Dr. Jennifer Caudle is a physician Board certified in Family Medicine who promotes , wellness and motivational programs. She has appeared on ABC News, written healthy advice articles and led workshops nationally. Her message of wellness has reached over 50,000 people and she can be found at http://www.jennifercaudle.com/.
Q: How should parents promote dialogue with their children about inhalant abuse?
A: One of the best things to do is to ask about their behavior, friends behavior and things they’ve seen
Q: What would you like children to know about the danger and severity of inhalant abuse?
A: A lot of people don’t know how common it is. You can have effects after the first try such as nausea, headaches; and more serious issues such as kidney, heart, lung problems and even sudden death.
Q: What are some treatments inhalant abusers must undergo to end their addiction?
A: There are treatment centers for abusers to get help. The most important thing is to get them help.
Q: Why do you feel inhalants are so popular?
A: Inhalants are popular because they are so easy to find. Many substances can be found around the house and at hardware stores.
Q: What is something that is usually overlooked when it comes to inhalant abuse?
A: A lot of adults abuse inhalants as well. Well over 54% of people who go to treatment are adults. Inhalant abuse can happen at all ages.
Q: What is your main message to the public?
A: People tend to overlook inhalant abuse as substance abuse when in reality it is. The signs are not always clear you may or may not notice them. Knowledge is power. We need to educate children, adults and health care providers more on this issue. No one should use inhalants. Parents, talk to your kids about the dangers. Also, physicians are always a great resource for any questions or advice.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Friday, May 20, 2011
FOX 9 of St. Paul Minnesota Covers ACE's Partnership with the Minnesota Twins
Via myfoxtwincities.com St. Paul, MN
FOX 9 medical expert Dr. Archelle Georgiou talks with a former abuser and a local prevention expert about the warning signs of inhalant abuse in addition to the Alliance for Consumer Education's "Strike Out Inhalant Abuse in Minnesota" initiative with the Minnesota Twins.
FOX 9 medical expert Dr. Archelle Georgiou talks with a former abuser and a local prevention expert about the warning signs of inhalant abuse in addition to the Alliance for Consumer Education's "Strike Out Inhalant Abuse in Minnesota" initiative with the Minnesota Twins.
Alliance for Consumer Education Receives an Honorable Mention at the PR News Award
Via prnewsonline.com Washington D.C.
On May 18, 2011 PR News congratulated all Non-Profit PR award winners and honorable mentions in a luncheon held at the National Press Club in Washington D.C.
The Alliance for Consumer Education received an honorable mention in the Media Relations category for their "Super Heroes Team Up To Fight Germs" campaign, against stiff competition. The overall winner in the category was Dentsu Communications.
Congratulations to the Alliance for Consumer Education for such a great achievment!
On May 18, 2011 PR News congratulated all Non-Profit PR award winners and honorable mentions in a luncheon held at the National Press Club in Washington D.C.
The Alliance for Consumer Education received an honorable mention in the Media Relations category for their "Super Heroes Team Up To Fight Germs" campaign, against stiff competition. The overall winner in the category was Dentsu Communications.
Congratulations to the Alliance for Consumer Education for such a great achievment!
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
A Message from Harvey Weiss the Executive Director of the National Inhalant Prevention Coalition
When Prevention Fails or Comes Too Late:
By: Harvey Weiss the Executive Director of the National Inhalant Prevention Coalition
At a recent meeting I mentioned data included in this and our last UPDATE and was challenged about the data’s accuracy. This sort of reminded me of the old Rodney Dangerfield line, “I can’t get no respect.” Or should I say, inhalants can’t get no respect!
Inhalant abuse is generally not the first thing that crops up when people talk or write about major substance abuse challenges; especially among adults. Meth, crack and heroin ring out but who would guess more adults “huff” than get involved in these substances. As perspective and to link some concerns together, I’ll cite a few facts that are elaborated on in our last UPDATE and this one:
Any time an inhalant is used or experimented with, it could be a fatal episode;
• Inhalants are usually the first substance a young person experiments with;
• Among 12 or 13 year olds, more kids “huff” than do any other illicit substance;
• For all people 12 and older, more people abuse inhalants than use meth, cocaine, heroin, oxycontin, LSD or sedatives;
• More people over the age of 18 are in treatment for inhalant dependence than are individuals younger than 18; and
• At least 280 inhalant related deaths were reported to the NIPC last year.
I would be the first to concur that the problems associated with use of meth, crack, heroin, oxycontin, LSD and sedatives are important and must be addressed. However we rarely hear the term inhalant abuse uttered with the same frequency or in the same context of alarm as these substances. Maybe it is about time more attention be paid to the substance being abused by more people - INHALANTS. We can no longer say our messages are just for youth but we must expand our audience to embrace adults of all ages.
