ONLINE PREVENTION NEWS ARCHIVES

Volume 4, Issue 4 - February 28, 2006

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ONLINE PREVENTION NEWS
Information from the Wisconsin Clearinghouse for Prevention Resources
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Volume 4, Issue 4
February 28, 2006

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BREAKING NEWS
2006 Wisconsin State Prevention Conference

RESEARCH UPDATES
Girls now using drugs and alcohol at higher rate than boys

FUNDING ALERTS
Family Centered Substance Abuse Treatment Grants for Adolescents and Their Families
Mattel Children's Foundation -- Domestic Grantmaking Program
Valentine Foundation
Charles Lafitte Foundation

TRAINING/WORKSHOPS/CONFERENCES
Eighth Annual Wisconsin Council on Problem Gambling Statewide Conference
New Frontiers in Mentoring
Developing and Implementing Youth Courts

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**BREAKING NEWS**

2006 Wisconsin State Prevention Conference
SAVE THE DATE! Wisconsin Prevention 2006: Tools to Build a Prevention Framework will be held July 18-19, 2006, at the new Holiday Inn & Convention Center, Stevens Point. Workshop topics include: *Parents Who Host Lost the Most; *Fearless Advocacy; *Evaluate for Impact; *Bullying Prevention; *Strengthening Families; *Stabilizing Funding; plus MADD President Glynn Birch. Watch for more details online at http://wch.uhs.wisc.edu.
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**RESEARCH UPDATES**

Girls now using drugs and alcohol at higher rate than boys
Despite commonly held beliefs that boys are at higher risk for using illegal substances, recent data indicate that girls have caught up with boys in illicit drug and alcohol use and have actually surpassed boys in cigarette use.  More girls than boys are also starting to use illicit substances.  The latest research indicates that for the last two years that research is available (2003-2004), more teenage girls than boys started using marijuana, alcohol, and cigarettes.  When girls use illicit drugs, marijuana is the most commonly used substance.  In fact, girls use marijuana more than cocaine, heroin, Ecstasy, methamphetamine, and all other illicit drugs combined.  In addition, girls may develop symptoms of nicotine addiction faster than boys; and adolescent girls who consume even moderate amounts of alcohol may experience disrupted growth and puberty.  The findings also show that teenage girls use drugs and alcohol for different reasons than boys.  Many girls experience a dramatic transition during early adolescence, marked by a decline in their self-esteem and self-confidence.  Surveys show that young females tend to use alcohol or drugs to improve mood, increase confidence, reduce tension, cope with problems, or lose inhibitions.  Another often-cited reason among girls for their substance abuse is issues with weight loss, including misuse of diet pills.  For more information, go to the Girls & Drugs section of TheAntiDrug.com website: www.theantidrug.com/drug_info/girls-and-drugs-index.aspx.  A research report on Girls and Drugs, A New Analysis: Recent Trends, Risk Factors, and Consequences, is also available for downloading at www.mediacampaign.org/pdf/girls_and_drugs.pdf.
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**RESOURCES/MATERIALS**

