Alliance for Consumer Education

Red Ribbon Recap!

2009-11-05T13:49:00.000-08:00

Red Ribbon Week 2009 was celebrated throughout the country last week, as communities, school systems, and advocacy groups nationwide came together to promote drug prevention awareness and education. In particular ACE would like to highlight the efforts put forth by communities in Kentucky, Florida, and Delaware, as each uniquely honored Red Ribbon Week!

Middle school students in Shelby County, Kentucky participated in a week long celebration, attending drug awareness assemblies, receiving self-stick ribbons that read “say peace out to drugs” and “join the fight against drugs.” Students were also given the opportunity to dress according to specific ‘Theme Days’ which included a 60’s inspired ‘say peace out to drugs day,’ a camouflage themed ‘join the fight against drugs day,’ and ‘wear red day.’

Students from North Dover Elementary in Delaware honored Red Ribbon week with a creative arts and crafts project; tracing, signing, and decorating their foot prints which were displayed all across the school. A banner reading “We’re stepped out against drugs” tied all of the foot prints together.

All schools in Gilchrist County, Florida were visited by a school resource officer who spoke to students about drug related issues. In particular, students from Trenton Elementary School received a ‘K-9 Demo’ in which they learned how police dogs track drugs.

ACE is looking forward to Red Ribbon Week 2010!

Celebrate Red Ribbon Week!

2009-10-23T08:07:00.000-07:00

In case you missed it, October 23rd - October 31st is Red Ribbon Week- an annual anti-drug campaign sponsored by the National Family Partnership (NFP). Since its creation in 1985, Red Ribbon Week has become the largest and most visible drug prevention campaign in the U.S. with over 80 million participants!

The campaign’s focal point, the red ribbon, symbolizes an individual’s commitment to live a drug-free lifestyle; unifying communities across the country to take a stand against youth substance abuse and promote a drug-free America.

Red Ribbon Week was created to pay tribute to DEA agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena who in 1985 was kidnapped and brutally murdered by Mexican drug traffickers. Be sure to visit www.nfp.org to learn more about Red Ribbon Week and to find events being held in your area!

EAA Steps Up to The Plate in Addressing Inhalant Abuse

2009-09-29T13:46:00.000-07:00

ACE would like to thank the Eastern Aerosol Association (EAA) for all they are doing to help combat inhalant abuse.

This past summer, EAA partnered with the Camden Riversharks baseball team on an aerosol awareness project . ACE was pleased to see that as part of the project, EAA included a number of anti-huffing messages.

During the home games, ACE’s Public Service Announcement, Silence, was played on the large on-field screen. In addition, Queshia Bradley, ACE Education Programs Coordinator, conducted a live interview with the game announcer in stadium.

Third, EAA Board Members, during the games, volunteered their time to staff an informational tabletop display. In the photo below, EAA Board Trustees Maria-Lind Hansen and Chris Nyarady help distribute ACE’s materials and inform consumers about the dangers of inhalant abuse.

For more information on the Eastern Aerosol Association, please visit: http://www.easternaerosol.com/

ACE in the Community: CFC event!

2009-09-22T16:43:00.000-07:00

The Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) is an annual workplace charity campaign that takes place from September 1st to December 15th in which federal employees donate to various charities.

ACE was invited by the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency to attend their Wellness & Work/Life Fair today. ACE was introduced to this group during the National Capital Area Combined Federal Campaign Leadership Conference Charity Fair.
Alyssa and Queshia of ACE exhibited at a table and talked to numerous attendees about the organization and its programs. This is the first of many CFC charity fairs ACE hopes to be exhibiting at this season!

If you are or know of a federal employee who participates in the CFC please tell them about ACE (CFC #12104). To invite ACE to your agency's CFC event, please contact Ms. Queshia Bradley at Qbradley@Consumered.org.

For more information on the CFC please click here.

Freon Abuse Story-It Does Hurt Family Too

2009-09-15T11:55:00.000-07:00

First of all I want people to know that there is more than drugs around here to get you high that you don't think will hurt you. Your right, it will kill you.

First of all let me tell you, I am Tommy's mother and what I had to go through really hurts more than anything. I would rather go through labor 20 times over than losing my child. My only son and first child.

It all started August 4, 2005 around 10:30 am. I was downstairs with the baby daughter and watching Barney with her. Around that time I heard a thump from upstairs, which of course I thought maybe Tommy or his girlfriend was getting up out of bed or either they were arguing. Cause when anyone gets up from upstairs it sounds like a thump from down stairs. So I watched the stairs to see if anyone is coming down before I wanted to see what was going on. A few minutes later his girlfriend comes down and heads to the bathroom. So I figured that was his girlfriend getting up, the thump that I heard.

