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Tackling Opioids through Prevention in Athletes June newsletter. Learn about alternatives to pain management and the importance of Athletic Trainers.

TOP June by Sarah Keir

Alcohol advertising is legal. It is something that is seen every where, from billboards to commercials on TV, to ads in magazines. Movies and shows glorify that of drinking, especially in college and underage students. Movies like Project X and more recently Booksmart show off the joys of drinking. As much as alcohol has become a staple of society, how much is it affecting underage people to drink?

Studies have found that for each additional alcohol advertisement over the average of 23 per day, a child or adolescent is 1% more likely to drink and for every additional dollar spent on advertising, children are 3% more likely to drink. An additional study showed that students in middle school who were watching more television and movies that showed drinking were more likely to drink themselves, and were more likely to binge drink (having 3 or more drinks in one sitting). Further, a study found that owning and wearing alcohol branded apparel was significantly associated with drinking later on.

Youth are drawn to what they know. Alcohol is already seen as a rite of passage by a lot of family members and friends of young adults and children therefore not being taken seriously. By advertising alcohol and putting the name of different brands out, youth are more aware of what types of alcohol are available and the trends show that youth are drinking more when they are exposed to the advertisements on a more frequent basis.

So, if studies show that alcohol advertisements, regardless of where the advertisements are, how come it is still legal to advertise? In January of 1971, Big Tobacco was no longer allowed to advertise tobacco products with these guidelines getting stricter in 1998. Tobacco was bad and advertisers were engaging young people in order to gain life long users, so the government stepped in. Why, then, is alcohol not treated on the same wave length? Alcohol companies should be limited in who they are able to reach in advertisements. Further, movies and television should be mindful, especially in G and PG rated ones, in showing alcohol.

Additional studies have found that reducing alcohol advertising significantly reduces use in under age individuals. By completely banning alcohol advertising, such as what was done with big tobacco, would result in the largest reduction of underage drinking. Ultimately, reducing or banning alcohol advertisements would save lives among the over 7000 alcohol related deaths in underage people each year. Thinking about the lives that can be positively effected by limiting alcohol advertisements should be more important than the money being made by underage sales.

For additional information and resources, click through to Johns Hopkins, CAMY.

In the United States, the drinking age is 21. Many other countries, though, have a lower drinking age from 16-18, depending on hard liquor or beer or wine. Due to the various differences in the age of being able to consume alcohol, there has always been a lot of debate about whether or not the United States should lower their drinking age. What makes 21 the best age? Why is that the point of rational decision making when other countries allow for earlier starting points?

The CDC reported that 11% of all alcohol consumed in the United States was consumed by people ages 12-20. Which, of course, means that 11% of all alcohol consumed in the US is consumed illegally by underage persons. Generally, when underage persons drink alcohol, they are binge drinking which results in a lot of risky behavior. Often, underage people are hiding that they are drinking, furthering potential high risk because of being afraid to ask for help if needed.

Research has found that underage drinking and underage smoking of marijuana can alter epigenetics – which is the way genes are displayed or activated. This alteration affects brain development and growth. Additionally, there has been a link found between potential fathers drinking and their influence on the epigenetics of future children’s ability to drink, in regard to sensitivity to alcohol and affinity for drinking.

So, it comes to no surprise that additional genetic links have been found. The genetics have also been shifted in the emotional center of the brain in those who binge drink as an adolescent. This means that underage drinking can trigger the gene for anxiety, fear, stress, and a plethora of other psychological disorders and issues. A recent study also found that binge drinking as a adolescent  can result in a decrease of the protein that results in neural synapses – essentially the protein that allows our brain to talk to different parts of the brain or body. In those who binge drank alcohol as an adolescent, their brains produced a non-coding protein, rendering it useless. If this protein is not produced enough, this can lead to underdevelopment of the brain as there are less neural pathways being made. Additionally, there is less amygdala growth, which is in charge of emotion regulation.

Ultimately, the drinking age to some people may not make sense. Especially as other countries have lower drinking ages than the United States. But, the brain is not fully developed until later in life and by lowering the drinking age, there is a strong possibility of hindering the brain development. Maintaining the drinking age of 21 results in allowing for greater brain development and healthier adults. By discouraging underage drinking, we are discouraging more than just consumption of alcohol.

Learn what you can do to help student athletes stay away from opioids through patient centered care and working with parents.

Aug TOP by Sarah Keir

When it comes to underage drinking, New Jersey has very clear laws in regard to what is considered underage drinking and what should be considered as the consequences. The drinking age in New Jersey, and across the United States is 21 years old. This means any one under 21 is considered a minor. Being caught with alcohol as a minor can be much more serious than just a misdemeanor or criminal charge.

If someone is caught with alcohol that is underage, it can result in a disorderly person charge which is anywhere from a $500 to $1000 fine and up to 6 months in jail. Further, this charge could affect a persons ability to drive, regardless of if they have a license yet. It can add up to 6 months of postponement of obtaining a license. Aside from just being penalized, minors can be subject to having to take alcohol education courses in order to prevent additional misuse of the substance, especially as a minor.

