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Features

Logan-Mason Mental Health
helps parents and kids hear
drug prevention messages

I lived the perfect life--perfect family, lots of friends, selective high school, and fun weekends when I’d smoke pot with my "secret" friends that nobody knew about. Then one day I introduced them to one of my school friends, the only one of my school friends who also smoked pot. A week later, I was busted for drugs when I found out that the word was out and my former best friend had told my school that I smoked. I became angry, depressed and upset with the world for months. Finally, I’m beginning to forgive people and live my life again. I’m proud to say that I’ve been clean for 6 months today. I’m living for my future, my parents, my few true friends who stuck close to me, and for myself. I owe it to myself to live a good life, and not to give it up to drugs. It’s still a daily struggle to stay on track but I’m happy with myself that I did.

[APRIL 27, 2002]  Recently, I overheard this story. I wasn’t touring a drug rehabilitation center or watching a documentary on public television. I was monitoring a bulletin board on a new teen-focused website called Freevibe.com. Hundreds of similar responses from kids speaking out on the issue of drugs, violence and prevention land on this and other computer bulletin board sites every week. Kids know what they are talking about, and they know where to go when they want to vent.

 As the prevention specialist of Logan-Mason Mental Health, I understand that it is critical to become involved with our kids, supervise their free time and pay attention to their activities, whether they are visiting a friend, at soccer practice, watching TV or surfing online.

Whether parents, neighbors or teachers, we all have the responsibility and opportunity to listen to and serve as a positive influence on kids. This is just one of the main messages to adults from the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy in its National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign.

Logan-Mason Mental Health is proud to help extend those efforts here and has joined the five-year initiative to reduce youth drug use, especially among middle-school-aged adolescents (approximately 11 to 13 years old). The integrated communications campaign delivers anti-drug messages to kids and parents through advertising, the Internet, movies, music, television, public-education efforts and community partnerships.

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As part of the national campaign, Logan-Mason Mental Health is empowering parents and other adults to get involved in kids’ lives. The local efforts, such as the Healthy Communities Partnership Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs Task Force, are designed to complement the national anti-drug campaign and will help provide a surround-sound effect that cannot be ignored.

To join us in this critical effort to foster healthy kids and healthy communities, contact Kristi Lessen at 735-2272.

[News release]

New study on alcohol consumption is wake-up call to underage drinking problem

[APRIL 20, 2002]  When young people make up a significant percent of alcohol consumers, it is clear that America has a problem with underage drinking. A study released by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University further illustrates the nation’s complacent attitude about underage drinking and the fact that alcohol is simply too easily obtainable for youth.

Although many communities, including parents, turn their backs on underage drinking, accepting it as a "rite of passage," startling statistics show that this is a dangerous approach to an issue that likely touches every teen. For too many, alcohol is the forgotten and ignored drug problem. Alcohol kills more young people under the age of 21 than all the other illicit drugs combined. 

Today we know more than ever about the serious effects of underage alcohol use. The earlier children drink, the more likely they are to become alcoholics later in life and the more likely they are to drive drunk and suffer unintentional injuries. As many as eight young Americans die in alcohol-related traffic crashes daily. Underage drinking also costs America more than $52 billion every year.

It is time for parents and communities to wake up and start working together to address an issue that is killing our kids. Alcohol remains the leading drug problem among our nation’s youth. You love your kids and want what is best for them, but sometimes it can be hard to demonstrate how much you love them, particularly as they grow up and become more independent.

Research shows that one of the best ways you can help your kids avoid alcohol use is by spending time with them. Here are some helpful suggestions for knowing what is going on in your child’s life:

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•  Be a good role model for your kids. There is no such thing as "do as I say not as I do" when raising children. If you abuse alcohol, your children are observing and learning from your behavior. On the other hand, if you are a living, day-to-day example of your value system, your children will learn and emulate the honesty, generosity and openness that you want your children to have.

•  Create "together time." Start a tradition or fun, weekly routine to do something with your child, such as going out for ice cream or to the movies.

•  Eat meals together as often as possible. Mealtime is a great opportunity to talk about the day’s events, unwind and reinforce a family bond. Studies show that kids whose families eat together at least five times a week are less likely to be involved with drugs and alcohol.

•  Try to be home after school. The "danger zone" for drug use and other risky behavior is between 4 and 6 p.m. If you can, arrange to have flextime if it is available at your workplace. When your child will be with friends, make sure there is adult supervision.

If you would like more tips on communication and parenting, visit www.theantidrug.com, a website designed to help parents learn how to talk to their children about staying clean, safe and drug-free, or you can call Kristi Lessen at Logan-Mason Mental Health, (217) 735-2272.

