emotions and put your recovery at risk.

But there are ways you can prepare for this challenging season and safeguard the greatest gift you’ve ever given yourself and those you love: Your sobriety. Here are seven practical tips to help you avoid relapse and stay sober during the holidays and beyond.

1. Have Sober Strategies in Place

Develop a plan to protect your sobriety ahead of any holiday event and activity that could potentially trigger relapse to substance abuse. This may mean going to a Twelve Step meeting before or after the event, attending the festivities with your sponsor or a sober friend, or making sure you can leave the gathering at any time and are not dependent on someone else for transportation. Your plan to stay sober could also include “bookending” the event with before-and-after telephone calls to someone in recovery. Feel empowered to limit your time in stressful situations or around difficult people—and always have an escape plan. Much of relapse prevention is having an awareness of the people, places or things that could trigger trouble and planning strategies for staying sober given those inevitable situations.

2. Adjust Your Attitude

Talk with your sponsor, a friend who understands addiction recovery, or a professional counselor about the emotions and expectations you have wrapped up in the holidays—especially if you find yourself replaying childhood experiences or memories during this time of year. This is called “calculating reality.” Remember that your loved ones, coworkers and friends are probably feeling tired and stressed during the holidays, too. This realization alone will help you adjust your attitude, lower your expectations and be forgiving of yourself and others. Instead of showing up at a holiday event feeling on edge or defensive, orient your thinking to be open, accepting and positive: Ask yourself, what is the next right thing for me to do in this situation?

It’s also important to be aware that some people in addiction recovery are vulnerable to substance abuse relapse after the holidays. The buildup of stress and resentment that might come with the holidays can lead to rationalizations, denial and relapse. In other words, we can convince ourselves that, considering what we’ve been through, we are entitled to drink or use. Sometimes, as alcoholics and addicts, we manage things better when we’re in the midst of a crisis than afterwards. Remember, the disease of addiction is as powerful the day after a holiday as it is the day of and the day before. As we learn during addiction rehab and in the meeting rooms, recovery is a one-day-at-a-time endeavor, no matter the season.

3. Be of Service

The holidays offer powerful opportunities for spiritual growth by sharing your gratitude and joy with others. Connecting with others in this way can be a new experience that takes courage. But because you’re in recovery from active addiction, you’ve already demonstrated the capacity for tremendous courage and change. So keep strengthening your recovery. Look for ways to be of service to others: Serve a meal at a homeless shelter, reach out with hospitality to a newcomer at a meeting, spend time with a neighbor who is confined. There are a million different ways to give back, pay it forward and be of service.

4. Be Mindful of What You’re Drinking—and Thinking

At social gatherings, it might be helpful to always have a beverage in hand so people aren’t constantly offering you a drink. When you order a beverage, pay attention to how it is being made. If you ask someone to get a beverage for you, he or she may not know your situation or might forget your request and bring you an alcoholic drink. If you accidentally pick up the wrong drink and swallow some alcohol, this doesn’t mean you will automatically relapse. But watch for any rationalizations that could creep in: “Hmm, I guess I can handle alcohol in social situations after all. Perhaps my period of abstinence taught me how to control my drinking.” Do not go down that road. Instead, tell someone who understands recovery from drug or alcohol addiction about your experience as soon as possible. A mistake is not a relapse—but it can lead to one if kept a secret.

6. Avoid Known Risks

If you know Aunt Lucy is going to grill you about rehab, avoid her. If Uncle Bob will try to mix you a stiff drink, stay away from him. If the office New Year’s party is really all about drinking or other drug use, make a brief appearance or don’t attend. It is unrealistic in all of these scenarios to say, “I can soldier through.” That’s what Step One of the Twelve Steps teaches us, right? That we don’t have the power. So, why put yourself in the position of having to “power through” an obstacle course of relapse triggers? Staying sober and safeguarding your recovery must always come first.

6. Practice Self-care

Celebrate the holiday season and the fullness of your sober life by taking time for yourself. Proper nutrition, gentle exercise and restorative sleep can do wonders for your well-being. The better you feel physically, the stronger you will be emotionally. Nourish your spirit, too, through personal reflection and connection with those you love. Find some quiet time each day for relaxation and meditation—if only for a few minutes, no matter how busy you are. Let your spirit be your guide.

