Wood County Prevention Coalition
Uniting For A Drug-Free Community Since 2004
Suicides by drugs in U.S. are undercounted, new study suggests
The rate of suicides by drug intoxication in the United States may be vastly underreported and misclassified, according to a new study co-written by Mark Kaplan, professor of social welfare at the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs.
The study was published online Jan. 10 in the journal PLOS ONE. The researchers report that the drug suicide rate in the United States rose nearly one-quarter (24 percent) between 2000 and 2016, and the accidental opioid and other drug intoxication death rate increased by 312 percent. This rate gap suggests an increase in suicide undercounting, according to the multidisciplinary international team of researchers led by Ian Rockett of West Virginia University School of Public Health.
“Unfortunately, part of the problem is due to serious under-resourcing of state and local death investigation systems throughout most of the U.S.,” said Kaplan, whose research has focused on using population-wide data to understand suicide risk factors among veterans, seniors and other vulnerable populations. Kaplan added that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently reported more than 63,000 drug deaths in 2016, up from 52,000 in 2015.
“Many of these deaths were probably suicides, yet reported as accidental self-poisoning rather than intentional self-harm, particularly among the middle-aged,” Kaplan said.
Report: Alcohol Tax Cuts May Lead To More Drunk Driving, Abuse Among Teens
by Nick Givas The Daily Caller 12/31/2017
Health officials are expressing concern over alcohol tax cuts, and said the GOP’s “dire” tax plan could lead to more drunk driving and underage drinking, Politico reported Sunday.
Congress cut alcohol taxes by 16 percent as part of comprehensive tax reform, and Politico noted health advocates think Congress is being hypocritical for slamming cigarettes, but cutting the booze industry a break.
“Congress’s decision to cut alcohol taxes by 16 percent also contrasts with lawmakers’ treatment of cigarettes, a health threat they consider on par with alcohol, which has seen its levies climb nearly 1,500 percent since 1970,” the article reads.
The cuts will generate $1.6 billion in savings for MillerCoors and Diageo. Makers of Captain Morgan and Ketel One Vodka; as well as smaller alcohol companies who supported the move, according to Politico.
David Jernigan, head of the Center on Alcohol Marketing and Youth at Johns Hopkins University told Politico the cheaper alcohol is, the more likely people are to binge drink and develop lasting addictions.
“The cheaper alcohol is, the more people drink and the more they have alcohol problems, and there is a huge international literature that has shown that over and over and over,” he said. “The public health ramifications of this continue to be invisible to policymakers.”
Featured Speaker for March 9th Coalition Meeting Announced
The next Wood County Prevention Coalition meeting is set to take place at the Wood County Educational Service Center on Friday, March 9, 2018 from 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM and the featured presenter will be Dr. William Ivoska, Wood County Researcher/Evaluator.
Since 2004, a biennial youth survey has been conducted in all 10 Wood County school districts, including Penta Career center on the prevalence and perceptions on youth alcohol, tobacco, and drug use for all students in grades 5 through 12. Also, included in this survey are questions regarding suicide, bullying, and gambling. Dr. Ivoska will present to the coalition the most recent results of the 2018 Wood County Youth Survey.
In 1991, Dr. Ivoska received his doctorate from the University of Toledo in Counseling and Research Methodology. In 2003, Dr. Ivoska was appointed Vice-President of Student Affairs at Owens Community College and has conducted research and evaluation services to numerous organizations in both Lucas and Wood Counties. Dr. Ivoska also has a number of published research articles, including most recently a co-authored piece entitled, Mobile Gambling Among Youth: A Warning Sign for Problem Gambling?
For more information, please see the flyer below.
To RSVP, please use the form below or email mkarna@wcesc.org.
The Next Wood County Prevention Coalition Meeting: March 9th
Wood County Prevention Coalition Community Meeting
Friday, Mar 9, 2018, 08:30 PM
Wood County Educational Services, Research Drive, Bowling Green, OH, United States
RSVPs are enabled for this event.
About Us
Our Vision: Helping youth be drug-free, productive and responsible citizens.
Our Mission: We are a coalition of compassionate community members working together to coordinate high quality programs for the prevention of youth substance abuse in Wood County.
Email: mkarna@wcesc.org
Website: wcprevention.org
Location: 1867 Research Drive, Bowling Green, OH, United States
Phone: (419)-354-9010
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WCPCoalition
Twitter: @woodpccoalition