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Prevention Council Releases 2015 Progress Report and Recommendations for Safer, Healthier Rose Bowl Events

5/8/2015

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After two years of hard work the Rose Bowl Community Prevention Council (RBCPC) has released a 2014-15 Progress and Recommendations Reports detailing its efforts to date and next steps.

In March 2013 the RBCPC was convened to improve public health and safety at large community events in the City of Pasadena. Composed of representatives of neighborhood associations (e.g., East Arroyo, Linda Vista-Annandale, West Pasadena), community groups (Day One, Flintridge Center), and city agencies (Pasadena Police Department, Pasadena Public Health Department), the RBCPC has spent the past two years observing large events, reviewing existing practices and procedures, and recommending improvements based on identified conditions and data collected.

In 2014, representatives of the aforementioned groups met on a regular basis to discuss manners of reducing alcohol-related harm and improving public health and safety at large events at the Rose Bowl. After reviewing findings from 10 major events in 2013-14, the group identified the following recommendations based upon their efficacy at other venues and potential ability to positively impact public health and safety during large events:

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RAD to Host Marijuana Forum in Pasadena on 4/20

4/3/2015

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In November 2014 a majority of voters in Alaska, Oregon, and Washington DC moved to follow the states of Colorado and Washington to legalize recreational marijuana use. In November 2016 another wave of states are expected to consider similar measures, including the states of California, Nevada and Arizona.

Such swift state-level policy change is already having impacts on the individual and community level.  The introduction of medicinal and recreational marijuana has shifted perceptions of harm and risk among youth and the general population, with consequences to use patterns as well as research.

What impact is marijuana currently having in California? What are the health impacts of use by youth and young adults? What don’t we know about use? What policy and regulatory implications should Californians be aware of when considering legalization? Join us in taking a deeper look at the nexus between marijuana and public health, policy, and safety.

To better inform the public, the RAD coalition will host a special public forum on Monday April 20th to discuss the issue of recreational marijuana legalization. Event attendees will enjoy light, healthy refreshments, view a short video, and hear from an expert panel featuring speakers on both sides of the issue, including:

  • Lynne Lymon, State Director, Drug Policy Alliance 
  • Marina Khubesrian, MD, Council Member, City of South Pasadena 
  • Sara Armstrong, Americans for Safe Access
  • Catherine Branson, SAMHSA Fellow, UCLA
  • Marijuana Anonymous Member

The evening will be moderated by Luis Gutierrez, Senior Associate, LURN Network.

Join us for what is sure to be a stimulating evening!
  • What: RAD Forum: "Let's Be Blunt: Should CA Legalize Marijuana?"
  • Where: Pasadena City College, Harbeson Hall, 1570 E Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91106
  • When: Monday April 20th (6-8pm)
  • RSVP: Facebook 
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Cities of Pomona, West Covina Adopt Smoke-Free Parks Policies

3/17/2015

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Pomona, CA. – On March 2, 2015 the Pomona City Council unanimously moved to restrict smoking of any kind at city parks and other city facilities. 

The smoking policy, which includes the use of electronic smoking devices, will take effect 30 days after approval by the city council. All parks in Pomona will officially be smoke-free as of April 2nd, 2015.

The policy was adopted as a result of numerous local complaints from residents regarding smoking at city hall, city facilities, and local parks. 

Members of a local smoke-free coalition – Clean Air Pomona (CAP) – were on hand to educate the community about the harmful effects of secondhand smoke and the many benefits of smoke-free public places. 

Consisting of local students, parents, and community partners, CAP collected data on local smoking rates and solicited resident input on the issue. The group's survey of over 200 residents found that 74% felt smoking at local parks was a big problem. 
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Just a few weeks after Pomona adopted its policy the West Covina City Council followed suit. Championed by Mayor Pro Tem James Toma, a first reading of an ordinance to create smoke-free parks and other public facilities, was discussed and approved at the Council's regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday March 17. 

Like the City of Pomona, the West Covina policy also includes the use of electronic tobacco products. 

In adopting the policy, the cities of Pomona and West Covina have joined 39 others across Los Angeles County, and 328 jurisdictions across California, who have already created smoke-free parks. 

For additional information about smoke-free policies in the SGV and beyond, please contact Adriana Pinedo or Alisha Lopez of Day One.
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RAD Reminds Sports Fans: Drinking is NOT a Game

9/3/2014

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Rethinking Alcohol and other Drugs (RAD-SGV) prevention coalition members have launched an effort to promote responsible alcohol use at large events in the City of Pasadena.