She was in there for awhile so I figured maybe she was cleaning up or something, cause I heard water running. Anyways close to 11:00 am. I go to wake my older daughter up to see if she was riding with me to Harrisburg, I had to go there to attend to some business. So as she was getting up his girlfriend heads back upstairs. My older daughter goes to the bathroom and then she comes out and tells me she is gonna ask his girlfriend if she can borrow some makeup from her. A few minutes later she comes down and says his girlfriend told her to get out of there and shut the door.

My daughter comes to me and says where is Tommy, I didn't see him. I said well he should be upstairs cause I didn't see him come down here and his jeep is still here. So he should be there. So my daughter says well I didn't see him. So she continues on getting ready while she is talking on the phone. I noticed that she goes back upstairs and then she comes running down to me and tells me that Tommy ain't moving.

I grabbed my baby daughter and run upstairs. I thought maybe he had passed out. I started barely pushing him on his shoulder and saying Tommy, get up, get up. Then I lightly shake him and start yelling louder Tommy, get up, please get up. He didn't move so I told my oldest daughter give me the phone right now. I call 911 to get someone here real quick. They start telling me to feel for a pulse, but of course I am so shaky that I can't tell. Then the lady asks me if anyone is here yet. I said I can't see I am upstairs. She says is anyone there that can perform CPR while I go check to see if anyone has arrived. I said I think his girlfriend can cause being in high school I figured she might have took the training. I run downstairs and see my mom and yell and tell her that Tommy ain't breathing. She runs over here. I run back upstairs and see that his girlfriend is still sitting in a chair on the phone. I get mad throw the phone and start to perform CPR on my son. Then my oldest daughter hands me back the phone and the 911 operator is making sure I am doing everything right. Which I am. My neighbor comes over and she has had CPR training, she starts to work on him.

Finally an ambulance arrives and they rush upstairs to work on him. Next thing I know they are rushing him to the hospital. The officer here asks everyone to stay till they can get all the names that was here in this home so they can do a investigation of what happened. Knowing I want to go to my son so bad, I have to stay and tell him what I knew and who was all here. In that process his girlfriend has someone to pick her up even though everyone was told to stay in this area till everything was taken care of. She leaves. Finally, the officer lets me leave. My oldest daughter gets a ride to the ER with a friend and my mom rushes me and my baby daughter to the ER. I rush into the ER and they want to know who I am and tell me to go out just for a minute while they work on him. They finally let me go in. I stand beside him and worrying what is going on. It really hurt to watch him lying there. They continue to work on him, so I step back outside to tell everyone I don't know. They give me a wheel chair to sit in and within just a few minutes of sitting down, the doctor comes out and tells me that he is sorry, but your son has passed away. I screamed and cried and went to the room where my son lies. I rubbed his hair, kissed him, cried so hard. Then all at once his right arm slowly dropped to my hand. Then I really started crying, knowing that was a sign he was gone and would be alright.

The coroner asked me if there was anything that he could do, the only thing I could say was bring my son back. He said he wished he could. I went out of the room crying telling everybody that he was gone, still crying so hard. Then the coroner comes to me and asks me what funeral home I would prefer to come pick him up. That is a hard thing for a parent to do. His father was on the road so he didn't get to see him in the ER. He had to wait when he got in and go the funeral home to see him. Now I would have to say how hard that would be to be traveling and get a call to come to the funeral home. I stayed at the hospital. Of all things to watch I watched my son being picked up by a hearse. Now who wants to watch their child being picked up in that way? It hurts.

The autopsy came back clean, the only thing in his system was caffeine, which of course he loved his coke drink. So I really can't tell ya what really caused his death. A lie detector test was not taken, since she agreed to one, they figured they wouldn't have to give one. Freon was not found in his room, it was in another room across the hall. So I don't know. They say possible Freon inhalation. Not proven actual Freon inhalation. What really gets me is that my son was raised around Freon. His dad installed and cleaned air conditioners for people, and not once have we had to deal with this kind of stuff. Never even heard of this. So where Tommy had learned this, I have no idea. Tommy hated drugs and couldn't even stand smoking. So go figure.

