Tag Archives: Alcohol

AMERICA’S #1 HEALTH PROBLEM – ALCOHOLISM AND DRUG DEPENDENCE

Sponsored by the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Alcohol Awareness Month is observed during the month of April.  There are many sobering facts about the effects that alcohol and drug addiction have on individuals and their families and friends.  The cost and consequences of these habits place an enormous burden on American society, as well.  Addiction strains the healthcare system, economy, harms family life, and threatens public safety. 

Substance abuse is everywhere, regardless of gender, age, ethnic groups, and people in every tax bracket.  Alcohol kills six times more young people than all illicit drugs combined.  It is a leading factor in accidents, homicides, and suicides.  Most high school students say it is fairly easy to get alcohol.  By the time American youngsters reach the age of 18, they have seen at least 100,000 beer commercials on television. 

Here are some eye-opening facts from the NCADD:

  • Almost half of all traffic fatalities are alcohol-related.
  • Between 48% and 64% of people who die in fires have blood alcohol levels indicating intoxication.
  • Heavy drinking contributes to illness in each of the top three causes of death: heart disease, stroke, and cancer. (And, untreated addiction is more expensive than cancer, heart disease, and diabetes combined.)
  • One-quarter of all emergency room admissions, one-third of all suicides, and more than half of all homicides and incidents of domestic violence are alcohol-related.
  • Every American adult pays nearly $1,000 per year for the damages of addiction.
  • Alcohol and drug abuse costs the American economy an estimated $276 billion per year in lost productivity, health care expenditures, crime, motor vehicle crashes and other conditions. 

Diagnosis and treatment of this disease (yes, it is a disease) is of the utmost importance.  Treatment can save lives and also dollars that would otherwise be spent in other areas of social services and medical care.  For every dollar spent on addiction treatment, seven dollars is saved in reduced health care costs.   Many employers offer counseling to their employees who have problems with drug or alcohol dependence.  Studies have shown that when these workers  have been helped, work results showed less tardiness or absenteeism, problems with supervisors decreased, as well as less incomplete work and fewer mistakes in work. 

An individual that is hooked on alcohol or drugs is not only affecting his/her life, but the lives of family, friends, and co-workers.  If family and friends can get the assistance of a trained specialist to conduct an intervention, hopefully, the individual will want to stop.   Alcohol or drugs have the ability to alter ones’ personality to the point that they are completely different than when they are sober.   

Read the facts above  again, and know that there is no good reason to become addicted to anything.  Stay in control of your life for yourself and your loved ones.  Most of all, keep our future growing by ending underage drinking. 

Sources: NCADD, US Department of Health and Human Services

“SUPER” TIPS FOR A SAFE SUPERBOWL PARTY

Chances are, whether you are a football fan or not, you may be planning to host or attend a party during Sunday’s Super Bowl.  Some folks could care less about the ballgame; however, it’s the commercials that grab their attention.  Either way, it’s a good excuse for a party, and being with friends and family.  Cheer on, and munch on, but do it safely!  No one wants to wind up “off-sides”  in the emergency room during or after the game! 

First, if you are the host: do not commit  this personal foul:  you do not want to penalize your guests by failing to follow these basic rules of food safety from the USDA:

  • Clean – Wash hands and surfaces often. Don’t commit “illegal use of hands!”
  • Separate – Don’t cross-contaminate.  Keep raw meat and poultry separate from cooked foods.
  • Cook – Use a food thermometer to ensure meat and poultry are safely cooked.
  • Chill – Refrigerate or freeze promptly.

We all understand the “two-minute” warning in football, but food safety has the “two-hour” rule.  Perishable food items that sit out for too long may not be safe to eat.  By using serving cold dishes nestled in bowls of ice, or warm items left in a heating source (slow cooker), foods will be safer.   Partially and undercooked foods are threats to food safety.  Using a food thermometer will ensure that meats are adequately cooked to the proper  temperatures.

Don’t get a false start.  Snack on some healthy items before the party to avoid overindulging.  Healthy snacks such as fruits, carrots, celery, and low-fat dips should be included in the menu.  Non-alcoholic beverages should be offered, as well.  Never chop block!  This happens when you chop raw veggies on the same cutting board that was used to cut up chicken or other raw meats.  Harmful bacteria can cross contaminate with other foods.  Clean the cutting board with hot soapy water after dicing one type of food and before starting on another. 