The 'Major Cities' Guide to Reducing Substance Abuse in Your Community
Cities Without Drugs: The 'Major Cities' Guide to Reducing Substance Abuse in Your Community is now available from the Office of National Drug Control Policy.  This publication discusses findings of the initiative launched in 2003 to identify specific drug problems and establish long-term goals to address these problems in the nation's 25 largest metropolitan areas. Also discussed are ways to stop drug use before it starts, helping current drug users, and disrupting the drug market.  For a complete pdf copy of the report, go to www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/publications/cities_wo_drgs/cities_wo_drgs.pdf.  For additional information and to order a print copy, go to www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/publications/cities_wo_drgs/.
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National Campaign Helps Build Awareness of Children of Alcoholics
Children of drug addicted parents are the highest risk group among children to become alcohol and drug abusers later in life, yet few treatment programs and preventive initiatives target this population.  Today, one in four children lives in homes with alcohol abuse or alcoholism.  Several tools and resources are available to help coalitions bring this issue to the forefront. SAMHSA's National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information (NCADI) has developed educational tools, which are available at http://ncadi.samhsa.gov/seasonal/coaweek/.  In addition, NCADI has just released an updated version of Children of Alcoholics: A Guide to Community Action, which was developed primarily for local community coalitions and other prevention organizations.  This is available for free and can be ordered or downloaded at http://store.health.org/catalog/productDetails.aspx?ProductID=16745, or contact the Wisconsin Clearinghouse RADAR Network Center at (800) 248-9244 and request item #A055.   More resources are also available through The National Association for Children of Alcoholics.
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Increase Community Involvement in Inhalant Prevention
Surveys have indicated a disturbing and potentially fatal trend in communities across the country: inhalant use among teenagers and young children.  National Inhalants & Poisons Awareness Week (NIPAW), taking place this year on March 19-25, 2006, presents an opportunity to bring this issue to the radar screen and to launch a community-wide prevention campaign.  NIPAW, created by the National Inhalant Prevention Coalition (NIPC), is an annual media-based, community-level program that is designed to increase understanding about the use and risks of inhalant involvement and involve all sectors of the community in the prevention effort.  A number of tools and resources are available to help coalitions integrate inhalant prevention in their community-wide drug prevention strategy, including a local coordinator's kit developed by the NIPC.  The local coordinator's kit includes a how-to guide to conduct a local media awareness campaign, including sample media advisories and public service announcements; inhalant statistics and background information; tips for working with the media; camera-ready art to reproduce, including brochures and flyers; tips for teachers, guidelines for schools and other resources.  For more information on this annual event or inhalants, visit www.inhalants.org.  For other resources that may be useful, check out the Wisconsin Clearinghouse Free Educational Materials list online at http://wch.uhs.wisc.edu/03-Resources/03-Free.html or contact the Wisconsin Clearinghouse RADAR Network Center at (800) 248-9244 and we'll be glad to send you a copy of the latest list of materials or to help identify inhalant prevention resources for you to use.
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notMYkid Drug Prevention Group
The drug prevention group "notMYkid" plans to expand nationally with a program aimed at fighting prescription-drug abuse.  Founded in Arizona in 1999 by Steve and Debbie Moak, notMYkid initially focused on illicit drugs, but recently added prescription drugs to its programming.  "There were over 500 million prescriptions for prescription medications written last year, only 3 percent of them to teenagers.  Yet, that's where the increase in (drug) abuse is," said Steve Moak.  "They're getting them right out of their parents' cabinets," added Debbie Moak.  The Moaks have announced the expansion of their program to 24 new cities this year; it currently operates in Phoenix, Cincinnati, Dallas, and Omaha.  Go to www.notmykid.org to find information about Depression, Substance Abuse, Teen Pregnancy, Eating Disorders, Suicide, and many other important youth-related health issues.
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National Day to Prevent Teen Pregnancy Promotional Materials
Promotional materials for the National Day to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, May 3, 2006, are now available from the National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy's online store.  This year, the Campaign is offering posters, postcards, wristbands, temporary tattoos, and pens.  On the National Day, teens are asked to go online and take a fun, engaging quiz that presents them with several real life scenarios involving sex and asks them to choose a course of action.  For more information about the National Day, go to www.teenpregnancy.org/national/default.asp.
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**FUNDING ALERTS**