My son Tommy loved to go out with his friends and have fun with his jeep mud and all. He would come home sometimes his jeep so darn muddy and him too. As soon as his mudding was done he would get out his water hose and armor all and shine his jeep all up again. He liked to go mudding but couldn't stand for it to stay muddy. I miss him in the back yard just doing his little things. Cleaning his jeep or just working on things. He loved his little sister Destiny, he would give her rides in his jeep, she loved the jeep too. When he had money and would go anywhere, he bought her toy jeeps to play with. I still have them too. As for his big sister Heather, well they got along sometimes, but that is older siblings for you. He would take her places sometimes but not always. You know how that goes for older ones.
His favorite movie that got him into his mudding and jumping was Dukes of Hazzard. He loved that movie so much. So every time we went to Tennessee we had to go by Cooter's Place. His favorite place in Tennessee.

We all miss him so much and wish this had never happened. Tommy will never be forgotten.
If that is what happened all I can say is please keep Freon out of reach for any child. What you think won't hurt you, will eventually kill you.

-Tommy's mom

Happy National Grandparents Day!

2009-09-13T09:26:00.000-07:00

Q: When is Grandparents Day?
A: It's always the first Sunday after Labor Day. (This year, September 13th)

Take this time to call and/or visit your grandparents. If you are unable to do that, think about visiting a senior citizens home and spend time with the elderly.

The Alliance for Consumer Education realizes the important role grandparents play in all of our lives. We have worked with Grandparents.com on an article educating on How To Keep Your Grand kids Off Drugs.

We at ACE are very happy to wish you all a Happy Grandparents Day! For more information on Grandparents Day and activity ideas please click here.

Have a Safe Labor Day!!!

2009-09-04T08:02:00.000-07:00

As the Labor Day holiday is upon us just wanted to wish everyone a safe, happy, relaxing weekend.

Whether you're driving, flying, riding to visit family and friends or just going to get away from everything have fun! Also, make sure to take simple steps to ensure you and your families safety.

Throwing a cook-out, BBQ, picnic, etc.? Make sure to practice proper safe food handling

Going camping? Make sure you know about ticks and/or mosquitoes, or any other insects you may encounter.

Spending time with family and friends? Start the conversation on Inhalant Abuse Prevention.

Warmest regards,

Alliance for Consumer Education

Must Read Back to School Information

2009-09-02T10:23:00.000-07:00

It's back to school time! For some classes have already started. For others there is still time for clothes and supply shopping, summer reading, etc.

Whether your children's classes are in session or not there is still time to read both of ACE's latest fall FAQ sheets:

For targeted information for students in grade/elementary, middle, high school and college please click here.

For general information for all ages, check out our 6 Back to School Health Tips by clicking here.

Please read the sheets and make sure you are ready for this school year! Also, check out our other FAQ sheets on various topics here.

Make it a safe school year!

New eBay Items Up For Grabs!

2009-08-12T10:54:00.000-07:00

ACE's Inhalant Prevention eBay fundraiser is in full swing! Be sure to visit ACE's eBay Store to check out all of the fabulous items up for auction! We are currently accepting bids for a limited edition 28 piece bronze coin & pin set commemorating the 2000 Sydney Olympic games- one of only 5,000 made worldwide; along with a model replica of Jeff Gordon's 2005 Chevy Monte Carlo race car signed by the NASCAR superstar himself! In addition, we still have some great summer gear and games available that will surely soothe those 'back to school blues!'

Did Brian Have to Die?

2009-07-28T11:32:00.001-07:00

On May 28, 2009 at 8:45 in the morning, I found my partner of 15 years dead. He was in the bed face down still holding a can of computer duster in his hand. He had been dead several hours and there was nothing anyone could do. Cause of death: Difluoroethane-Toxicity.

Brain had battled depression and alcohol addiction all through our relationship. He always had therapy, medication and completed an inpatient program in Atlanta where I thought he was on the path to sobriety. He stopped going back to AA and within six months he started beer, then whiskey and finally to ordering medications on-line [Tramodol]. Brian’s life came crashing down on January 13, 2009, when he arrived to work after drinking and overmedicating. He was sent home and received a DUI on his way back to our residence. After seeing the police video, I saw a change in Brian’s attitude about his addictions. I noticed he rapidly slowed on his drinking and stopped ordering medications on-line. A glimmer of hope filled my heart, but that was shattered when I found out he had started huffing computer duster. He had not stopped self medicating, only swapped the method. Utilizing the internet, I printed everything I could for Brian to read about the dangers of huffing. I showed him videos on YouTube of how people acted when huffing. I even used my digital camera to capture a horrific episode where he was hallucinating. Nothing could stop his craving for more computer duster and the high he was getting. We talked, I begged, but the Brian I knew was no longer in control.

