Photo reprinted from www. ksfy.com

This week marks the end of summer and the beginning of another school year for Las Vegas teens.  And although kids are back in school with more of a focus and more to do, school year activities such as post-game parties and school dances are prime places for underage alcohol consumption. 

According to the National Research Council, alcohol is the No. 1 youth drug problem in America and more young people die from alcohol-related causes than from all other illicit drugs combined. According to the Mothers Against Drunk Driving Web site, drinking before the age of 21 is associated with damage to growing brains, alcohol dependence, violence, dropping out of school, drinking and driving, riding with drinking drivers, unplanned and unsafe sex,  fatalities and injuries from drownings, burns, falls, homicides, and suicides.

Although you may think your teen is safe while supervised by adults in a friend’s home, or unable to purchase alcohol at the local convenience store, read ahead.  A nationwide report by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA) released in June 2008 estimates that 40 percent of underage drinkers received free alcohol from adults over 21.  The MADD Web site states that adults continue to allow those under the legal drinking age to drink by selling alcohol to those under 21, providing or purchasing alcohol, looking the other way when teens openly talk about drinking and refusing to hold other adults and youth accountable for breaking the law. 

I hope that we all decide to be a solution to the problem of underage drinking instead of a contributor.  If you know someone who is selling alcohol to minors, or allowing minors to consume alcohol in their home, report them to the police.  Also, parents, do not allow your children to drink and ensure that the families of your children’s friends do the same.

Here’s to a safe and productive school year!

It’s no secret that our Hispanic population is growing in Las Vegas.  In fact according to the Hispanic Fact Pact, 2008 Edition, distributed by Advertising Age magazine, Las Vegas is now ranked #20 in the list of the top 25 U.S. Hispanic markets. 

I came across this article and wanted to share this with all of my readers.  I hope it prompts you to discuss this serious subject with your children.

Latino Parents Urged to Counteract Effects of Targeted Alcohol Ads

August 20, 2008
Source: Join Together

With Latino/Latina youths viewing a disproportionately high number of alcohol ads compared with other young people, parents need to have open discussions with their children so they will delay drinking, the Al Día weekly newspaper (Philadelphia) reported Aug. 14.

According to a 2003 report from the Center on Alcohol Marketing and Youth, alcohol advertisers spent $23.6 million in 2002 to run ads on 12 of the 15 television programs most watched by Hispanic youths. The report added that Hispanic youths saw 24 to 32 percent more alcohol advertising in magazines than did non-Hispanic young people.

With unintentional injuries, homicide and suicide constituting the three leading causes of death among Hispanic youths ages 12 to 20, and alcohol a prominent factor in all of these categories, the article urges parents not to avoid conversations about alcohol and unwittingly deliver the message that it is OK for children to drink.

According to the 2007 National Youth Risk Behavior Survey, Hispanic teens are more likely than their non-Hispanic peers to ride in a car with someone who has been drinking, and also more likely to drink on school property.

The newspaper article discusses in detail the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism’s (NIAAA’s) “Talk to Your Children About Alcohol” initiative, listing tips for parents such as asking open-ended questions of youths and responding constructively rather than emotionally.

Sincerely,

Adam S. Kutner

Thousands of people throughout the country are injured or killed in boating accidents every year.  With Lake Mead in our back yard and the coast just a few hours away, many Las Vegas residents have not been immune to such accidents.  Please read the following pertinent guidelines for how to avoid boating accidents to ensure such a terrible tragedy does not happen to you or your family.  

Life Jackets

Drowning remains second only to motor vehicle accidents as the leading cause of unintentional injury-related death among children ages one to 14.  Life jackets could prevent approximately two-thirds of all boating-related drownings of children ages 14 and under.  Many adults believe themselves capable of diving into the water to rescue a child who falls overboard, but it can be difficult to locate a child on the water as adults may not notice a child falling overboard right away and children who fall in may not surface immediately. 

Adults should also always wear life jackets as well – not only to keep themselves safe, but to demonstrate safe behavior for their children.  Remember that just as in car accidents, in boating accidents, people can be knocked unconscious, so even an adult who knows how to swim can benefit from a life jacket.

Alcohol Consumption

Driving a boat while intoxicated is just as dangerous and illegal as operating a vehicle while intoxicated.  Boating while under the influence is especially dangerous as there are no traffic signals or lanes out on the open water.

Take Boating Courses

According to the U.S. Coast Guard, operator errors account for 70% of boating accidents.  Take a course to prepare yourself to operate a watercraft.  Many boating safety courses are offered throughout the country, for all types of recreational boaters, and for boaters of all ages.

Pay Attention

Because there aren’t traffic signals or lanes in lakes or oceans, you must constantly be aware of what’s around you. Each person on a watercraft should be looking in a particular direction and keeping a lookout for other boats, people and rocks in the water.  Keep boat radios down low so people can hear each other and people may be able to quickly grab your attention.

Speeding

Many accidents are caused by excessive speed.  Boats do not have brakes and are much harder to stop and slow down than vehicles.  Even when there is not a specified speed limit, use common sense and keep your speed at safe levels. 

Carbon Monoxide

Carbon monoxide released from recreational boats is known as the Silent Killer because you cannot see, smell, or taste carbon monoxide.  The symptoms are similar to seasickness or alcohol intoxication and carbon monoxide can make you sick in seconds. In high enough concentrations, even a few breaths can be fatal.  Carbon monoxide poisoning is responsible for many drownings, as it causes unconsciousness—another reason to always wear a life jacket.  Treat symptoms of seasickness as possible carbon monoxide poisoning. Get the person into fresh air immediately and seek medical attention, unless you’re sure it’s not carbon monoxide poisoning.

To avoid carbon monoxide poisoning, do not stay in an immobile boat with the engine running for an extended period of time, or swim around the back of a boat while the engine is running.  Install and maintain CO alarms inside your boat. Do not ignore any alarm and replace alarms as recommended by the alarm manufacturer. Also, many children like to swim and play near the back of houseboats especially, but ensure that the boat generator is not running while children are playing in that area.

For more information on boating safety, visit www.uscgboating.org.