[Press release]

Health Matters

A monthly feature from  Logan County Health Department

[MAY 1, 2002]  Protect the skin you’re in — The sun may be 93 million miles away, but its ultraviolet, or UV, rays take only eight minutes to reach earth. These rays are strong and can damage your skin and lead to skin cancer. Just a few serious sunburns can increase your risk for getting skin cancer. And, over time, UV exposure can make your skin wrinkled and leathery.

Choose your cover — More and more people are looking for ways to protect themselves from the sun’s UV rays. Fortunately, there are many year-round options to protect your skin. So choose one or more of the following "covers."

Seek shade — Whenever possible, avoid the midday sun, when the UV rays are the strongest and do the most damage. Remember, trees, beach umbrellas and tents are all good sources of shade. Use these options to prevent sunburn, not to seek relief once it’s happened. If you can’t avoid the midday sun or find shade, try one of these other options.

Rub it on — Sunscreen is not just for the pool or the beach. Remember to bring it with you whenever you go outside — even on cloudy days. Use sunscreen that provides protection against both UVA and UVB rays and has a sun protection factor, or SPF, of at least 15.

To be most effective, sunscreen needs to be applied generously 30 minutes before going outdoors and should be reapplied throughout the day, especially after swimming or exercise. After all, many sunburns occur when outdoor activities last longer than expected.

Don’t like lotions? Try other varieties of sunscreen, such as sprays, wipes and gels. Concerned about acne? Look for sunscreens that are made especially for the face and won’t clog your pores.

Use your head — Not all sun protection comes in a bottle. When outdoors, try wearing a hat. Since almost 80 percent of skin cancers occur on the head or neck, wearing a wide-brimmed hat is a great way to shade your face, ears, scalp and neck from the sun’s rays. If you choose a baseball cap, make sure you use a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 to protect exposed areas. When you’re out in the sun, it’s easy — just use your head!

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Shield your skin — When enjoying your favorite outdoor activities, it’s important to shield your skin with extra clothing. A shirt, beach cover-up and pants are all good choices for cover. Keep in mind, however, that a typical T-shirt actually has a SPF rating substantially lower than the recommended SPF 15. So if your clothes don’t completely shield your skin, add some sunscreen and seek some shade whenever possible.

Grab your shades — Grabbing a pair of shades is more than cool; it’s also the best way to protect your eyes from harmful UV rays. Sunglasses protect the tender skin around the eyes and reduce the risk of developing cataracts. For maximum eye protection, look for sunglasses that block both UVA and UVB rays. Give wraparound lenses a try. They’re great for keeping those damaging rays from sneaking in at the sides.

Remember, covering up is your best defense. Studies show that reducing your exposure to the sun’s dangerous rays can decrease your future risk of getting skin cancer. At the beach, on the ski slopes or anywhere outdoors, you can keep your skin protected while having fun in the sun all year-round.

[Information in this article is provided by Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (CDC, 1998)]

Red Cross

Red Cross blood drives in May

[APRIL 30, 2002]  The American Red Cross will have two blood drives in May at the Lincoln Sports Complex. On May 1, hours will be from noon until 5 p.m. On May 15, the hours will be from noon until 6 p.m.

If donors would like an appointment for either drive, they may call (800) 728-3543. Walk-ins are always appreciated.

During April, the following people reached goals in their blood donations: Joe Hickey, five gallons; Nancy Uphoff, five gallons; Judy M. Hensley, three gallons; Barb Chrismore, two gallons; Rachel Stroud, two gallons; Rita White, one gallon; Mary Harmsen, one gallon; Donald Emmons, one gallon; Beau N. Hanger, one gallon; and Shirley Bree, one gallon.

Events

May 2002

Sunday, May 5
SPONSOR: Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital
WHO: Public
WHAT: Centennial Celebration
WHERE: Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital
WHEN: 11 am - 3 pm

Wednesday, May 15
SPONSOR: American Red Cross
WHO: Public
WHAT: Blood drive
WHERE: Lincoln Sports Complex
WHEN: noon-6 pm

June 2002

Wednesday, June 12
SPONSOR: Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital
WHO: Public
WHAT: "Update on Asthma," presented by Melissa Hardiek, M.D.
WHERE: Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital
WHEN: 6:30-8 pm

Honors & Awards

Announcements

The Rural Health Partnership has announced the schedule for its mobile health unit for 2002.

For more information on the mobile health unit schedule and services, contact Dayle Eldredge at (217) 732-2161, Ext. 409.

Community resource list

This family resource list to save and use is provided by the Healthy Communities Partnership and the Healthy Families Task Force, 732-2161, Ext. 409.         

(updated 2-15-02)

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