I am fully aware that Brain owned his addictions and is responsible for his actions and ultimate death, but did he really have to die? I ask this question because of what I write in the next few sentences. Every effort has been made to set aside my anger and felling of helplessness, but these next few words are for the Medical Community; EMT’s, Doctors, Emergency Rooms, Psychiatrists, and Outpatient Behavioral Staff. Please become more educated on Huffing Addiction – especially the chemical contents, the proper medical assessment, psychological assessment and treatment of both. You see, I took Brian to the Emergency Room in Atlanta – He wanted help. Brian had developed a rash all over his extremities and was itching; he said his bones hurt and his muscles were aching. At the emergency room everything was explained on what Brian was doing – huffing compressed gas [computer duster]. The treatment given was Benadryl for the itching, Atavan for the anxiety and prednisone for the swelling of the rash. He also was given a psychological assessment and set up for Outpatient Treatment.

Brian followed up with his primary care physician concerning his symptoms and she was also told about the huffing computer duster. The primary care physician consulted with Brian’s psychiatrist [who already knew about the huffing] and together they thought he might be having reaction to his prescribed medications. They stopped his anti-depressants and mood stabilizers to see if the rash would go away. They actually did not believe the huffing was the cause of his rash. Four days before Brian died; he called an ambulance because his heart was racing out of control. He was transported to the same Atlanta hospital, medically assessed and told to wait in the waiting room. When I arrived Brian told me one of the EMT’s told him the computer duster was just compress air. Brian chuckled at what was the apparent ignorance of the EMT. We both knew it was Freon. This second visit to the emergency room Brian was only treated with Atavan. While waiting for the test results I called the Behavioral Health Unit [during normal office hours] and begged for someone to come and intervene. The nurse remarked while I was in the room that he would have another psychological assessment. It did not happen. The doctor came in the room and told Brian that what he was huffing was Freon and that the hospital could not even test for chemical. She told him if he continued huffing it would kill him. It did.

So I ask again, did Brian have to die? He was under the care of a primary care physician, psychiatrist, two emergency room visits, one psychological assessment and been assigned to outpatient therapy. Each and every medical professional knew Brian was huffing computer duster and the most they could, or would, do was say stop or it will kill you. The EMT did not know the computer duster was more than just compressed air. Brian’s primary care physician actually called to offer her condolences and admitted she was not aware the chemical that Brian was huffing was Freon. His psychiatrist sent me a sympathy card. The Behavioral Health Unit will not talk to me on the advice of their attorney’s. I feel the medical profession requires more education and knowledge of the addiction to computer duster. Only after there is knowledge can effective treatments be offered to patients like Brian; who in a final act of desperation, show up at the hospital wanting help.

Larry T.
Atlanta, GA

A Mother's Story: Darrell my baby, my son, my friend

2009-07-22T06:24:00.000-07:00

The loss of my son is not my first loss. In seven years I have lost my brother, father, uncle, mother, both in-laws, and went through a divorce. These losses, though tragic do not compare with this, my worst loss, my oldest son; this son who has been the one constant in my life since I was 18 years and is now suddenly gone.

How do people find ways to “get high” and why did my son have to try something that of course didn’t seem “quite right.” Don’t all parents teach their children “not to play with matches, look both ways before crossing the street, don’t eat anything that smells bad, don’t take anything that isn’t yours, don’t breathe in chemicals?” Just the act of putting a product in the mouth has to feel “wrong” to anyone doing so. Did we not teach our lessons well enough? Where did our children learn the practice of using inhalants, specifically computer duster? Who did they do this abnormal practice with?? Where did we go wrong? Why didn’t I look for signs of problems?? Why isn’t the practice of inhalant abuse known? Why didn’t I die instead of my child? These are questions that every parent asks themselves, as I have, after the loss of a child caused by inhalant abuse.

My son Darrell was 37 years old. He had a good job, family and friends that loved him dearly and a future that was bright. He had used various drugs and alcohol in his lifetime. He had done away with them, except the occasional beer. It was such a shock that after 37 years, he would die of inhalant abuse….something that is often connected to adolescent abuse. After his death we found evidence that he had been abusing duster more than just the “last time”. In fact just a couple days before his death he had called me telling me he had gotten burned by a light while working under a car. Living three hours away, I instructed him to go to the emergency room, thinking they would treat the burn and send him home. He was reaching out to me, and I told him to go to strangers. The next day his aunt took him to the emergency room and later told me “Darrell’s color just didn’t look right. He was expressing fear of going to the emergency room, which he wouldn’t explain. His blood pressure was really high and he just said he would deal with it later that week, as he had a doctor’s appointment.” My sister to this day regrets not pushing Darrell to stay, the emergency crew to perform further testing and possibly discover the cause of his abnormal vital signs and possibly ask about inhalant abuse. As a nurse, I regret not seeing all of this myself. Inhalant abuse is not often “noticeable” by one symptom. Looking back, maybe the burn was caused by the propellant in computer duster. We will never know.

