by Stephanie Drum
The winter season is often a time of celebration and frequent get-togethers with friends, family, and coworkers. Unfortunately, according to the Council on Drug Abuse, the holiday season also sees a significant and reoccurring spike in depression, suicide, domestic violence, and drug and alcohol abuse – often intertwined. Especially for those who struggle with substance use and abuse, the holidays can be a time where they seek to cope with stress and may even relapse.
Self-awareness is important during a season often marked by liberal amounts of alcohol. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) report that 2-3 times more people die in alcohol-related crashes during Christmas and New Year’s than at other times of the year. They also report that 40% of drivers involved in traffic accidents during the holidays are impaired by alcohol. Adults should remember to drink moderately and responsibly if they do choose to partake, not only for their own well-being but also for others.
This is especially true where children are present. As coordinator for the VASA (Voices Against Substance Abuse) Community Coalition Partnership, I have found that of those surveyed in McLennan County, underage youth most often get alcohol from older adults or social venues such as house parties. Many adults believe there is no danger in underage consumption of alcohol with the proper supervision. However, in addition to the severe legal consequences of providing alcohol to minors ($4000 fine and up to a year in jail), youth who consume alcohol are far more likely to frequently binge drink (defined as 5+ drinks for males and 4+ drinks for females in one sitting) as well as get into traffic crashes (NHTSA).
Furthermore, while underage youth are out of school for the winter, temptation is strong for participating in recreational alcohol or drug use, sometimes simply out of boredom. The VASA Community Coalition encourages you to remember how influential you are in the lives of youth and that you can positively affect the decisions youth make.
You can make your voice known in the following ways:
- Speak with your child about alcohol and drugs, and make sure they know you do not approve.
- Do not provide alcohol or drugs to minors, or have them easily accessible.
- Be well-informed about parties or other events your child attends.
- Be conscious and careful if you choose to partake as an adult.
The holiday season should be full of joy and celebration. Let’s all work together to make this one safe, fun, and joyful! To receive more information please visit our Facebook/Twitter pages, or email me at [email protected].
Stephanie Drum is the VASA Community Coalition Coordinator and works at VOICE. She has a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor and a MDiv/MSW from Truett Seminary and Baylor University. She loves baking, the country and all kinds of art. Please contact her at [email protected] or (254) 741-9222 – she would love to share more about VASA Community Coalition!
The Act Locally Waco blog publishes posts with a connection to these aspirations for Waco. If you are interested in writing for the Act Locally Waco Blog, please email [email protected] for more information.
by Stephanie Drum
Did you know that alcohol is the most abused drug among youth and young adults in the state of Texas? Did you know that providing alcohol to minors is a more serious offense than a DWI?
I am the new VASA coordinator for McLennan County. VASA stands for “VOICE Against Substance Abuse.” VASA is a community coalition, a group of concerned adults and youth working together to address issues related to underage/binge drinking, marijuana use, and prescription drug abuse in McLennan County. Our vision is creating a drug and alcohol free culture for youth and young adults.
Last month, I was in Austin with coalition representatives from all over the state of Texas, learning how to identify and address alcohol, marijuana and prescription drug abuse in young adults. I was particularly interested in the success stories shared by seasoned professionals. During the presentations, I furiously scribbled notes about potential strategies we could utilize in McLennan County. I was heartened because many of the communities who were sharing success stories started out by doing exactly what our VASA is doing right now: gathering data.
Specifically, we are gathering data to identify the status of alcohol, marijuana and prescription drug use and abuse in our county. We are in the process of conducting a survey of McLennan County residents, including students, parents and community members, to analyze the use and abuse of alcohol, marijuana and prescription drugs among young adults. The data will also provide an understanding of the community’s perception of substance use and abuse.
In addition to gathering information, we are implementing environmental strategies such as media campaigns to raise awareness of the dangers of alcohol use and abuse by minors during prom and graduation seasons and the consequences faced by adults who purchase alcohol for minors.
We would love for everyone in McLennan County to know about the VASA and to join us in our work. Here are three basic facts to get you started:
- The VASA coalition is a partnership comprised of community members from various sectors, including students, parents, volunteers, law enforcement, health agencies and many others, who have a stake in the well-being of their community regarding substance abuse.
- The purpose of the coalition is to encourage community mobilization to make changes in community policies, laws and social norms by utilizing data gathered through research and implementing strategies that been proven to be effective in other communities around the state.
- The Texas Department of State Health Services is funding the coalition for five years; the goal is for it to become self-sustaining when the grant ends. The grant is administered locally by VOICE, the largest provider of youth substance abuse prevention services in Texas.
Just like you, I desire safe and healthy environments in which our children and youth can grow and develop into responsible adults, capable of making good decisions. I believe that we can make great strides towards this goal by working together to change the ways in which illicit consumption of alcohol, marijuana and prescription drugs are identified and addressed in our community.
To learn more about the VASA Community Coalition and how you can be a part of our efforts, please contact me.
Stephanie Drum is the VASA Community Coalition Coordinator and works at VOICE. She has a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor and a MDiv/MSW from Truett Seminary and Baylor University. She loves baking, the country and all kinds of art. Please contact her at [email protected] or (254) 741-9222 – she would love to share more about VASA Community Coalition!
The Act Locally Waco blog publishes posts with a connection to these aspirations for Waco. If you are interested in writing for the Act Locally Waco Blog, please email [email protected] for more information.