Sunday, June 28, 2009

Suicide significantly linked to alcohol intoxication

From Medscape Medical News on 06/26/09

Suicide is linked to alcohol intoxication across a broad range of ethnic groups, according to data from 17 states reported in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC's) June 17 issue of Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR).

About 24% of those who die from suicide show evidence of alcohol intoxication, including 37% of American Indian/Alaskan Native suicide deaths, 29% of Hispanic suicide deaths, and 28% of persons aged 20 to 49 years. The lowest percentage was 7% in non-Hispanic blacks.


Alcohol is disinhibiting. People with do things intoxicated they would not do sober.

Saturday, June 27, 2009

Underage drinking? Call the Tip Line

Video lasts 0:30

Friday, June 26, 2009

Genesee County Deputy Sheriff Howard Carlson wins and Exceptional Service Award for his 22 DWI arrests in 2008

GCASA held the annual DWI Victim Impact Panel Recognition Dinner on Friday, June 19, 2009 at Bohn's restaurant in Batavia, NY. At that dinner, Genesee County Sheriff's Deputy Howard J. Carlson was honored for his exeptional service having made 22 DWI arrests in 2008 with a 98% conviction rate. Deputy Carlson has saved lives in Genesee County removing impaired drivers from our highways. We all owe a debt to Deputy Carlso for his exceptional service and competence.

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Concerned about Underage Drinking? Call the Tip Line




There were 21 calls to the Tip Line in May, 2009. To view the Tip Line call report, click here.

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

NYS Trooper Eric Daigler is honored with an Exceptional Service Award for his 19 DWI arrests in 2008.

GCASA held the annual DWI Victim Impact Panel Recognition Dinner on Friday, June 19, 2009 at Bohn's restaurant in Batavia, NY. At that dinner, New York State Trooper, Eric J. Daigler was honored for his exeptional service having made 19 DWI arrests in 2008. Trooper Daigler has saved lives in Genesee County removing impaired drivers from our highways. We all owe a debt to Trooper Daigler for his exceptional service and competence.

Prescription drug abuse becoming big problem

Video lasts 1:57.

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Are You Sexually Active?

Video lasts 1:04

Monday, June 22, 2009

Recovery Rally, NYC, 09/12/09


What is the Recovery Rally?

A FREE public event to celebrate people in recovery and pay tribute to those who support them.

The rally features a walk over the Brooklyn Bridge to reinforce the message that anyone can cross their own bridge to recovery.

The celebration begins in Foley Square with live entertainment, guest speakers and celebrity appearances!

For more information, click here.

Monday, June 15, 2009

The GCASA Story - Training the next generation of Substance Abuse Professionals

GCASA does a lot of great things which makes it unique in the substance abuse field. I am starting a new category on this blog today tagged "The GCASA Story". Articles with this tag will describe the innovative practices which GCASA has developed.

Our first story has to do with our internship progam which GCASA has developed and implemented not only to contribute back to the field but to also recruit and attract potential employees for GCASA's workforce.

During the 2008 - 2009 academic school year, GCASA has hosted 9 interns from 6 different colleges and universities. GCACA has provided internships for a diverse group of students from Master's level Social Work students to Associate level students in human services.

GCASA has had 9 different staff serve has field instructors for these students for which they can earn up to a $500.00 stipend per semester for providing the field instruction.

There are 13 current GCASA staff who were formerly students at GCASA.

While other substance abuse agencies, especially in rural areas, find it hard to attract and retain highly qualified staff, GCASA has been very blessed to have excellent staff, many of whom received their training at GCASA.

GCASA can also be very proud of having trained many staff who go on to serve at other agenices in the field. Hopefully, GCASA has provided an important and beneficial influence on their professional identity.

I want to thank all our staff for welcoming and supporting interns, but especially the field instructors who contribute so much back to the field in training the upcoming generation of professionals.

Our current field instructors are :

Mary Beth Pace
Lynette Lex
Norma Miller
John Walker
Maryann Bowman
Roxanne Muoio
Linda Ackley
Jeff Gray
David Markham

This is article #1 in a series on The GCASA Story.

Friday, June 12, 2009

Accidental drug overdoses is the leading accidental cause of death in white men between the ages of 35 and 54

Accidental drug overdose is the leading cause of death by accident of white men between the ages of 35 - 54. 26,000 Americans die every year from accidental drug overdoses. The main culprit is opioid prescription drugs.

Video lasts 2:20

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Smoke Free Housing NY - A good idea whose time has come


From the Smoke Free Housing NY web site:

It’s a fact, more than a nuisance; secondhand smoke is a class A carcinogen responsible for a host of chronic illnesses, property destruction, devaluation and a turn-off for many would-be renters.

Maybe you’re a tenant, coop or condo-owner who has had it with secondhand smoke seeping into your living space. Or perhaps you’re a property owner looking to protect your investment and reduce cleaning costs incurred by secondhand smoke. Or you’re a realtor wishing to provide options to a growing clientele who want smoke-free places to live. This site is designed for you.

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Ralph Dollinger, Sr. in memoriam

Yesterday, June 9, 2009, JoAnn Ryan and I went to Ralph Dollinger, Sr.'s funeral at St. Joseph's Church in Albion, NY where Ralph had been baptized, married, and was a life long member. Ralph was 78 when he died on June 4, 2009.