While education and awareness are the keys to early prevention there must also be ongoing efforts to help people of all ages caught up in the stranglehold of inhalant abuse.
By: Harvey Weiss the Executive Director of the National Inhalant Prevention Coalition
At a recent meeting I mentioned data included in this and our last UPDATE and was challenged about the data’s accuracy. This sort of reminded me of the old Rodney Dangerfield line, “I can’t get no respect.” Or should I say, inhalants can’t get no respect!
Inhalant abuse is generally not the first thing that crops up when people talk or write about major substance abuse challenges; especially among adults. Meth, crack and heroin ring out but who would guess more adults “huff” than get involved in these substances. As perspective and to link some concerns together, I’ll cite a few facts that are elaborated on in our last UPDATE and this one:
Any time an inhalant is used or experimented with, it could be a fatal episode;
• Inhalants are usually the first substance a young person experiments with;
• Among 12 or 13 year olds, more kids “huff” than do any other illicit substance;
• For all people 12 and older, more people abuse inhalants than use meth, cocaine, heroin, oxycontin, LSD or sedatives;
• More people over the age of 18 are in treatment for inhalant dependence than are individuals younger than 18; and
• At least 280 inhalant related deaths were reported to the NIPC last year.
I would be the first to concur that the problems associated with use of meth, crack, heroin, oxycontin, LSD and sedatives are important and must be addressed. However we rarely hear the term inhalant abuse uttered with the same frequency or in the same context of alarm as these substances. Maybe it is about time more attention be paid to the substance being abused by more people - INHALANTS. We can no longer say our messages are just for youth but we must expand our audience to embrace adults of all ages.
While education and awareness are the keys to early prevention there must also be ongoing efforts to help people of all ages caught up in the stranglehold of inhalant abuse.
Q&A with the Director of the New England Inhalant Abuse Prevention Coalition: Howard Wolfe
Howard Wolfe is the Director of the New England Inhalant Abuse Prevention Coalition. He started working on inhalant abuse with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health in 1994, as a founding member of Massachusetts Inhalant Abuse Task Force. The task force developed an educational campaign called, “A Breath Away,” in response to a dramatic increase in incidents of inhalant abuse in Massachusetts in the early 1990’s. The goal of the program, which also formed the foundation for his current organization, was to educate as many adults as possible who have an ongoing relationship with kids.
What is the New England Inhalant Abuse Prevention Coalition?
The New England Inhalant Abuse Prevention Coalition was founded based on a 2003
Center for Substance Abuse Prevention Grant to Howard Wolfe and the New England Institute for Addiction Studies. The goal was to disseminate best practices in inhalant abuse prevention and treatment to all of New England.
Has the Coalition been successful?
The results of the initial attempts was an incredible one year, 27% drop in first time use, which means an astonishing 50,000 kids in New England chose NOT to start using inhalants. The latest data shows that New England continues to improved upon this drop; inhalant use is down 40% from the project base-line (2005). (Data is from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health.)
How did you accomplish this?
Early on we did research that showed that adults were in the dark about inhalants, but many kids knew. We developed a website for parents, www.InhalantAbuseTraining.org, a 20 minute training which teaches parents about inhalants, how to spot use, and contains scripts to assist parents of all aged kids to start a conversation with their kids about the dangers of inhalant abuse and safe use of products. Inhalants are never referred to as drugs (unless they already see it as a drug), and there is no mention of getting “high,” but rather they are referred to as poisons, pollutants, toxins, and fire and explosion hazards, which is what these products become when misused. The coalition worked with the existing prevention and treatment systems in each state to enhance their effectiveness with inhalant abuse best practices. For more information about our approach, go to www.inhalantprevention.org .
Have you seen any negative trends lately?
Though New England rates of abuse are now at historic lows, products that have no odor or residue are becoming more popular. Because their use is hard to detect, people are able to abuse products in their bedrooms, at work or in cars. The result is an increase in dangerous activities like using inhalants while driving or at work (on ladders, for instance).
What is next for the New England Inhalant Abuse Coalition?
Our goal now is to take what we have learned about best practices in inhalant abuse prevention and treatment and share them with other parts of the US. We are also seeking to engage the federal government as well. Inhalants are the only drug for which there are no federal laws and no national policy.
In your opinion, what do you think is the most important thing for parents and
communities to know about inhalant abuse?
