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August 3, 2015
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ISSUE 5-16
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Please let us know how we can make the Milwaukee Prevention Journal most valuable to you. Email us with any comments, questions, or suggestions.
Yours in prevention,
Kari Lerch
Deputy Director, Public Policy Institute
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Check out our new website!
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Change is in the air
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The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is rumored to mandate smoke-free policies in the upcoming year. First, policy language will get drafted, followed by a 60-day public comment period. This new policy would be monumental in protecting children and adults from secondhand smoke exposure.
The Wisconsin Association of Housing Authorities is a part of the Clear Gains Network and has surveyed Wisconsin housing authorities and found 81% of respondents had smoke-free policies covering all or some of their buildings. While great news, there are still housing authorities that have not adopted smoke-free policies in Wisconsin and more specifically in Milwaukee.
Clear Gains is eagerly awaiting any announcement from HUD and will continue providing resources and guidance to promote smoke-free housing policies. Feel free to contact Deb Heffner, City of Milwaukee Tobacco-Free Alliance Coordinator at 414-270-4655 or visit the Clear Gains website for more information on smoke-free housing.
Stay tuned as the public comment period may come as soon as August or September!
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Tips to help be a drug-free family
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The Partnership for Drug-Free Kids has recently launched a new Youtube series for parents to talk to their children about drugs and being drug-free. The series will provide tips and skills on how to start this conversation, and how to respond to difficult questions that may arise during the conversation. The web series will feature Heather Senior, LCSW, Director of Family Support Services at the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids, and a video will be released each Thursday for the next few weeks. To view the series, click here
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Pesticide use poses an even greater health risk to marijuana users
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The transition from very small, individual growers of marijuana to large production has created an incentive for growers to use pesticides on marijuana in states that have now legalized the drug. However, because the federal government does not recognize marijuana as a legal substance, there is a lack of oversight that could prove to be extremely dangerous for users.
Marijuana growers have an incentive to use pesticides that are not approved by the FDA, and have little reason to fear getting caught because not many inspections are being done. Legislation is just beginning to be passed regarding pesticide regulation with marijuana in states that have now legalized it. The current lack of regulation regarding this issues poses an even greater health threat to marijuana users than the already known deleterious effects of using the drug.
Read more in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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Volunteer Opportunities
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SISTERFRIENDS VOLUNTEERS
The Lovell Johnson Quality of Life Center is seeking African-American women to volunteer to pair with one pregnant woman and provide emotional support and guidance as a part of the Milwaukee Birthing Project. They are also seeking African American pregnant teens and women with due dates October through December. Please contact Tenille Washington at [email protected] for more information.
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