After speaking with the head of the ambulance company who performed resuscitation on Darrell, come to find out there is not a special protocol for diagnosing and treating inhalant abuse in the field, so it is really up to us parents to WAKE UP and prevent the need for emergency care. In California it is not illegal to use inhalants, and in this case was not reported to the emergency crew. There may be signs, though they may be confused with other diagnoses’, we as parents need to be alert, no matter what the child’s age or history. Some of the signs of inhalant abuse are:
• drowsiness,
• lightheadedness
• loss of inhibition
• unexplained burns
• sores around mouth and nose

Further use can lead to the following:
• dizziness,
• hallucinations or delusions,
• belligerence,
• apathy
• impaired judgment

Long-term inhalant abusers can suffer damaging health consequences including:
• depression and mood changes,
• weight loss,
• inattentiveness,
• lack of coordination
• irritability
• weakness

There are many firsts in a parents life- first tooth, first step, first bicycle ride, first merit badge, first prom…We all await their graduation, wedding, their first child, their first big job… With a child’s death we have some most grievous firsts – the first relative we must hear from, the first conversation with the emergency room crew and coroner and our first glimpse of our child lying dead on a gurney. The first time we go through belongings to choose their clothing for the memorial; first time we go through pictures and preparing our first words for the memorial service. The first time we have to comfort family and friends when you yourself are falling to pieces….Your first true realization that they were not coming back and a first memory of anything you ever said or did that might have hurt feelings or not been supportive. Then the first time you realize you can’t pick up the phone to talk to them. Their first birthday after their death, first one week, one month, one year anniversary of their death, first Mother’s Day without their phone call, first Christmas without their presence, their siblings’ first born child who would not have their fun-loving Uncle Darrell present .

Our family has now lived through the first year without our beloved Darrell, son, brother, nephew, cousin, friend, boyfriend, co-worker. Time marches on, moving ever forward. It is now time to take action against inhalant abuse, knowing that Darrell would want us to do as much as possible to prevent others from dying and to support those who have lost a loved one to inhalant abuse. We all must help encourage legislation and promote education of community and health care providers to prevent further deaths.

We, the parents who have lost children to inhalant abuse, are available to provide support, with an open ear, mind and heart. We are not experts in counseling, intervention or diagnosis but experts in empathy, having been through the worst loss. Following is advice that helped me make it one year, when I really thought I might die of a broken heart and sometimes wishing I would.

1. Accept help when it is offered as it may come from places you least expect.
2. Lean on friends and family, talk to doctors, counselors (thanatologists, death specialists, if available) and others who have been through similar circumstances (ie support group participants)
3. Some friends do not know what to do or say, don’t hold it against them, move on.
4. Don’t be ashamed to cry when you need to.
5. Talk about your loss and keep their memory alive.
6. If you find solace in certain activities, do them often. ie. Exercise, church, movies, work, family visits, but do not bury yourself in them, they won’t make you forget.
7. Avoid alcohol intake, it often makes you feel worse.
8. Find out information about the death if there are questions, it may hurt immediately but will make you stronger and ease your mind.
9. If you have dogs and/or cats, pet and talk to them often, they are good listeners. Allow them to comfort you in their unique way.

Books to read that helped me through my grief:
• The Worst Loss, Barbara D. Rosof
• Healing After Loss, Daily Meditations for Working Through Grief, Martha Whitmore Hickman
• Your Child, Your Friend, When an Adult Child Dies, National Kidney Foundation
• The Fall of Freddie the Leaf, A Story of Life for All Ages, Leo Buscaglia – Written for children to understand death and dying
• The Next Place, Warren Hanson – Written for children regarding where the soul/person goes after death
• Safe Passage, Molly Fumia

Special thanks to the Alliance for Consumer Education and the Musculoskeletal Transplant Foundation for all of their wonderful support throughout my first year of grief.

- Margie P., RRT, RN

'Climbing the hill' with SADD

2009-07-14T14:09:00.000-07:00

Yesterday the ACE team traveled to Bethesda, Maryland to attend the 2009 SADD – Students Against Destructive Decisions National Conference, an annual event attended by hundreds of motivated youth and adults from all across the country. With over 10,000 active SADD chapters in the United States and members ranging in age from middle school to college, Bethesda’s North Marriott Conference Center was bursting with energy and excitement as participants began the first leg of their three day journey- ‘Climbing the hill,’ the theme for this year’s gathering.

