September 2016 Volume 8, Issue 6

A monthly newsletter to keep you current and In The Know on topics related to the Prevention of Substance Abuse

Do you or someone you care about need help because of Drugs, Alcohol or Gambling call:

1-877-8HOPENY(1-877-846-7369)

24 hours a day, 7 days a week * Free & confidential information and referrals.

ALBANY, NY (MAY 2016) – In New York, suicide is the second leading cause of death for people ages 15-34. On Monday, May 23, volunteers with the American Foundation for Suicide Preven-tion from across the state of New York visited the state capitol to meet with lawmakers to encourage them to prioritize suicide pre-vention – especially prevention within secondary schools, colleg-es, and universities. Assemblymember John McDonald will also be addressing the group.

“More young people die by suicide than from cancer, homicide, heart disease, pneumonia, or diabetes. We need to make sure our young people are getting the education they need about men-tal health and suicide, and that our teachers are given the training and education so that can better help, and support our young peo-ple,” said Sarah Clark, AFSP Western NY area director.

The volunteers were there to ask state leg-islators to support four major pieces of leg-islation that are making their way through the New York legislative process.

Provide Suicide Prevention Educational Materials for Educators (S3561[Espaillat]/A6187[Ortiz])

Requires that materials for educators re-garding suicide prevention and signs of depression in youth be provided and published online by the commissioner of the office of mental health, including materials regarding symptoms of depres-sion, how depression manifests in different cultures, suicide warn-ing signs, appropriate actions to take if suicide risk is suspected, and educational websites regarding youth suicide prevention.

Mental Health First Aid for Educators in Training (S6753[Hamilton]/A9060[Crespo])

Directs the commissioner of education to require teachers’ colleg-es to provide a course of instruction in mental health first aid prior to each student’s graduation; defines “mental health first aid” as the recognition of common mental illnesses and chemical depend-ence disorders, the safe de-escalation of crisis situations, and the initiation of timely referral of appropriate students to mental health and chemical dependency resources within the community.

Safely Educate Students Regarding Suicide Prevention (S4261[Espaillat]/A3384[McDonald])

Requires the office of mental health and the state education de-partment to identify or develop and post online materials for edu-cators that may be used to educate students regarding suicide prevention and signs of depression; would allow instruction re-garding suicide prevention to be included in the health education curriculum for secondary school students.

Suicide Prevention on College Campuses (S2373[Parker]/A3639[Robinson])

•Establishes the collegiate suicide prevention program, which would require colleges to inform incoming students about suicide prevention measures through programs like workshops, film presentations, etc. Information disseminated through the program must include available mental health services, how to identify per-sons at risk, college procedures for handling suicide attempts, availability of counseling and other support services, common circumstances relating to suicide on college campuses, and how the college supports students at risk.

•Requires colleges to annually report on their compliance with the collegiate suicide prevention program with the commissioner; re-

ceipt of state aid or assistance would be dependent on program compliance.

•Requires colleges to appoint an advisory committee on mental health to review cur-rent campus mental health policies and procedures, make recommendations for improvement, and report annually to the college president or chief administrative advisor.

•Requires health care professionals employed by or affiliated with the college to report to the college president or chief administra-tive officer when they believe a student is potentially at risk for suicide.

The advocates are part of a larger national contingent of AFSP volunteers who will be visiting various state capitols across the United States in 2016 to bring best practices in mental health and suicide prevention to state legislators and their staff. Advocates for this visit are coming from AFSP chapters including: AFSP New York City, AFSP Westchester, AFSP New York Long Island, AFSP Capital Region New York, AFSP South Central New York, AFSP Central New York, AFSP Western New York, and AFSP Hudson Valley.

On average, one person dies by suicide every five hours in the state of New York. Suicide cost New York a total of $1.8 billion of combined lifetime medical and work loss cost in 2010, or an aver-age of $1.1 million per suicide death. More than twice as many people die by suicide in New York annually as by homicide, and suicide is the 12th leading cause of death overall in New York.