7. If You Need Drug or Alcohol Addiction Treatment, Consider Going to Rehab During the Holidays

Some families might consider the holidays an inappropriate time to help a loved one get into addiction treatment when, in fact, it could be an ideal opportunity. For many of the reasons mentioned above, substance abuse tends to ramp up over the holidays. Addiction treatment initiated during the holidays could be the best gift you give to your family, your friends and yourself.

Towards the end of 2018, the  North-American Interfraternity Conference banned alcohol above 15% ABV in fraternities. This ban apparently is for all students, regardless of if they are over 21. This means that no fraternity that is associated with NIC can have parties with hard liquor, in order to alleviate some of the alcohol related issues that have been seen across campuses over the past several years. Unfortunately, though, there is no real way of fully enforcing this enactment. At NJIT, the majority of frat houses are private houses off-campus, which limits the schools ability to intervene.

While the majority of fraternities in this region are associated with NIC, there are still ones not associated with NIC that would not have to abide by these same rules. The hope, though, is that this enactment will encourage universities to create harder lines on alcohol consumption. As this ban goes underway, other laws are staying to take place. Some fraternity chapters are starting to adopt “dry campus” laws, where they are not allowed to drink, at all, on campus. And, if not full bans, other chapters are adopting dry spaces or common areas, where there will be no alcohol.

With NIC’s new policy, it seems like there will be many major changes to come. Hopefully, these bans will decrease underage drinking incidents on and off campus and will lead to less alcohol-related injuries.

To the view the original article, click here. 

CBD is short for cannabidiol, which is a major, non-psychoactive component of marijuana, but can also be extracted from hemp. Most CBD oils are legal in New Jersey and has recently become a new fad that a lot of people are engaging in.

According to Healthline, CBD is said to relieve pain. We naturally have an endocannabinoid system in our bodies that helps to regulate everyday functions like sleep and pain by producing cannabinoids, a neurotransmitter. CBD enters this system and enhance the natural neurotransmitters.

Aside from pain, CBD has been said to assist in treatment with those with anxiety and depression. Studies have shown that even animals have found reprieve while using CBD. The advantage of CBD is that it is found to be less addictive than the average anti-anxiety medicine and antidepressants.

But is CBD really safe? Not all CBD is legal. If it is derived from marijuana, it is only legal in states where marijuana is legal, but if it is derived from hemp then it is legal in every state and can sold be almost anywhere. CBD has been known to interact with certain medications, also, so make sure to check with a doctor before taking.

Some additional side effects include diarrhea, changes in appetite, and fatigue. There are also not many regulations, leading a lot up to the discretion of the company in regard to sourcing, what concentration, and what else is in it.

The Community Coalition for a Safe and Healthy Morris, in collaboration with Life Center Stage, created an awareness campaign Share Your Story #Stop The Pain, focused on bringing light — through stories, photography and videos –on how the opioid epidemic affects real people! This initiative, which started with three 30-second Opioid Awareness spots featuring people sharing how the opioid crisis has personally affected them, also impacted those telling their stories. After filming the 30 second spot, Loren O’Donnell expressed, “I unleashed repressed feelings, I needed that. Thank you. I am forever grateful” Learning how sharing had made a difference, CCSHM invited the community to share their stories and experiences with opioids, addiction, stigma- as well as their stories of hope and recovery- on our website  stopthepainnj.org  The website will showcase the stories, videos and photographs from the Stop The Pain Opioid Awareness Spots, #StopThePain social media feed of publicly posted stories along with up to date resources for those struggling with this opioid crisis. We invite you to visit the link below and submit your own story.

Tackling Opioids by Sarah Keir

Older adults are at a higher risk than other age groups of prescription misuse or abuse. Often, we associate older adults with wisdom. They have more lived experience, of course, than any other age group. But, 30% of adults in this age bracket are prescribed 5 or more prescripts. And more than 80% of older adults are prescribed at least one prescription. With the increase in prescriptions, comes the increase risk of misuse or abuse of prescription drugs.

As we get older, our metabolisms slow down which further effects that way in which prescription drugs interact in our bodies. We, also, tend to take more over-the-counter medications and supplements as we age, in order to get all of the needed nutrients and to manage components of aging. It is important to keep a list of all medications, including supplements and over-the-counter medications, when going to the doctor. This will allow the doctor to know exactly what you are taking, so that they will not prescribe anything that is either not needed or will react poorly to other medications you are taking.