SADD – Students Against Destructive Decisions is the leading youth-based prevention education organization in America, providing and empowering students with the proper prevention tools to deal with issues concerning underage drinking, drug use, impaired driving, and various other destructive decisions.

ACE conducted an hour long informational workshop defining and discussing the prominence of inhalant abuse within schools and communities across the nation. Attended by students, parents, counselors, and teachers from across the country (some as far away as California and Vermont) ACE’s presentation was extremely successful as the session facilitated insightful group discussion and dialogue!

In addition to presenting, ACE also distributed inhalant abuse information, FAQ’s and fact sheets to hundreds of SADD participants ‘hiking’ along the Exhibit Hall ‘trail.’

The ACE team had a fabulous SADD ‘excursion’ and is anticipating next year’s great adventure!

Calling All Bidders!

2009-07-10T08:40:00.000-07:00

ACE’s eBay fundraiser is under way NOW! Don’t miss out on your chance to win some great items including a football autographed by former Kansas City Chiefs tight-end Tony Gonzalez, and a beautifully crafted glass platter with stand. Swing by and browse our eBay store today, and be sure to check back daily for newly listed items!

Please remember that with each bid you are doing your part in helping ACE reach out to more communities and touch more lives! Happy Bidding!

Strike Out Inhalant Abuse Program- Maryland

2009-06-25T12:00:00.000-07:00

ACE is teaming up with the Bowie Baysox, Trenton Thunder, and New Britain Rock Cats to raise awareness about inhalant abuse this summer through a "Strike Out Inhalant Abuse" program!

"Strike Out Inhalant Abuse” is a two-pronged community based program seeking to blend the appeal of America's pastime with the popularity of minor league baseball teams in three local

communities. In these three regions ACE is working with local counselors to help them set up in-schools assemblies with appearances from local team mascots and players.

The first Maryland in-school assembly took place at J.C. Parks Elementary School in Indian Head! Thanks to the dedication and planning of Mrs. Dorothy Cole, school counselor, the program was a success! Due to her efforts, ACE and the Bowie Baysox were able to speak with students about the importance of healthy and safe decision making this summer.

If you know an elementary or middle school student in New Jersey, Maryland or Connecticut please urge them to enter into the Strike Out Inhalant Abuse Super Hero Contest!

(Mrs. Dorothy Cole takes a moment with Baysox and ACE)

Strike Out Inhalant Abuse Program: New Jersey

2009-06-17T14:22:00.000-07:00

Rachel Wolf & Boomer from the Trenton Thunder

ACE is teaming up with the New Jersey School Counselor Association, the Trenton Thunder, Bowie Baysox and New Britain Rock Cats to raise awareness about inhalant abuse this summer through a "Strike Out Inhalant Abuse" program!

"Strike Out Inhalant Abuse” is a two-pronged community based program seeking to blend the appeal of America's pastime with the popularity of minor league baseball teams in three local communities. In these three regions ACE is working with local counselors to help them set up in-schools assemblies with appearances from local team mascots and players.

One of the first in-school assemblies took place at Lady of Lourdes School in Milltown, NJ! A big fat thank you to Jim Lukach (pictured to the right), Executive Director of the New Jersey School Counselor Association, for his dedication and leadership in bringing ACE and the Trenton Thunder together!

If you know an elementary or middle school student in New Jersey, Maryland or Connecticut please urge them to enter into the Strike Out Inhalant Abuse Super Hero Contest!

This summer "Be Tuff Don’t Huff"!

2009-06-17T12:05:00.001-07:00

With yet another summer season rapidly approaching, we here at ACE wanted to wish you and your family a happy, healthy, and safe summer! In addition, we invite you to share in the personal reflections of one of our active parent advocates, Don Coates, who lost his beloved son to inhalants three years ago.

“Once again it is that time of year when all of our young people prepare for a summer full of happiness, joy, and plenty of activities that will keep them busy and safe from all the dangers we encounter. As you well know, summer break is a time when kids will find new things to do, try things that have no explanation, and with the economical crisis that we are all witness to must also understand there will not be as much allowance for these kids to get out and enjoy some of the things they would like. It can be depressing, the road less traveled; as even the wishes and dreams of a new road can create detours. As dreams of summer fun can be very pleasant, so too can the nightmares of the same season become our undoing.

I had a dream of life with you, and it all ended when the nightmare came true. In my heart he will always be, but inhalants took him far away from me, and when my day on earth is done, in heaven I will reunite with my lost son Brady Coates.”

Adorned with the words "Be tuff, don’t huff" and Brady´s picture, the truck serves as a warning to parents and teens that inhalants can kill. By displaying the truck throughout the community, hopefully curious onlookers will try to learn more about inhalants and make it part of their discussions.