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is dedicated to saving

lives and bringing hope to those affected by suicide. AFSP creates a cul-

ture that’s smart about mental health through education and community

programs, develops suicide prevention through research and advocacy,

and provides support for those affected by suicide.

Steuben Council on Addictions

A program of Substance Free Living

September is Suicide Prevention Month

Steuben Council on Addictions is a program of Substance Free Living, which is a service priority for Catholic Charities of Steuben. In The Know is a regular monthly update about alcohol, tobacco and other drugs to help in the prevention of substance use and abuse. For more information please contact Stacey O’Dell, Prevention Educator at sodell@dor.org.

We would like to extend a huge thank you to the Steuben County Sheriff’s Department, including Investigator Lewis for helping us in providing a Naloxone training for first responders. On Tuesday, August 30, twenty-five first responders from Canisteo, Greenwood, Arkport, Freemont and Beaver Dams met at the Canisteo Fire Hall for the one-hour training. This training helps people to understand the benefits of reversing an opioid overdose, equipping them with Naloxone and the information on administration and life saving techniques when arriving at an opioid overdose.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, someone dies every 19 minutes from a drug overdose, and nearly three out of four prescription drug overdoses are caused by prescription pain killers. When prescription pain medication is no longer available, individuals often turn to illicit drugs, such as heroin. Between April 2006 and December 2013, responders were responsible for over 850 overdose reversals as reported to the State registered program. While significant progress in promoting over-dose prevention programs, some areas of the state have been without adequate overdose program coverage. Seeing that law-enforcement and emergency responders are usually at overdose scenes first, it is important to educate and get them familiar with this life saving antidote.

This program also helped participants to learn the purpose of Naloxone, the Good Samaritan 911 Law, being able to identify the characteristics of an opioid overdose, the steps in which to care for a person and the ability to use the intranasal Nalox-one to treat the overdose.

Steuben CountySteuben CountySteuben County Underage Party & Underage Party & Underage Party &

Drug Information Tip LineDrug Information Tip LineDrug Information Tip Line Anyone with information relating to underage

drinking such as parties, underage sales, etc. or information relating to illegal drugs, such as sales, dealers, or other suspicious activities are encouraged to use the tip line.

The tip line will be monitored seven days a week, 24 hours a day.

All calls are anonymous.

Do your part to help make our communities safe for everyone!

1-844-378-4847

Community Connection

8 East Morris Street, Bath, NY 14810

Phone: (607) 776-6441 * Fax: (607) 776-6664

Prevention Director: Jim Bassage

Prevention Educators: Barb McCollumn, Stacey O’Dell, Jennifer Marian, Stephanie Wilcox

Administrative Assistant & DDP Coordinator: Diana McIntosh

Clerical Assistant: Jessica Allison

Drug Free Communities Coordinator: Norman McCumiskey

Drug Free Communities Program Assistant:

Colleen Banik

Bath Hope for Youth Counselors: Sherry Sutton—Campbell-Savona

Bridgette Lanphere—Hammondsport Jennifer Beaty—Haverling

Youth who drink alcohol are more likely to experience: School problems, such as higher

absence and poor or failing grades. Social problems, such as fighting and lack

of participation in youth activities. Legal problems, such as arrest for driving or

physically hurting someone while drunk.

September is National Recovery Month to educate Americans on the treatment of substance abuse and mental illness. There are many services that help people overcome their addictions to live a happier healthier life. During the month of September we honor the individuals who have progressed in recovery. Through prevention, treatment, and a positive attitude many Americans are recovering from addiction problems. This is also a month to thank all the supporters who have helped make these individuals successful.

Awareness is an important aspect of recovery. In order for people to be successful they need the knowledge, skills, and education to sustain recovery. Millions of Americans have improved their quality of life through recovery. During this month many people speak out and share their stories to increase awareness of mental and substance abuse disorders.