With fall right around the corner, the football season and game day tailgating is set to kick-off again. Often lost amid the fanfare are dangerous drinking norms that accompany some large events; studies on tailgating underline that over-consumption of alcohol is endemic at football tailgates.

“Alcohol is the most widely misused drug by youth and adults in our community, with serious, potentially lifelong consequences,” noted Christy Zamani, Day One Executive Director. “However, many underestimate the dangers of alcohol use, especially underage use.”

The stakes are high. In Los Angeles County excessive alcohol consumption is the 2nd leading cause of premature death and disability, costing about 2,500 people in the region their lives every year. An estimated 16% of LA County residents, over 1.1 million, are binge drinkers.

To support healthier habits, RAD has developed a series of PSAs on the dangers of misuse, as well as the following 7 tips for adults who wish to consume alcohol at a large event:
                                                                   
  1. Food. Don't drink on an empty stomach. Eat a full, healthy meal before you drink.
  2. Mix it up. Make every other drink a non-alcoholic one, such as water or juice.
  3. Pace Yourself. Have no more than one alcoholic drink per hour. Sip slowly.
  4. Pass on the hard alcohol. If possible, drink beer or wine.
  5. Avoid alcohol games. Chugging drinks as part of a “game” makes it difficult to moderate consumption.
  6. Set limits in advance. And do your best to stick to them.
  7. Keep busy.  Don’t just sit/stand and drink, do something!

Event policies: Rose Bowl Stadium

To promote a safe game day experience for everyone, the Rose Bowl Stadium also has the following key rules in place regarding alcohol use:
  • No beer funnels or other rapid-alcohol consumption devices
  • No drinking games (e.g., beer pong, flip cup)
  • No consumption of alcohol in tailgating areas after kick-off/event start
  • No underage drinking
  • No glass containers

According to stadium and local law enforcement officials, Failure to comply with these and other fan guidelines, as well as applicable City, State and Federal laws may result in citation or arrest, as well as loss of tailgating privileges and/or game tickets.

The rules are aimed at reducing binge and underage drinking. Defined as consuming 5 or more drinks in about 2 hours for men and 4 or more drinks for women, binge drinking has serious health implications for individuals, including brain damage, alcohol poisoning, high blood pressure, and increased risk of stroke, injury, and cancer (breast and oral). 

On a community level binge drinking is also associated with higher rates of violence, crime and injury (e.g., alcohol-involved auto collisions).

The RAD-SGV coalition wishes fans a safe and enjoyable game day experience, and urges everyone to Say Something to event security, law enforcement or guest services (or call 911) if you See Something dangerous.
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Reality Party for Parents 9/13

8/19/2014

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Parents Invited to Tour Teen Party
A Reality Party for Parents will be held on Saturday, September, 13th in Pasadena.                                   

RAD coalition members Day One, Jewish Family Services, Pasadena Public Health Department and Pacific Clinics, in collaboration with Straight Up and other community partners, are staging a "house party" to give parents an eye-opening opportunity to learn more about the current realities of underage drinking parties and how to help change these dangerous social norms.

Parents will take a 30 minute tour through a “party” in a local residence and then participate in a 30 minute debrief discussion and resource fair. Youth actors and local teens will depict drug and alcohol use, as well as dangerous behavior typically present at a local party.  

The event is free and open to the public. Adults only.

Registration Link: http://www.straightupvc.org/register

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RAD Townhall Meeting on Underage Drinking Prevention Day - 5/19 

5/12/2014

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RAD Members the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, the LA County Office of Education and Friday Night Live invite you to attend a special Town Hall forum on Underage Drinking Monday May 19th (3-5pm). 

The event will feature special guest speakers Council Member Jorge Marquez, who spearheaded the passing of the Social Host Ordinance in the City of Covina in fall 2013, and Nick Nevarez, a 22 year old student, former alcoholic, drunk driving accident survivor and public health advocate. 