Ralph and Joyce Dollinger are GCASA's landlords in Albion, NY where our Clinic is located. They have been GCASA's landlords since GCASA started providing services there in 1999.

Ralph was a good landlord. We would call me every couple of months and ask how things were going. He promptly arranged for repairs.

Ralph is one of those people who have touched my life and he will be missed by many who loved him and did business with him.

Ralph started his career as a car salesman for Duryea Ford in Holley and then Brockport and Ralph started his own GM dealership in Brockport from 1967 - 1982. Ralph was always helpful, genuinely friendly, and benefited from return business of satisfied customers who had come to like and respect him.

Ralph will be remembered well by me and the other people who knew him at GCASA. It is significant to say that your life has been blessed by people and I have been very blessed by Ralph being in my life and GCASA's.

Monday, June 8, 2009

Support 21, myths and facts.

Today, June 8, 2009, The Batavian asked, in its poll of the day, "What age restrictions should be placed on the drinking of alcohol?" Perhaps the question would have been better phrased "What age restrictions should be placed on the purchase of alcohol?"

It is legal in New York State for a person under 21 to drink alcohol with parental permission.

At GCASA we Support 21 and as the debate continues there is a lot of bad information out there. So, I am starting a series on Support 21 to dispel the myths. While people are entitled to their own opinions, they are not entitled to their own facts.

The facts to maintain the age of purchasing alcohol to 21 are pretty compelling as a way to enhance public safety. In fact, a compelling argument can be made to raise the drinking age even higher, perhaps to 35, because people under 35 have much more negative consequences associated with alcohol than people under 35.

Since the age to purchase alcohol was raised to 21 in 1984, over 17,000 teen age lives have been saved. That's more American lives than were taken in 9/11 and so far in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. Here is a quote from the Why 21 web site:

Around this time, the nation began taking a firm stance on the issue of drunk driving. And because it was apparent that a 21 drinking age law reduced alcohol-related fatalities and injuries, there was a groundswell to help decrease drunk driving deaths and injuries by raising the minimum drinking age to 21. President Ronald Reagan responded to growing evidence that a 21 drinking age law would save lives.

On July 17, 1984, President Reagan signed into law the Uniform Drinking Age Act mandating all states to adopt 21 as the legal drinking age within five years. By 1988, all states had set 21 as the minimum drinking age, which is where it should remain.

Since that time, the 21 minimum drinking age law has saved about 900 lives per year as estimated by the National Traffic Highway Administration (NHTSA). (9-11) In short, there are more than 17,000 people alive today since all states adopted the law in 1988. That’s about as many people in a sold-out crowd at a professional basketball game or a medium-sized U.S. college.

In fact, the 21 minimum drinking age law has been heralded as one of the most effective public safety laws ever passed. It is also one of the nation’s most examined laws with countless studies that been conducted to measure the law’s effectiveness—all of which have come to the same conclusion: the law saves lives.


Kids still are killed from DWI crashes, alcohol poisoning, etc., but the deaths have been significantly reduced. Why people would want to reverse this public health trend and have more teens die escapes me.

This is article #1 in a series on Support 21.

What is date rape?

The biggest date rape drug in the United States and the world is alcohol. Lowering the age of purchasing alcohol below 21 would increase teen drinking and inevitably date or acquaintance rape.

People who want to lower the age of purchasing alcohol from 21 to 18 should think again if they would like to prevent sexual abuse and violation.

Video lasts 1:47

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Community Farewell of Salvation Army Majors Karen and Leonard Boynton on June 21, 2009

At the Awards Dinner in 2008, Major Leonard Boynton, was presented with the Leadership Award for all the good work he and his wife, Karen, also a Major in the Salvation Army, have done in Genesee County.

Now, they have been called to a new post in Rome, NY and they will be leaving Batavia after many years. There will be community farewell on Sunday, June 21, 2009 from 5:00 - 7:00 PM at the Salvation Army at 529 East Main Street, Batavia, NY 14020.

All of us at GCASA are greatful for the Salvation Army and the Leadership provided by Majors Leonard and Karen Boynton. The community is asked to attend to say good bye.

Click on image for easier reading.

Monday, June 1, 2009

Sticker Shock Campaign coming in Genesee County on June 20, 2009

The Sticker Shock Campaign has become a popular activity for youth who go into retail stores, with their permission, and put stickers on alcoholic beverages educating about the law regarding the purchase of alcohol by minors.

This campaign will occur in Genesee County on June 20, 2009. Below is a flyer advertising the event. Read it and share it with others.

Click on image to enlarge for easier reading.

Dedicated Funding for Problem Gambling: A Good Idea For New York State

New York State has one of the highest prevalences of gambling problems in the United States and is one of the few states which sponsors and allows gambling that does not have dedicated funds for treatment.

Legislation is being proposed that would require that 0.5 - 1.00% of gambling revenues support problem gambling services.

Here is a letter prepared by the New York State Council on Problem Gambling which you can use to notifiy your State Senator and Assemblyperson of your support for dedicated funds for problem gambling services funded from the gambling itself.

Click on image to enlarge for easier reading.