Ever heard of Well Commons?
It is a web site community working to improve health in Douglas County, KS. The New Tradition Coalition is linked up to this site and we support its cause.
http://wellcommons.com/groups/new-tradition-coalition/

KEEP OUR YOUTH SAFE THIS 4TH OF JULY

Underage Drinking-Related Hospital Department Visits Nearly Double over the 4th of July Weekend
Hospital emergency department visits involving underage drinking nearly double during the Fourth of July Holiday weekend according to a new study by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The study reveals that daily underage drinking-related visits to hospital emergency departments are 87 percent higher during the Fourth of July weekend than they are on an average day in July. The report estimates that on an average day in July, there are 502 hospital emergency department visits involving underage alcohol use. For the three day Fourth of July weekend however, the number of daily hospital emergency department visits jumps to 938.
"Underage drinking is not a harmless right of passage. It has far-reaching consequences. In addition to emergency department visits, injuries, arrests and embarrassment, 5,000 deaths in people under age 21 are linked to alcohol each year," said SAMHSA Administrator Pamela S. Hyde, J.D. "Parents are a leading influence in their children’s decision to avoid alcohol. To help parents make the tough job of raising children a little easier, SAMHSA provides an online action plan to help parents talk with their children about expectations regarding alcohol use."
The study was developed as part of the agency’s strategic initiative on data, outcomes, and quality - an effort to inform policy makers and service providers on the nature and scope of behavioral health issues. It is based on SAMHSA’s 2008 Drug Alert Warning Network (DAWN) report. DAWN is a public health surveillance system that monitors drug-related hospital emergency department visits reported throughout the nation.
A copy of the study is available at: http://oas.samhsa.gov/spotlight/Spotlight003UnderageAlcoholUse.pdf.
Information and materials on how to help prevent underage drinking are available at: http://www.underagedrinking.samhsa.gov/
Also be sure to check out the Underage Drinking: Talk EARLY. Talk OFTEN: Get Others INVOLVED campaign Web site.

KANSAS RATES HIGHER THAN NATIONAL AVERAGE

Underage drinking is a significant issue that affects every Kansas community and it is a huge drain on our state budget. The Kansas Leadership to Keep Children Alcohol Free Committee has put together some research information to educate communities and state leaders about how underage drinking affects Kansans.

The white paper outlines the effects of underage drinking; youth alcohol use rates in Kansas; the economic impact of underage drinking; current Kansas policies to reduce youth access; and suggested policy changes and effective strategies to address this issue.

The Kansas Leadership to Keep Children Alcohol Free Committee encourages you to distribute this document widely throughout your networks via e-mail, newsletters, listserv, social networking pages (facebook, Twitter, etc.,) and Web sites. For questions or additional information about the document, contact Keri Renner at: krenner@kansasfamily.com or Michelle Voth at: mhvoth@kansasfamily.com or call Kansas Family Partnership at 1-800-206-7231.

http://www.kansasfamily.com/documents/KSSOSUAD2010.pdf

COMMUNITY HEALTH FORUM and FAIR

The 1st Community Health Forum and Fair was held at the 9th Street Baptist Outreach Center on May 30, 2009. It was organized by the members of the Health and Wellness Ministry including Dr. J. Kenoly, First Lady Carmen White and, Chrystal Lumpkins, PhD. Discussions included Substance Abuse and Prevention, Mental Health, Nutrition, Weight Loss and Exercise, Smoking Cession, Diabetes Support and Health Maintenance. There were screenings for Blood Pressure and Blood Sugar. And, everyone got a pedometer to promote walking 10,000 steps a day.

Health and Wellness Ministry members strive to promote programs focused on providing health education, wellness and health risk reduction to empower members to become more active in caring for their physical, mental, and emotional health in addition to their spiritual health. On May 30th, they did just that. Congratulations for a wonderful program!