Help your guests avoid penalties!  If they plan to drink alcoholic beverages at your party, be sure they have a designated driver.   An accident would put a damper on everyone who attended the party, and no one ever wants an “instant replay” of a mishap because of drinking and driving. 

If you are attending a tailgate party, wear loose fitting, layered clothes, with the top layer being water repellent.  Drink warm liquids without caffeine or alcohol.  Alcohol causes the body to lose heat more quickly.  Stay active during the game – toss a football during breaks – you might even make a first down!  

This week is full of Super Bowl activities, leading up to the Big Game.  The Dallas-Fort Worth –Arlington area is going all out to welcome the Packers and Steelers teams, coaches, and fans.  Even Mother Nature is doing her part to make them feel right at home, with the coldest weather the area has seen in several years!  We know that won’t slow down the fans, and it’s our desire to see lots of them wearing their Packers and Steelers hardhats, to show their team support! 

If you are going to the game, allow plenty of time to reach your destination, and have a blast!  For those who are  giving a party, score big points by planning a safe one.   Some fans may get carried away while yelling for their team.  Stay far enough away from them that there’s no “roughing the viewer” flag!

Sources: USDA, CDC

 

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR! CELEBRATE SAFELY!

The last official holiday of 2010, New Year’s Eve, will be celebrated in various ways.  Hopefully, everyone will still be intact on January 1, 2011!  We have focused on driving under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol, texting and driving, and distracted driving, so much that you either agree with it or are tired of hearing about it.  But this is a very sobering subject, when you stop to think about the devastation of lives any of these activities have caused.

AT&T has released a powerful new documentary featuring stories of  individuals whose lives have been altered by texting and driving.  Their goal is to make texting and driving as socially unacceptable as drinking and driving.  Teenagers need to know that a text message is not worth a life.  The document will be distributed to schools, safety organizations and government agencies, and urges people to take a pledge on its Facebook page not to text and drive.  This message applies to adults, as well. 

The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety says one in 10 drivers have knowingly started their cars under the influence.  Alcohol not only impairs our ability to drive, but to balance, make good judgment, and have normal reflexes.  Walking under the influence is no laughing matter.  The journal Injury Prevention noted that New Year’s Day is more deadly to pedestrians than any other day of the year.  If a person has been partying and decides to walk home, don’t let them go alone.  They need to be escorted home by someone who is assumes the same responsibility as a designated driver. 

In Texas, the Texas Public Safety Commission approved a special driver enforcement program by the Texas Highway Patrol granting TxDOT funds to DPS to finance costs of added DPS trooper patrols, during the Christmas-New Year’s season.  The Oklahoma Department of Transportation is doing the same.  It is hoped that the addition of troopers will help support the theme, “Don’t Drive if you’re Tipsy, Buzzed, or Blitzen.”  Statistics from Texas during December, 2009, show there were 37,000 traffic crashes which injured 18,000 people and killed 240 more.  In all of 2009, there were 3,089 fatalities on Texas roads and 956 of those were the result of alcohol-related crashes.  This makes alcohol a factor in nearly one-third of all fatal crashes in Texas.  Oklahoma officials narrowed the time frame down for fatality wrecks to the period from December 24, through January 3, 2009.  During that time, there were 14 people that died in Oklahoma crashes.

Have a safe and Happy New Year’s Celebration and enjoy all that is offered for your entertainment, (with the exception of too many drinks!) There will be football, football, and more football!  Good luck to the TCU Horned Frogs, representing our state!  Good luck to all teams and let’s pray for injury-free games.

Thanks for being loyal readers of Blog4Safety, and to our Texas America Safety Company friends throughout the world, we wish you all a very Happy New Year, and a big Texas THANKS, Y’ALL!

WARNING TO TEENS ABOUT CONTROVERSIAL DRINK

If you’ve noticed this brightly colored canned drink on store shelves, looks can be deceiving.  A 23.5-ounce can of Four Loko is available in several varieties, such as fruit punch and blue raspberry.  But the “punch” comes from caffeine, and an alcohol content of 12% – equal to four beers.  It sells for around $2.50, but has proved to be more costly to several college students, who were hospitalized after consuming this drink.  