Recovery Month celebrates the gains made by those in recovery, just as we celebrate health improvements made by those who are managing other health conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, asthma, and heart disease. The ob-servance reinforces the positive message that behavioral health is essential to overall health, prevention works, treat-ment is effective, and people can and do recover.

According to SAMHSA alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drug use among youth aged 12-17 have declined steadily from 2002. “Something important is happening with American teens. They are getting the message that using drugs limits their futures, and they are beginning to turn away from the destructive pat-terns and cruelly misinformed perceptions about substance abuse that has so damaged previous generations.”

If you or a love one is suffering we invite you to reach out and seek for help. There are many local resources that are availa-ble. For more information Contact the Steuben Council on Ad-dictions (607) 776-6441.

National Recovery Month

If you are interested in taking advantage of either of these programs (available in Steuben County only) or for more information please contact Stacey O’Dell, Prevention Educator at

(607) 776-6441 ext. 205 or email at sodell@dor.org.

Teen InterveneTeen Intervene

Designed specifically for youth who are experiencing mild to moderate problems associated with alcohol or other drug use, Hazelden's Teen Intervene Program provides education, support, and guidance for teens and their parents.

Through this brief intervention model of care, youth work one-to-one with a Steuben Council on Addictions Prevention Educator in identifying and changing their choices and behaviors.

Each young person has his or her own reasons for using alcohol or other drugs and individual teens differ greatly in terms of their willingness to change. By focusing on individual goals and personalized feedback, Teen Inter-vene effectively addresses each young person's specific needs.

Referral- Anyone who is concerned about a teen's chemical use can refer him or her to Teen Inter-vene.

Assessment- Teen Intervene is geared to help teens who have experienced mild to moderate chemical use. A chemical use assessment must be completed to rule out a diagnosis of addiction.

Program Sessions- The program consists of three 90-minute sessions with a counselor. The first two sessions occur one-on-one between the teen and the counselor.

Classroom Speakers on Addictions and

Sober Living

What: Steuben Council on Addictions in conjunction with the Kinship Community Residence works to-gether to have available for schools speakers that are currently working on living their lives in sobriety. Why: It is important and proven that when students are able to engage with people that have lived in addiction and are on the path of rebuilding, many are able to connect and are given an opportunity to listen, ask questions and have open honest discus-sions that they can relate to. Who: This program is available to any school, teacher, community organization, etc. that is inter-ested in the County of Steuben. How: Gentlemen working with the community resi-dence and Steuben Council “interview” with Preven-tion Educators as a screening process. After this, anyone chosen may now (only when accompanied by an educator) go into classrooms and share their life story with students on an age appropriate level with the educator providing backup information and trouble shooting (tough questions, risky subjects, etc.)

We are excited to welcome two new prevention educators to Steuben Council on Addictions: Jennifer Marion and Stephanie Wilcox!

Jennifer Marion comes with a background in teaching. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Health Science with a minor of Psychology and a Certification in Health Education from SUNY Brockport. Jennifer is most excited about going into the classrooms to spread aware-ness to the kids. Besides her love of working with youth she brings her strong organization skills, enthusiasm, people skills, and communication skills.

Stephanie has a background in addiction counseling and group therapy. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Health Science with a focus in Alcohol and Substance Abuse Studies from SUNY Brockport. In 2013 she received her Credentialed Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counseling license. Pursuing her career as a prevention educator will utilize her creative ability to help spread awareness, knowledge, and education on many different health and community related topics, specifically substance use disorder. A strength she brings to the agency is her current knowledge and experience in the substance abuse field which has pro-vided her with the opportunity to see first-hand the importance of prevention programs in homes, schools, and the community. Stephanie believes her strengths of compassion, crea-tivity, and understanding, will allow her to think of outside the box ways to educate those in need!

The Council Corner