Aside from keeping a log of medications and supplements, using a weekly or even daily pill organizer is a great way to decrease the risk of medication misuse. Using an organizer helps to fill potential memory gaps, because it allows for a visualization of exactly what pills have been taken and what pills are left for the day or week. This is especially helpful for those who have more than one or two medications per day.

If you find yourself experiencing side effects of medication or not knowing the purpose of a medication, reach out to your doctor. They can inform you not only of the purpose of the medication, but also be able to inform you if you still have a need for the medication. Always read the labels of your prescriptions, and if something does not look right, say something.
When there is an excess of medication that is only an as needed medication or a temporary medication, it is crucial to dispose of the remaining medication properly. All medications can be brought to a dropbox location which will properly dispose of the medication for you. For dropbox locations, click here.
The FDA also recommends to “mix medicines (do not crush tablets or capsules) with an unpalatable substance such as dirt, cat litter, or used coffee grounds then place the mixture in a container such as a sealed plastic bag, and finally throw the container in your household trash.” Also, make sure to rip off all labels or scribble out the personal information on the bottle before disposal.

The FDA does NOT recommend flushing medications, as this can pollute the waterways.

Whether you are in recovery or not, it is a good idea to know what types of alternatives are available when it comes to pain management. On average, 115 Americans are dying each day due to opioid related deaths. Opiates are highly addictive, in fact one in four people prescribed opiates for long-term pain management report struggling with addiction. Another huge risk with being prescribed opiates is that those who become addicted to pain killers are 40x more likely to become addicted to heroin.
Though the use of opiates does not sound promising for our health, there are plenty of alternatives that we can utilize, many of which you may use already for other types of ailments.

• Over-the-counter medications. Often times, OTC’s, like acetaminophen or ibuprofen, will help with pain management just as well as an opiate/opioid might help. In fact, the American College of Rheumatology recommends acetaminophen as the first line of defense when it comes to managing pain. If acetaminophen is not doing the job, that is when switching over to an NSAID, like Aleve, would be beneficial. NSAIDs offer anti-inflammatory relief and are little bit more potent than acetaminophen.

• Physical Therapy. If your pain is due to an injury, seeing a physical therapist would be beneficial. A physical therapist would be able to better identify the source of pain, and provide exercises that would be able to provide strength to the areas of pain, and in turn reduce inflammation and increase blood flow.

• Acupuncture. Similar to physical therapy, acupuncture helps to increase blood flow to an inflamed region. There are very few side effects to getting acupuncture, also.

• Mindfulness meditation. Sometimes pain may feel worse because we are focused on it. By engaging in mindfulness meditation, we can begin to focus on other aspects of our lives, which can help to alleviate the pain.

These are just a few of the many alternatives that can get you through a painful situation, without putting you at risk of substance abuse. If the pain seems unbearable and you feel that an alternative will not help, just be aware of the side effects and be sure to talk to your doctor about the safest procedures when it comes to taking them.

Vaping has been around for a while. It started as a method to quit smoking, without cutting out nicotine cold turkey. As time has passed, there have been multiple brands of e-cigarettes and vapes, but Juul has quickly become the most commonly known. Some other popular names for e-cigarettes and vapes include mods, pens, juice, PV, or e-liquid.

Vapes are small and are able to be hidden well, which is part of the draw. They also come in a variety of different flavors, creating a marketing effort directed towards youth. In fact, of users that are age 12-17, 85% are using flavored vapes. The marketing of vapes makes it seem safer than smoking, to the point where 3 out of 5 teens believe that vaping occasionally will do no harm.

While vapes are marketed as being safer, one Juul pod contains the same amount of nicotine as an entire pack of cigarettes. The pods are small, so it is hard to recognize just how much of one is being smoke at one time, which leads to consuming more nicotine than a person would have otherwise.

As the availability of these e-cigarettes and vapes increases, so does the use. In 2011, only about 2% of boys and girls partook in smoking e-cigarettes or vapes, but comparatively in 2017, this rose to 13% in 8th graders, and up to 28% in 12th graders.

In the state of New Jersey, the legal age to buy tobacco products is 21. Given the sheer number of people under the age of 21 that are obtaining these devices, it is evident that people are illegally purchasing or selling devices to underage persons.

The real risk with electronic cigarettes and vaping is that we do not know the effects that it will have on the body for long term use. According to the American Lung Association, there has been a link between vaping and popcorn lung, especially when it comes to flavored vapes. A 2015 study showed that 39 out of 51 tested brands contained diacetyl, which is the chemical known to cause popcorn lung.