This controversial energy drink may have played a part in an accident that killed an Arlington, Texas, teenager.  It was reported that she lost her life when she was thrown from a utility vehicle being driven by her 14-year-old boyfriend.  (She was not wearing her seat belt.) The boyfriend has been charged with intoxicated manslaughter.  Two of the boys in the car admitted drinking Four Loko that night.  Underage drivers and underage drinkers are a danger to themselves and to everyone else on the road.  

The manufacturer of this drink said it will remove the caffeine from its products; however, it is anticipated that the Food and Drug Administration is ready to ban it.  Four states have already banned the beverages, and other states are taking into consideration in doing the same.

The FDA notified over twenty-four manufacturers of caffeinated alcoholic beverages that the addition of caffeine to alcohol drinks had never been specifically approved, and is debating whether it should be outlawed due to being unsafe.  The FDA is concerned about the growing popularity among college students, and the resulting health and safety issues.  Several state attorneys general contend the drinks appeal to underage drinkers and encourage reckless behavior.  

It is anticipated that the FDA may have found as early as yesterday, (Wednesday), that caffeine is an unsafe food additive to alcoholic drinks.  If so, that would essentially ban Four Loko and other drinks like it. 

There are many ways that harmful products are marketed, and this clearly seems to be one of them.  The Four Loko cans are very attractively designed, but “12% Alcohol” is displayed on the label.  How are underage kids buying them?  The abuse of alcohol or any other drug is a problem for people of all ages.  Many young persons are curious about drinking, and are probably going to try it sooner or later; but a canned drink that contains the equivalent of four beers is too much – for a novice or anyone! 

Parents, stop, look, and listen!  Check out the latest products that may be harmful to your kids.  That pretty canned drink isn’t as pretty as you think. 

Source: AP, ABC News

DRUG-FREE WORK WEEK OCTOBER 19 – 25

Are you aware that 75% of the nation’s current illegal drug users are employed, and that 3.1% of them admit that they have used illegal drugs before or during working hours?  Do you know that 79% of the nation’s heavy alcohol users work, and that 7.1% say they have consumed alcohol during the workday?  (Do you question how many there are that don’t admit it?) The Department of Labor’s Drug-Free Workplace Alliance is sponsoring its fourth annual “Drug-Free Work Week” October 19th through 25th.   The goal of this yearly drive is to have a drug-free week every week through the education of employers, employees, communities and organizations.

Working Partners in this endeavor are federal agencies such as OSHA, MSHA, ETA, ODEP, SAMHSA, SBA, combined with several unions and contractors.  Combined efforts are to promote creating a safer and healthier workplace through prevention and intervention.

When a person has to work with someone who either drinks or uses illegal drugs, everyone’s safety is at risk.  Regardless of the situation, whether it is a commercial vehicle driver, a forklift or heavy equipment operator, construction worker, food service employee, or any other type of employee, if they have used drugs before or during work hours, or had a few nips too many, coworkers or the public in general could suffer the consequences.

Here are just a few of many suggestions on the DOL website that could have positive outcomes for businesses:

  • Emphasize drug and alcohol awareness in safety meetings.
  • Encourage employees with problems to seek help.
  • Put out a press release regarding Drug-Free Work Week.
  • Ask your local mayor to proclaim “Drug-Free Work Week”.
  • Issue payroll stuffers with valuable information to employees.
  • Pass out pocket cards to workers.
  • Display several Posters, which are excellent communication tools.

We have some other ideas in articles we presented earlier:  Do Your Part to Keep Your Workplace Free of Drugs and Alcohol, and Facts about Drugs and Alcohol Abuse in the Workplace.  There were some interesting comments from readers with suggestions that you may find helpful.  It’s undoubtedly a subject that hits close to home in many workplaces or neighborhoods.  The smartest business and individual strategies to handle this problem are to constantly watch for signs of abuse of drugs/alcohol, and not enable someone who needs to deal it before they injure themselves or someone else.  For more important information, check out the DOL’s website.

