CATS Receives AMA Foundation Health Lifestyles Grant 

CATS was one of 37 nonprofit organizations nationwide to be awarded a grant from the American Medical Association (AMA) Foundation's Healthy Living Program. This program addresses critical healthy lifestyle issues by providing mini-grants to grassroots community organizations. Selected projects target youth and address the topics of nutrition and physical fitness, prescription drug safety and violence prevention. The prescription drug safety projects are supported by an unrestricted grant from Purdue Pharma L.P.

CATS received a grant for a project entitled "Prescription Drug Misuse E-Learning". This project will develop a self-paced e-learning to deliver an awareness curriculum. 

"These Healthy Living Grants provide necessary resources and recognition to those organizations who are on the front lines in their communities, creating change on the local level," said AMA Foundation President Owen Garrick, MD. "We are pleased to support Community Alliance for Teen Safety's efforts to prevent prescription drug abuse in their community."

The AMA Foundation, a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt foundation, is committed to improving the health of Americans through philanthropic support of quality programs in public health and medical education. Visit www.amafoundation.org to learn more.

Contact Paula Galvin for more information.

pgalvin@catsnh.org, 603/505.5342

The CATS teen youth group meets on Monday afternoons during the school year. The meetings are open and there is no need to pre-register. Explore topics related to community, health & safety.  

Share your voice, get involved, & make a difference.

• When: Mondays, 2:15 to 4:15 PM*
• Where: Senior Cafe Conference Room, Pinkerton Academy
• Who: Contact Kaitlyn Clarke, youth coordinator, for more information.

Results of National Survey on Drug Use and Health Released

2010 NSDUH data shows there were no statistically significant one-year increases from 2009 to 2010 in any past-month illicit drug-use category for any age group (12 to 17, 18 to 25, or 26 and older).

Key Facts:

• The rate of overall drug use in America has fallen by roughly one-third since 1979.  
• There were no statistically significant increases in the use of any illegal drugs over the past year (2009 - 2010).
• However, over the past two years (2008-2010) the rate of marijuana use increased significantly, driving up overall rates of illicit drug use.
• Between 2008 and 2010, there was also a 43 percent increase in illicit drug use among Hispanic boys and a 42 percent increase among African American teen girls. 
• In FY2011, the United States spent $10.4 billion on drug education and treatment compared to $9.2 billion on domestic law enforcement.

Source: Office of National Drug Control Policy  

Save the Date! 3rd DEA National Rx Take Back

Saturday, October 29, 2011

10:00 AM to 2:00 PM

This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue.  Many Americans are not aware that medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse.  Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are increasing at alarming rates, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs.  Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet.  In addition, many Americans do not know how to properly dispose of their unused medicine, often flushing them down the toilet or throwing them away - both potential safety and health hazards.

Collection sites can be found by going to the link found at www.DEA.gov. This site will be continuously updated with new take-back locations.  You can help make this event a success by sharing information about the program with your membership, partner organizations, and others who are concerned about prescription drug abuse.  In addition, anyone interested in helping to have a take back event in their community are encouraged to contact their local police or sheriff's office, or by calling the appropriate DEA Field Office. 

The Derry Police Department is participating!  Look for the Mobile Command Center at Hood Commons.

Saturday, October 29th

10AM to 2PM

National Youth Science Day

Be part of the  4-H National Youth Science Day! On October 5th, youth across the nation will become scientists for the day during 4-H National Youth Science Day. You can participate in this year's experiment, Wired for Wind, in three ways:

1. Join us at the Rockingham County 4-H Office on Wednesday, October 5 from 6 to 8 p.m. and do the experiment with us! This exciting evening is for ages 10 and up, with a max of 20 participants. Register soon by contacting Donna Funteral at 603-679-5616 or donna.funteral@unh.edu 
2. Get trained and help other youth do the Wired for Wind 4-H Science Experiment as an "action exhibit" at the Deerfield Fair on Saturday, October 2.
3. If you have a club or afterschool program, do the Wired for Wind 4-H Science Experiment with youth who attend. If you can sign up 10 or more youth, we will provide you with a free kit to do this experiment on your own! 

 For more information or if you have questions, contact Rick Alleva at  603-679-5616 or rick.alleva@unh.edu