Two More Awards for ACE!

2009-06-09T08:17:00.000-07:00

The Alliance for Consumer Education just received notification that it had won two Hermes Creative Awards:

ACE received a GOLD for its 2007 annual report "Foundations for the Future"

In addition, ACE received an Honorable Mention for the redesign of its Disease Prevention website: http://www.stopgerms.org/

Thank you to all of you as well! Without your continued support of ACE we couldn't reach as many families and communities with our preventative message.

ACE Trustee Making an Impact on Her Community

2009-04-30T12:51:00.000-07:00

Earlier this month ACE Board Trustee Patrizia Barone took some time out of her busy schedule to visit the University of Maryland and help contribute to “Maryland Day.”

Patrizia actually donated “Testudo” (the Terp statue seen here to the left) to the University’s College of Chemistry and Life Science.

During the weekend she also volunteered to assist with the Introductory Flag Ceremony. She and her family also set up a scholarship in memory of her father, Francesco Barone.

Here she is (photo to the left) with Garima Narayen, the scholarship’s recipient. Garima graduates this year and plans to go to Medical School.

Pat notes that with all of these efforts her goal is to "encourage people to go into the sciences and give back to support educational efforts." From all of us.. Thanks Pat for all that you do for ACE and for our communities.

ACE Recognizes Keep Kids Alive Drive 25

2009-04-13T11:52:00.000-07:00

Next month is National Youth Traffic Safety Month. National Youth Traffic Safety Month initiates the development of youth led community projects and activities in raising awareness on traffic safety issues. Unfortunately, we have seen a lot of headlines detailing car accidents due to inhalant abuse. Whether it's the user hurting themselves or other people, this needs to be stopped. Don't wait until May, get started early by practicing safe driving.

Both ACE and Keep Kids Alive Drive 25 (KKAD 25) recognize the importance of open dialogue among parents and youths, and the role education plays in keeping our communities safer.

Keep Kids Alive Drive 25 is a nonprofit organization that focuses on active community commitment through educating, regulating, and managing neighborhoods on traffic safety. KKAD 25 states that “41,059 people – daughters, sons, brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, friends – died on America’s roadways in 2007. That’s an average of over 112 deaths per day each and every day of the year. (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 2008)”. KKAD 25 works in conjunction with local and state businesses, communities, and nonprofit organizations to reduce the number of traffic accidents that occur annually as a result of drug, inhalant, and alcohol abuse.

In an effort to continue to raise awareness on traffic safety and speed limit management KKAD 25 has formed a Facebook cause page. Also, please click here to check out KKAD 25's blog.

Life is too short to become a statistic, so learn, communicate, and extend a hand to others through arming one’s self with the resources, knowledge, and proactive skills in making a difference within your community.

ACE Congratulates Kim Summers on her recent article!

2009-04-10T12:40:00.000-07:00

From Daily Standard Stories Celina, Ohio;

Kim Summers approached the Alliance for Consumer Education (ACE) months ago in efforts to learn, identify, and spread community dialogue throughout inhalant abuse prevention education. Kim has been an advocate for ACE in approaching communities, organizations, and local businesses in raising awareness efforts throughout the public sector. ACE commends Kim Summer’s on her ongoing efforts in referring individuals and organizations to Jarod’s Story and the educational resources that will help minimize such future occurrences.

Kim continues to explore new venues of outreach to the public by raising visibility through her facebook group “Fight for Jarod"

Jarod Bright was a 26 year old driven, charismatic, and genuine young man with so much to offer the world but was tragically removed from it by inhalants. Jarod was only a day away from graduating with a degree from ITT Technical institute when his fiancé Kim Summers received a call noting his death due to inhalation abuse. "They found him lying on top of the can," Summers says. "He probably didn't know what hit him."

Since Jarod's passing 10 months ago, Kim has dedicated countless hours in researching, developing, and enlightening others on the terminal effects of abusing inhalants. Kim’s lost was something so unexpected and even undetectable to the closest loved ones. "This feels 100 percent right," she explains. "I couldn't save Jarod but maybe I can help someone else down the road. To read the full article please click here.

ACE Inhalant Awareness auction opens!

2009-04-07T15:10:00.000-07:00

In recognition of National Public Health Week, April 6th -12th, ACE is kicking off its online Inhalant Awareness Auction! Click here to be directed to ACE's auction page. Please know as you place your bids, you are doing your part in helping ACE reach out to more communities and touch more lives. New items will be added to the auction continuously, so make sure to stay tuned!