Family Centered Substance Abuse Treatment Grants for Adolescents and Their Families
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Family Centered Substance Abuse Treatment Grants for Adolescents and Their Families are designed to address gaps in substance-abuse services and/or to increase the ability of states, units of local government, federally recognized tribes, tribal organizations, and community- and faith-based organizations to help specific populations or geographic areas with serious, emerging substance abuse problems.  Eligible applicants are domestic public and private nonprofit entities.  It is expected that up to $5,200,000 will be available to fund up to seventeen awards in fiscal year 2006.  Annual awards are expected to be $300,000 per year in total costs (direct and indirect) for up to three years.  The application deadline is March 29, 2006.  For more information, go to www.samhsa.gov/Grants06/RFA/TI_06_007_adolescent.aspx.
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Mattel Children's Foundation -- Domestic Grantmaking Program
Mattel and the Mattel Children's Foundation are pleased to continue for the second year their Domestic Grantmaking Program.  Mattel's philanthropic priorities are learning: increasing access to education for underserved children and, in particular, innovative strategies to promote and address literacy; health: supporting the physical health and well-being of children, with particular emphasis on promoting healthy, active lifestyles; and ability to positively influence students.  All 501(c)(3) public charity organizations may apply.  Organizations must serve children in communities within the United States.  Organizations must not discriminate against a person or a group on the basis of age, political affiliation, race, national origin, ethnicity, gender, disability, sexual orientation, or religious belief.  Charitable organizations that demonstrate they directly serve children in need may be eligible for grants between $5,000 and $25,000.  Funds may be applied to programs or to general operating costs.  The application deadline is April 7, 2006.  For more information, go to www.mattel.com/About_Us/Philanthropy/ci_mcf_philanthropy_grantmaking.asp.
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Valentine Foundation
The Valentine Foundation supports organizations and programs that empower women and girls to recognize and develop their full potential.  Also funded are programs that make efforts to change established attitudes that discourage women and girls from realizing their potential.  Programs should show promise of effective fundamental change including efforts to change attitudes, policies, and social patterns.  Programs for women must include advocacy for social change.  The Foundation is interested in seeing a two-page descriptive letter between May 1 and June 30.  Grants typically range from $500 to $10,000.  For more information, contact The Valentine Foundation, Alexandra V. A. Frazier, Director, 300 Quarry Lane, Haverford, PA 19041; 610-642-4887; info@valentinefoundation.org; www.valentinefoundation.org.
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Charles Lafitte Foundation
Charles Lafitte Foundation's mission is to provide for and support inventive and effective ways of helping people help themselves, and others around them, lead healthy, satisfying, and enriched lives.  To fulfill this mission, the foundation acts as grantmaker, innovator, and volunteer for four main programs: education, children's advocacy, medical research and issues, and the arts.  The foundation funds organizations throughout the country, but is limited to supporting 501(c)(3) institutions.  There are no application deadlines.  For more information, go to www.charleslafitte.org/applications.html.
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**TRAININGS/WORKSHOPS/CONFERENCES**

Eighth Annual Wisconsin Council on Problem Gambling Statewide Conference
"Planting the Future Through Awareness, Education & Prevention" is the theme of this year's Wisconsin Council on Problem Gambling Statewide Conference.  The conference is being held March 30-31, 2006, at the Country Springs Hotel, Water Park & Conference Center in Waukesha.  Presenters include Joanna Franklin, Director of Training and Network Development for Trimeridian Inc. Resources for Problem Gambling; Daniel L. Smith, Clinical Supervisor for the National Council on Problem Gambling, Inc.; Jerry Bauerkemper, member of the Board of Directors of the National Council on Problem Gambling and Executive Director of the Nebraska Council on Problem Gambling; Dawn Cronin, Licensed Social Worker and Nationally Certified Gambling Counselor with Lutheran Social Services of North Dakota; Dennis Frank, psychotherapist and addictions counselor at Cornerstone Counseling Center; and others.  Find out more about the conference and view the conference brochure at http://www.wi-problemgamblers.org/conference.htm or contact the Wisconsin Council on Problem Gambling at (920) 437-8888 or wpcgamble5@new.rr.com.
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New Frontiers in Mentoring
On April 10-12, 2006, in Anchorage, AK, the National Mentoring Center and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Alaska will conduct New Frontiers in Mentoring.  Funded by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, this training seminar is designed to help programs achieve excellence by providing interactive workshops based on new and effective practices in the field of youth mentoring.  Keynote speakers include Dr. Susan Weinberger, President, Mentoring Consulting Group; Judy Vredenburgh, President and Chief Executive Officer, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America; and the Reverend Dr. Michael James Oleksa, who has spent the last 35 years in Alaska, serving as village priest, university professor, and consultant on intercultural relations and communications.  The registration deadline is March 19, 2006.  To access further information about New Frontiers in Mentoring and to register online, visit www.nwrel.org/mentoring/alaska/.  Questions should be addressed to Amy Cannata, Training & Technical Assistance Coordinator, National Mentoring Center, at cannataa@nwrel.org.
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Developing and Implementing Youth Courts
On April 24-26, 2006, in Denver, CO, the National Youth Court Center will conduct Developing and Implementing Youth Courts.  Funded by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, this training seminar is designed for persons interested in implementing a youth court in their community.  It would also be useful for youth court staff seeking to learn more about how youth courts operate nationally.  Topics include the aforementioned national perspective on youth courts; stakeholders, boards, and committees; funding; legal issues; volunteer training; community service; and program evaluation.  The registration deadline is March 17, 2006.  Early registration is recommended, as space is limited.  To access further information about Developing and Implementing Youth Courts and to register online, visit www.youthcourt.net/training_ta/2006/CO_Overview.htm.  Questions may be addressed to the National Youth Court Center at 859-244-8193.
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