We can prevent a lot of inhalant abuse just by spreading our “Key Messages” to anyone who has a relationship with a child or teen. Those messages are:
1. More than 1,000 everyday products, including cleaning, office, and art supplies, sol¬vents, gases, and shop chemicals have the potential to be abused as inhalants.
2. Inhalants are actually poisons, pollutants, toxins, and fire hazards. They are made of crude oil and were never meant to be inhaled.
3. These products are safe when used as directed, but when vapors are concen¬trated and breathed in, they can become dangerous and deadly.
4. There is no level of safe use for inhalants. 33% of deaths are the result of first time use.
5. Inhalants can be addictive, both psychologically and physically. There are roughly as many inhalant addicts as heroin ad¬dicts in this country.
6. Inhalants can cause permanent damage to the nervous system, lungs, liver, kid¬neys, and brain.
7. More kids are using inhalants than adults think – and at earlier ages. Along with tobacco and alcohol, it is one of the first drugs that children will try. Nationally, nearly one out of five 8th through 12th graders has intentionally inhaled to get high. Recent data suggest growing interest in inhalants by older teens and adults.
8. We can prevent inhalant abuse by being aware of the problem and talking to children about product safety, reading warning labels on products and modeling safe use and safe storage.
For more information, visit www.InhalantAbuseTraining.org.
What is the New England Inhalant Abuse Prevention Coalition?
The New England Inhalant Abuse Prevention Coalition was founded based on a 2003
Center for Substance Abuse Prevention Grant to Howard Wolfe and the New England Institute for Addiction Studies. The goal was to disseminate best practices in inhalant abuse prevention and treatment to all of New England.
Has the Coalition been successful?
The results of the initial attempts was an incredible one year, 27% drop in first time use, which means an astonishing 50,000 kids in New England chose NOT to start using inhalants. The latest data shows that New England continues to improved upon this drop; inhalant use is down 40% from the project base-line (2005). (Data is from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health.)
How did you accomplish this?
Early on we did research that showed that adults were in the dark about inhalants, but many kids knew. We developed a website for parents, www.InhalantAbuseTraining.org, a 20 minute training which teaches parents about inhalants, how to spot use, and contains scripts to assist parents of all aged kids to start a conversation with their kids about the dangers of inhalant abuse and safe use of products. Inhalants are never referred to as drugs (unless they already see it as a drug), and there is no mention of getting “high,” but rather they are referred to as poisons, pollutants, toxins, and fire and explosion hazards, which is what these products become when misused. The coalition worked with the existing prevention and treatment systems in each state to enhance their effectiveness with inhalant abuse best practices. For more information about our approach, go to www.inhalantprevention.org .
Have you seen any negative trends lately?
Though New England rates of abuse are now at historic lows, products that have no odor or residue are becoming more popular. Because their use is hard to detect, people are able to abuse products in their bedrooms, at work or in cars. The result is an increase in dangerous activities like using inhalants while driving or at work (on ladders, for instance).
What is next for the New England Inhalant Abuse Coalition?
Our goal now is to take what we have learned about best practices in inhalant abuse prevention and treatment and share them with other parts of the US. We are also seeking to engage the federal government as well. Inhalants are the only drug for which there are no federal laws and no national policy.
In your opinion, what do you think is the most important thing for parents and
communities to know about inhalant abuse?
We can prevent a lot of inhalant abuse just by spreading our “Key Messages” to anyone who has a relationship with a child or teen. Those messages are:
1. More than 1,000 everyday products, including cleaning, office, and art supplies, sol¬vents, gases, and shop chemicals have the potential to be abused as inhalants.
2. Inhalants are actually poisons, pollutants, toxins, and fire hazards. They are made of crude oil and were never meant to be inhaled.
3. These products are safe when used as directed, but when vapors are concen¬trated and breathed in, they can become dangerous and deadly.
4. There is no level of safe use for inhalants. 33% of deaths are the result of first time use.
5. Inhalants can be addictive, both psychologically and physically. There are roughly as many inhalant addicts as heroin ad¬dicts in this country.
6. Inhalants can cause permanent damage to the nervous system, lungs, liver, kid¬neys, and brain.
7. More kids are using inhalants than adults think – and at earlier ages. Along with tobacco and alcohol, it is one of the first drugs that children will try. Nationally, nearly one out of five 8th through 12th graders has intentionally inhaled to get high. Recent data suggest growing interest in inhalants by older teens and adults.
8. We can prevent inhalant abuse by being aware of the problem and talking to children about product safety, reading warning labels on products and modeling safe use and safe storage.
For more information, visit www.InhalantAbuseTraining.org.
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