This auction was the idea of ACE Board of Trustee Jeff Williams, a Sergeant in the East Cleveland Police Department. In March of 2005, Sgt. Williams lost his son, Kyle, tragically to inhalant abuse. Since then he has dedicated himself to helping spread the word about the dangers of inhalant abuse and preventing others from suffering the same tragic and senseless loss that he and his family have endured.

At an ACE Board meeting, Sgt. Williams shared his idea of conducting an online auction as a fundraising tool and a way to raise awareness of Inhalant Abuse.

As part of the public health community we encourage any contributions, outreach efforts, or community dialogue initiated to increase the visibility of inhalant abuse in the general public. For information on Public Health Week please click here.

VA Inhalant Abuse Prevention Conference Recap

2009-04-06T13:16:00.001-07:00

Despite an economic downturn, many individuals and organizations remain committed to educating the Commonwealth on the dangers of inhalant abuse and the importance of prevention efforts. The Virginia Inhalant Abuse Prevention Conference was held on March 16, 2009 in Williamsburg and was a tremendous success! The day’s activities commenced with a warm welcome from the Historic Triangle Substance Abuse Coalition’s, (HTSAC) Director, Susan Bruno and a brief history of the Virginia Inhalant Abuse Prevention Coalition (VIAPC) was provided by VIAPC’s Executive Director, Sandy Bailey.

William Shelton, Director of Virginia Department of Fire Programs, presented the Inhalant Abuse Prevention Week Proclamation from the Governor. The keynote speaker for the event was Mona Casey who lost her 15 year old son, Charles, to huffing refrigerant. She courageously spoke of the loss of her son and the work she has done to prevent others from similar tragedies by working with legislators, building code groups and manufacturers to require that locking caps are installed to limit access to air conditioner refrigerant.

(l-r: Mona Casey, Evelyn Waring, Sandy Bailey, Jeff Williams, Nadia Williams)

Attendees also had the opportunity to take part in several sessions. Some of the classes offered included: general information on inhalants, medical implications of inhalant abuse, and how to organize prevention efforts in the community. Additional classes offered training for teachers who will implement Virginia’s new curriculum, Inhalant Abuse Prevention. Another class was designed for counselors and substance abuse clinicians who learned about current research on inhalant treatment options. Sergeant Jeff Williams also shared his powerful story about the loss of his son by Sudden Sniffing Death, and how or anyone working with children can recognize the warning signs and symptoms of inhalant abuse.

(Mona Casey & Jeff Williams)

The conference’s 70 participants walked away with a better understanding of the dangers and challenges inhalant abuse presents to individuals, families and communities. For more information on the conference please go to the website: www.htsac.org

Poison Prevention in the Community

2009-03-20T12:32:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow is the last day of National Inhalants & Poisons Awareness Week. Due to the fact that we started the week highlighting Inhalant Abuse Prevention efforts in the community, wanted to close the week out with Poison Prevention efforts.

Poison Prevention Week is nationally designated to highlight the dangers of poisonings and how to prevent them. In honor of this awareness week, the Poison Prevention Week Council conducted a nationwide poster contest to engage the community in helping to ensure the safety of children and adults.

Below are the 2 winners from the 2009 poster contest:

Though National Inhalants & Poisons Awareness Week is coming to an end, don't stop raising awareness about both issues in your home, school, business and/or community!

New National Inhalant Data Released Today

2009-03-16T09:22:00.000-07:00

The results of the National Survey on Drug Use and Health’s “Trends in Adolescent Inhalant Use: 2002 to 2007” were released today at a press conference in Washington, DC.

The report noted:

In 2007, almost 1.0 million adolescents used inhalants in the past year.
The percentage of adolescents (youths aged 12 to 17) who used inhalants in the past year was lower in 2007 (3.9%) than in 2003 (4.5%), 2004 (4.6%), and 2005 (4.5%).
Among first time users in the past year, the rate of use of nitrous oxide or “whippits” declined between 2002 and 2007 for both male and females. (males 40.2% to 20.2%)(females (22.3 to 12.2%)

Use of aerosol spray other than spray paint was higher in 2007 than 2002 (25% versus 12.6%)

In 2007, 17.2% of adolescents who initiated illicit drug use during the past year indicated that inhalants were the first drug they used. This rate remained relatively stable between 2002 and 2007.

In 2007, 2.1% of adolescents who had not previously used inhalants began using them during the 12 months prior to the survey.

Thank you Bowie High School

2009-03-13T12:17:00.001-07:00

Also in Maryland, Bowie High School is displaying the following message on their outdoor marquee in front of

the school.

A thank you goes out to Bowie High as well!