A MADD crash car will be on display. Food and drink will be available for attendees..
  • WHAT: National Underage Drinking Prevention Day 
  • WHEN: Monday, May 19th, 2014 (3:00pm-5:00pm)
  • WHERE: National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD) 4626 N Grand Avenue Covina, CA 91724
  • WHY: To better inform and educate the community about the risks of alcohol use 
  • RSVP: White_Edward@lacoe.edu

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RAD Underage Drinking Townhall: Drinking Is Not a Game

5/1/2014

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Day One, Pasadena Public Health Department, and Boys and Girls Club of Pasadena Host Underage Drinking Town Hall Meeting 

On Tuesday April 29th over 70 community members convened on the Jackie Robinson Center in Pasadena to attend a "House Party." Although pop music, red cups, ping pong balls and drinking paraphernalia found at underage drinking parties was present, alcohol was not. 

The event covered a wide range of topics: Youth advocates simulated for the community the popular, but dangerous, ways that underage teens consume alcohol at house parties. Panelist and Director of the Pasadena Public Health Department, Dr. Eric Walsh, stressed to the community that consuming alcohol during your teens (an important developmental stage for the brain) is known to be detrimental to overall health and decision-making. 

Courageous youth speakers on the panel like Nick Nevarez and Emily Sandoval informed community attendees about the social pressures that motivate teens to drink alcohol, and about the destructive and near deadly consequences that drinking in their teens had in their personal life. Officers from the Pasadena Police Department answered questions about how the department handles underage drinking incidents and DUI's, for which the department practices zero tolerance and costs offenders upwards of $10,000. 

Kathy Watson, a Substance Abuse Intervention Specialist for the Pasadena Unified School District spoke on how Pasadena schools can provide counseling and support to teens struggling with substance abuse, but acknowledged that strong parent support and involvement is key to helping teens overcome the pressures to drink.

Dangers of Underage Use

Underage alcohol use can have both short and long-term health consequences to minors. Youth and young adults' brains still in development are more susceptible to harm. Alcohol use contributes to poor decision-making, injuries, violence, sexual assault and risky behaviors such as unprotected sex. Unfortunately, the vast majority of underage drinking in the United States is also binge drinking; according to the CDC, 90% of the alcohol consumed by minors is done during binges (5 or more drinks for males, 4 or more for females). 

"Secondhand Effects" of alcohol use - drinking behaviors that harm others:
  • Violence (verbal, physical)
  • Sexual Assault
  • Unintended pregnancies; STDs
  • Trouble with police or other authorities (e.g., DUI)
  • Accidents, injury
  • Memory loss
  • Poor academic performance
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Demonstration: Drinking is NOT a game

Tips for Parents, Community Members

  1. Model positive, healthy behavior. If you drink, do so responsibly. Don't drink and drive, binge drink, or use alcohol or other drugs as a way to cope with stress, depression, anger, etc. 
  2. Regularly discuss expectations and rules about alcohol use. Clearly state and enforce the consequences for breaking the rules.  
  3. Secure alcohol beverages in your home so that it is not accessible.
  4. Make sure teens in your life are engaged in positive activities outside of school (e.g., teams/clubs, volunteer with a local organization, part-time job, community college classes). 
  5. Do not serve alcohol to minors. "Supervising" underage drinking in your home is not a safer alternative. In fact, studies show that minors whose parents/guardians allow them to drink in the home suffer from higher rates of alcohol use, misuse and dependence.
  6. Frequently express how you feel about underage drinking. However, do not lecture or threaten your teen about alcohol use. 
  7. Make it clear that drinking and driving or riding with someone who has been drinking is never ok. Ask your teen to call for a ride, take a cab, or call for permission to stay overnight if he or she or a friend who is driving has been drinking. This does not give minors permission to drink, it tells them that their safety is most important.
  8. Talk about personal, family, social, or religious values that give your teen reasons not to drink. 
  9. When your teen wants to talk about alcohol, listen to his or her opinions, help him or her make good decisions, and treat him or her with respect. 
  10. Get to know your teen's friends. Know where they hang out and what they are doing. Talk with the friends' parents about alcohol. 

Quick Facts

    • Excessive alcohol consumption is the 2nd leading cause of premature death and disability in Los Angeles County.
    • Alcohol-related car crashes are a leading cause of death for teenagers and young adults.
    • Alcohol is the drug of choice among teens. 
    • Beer and wine are not safer than hard liquor. 
    • Using alcohol and tobacco at a young age – especially before high school – increases the risk of dependence and other drug use. 
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House Party: RAD Townhall Forum on Underage Drinking - 4/29

4/8/2014

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RAD-SGV (Rethinking Alcohol and other Drugs) Coalition, Day One, and Pasadena Public Health Department to Host Underage Drinking Townhall Meeting

Pasadena, CA.  April 8, 2014 – Youth who begin drinking before age 15 are 5 times more likely to become dependent on alcohol.  Youth who consume alcohol also put themselves at higher risk for cognitive impairment – the human brain continues to develop until about age 25 – accidents, sexual assault, risky sex (e.g., unprotected sex), and physical and verbal abuse.