Aside from this known side effect, it is unknown what will happen due to the chemicals and mechanisms of e-cigarettes and vapes. Generally, the oil or liquid is heated up using metal coils, which can then be inhaled along with the nicotine.

Smoking electronic cigarettes is a gateway to other nicotine products and is a health concern that is completely avoidable. Cigarette smoking was almost obsolete but vapes are bringing the nicotine and big tobacco companies back to the top. It is not a healthy alternative to smoking, and it is important to recognize the risks associated with using, especially in those underage.

Tobacco products have been illegal to advertise for years, now. We do not hear about it as often and it becomes the question of “is it still a problem?”. The answer, bluntly, is yes. Smoking still affects many people, including youth between the ages of 12 and 18. Though smoking cigarettes has gone down in quantity of people smoking them, nicotine use is still a dangerous fad, being offered in more varieties than it once was.

In New Jersey, the legal age to buy tobacco is 21. But, 8.1% of high schoolers have reported smoking and over 12% have reported using e-cigarettes, which still contain a high amount of nicotine. It is a good measure that the legal age has been raised, but it is clear that this has not deterred underage persons from smoking.

Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States, as per the CDC. “More than 10 times as many U.S. citizens have died prematurely from cigarette smoking than have died in all the wars fought by the United States,” stated the CDC. Aside from death, cigarette smoking leads to other major diseases like cancer, chronic heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and minor ailments like wrinkles, yellowed teeth, Raynaud’s.

Cigarettes also effect the environment, which is something we do not always think about it. Cigarettes are a leading cause of deforestation because of growing the tobacco. Aside from just growing the tobacco, having enough paper to roll the cigarettes or to sell separately as rolling paper further influences deforestation.

A more obvious effect on the environment is air pollution. Not only is air pollution happening as people continue to smoke cigarettes, but the production process creates mass amounts of air pollutants, including greenhouse gasses.

So, though Big Tobacco has moved to the backburner in a lot of citizen’s minds, it is still an extremely pertinent issue. Big tobacco is ruining lives by continuing to cause health hazards, the issue that has been pressed for a while now. But, it is important to see the impacts that big tobacco is placing on the environment, too. As e-cigarettes and vapes rise up in popularity, we cannot forget or stop pushing for the end of cigarette smoking and big tobacco.

Drinking alcohol is something that is often seen as a rite of passage. The older children get, the more they are likely to try drinking. Buying and consuming alcohol is legal for those age 21 and up, federally. Individually, states have laws regarding underage persons being able to consume alcohol in the presence of strictly their parents, with their parent’s permission.
Though other countries have younger drinking ages, from as low as 16 in Germany for wine and beer, there is a good reason to wait until the age of 21 to start drinking. Drinking before the brain is fully developed can impact the growth and connections that the brain makes. The last part of the brain to fully develop is the frontal lobe. This part of the brain is in charge of decision making, understanding consequences, and emotional regulation.

Alcohol is a depressant, which means that it slows down physical and psychological activity. It also activates a neurotransmitter called GABA which slows everything down and relaxes us. But, alcohol is known to activate the entire rewards system, making it extremely addictive. With the rewards system being fully activated, it only encourages drinking more.

But what does all of this mean?

The combination of alcohols effect on the brain and the lack of development of the brain can make it hard for someone young to stop drinking, and can encourage bad decisions while drinking. Inhibiting the brain processes of an already underdeveloped brain makes decision making skills few and far between. Further, due to not being fully aware of or concerned with consequences can result in extreme risky behavior while drinking. This is commonly seen in the news, as seen with the Penn State hazing of Timothy Piazza. With all underage students drinking, the risky behavior was elevated and the decision making skills were decreased, as a result, no one called 911 and a life was lost.

Aside from just the effects on the brain, the earlier and more frequently a person is introduced to alcohol, the more likely they are to build up a tolerance. Tolerance means needing more alcohol to get a buzz or to feel tipsy or drunk, resulting in significant over drinking.

Drinking is not something that should be viewed as a rite of passage. The negative effects on the undeveloped brain can result in permanent damage and delays. The decisions made while drinking are irreversible, though these decisions are not always life or death, they can be. Before picking up that first drink as someone under 21, it is important to ask yourself if it is worth the experiment. The drinking age is 21 for a reason, and a good one at that.