Source: Department of Labor

DO YOUR PART TO KEEP YOUR WORKPLACE FREE OF DRUGS AND ALCOHOL

The welfare of everyone at a worksite is threatened when a worker is impaired by abusing drugs or alcohol.  You can play an important part to ensure safety in the workplace by:

  • Knowing the drug-free policies of your workplace.
  • Setting a good example for others.
  • Telling management if you suspect use or impairment from drugs or alcohol that threatens safety and health of coworkers.
  • Seeking help if you or your co-worker(s) are impaired.
  • If you or a co-worker(s) are dealing with these problems, confidential help may be available, often at no cost to employees, through the company’s benefits program.
  • There are many outside services that can help.

These statistics are from a Department of Labor report. See if you recognize any of the signs:

  • One in five workers report that they have had to work harder, redo work or cover for a co-worker or have been put in danger or injured as a result a fellow employee’s drinking.
  • Up to 40 % of industrial fatalities and 47% of industrial injuries can be linked to alcohol consumption and alcoholism.
  • Alcohol and drug abuse has been estimated to cost American businesses roughly 81 billion dollars in lost productivity in just one year—37 billion due to premature death and 44 billion due to illness. Of these combined costs, 86 % are attributed to drinking.
  • Alcoholism is estimated to cause 500 million lost workdays annually.
  • Individuals who are current illicit drug users are more than twice as likely (9.3 %)than those who are not (4.3 %) to have changed employers three or more times the past year. Similarly, individuals who are current heavy alcohol users are more likely (8 %) than those who are not (4.4%) to have changed employers three or more times in the past year.
  • Individuals who are current illicit drug users are also more likely (12.9%)than those who are not (5 %)to have skipped one or more workdays in the past month. Individuals who are current heavy alcohol users are also more likely (11.3%)than those who are not (5.1 %)to have skipped one or more workdays in the past month.
  • Of callers to the National Cocaine Hotline, 75% admit to having used drugs on the job, 64% report that drugs have adversely affected their job performance; 44% say they have sold drugs to fellow employees, and 18% say they have stolen from coworkers to support their drug habit.

If any of this is familiar to you:

  • Do Not Delay or Ignore!  Tell your supervisor immediately.
  • Act to prevent worker from committing unsafe practices.
  • Be willing to risk being wrong. It is better to be safe than sorry when the well-being of all is on the line.

Call: Substance Abuse Treatment Locator, 1-800-662 HELP, or www.findtreatment.samhsa.gov
Drug Free Workplace Alliance\dol.gov

NATIONAL ALCOHOL AWARENESS MONTH

As promised, we want to pass on some information regarding April being National Alcohol Awareness Month.  One of the reasons for this month being chosen is that many schools hold their proms in April, and the consequences of underage drinking need to be stressed to both parents and students.
Addiction to alcohol and drugs is not limited to young people, however.  Drug and alcohol dependence are America’s #1 health problem.  There are more deaths and disabilities each year in the United States from substance abuse than any other cause: more than eighteen million Americans have alcohol problems and between five and six million have drug problems.

Statistics from the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence show that almost one-half of all traffic fatalities are alcohol-related.  Costs of more than $276 billion per year in lost productivity, crime, traffic crashes, health care expenses and other conditions are attributed to these addictions.  Untreated addiction is more expensive than diabetes, heart disease and cancer combined.
Families and coworkers play an important in convincing persons with these types of problems to get help.  Treatment improves health, job performance, and family cohesiveness.  When persons work with or live with someone who abuses alcohol or drugs, their safety and well-being are at risk.

Documentation from the Comprehensive Assessment Treatment Outcomes Registry in Ohio shows the following drastic results in occupational problems after treatment:

  • Tardiness decreased by 92%
  • Problems with supervisor decreased by 56%
  • Mistakes in work decreased by 70%
  • Incomplete work decreased by 81%
  • Absenteeism decreased by 89%

There are many places one can turn to for help.  Call: Substance Abuse Treatment Locator, 1-800-662 HELP, or www.findtreatment.samhsa.gov.  If you or someone you know needs to deal with this issue, this may be the best call you or they ever made.

Sources:
NCADD
USDHHS
SAMHSA