The stakes are unfortunately high. In Los Angeles County excessive alcohol consumption is the 2nd leading cause of premature death and disability, costing about 2,500 people in the region their lives every year.

“Alcohol is the most widely misused drug by youth in our community, with serious, potentially lifelong negative consequences,” shared Christy Zamani, Day One Executive Director. “However, many youth and parents underestimate the dangers of alcohol use, especially at a young age.”

To better inform and educate parents, youth, and the broader community about the risks of alcohol use, RAD Coalition members Day One and the Pasadena Public Health Department are hosting a townhall forum focused on the issue of underage drinking. The event will feature an expert panel, “reality party” and keynote speakers Dr. Eric Walsh, Pasadena Public Health Department Director and Dr. Didra Brown-Taylor, a UCLA alcohol researcher. 

Healthy refreshments and snacks will be served, and Spanish translation services provided.

  • WHAT:    House Party: Underage Drinking Townhall
  • WHO:      RAD-SGV, Day One, Pasadena Public Health Department  
  • WHEN:    Tuesday April 29, 2014 (5-7pm)
  • WHERE:  Jackie Robinson Center, 1020 N. Fair Oaks Ave., Pasadena 91103 


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RAD Coalition Releases Alcohol and Your City Report

3/10/2014

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PictureRAD Press Conf. @ Pasadena City Hall
On December 17th RAD members, supporters and volunteers hosted a press conference at Pasadena City Hall to release "Alcohol and Your City: San Gabriel Valley" - a RAD Report. 

Designed to be an easy-to-read document to inform residents, City staff and elected officials about local alcohol use, its impacts, and evidence-based safeguards available to communities, the first-of-its-kind report was the product of a collaborative effort by the regional prevention coalition, which was founded by six partnering agencies: Day One, Pasadena Public Health Department, Jewish Family Service, Pacific Clinics, NCADD, and Prototypes.

On hand to participate in the official release event were a number of powerful local experts, including Pasadena Public Health Director Eric Walsh, MD, MPH, who underlined the new documents ability to provide communities with clear, concise information regarding the impact of alcohol at the City level, and steps that can be taken to mitigate the issue.

PictureUnivision interviews NCADD's Maribel Briseno
Former State Assemblymember and La Canada Flintridge Mayor Anthony Portantino touched on his efforts to reduce the impact of alcohol in the community. The author AB 1999 - '911 Immunity' legislation modeled on similar policies in Colorado and New Jersey - which was adopted into law in 2010, Mr. Portantino underlined the fact that 16% of LA County residents binge drink, a staggering number.  His legislation protects minors who seek emergency medical attention due to alcohol poisoning by granting immunity from criminal prosecution. The immunity is limited to the victim and the one or two underage peers if they act in good faith, call 911, and stay at the scene until the authorities arrive. Experience in other states shows that this approach does not encourage underage drinking, but helps ensure that a teen gets the medical help he or she may need.

PictureNick Nevarez addresses the media
Perhaps the most moving and powerful speaker, however, was 24 year Nick Nevarez, a 22 year old full-time college student who works part time as a salesman at the mall and spends lots of his time exercising. After being diagnosed as a type 1 diabetic as a teenager and becoming addicted to drugs and alcohol, Nick survived a car crash that nearly ended his life. The serious collision left him with a 45% prosthetic skull, a reminder that drives him to use his story to inspire youth to lead more positive, healthier lives. Over the past few years Nick has spoken to thousands of people over the last four years on the subject of drinking and driving and substance abuse, while enjoying his second chance at life to the fullest.

Many thanks to all whose hard work, input and feedback made the development of RAD's first official report and press conference a success. 

More Info, Media Coverage
  • A digital copy of the RAD report card can be downloaded here
  • Univision Event Coverage
  • Pasadena Now Coverage
Photos courtesy of Rosaline Zaw of Open Concept Events and Wes Reutimann.
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