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| News from the Long Island Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (LICADD) |
August 9, 2010 |
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Good morning....
LICADD, by law and by ethic, has always steered clear of electoral politics. Still, the public disclosures of past drug use by candidates for NYS Attorney General are worthy of some discussion. Not because some of them smoked pot or used coke twenty years ago, but because these disclosures can be golden opportunities for education - "teachable moments."
The press will always ask the question and absent candidates' willingness to answer en masse, "It's none of your business," the response should be more than a one-word answer. In some cases it has been, with candidates expressing regrets about drug use or pride in abstinence. If we are going to have the discussion, we should have it in the right way.
We don't want young people to walk away with the impression that dabbling in drugs is consequence-free ("See, he/she did it and everything is fine.") any more than we want them to believe that if you make some mistakes, you can't go on to become Attorney General. These disclosures offer a great opportunity to talk about the nature of addiction - why some people can stop using and others can't - and the impact the disease has on individuals, families and communities.
For any of the AG candidates who copped to using, an arrest would have likely changed their destiny. Sure, they'd be successful and have good jobs, but they probably wouldn't be running to become the state's top law enforcement official. Same goes for our nation's President or any of the thousands of candidates or officials who have admitted to drug use. That even experimenting or so-called "casual" drug use can kill your dreams is a worthwhile conversation to have with our kids.
Drug and alcohol use was serious and dangerous 20 years ago, but it's even more so today. We've got new, more potent and accessible drugs, and the legal consequences for drug and alcohol-related offenses are more severe. Odds are that tomorrow's challenges will be even greater, which is probably why we should be focused more on what political candidates are doing and saying now.
Sincerely,
Jeffrey L. Reynolds, Ph.D
Executive Director |
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Docs Not Dropping Dimes |
 A recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that 17% of doctors knew of drunk, addicted or otherwise incompetent colleagues, but one-third said they did nothing to report fellow physicians' dangerous behavior. The most frequently cited reason for taking no action was the belief that someone else was taking care of the problem (19%), followed by the belief that nothing would happen as a result of the report (15%) and fear of retribution (12%).
The American Medical Association and laws in several states - including New York - require doctors to report their colleagues if they behave in a way that could endanger their patients. The NYS Department of Health takes complaints through the Office of Professional Medical Conduct and the Medical Society of the State of New York (MSSNY) runs a Committee for Physician Health that offers non-disciplinary confidential assistance to physicians, residents, medical students and physician assistants suffering from substance use and other psychiatric disorders. |
| Full-Day Anger Management Workshop | |
 LICADD will hold its next fast-track, one-day Anger Management workshop on Saturday, August 28, 2010 from 9:00AM-6:00PM in Ronkonkoma.
The one-day anger management workshop includes 8 hours of instruction, interaction and exploration. Classroom exercises, role plays, and a take-home workbook help and guide participants to learn stress management, better communication skills, anger management, empathy, conflict resolution techniques and impulse control.
The workshop fee is based on a sliding scale and ranges from $79-$399. Prospective participants must be seen for an intake and formal evaluation at LICADD's Williston Park or Ronkonkoma offices prior to the workshop. For more information, please call 517-747-2606 or visit our website.
LICADD also offers a weekly anger management group on Mondays in Ronkonkoma from 7:30-9:00PM and individual anger management coaching by appointment in Williston Park and Ronkonkoma. Look for a new weekly group starting soon in Williston Park. |
| LICADD Partners With PULSE on Pill Safety |
 LICADD has teamed up with PULSE's Patient Safety Advisory Council to educate health care providers, pharmacists and consumers about medication safety, storage and disposal. A PULSE intern recently shadowed doctors for two weeks during the patient discharge process at a Long Island hospital. The results weren't surprising. Patients left the hospital with medications, but without information about the potential for abuse/addiction, proper storage and proper disposal of those medications.
As we map out our educational strategies, we need your input! What should patients be told about medications? Who should be doing the education -doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and/or social workers? How can we stop the rampant misuse and diversion of medications that has become one of our nation's most serious public health problems?
We'll be holding two focus groups - the first of which is tomorrow night (8/10) at 7:00PM at the Wantagh Public Library located at 3285 Park Avenue in Wantagh. The second will be held at the library next Tuesday, August 17th at 7:00PM. For more info, please call (516) 579-4711. |
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| This Week's Sponsor | |  Helping families & addicts recover from addiction. Fort Lauderdale, Florida Click HERE or Call David Parisi @ 732-664-7710 |
| Please Join Us! |
Hip Hop for Charity
to benefit LICADD
Saturday, August 14th
Sports Page,
Lindenhurst
631-225-5833 for details |
Sizzling Summer
Sober Dance Saturday, August 28th
Bet U Can Dance, E.Northport
30th Annual R. Brinkley Smithers Invitational Golf Outing
September 27th
The Creek &
Piping Rock
Honoring
Nassau County Executive
Ed Mangano |
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