Emerging Drug Threats: Right Under our Noses

Recently, I was part of a coalition that developed a fairly comprehensive toolkit on prescription drug abuse. I've since been fortunate to have the opportunity to travel throughout Wisconsin giving presentations on prescription drug abuse, and for each of these I start with the question, "When you hear the words 'drug abuse,' what drugs come to mind?"

Answers I always get include: marijuana, cocaine, heroin and other street drugs, but people never think of listing prescription drugs. Unfortunately, we can now also add a suite of new designer drugs to the list synthetic drugs like K2/Spice and "bath salts."

I can hear the sighs from here; another emerging drug threat? Yet another trend to keep up with, and even more substances to worry about when it comes to our teens' health and safety?

Many communities around the country are experiencing problems with several new synthetic drugs. I won't go into great length about what these products are and what the effects of taking them are, as The Partnership at Drugfree.org recently created an excellent parent kit on synthetics that gives details about these new substances and what you can do to prevent teens from using these drugs.

I will, however, tell you what they are. While these products are typically marketed like incense, potpourri or bath salts (the kind that you actually use in a bathtub), they are not intended for this type of use. Upon closer examination, the packets clearly do not contain any of these products. Here in Northeast Wisconsin, law enforcement agencies have recently been encountering these synthetic cannabinoids in convenience stores, smoke shops and adult toy stores. The prices for these products range from about $19.95 to $39.95 for a small three-gram container. Clearly, most consumers would not purchase three grams of potpourri or spa bath salts for that amount of money. These prices are actually more in line with traditional drugs such as marijuana or cocaine. Another frightening thought: since they are marketed as incense, potpourri or bath salts, anyone "regardless of age" can purchase them. We have actually seen these products in convenience stores at the counter right next to candy bars!

In March of 2011, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) enacted an emergency measure to place several of the compounds commonly found in these synthetic drugs on the controlled substances schedule. Here in WI, a law was passed last July to ban these compounds, and many communities have followed with the passage of local ordinances. One thing we have learned is that the manufacturers of these substances will place stickers on their products or provide lab reports that their product does not contain any of the banned compounds, but investigations from across the state have shown that products seized have tested positive regardless of the letters or stickers.

What does this mean for you as parents? It means that we need to work together to keep up on the current trends in substance abuse. It is an ever changing world for us parents. Between texting, smart phones and hundreds of channels on television, life has changed for many of us! Substances that are abused also change with the times. K2/Spice and "bath salts" have been an eye opener for not only myself, but many of my partners in law enforcement. The Wisconsin Crime Prevention Practitioners Association worked to create a drug bulletin highlighting these new threats to our youth. Law enforcement agencies across the country are taking steps like this to help their communities stay informed.
Stay educated, and remember to keep talking to the kids in your life about the dangers of these and other substances.

Written by guest blogger Jason Weber Community Liaison Officer with the Town of Menasha Police Department. This blog was featured on PACT360

Stay educated, and remember to keep talking to the kids in your life about the dangers of these and other substances.

Stay tuned for PSA's to be aired at Marcus Cinemas in Oshkosh over the Nov-Jan holiday season on prescription abuse prevention.

To Win, We Have to Lose: Weight of the Nation

If you have some free time this holiday weekend, and are planning on getting together for a traditional Wisconsin get-together complete will all the food you can eat, you might want to check out The Weight of the Nation series that was presented last month on HBO. The following blog was written by Julia Salomon, Corporate Dietitian and Nutrition Educator with Affinity Health System and a member of re:TH!NK's Nutrition, Obesity and Type II Diabetes Committee. Thank you Julia for your insight and attention to the matter. Happy Independence Day everyone!

According to a new study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 42% of American adults will be obese by 2030. Currently 34% of adults are obese. Obesity is defined as having a body mass index or BMI of 30 or above.

Obesity seems to be rising among higher-income men while severe obesity (BMI greater than 40) is increasing in both sexes.　

Obesity is a serious condition that shortens life and leads to other chronic conditions such as diabetes, arthritis, and heart disease to name a few. In addition, the rising rate of obesity slows down efforts to limit health care costs; which have skyrocketed in the last few years. Some estimates cite that compared to healthy weight individuals, obese adults spend close to $1,500 more in medical expenses each year.

The obesity epidemic has been cited as one of the most pressing health issues facing the nation today. To draw attention to it, a national public education campaign was launched with the broadcast of a documentary called "The Weight of the Nation."　

The Weight of the Nation is a four-part documentary series. The first film of the documentary, CONSEQUENCES sets the stage, describing exactly how obesity has become so prevalent, how urgent it is that we battle obesity, especially childhood obesity, and presents the consequences of obesity on the future of our country.

The second film, CHOICES reveals the research behind weigh loss and weight loss maintenance and presents evidence based practices, what really works and what doesn’t work, to lose weight and prevent weight gain. 

The third film CHILDREN IN CRISIS, presents viewers with the compelling reality of childhood obesity; including how damaging obesity in children is and what it means for the future of these children. Some of the footage was filmed in Wisconsin and showcases some success stories from real Wisconsin families. This film portrays what forces are at work in our society that contributes to childhood obesity; from the school environment to community settings that limit opportunities for children to engage in physical activity. It also examines the power of marketing of unhealthy food to children.

The fourth film, CHALLENGES, explores the major forces affecting obesity including socioeconomic and racial disparities, lack of physical activity, the economics of food and agriculture, food marketing and the powerful influence of the food and beverage industry has on the American culture.

The documentary was produced in collaboration with the Institute of Medicine, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institutes of Health and other health organizations and brings together representatives from the nations’ leading research institutions while portraying real life examples of people who are obese, what they go through and what they have done to battle this condition.

For more information on THE WEIGHT OF THE NATION, visit http://theweightofthenation.hbo.com/

Tobacco Tax Loophole in Wisconsin Need Attention

It is common knowledge that tobacco tax increases provide a win-win-win solution for states. Every 10% increase in cigarette prices helps to reduce youth smoking by 7%, offering a health benefit. By increasing cigarette taxes, states enjoy substantial increases in revenue. Finally, the public supports these initiatives. Voters prefer raising tobacco taxes to other tax increases or reducing important education or public safety programs.

What may not be common knowledge is a loophole in Wisconsin law. Did you know some tobacco products are taxed less than cigarettes? Classified as "other tobacco products", these little cigars are functionally cigarettes, but are treated differently. "Other tobacco products" have no state law forcing them to be sold behind the counter. With a range of fruit flavors, they are intentionally made to look and smell like candy, but the truth is these are still dangerous tobacco products.

In May of 2011, pollsters found that nearly 8 in 10 voters favor a behind-the-counter proposal for candy flavored tobacco and 71% want to see all tobacco products taxed the same as cigarettes. We know this will be a win-win-win for Wisconsin, so let’s all support ongoing efforts towards legislative action to close tobacco loopholes.

Written by guest blogger Kim Hageman, author of Surviving Oshkosh