Why Report Linking Medical Marijuana and a Reduction in Fatal Auto Accidents is Flawed You might have read the multiple media reports about a German "study" that claimed states allowing medical marijuana see a reduction in fatal auto accidents because marijuana is a substitute for alcohol, thus lowering drunk driving incidents. This so-called "study," however, is seriously flawed, as explained by Gen. Arthur Dean, chairman and CEO of CADCA. Read his enlightening blog post detailing the inconsistencies. Addressing Alcohol Permits in Your Neighborhood Are you concerned about a request for a new alcohol license or the renewal of an existing one in your neighborhood? Learn how to remonstrate against such a request by using Drug Free Marion County's Remonstration Manual. (Short on time? Read a condensed summary version here.) Neighborhood crime increases with number of alcohol licenses. A New study conducted by Indiana Univeristy researcher William Alex Pridemore, a professor of criminal justice, documents increased crime when communities add alcohol sales locations. Click below to read the article. http://www.usnews.com/health/family-health/brain-and-behavior/articles/2010/02/21/more-bars-equals-more-assaults-study-finds.html Concerned about a restaurant, liquor or grocery around you? Do you want to see if the State Excise Police have cited a local business for an alcohol or tobacco violation. Spread sheets are availble showing these reports. It is important to recognize that the date lised for alcohol violations actualy reflects the day the fine was paid and not the day of the violation. Alcohol Violation data
Why Report Linking Medical Marijuana and a Reduction in Fatal Auto Accidents is Flawed
You might have read the multiple media reports about a German "study" that claimed states allowing medical marijuana see a reduction in fatal auto accidents because marijuana is a substitute for alcohol, thus lowering drunk driving incidents. This so-called "study," however, is seriously flawed, as explained by Gen. Arthur Dean, chairman and CEO of CADCA. Read his enlightening blog post detailing the inconsistencies.
Addressing Alcohol Permits in Your Neighborhood
Are you concerned about a request for a new alcohol license or the renewal of an existing one in your neighborhood? Learn how to remonstrate against such a request by using Drug Free Marion County's Remonstration Manual. (Short on time? Read a condensed summary version here.)
Neighborhood crime increases with number of alcohol licenses. A New study conducted by Indiana Univeristy researcher William Alex Pridemore, a professor of criminal justice, documents increased crime when communities add alcohol sales locations. Click below to read the article. http://www.usnews.com/health/family-health/brain-and-behavior/articles/2010/02/21/more-bars-equals-more-assaults-study-finds.html
Concerned about a restaurant, liquor or grocery around you? Do you want to see if the State Excise Police have cited a local business for an alcohol or tobacco violation. Spread sheets are availble showing these reports. It is important to recognize that the date lised for alcohol violations actualy reflects the day the fine was paid and not the day of the violation.
Alcohol Violation data
A new synthetic version of marijuana is making its way into the hands of Indiana's youth -- and it's currently legal in our state. Learn more about these chemically coated herbal blends, marketed as incense but smoked by users to achieve a marijuana-like high. Read our News Alert and Fact Sheet. And see Nancy Beals discuss the dangers of these products in a recent interview with Fox 59
Designer Drugs and Other Legal Highs
Synthetically manufactered "legal high" products -- such as synthetic marijuana and Ivory Wave -- along with high-alcohol-content products and herbal leaves or blends are attracting attention statewide, nationally and internationally. In March, the International Narcotics Board said in its annual report that "designer drugs" -- those created to mimic the effects of contraband drugs -- "are escalating out of control." The INB recommended that governments worldwide act to control the use of entire classes of "structurally related synthetic compounds." Read more details here.
Of particular concern recently are products marketed as bath salts or plant food. These synthetic versions of cocaine and ecstasy are linked with suicides, deaths and injuries. Learn more in our fact sheet.
Some states have banned or are investigating regulating one or more of these product types. Learn more about "legal highs" in our fact sheet.
To access an article recently published on this issue click here.
Indiana General Assembly Needs Your Input as It Considers Possible Changes to Indiana's Marijuana Laws
The Indiana General Assembly -- through its Criminal Law and Sentencing Policy Study Committee -- is considering possible changes to Indiana's marijuana laws. While there are some inequities in marijuana possession laws in the state, 95 percent of those testifying and in attendance at the initial hearing on July 28 were in favor of both medical marijuana and full legalization and taxation. If any proposed changes to state laws are approved by a majority of this committee, a reform bill could be presented during the 2012 legislative session.
The legislators on this committee need information from all perspectives -- not just from those in favor of legalization -- to make reasonable and balanced recommendations to their colleagues. There are eight members of the study committee -- four senators and four representatives. If one of the members is your senator or representative, you can contact his/her office directly. (Don't know who your legislators are? Click here.) While sharing your support or opposition is important, presenting data, examples and potential consequences is even more crucial.
Please contact our office at 317-254-2815 if you have questions or would like more information.
Did you know that Drug Free Marion County can provide speakers at no cost to address parent, community, business and college/university groups about alcohol, tobacco and other drug issues in Marion County and Indiana? Whether you want to tie a presentation in with an upcoming awareness event or highlight an issue or concern specific to your individual organization, we can help.Click here to see a list of groups and topics that we address. To arrange for a speaker, contact Nancy Beals at 317-254-2815 or nbeals@drugfreemc.org.
Youth in Marion County outpace those in the state and region for underage age and binge drinking. Marijuana use is also especially pronounced. Get all the facts with the second edition of Drug Free Marion County's Local Report on Underage and Binge Drinking. (Or read a quick data summary here.) For quick data on underage drinking try our Fact Sheet. .
Parents: need tips on what to say to your child about alcohol and drugs?- Go to our parent page for ideas.
A new study by the Indiana Prevention Resource Center at IU shows that youth perceptions of easy access to "gateway drugs" -- drugs of first use such as alcohol, tobacco and marijuana -- are associated with an increase in their monthly use rates. Drug Free Marion County is especially concerned about the availability of alcohol to youth in our community and how the current process for issuing alcoholic beverage permits is contributing to that access. To learn more, click here.
Drug Free Marion County 2506 Willowbrook Parkway Suite 100 Indianapolis, IN 46205 Phone: (317) 254-2815 Fax: (317) 253-1756 Click Here for more contact info