A lot of people assume that if a minor gets in trouble, this misdemeanor does not get put on their public record. However, that is not only the case. In fact, only a few cases get expunged. Due to the lack of expungement, there is a strong possibility that it affects the persons ability to get a job, as most employers check for criminal background history. Additionally, trying to enlist in the military can be a hindrance if there is a record.

Not only are minors penalized for underage consumption, but parents who allow underage drinking can lose even more. Parents who host parties can be charged with endangering the welfare of a child, and unlawfully dealing with a child. Under the law, a parent can only give alcohol to their own child in their own home. There is no law protecting a parent from giving another child alcohol. In fact, parents can sue other parents for unlawfully giving alcohol.

Important things to keep in mind are that if a person underage calls 911 due to the need for medical attention, they will not be penalized under the Good Samaraitan law. So, if a minor is drinking it is encouraged that they reach out for help when needed.

Ultimately, underage drinking not only can result in serious consequences for the minor, but an adult hosting a party for minors can result in losing everything.

There have been about 150 recent cases of unexplained lung disease in youth who have recently vaped, and it has experts concerned. Currently, it does not seem like a disease is being spread around, though the cases have been only across 16 states. At this time, it is not known if the electronic devices are causing the long issues or if it the liquid going into the devices. The major issue with vaping liquids is that there are no regulations. The illness, though, has not been limited to nicotine or to THC, indicating that is likely the device or the mixing agent used in both liquids. Heavy metals are inhaled because of the coils being burnt through these devices, which could be a factor to this unexplained lung disease.

The FDA has policy that allows for it to regulate all tobacco products, but given that e-liquids are not tobacco products, there is no official regulation. Though working on policy and procedure, it will not be for a while until the FDA mandates that e-liquids are approved. Officially, the FDA has given companies a two year window to begin submitting their products for approval. This is two years of people consuming products that they are unsure of what is in them. Further, some companies list their products as nicotine free, but the majority of liquids labelled as such have been found to have trace amounts of nicotine.

One of the major issues being found with vaping is that there has been popcorn lung linked with the liquid used. Diacetyl is the chemical that has been known to cause popcorn lung. Yet, diacetyl is found in the vast majorities of vaping liquids, which means it is exposing more and more youth to this irreversible disease. This has been a known issue with vaping but this is still not the unknown lung disease that patients are encountering.

Due to vaping being so new, it is hard to identify the risk factors associated. Unfortunately, those who are vaping now are the guinea pigs to what will happen. As more research is done, it is becoming more and more evident that there are only more risks to be identified. The long term usage of vape products, whether the liquid or the device itself, is unknown and given the lung disease being developed, it is not looking good.

The best way to quit smoking cigarettes is with an FDA approved cessation method, and vaping is not one. Further, young adults and underage persons should simply say no when it comes to vaping.

Knock Out Opioid Awareness Day is an informative, yearly event that happens across New Jersey. This event takes place on October 6th with the intention of bringing awareness to opioid use and misuse, including over prescribing of this pain killer.

Last year, a total of about 10,000 people across New Jersey participated in this astounding event. Participants went door-to-door distributing door knockers that explained the dangers of opioids. Some signs read “Would you give your child heroin for a toothache?”. These eye opening signs allowed for citizens to become more aware of addictive opioids and opiates are by making the stark comparison that heroin is the same concept as opioids.

This year, Community Coalition for a Safe and Healthy Morris will be hosting another Knock Out Opioid Abuse Concert, titled “A Journey of Recovery: It’s time! Things I must express”. This event will take place at County College of Morris on October 4th from 6-9pm in the Dragonetti Auditorium.

As vaping gets banned in China, and is no longer being sold in Wal Mart, there has been a huge shift in the climate around vaping and juuling. Stocks fell almost immediately in Juul once China decided to ban the product, resulting in significantly less funds and support. Investors are also pulling away from the product. What is Juul doing to combat the top issues they are facing?

Amidst everything going on with a rise in deaths and illness surrounded around vaping, the Juul CEO Kevin Burns, has decided to step down from the company. The person taking his place is Altria chief growth officer, K.C Crosthwaite. Ultimately, this further shows the influence that Big Tobacco has on the vaping industry.

Juul has agreed to ban the flavors associated with the company and will no longer be advertising their products in the United States. The FDA has decided to pull all flavor until they are tested and approved. Juul has decided not to push back or lobby during this decision and will only sell their tobacco flavoring, but no fruit flavored pods. Crosthwaite stated, “due to unacceptable levels of youth usage and eroding public confidence in our industry. Against that backdrop, we must strive to work with regulators, policymakers and other stakeholders, and earn the trust of the societies in which we operate“.

Certain states are not just banning flavors, but are looking to ban all devices. These states include New York, Massachusetts, and Michigan. Other states are investigating Juul to see if they have broken laws in directing their marketing strategies towards those under 18, the federal age for tobacco purchasing.

Compared to cigarettes, vaping has caused significantly more harm in much less time. Cigarettes take years to really affect health the ways that vaping has affected health in just a few short months. Though the FDA should have acted sooner, it is good that they are stepping in now and hopefully there will be a decrease in injury, illness, and fatality.

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