Take a look at these new resources!
Minnesota ASSIST Project Launches Statewide Public Information Campaign on New Youth Access Law
Cigarettes cause more deaths than AIDS, alcohol, car crashes, fires, illegal drugs, murders and suicides combined. And our kids are smoking more than ever.
It's estimated that one-third of the 40 percent of Minnesota high school seniors who smoke will die from tobacco-related illnesses. To help raise awareness of the problem of teenage smoking, and to encourage communities to join together to keep kids tobacco free, the Minnesota Department of Health has developed a statewide public information campaign which was launched at the beginning of the year. The campaign, Doing Our Part So Kids Don't Start, features a "toolkit" with information on preventing youth access to tobacco; making prevention of youth access a community responsibility; information on the new state law, FDA regulations and local ordinances; and tip sheets for merchants, parents, teachers, community leaders and concerned citizens. The tip sheets give each audience ideas on ways they can help keep tobacco out of the hands of kids.
The toolkits focus on the idea that we must all work together, doing our part so kids don't start. Included in the mailing of this newsletter is one copy of the toolkit. Feel free to distribute it to people you think can play a role in keeping kids tobacco free. You can order up to 100 copies of this toolkit at no cost by calling the American Cancer Society, Minnesota Division at 612-925-2772 or 800-582-5152 and asking for the Distribution Department. MN residents only.
To kick off the Doing Your Part So Kids Don't Start campaign, mayors from the seven-county metro area were invited to a media event on January 5. Minneapolis Mayor Sharon Sayles-Belton, Eden Prairie Mayor Jean Harris, Bloomington Mayor Coral Houle, and Savage Mayor Rob Fendler were on hand to help introduce the campaign and bring attention to the problem of underage tobacco use in our state. At the end of the ceremony, all mayors present took a resolution to do their part in their local communities to reduce tobacco access by minors.
This campaign was sponsored by the American Cancer Society, Minnesota Division and the Minnesota Department of Health's ASSIST Project, a tobacco-use reduction program.
A Review of the Research on Home Visiting
The Health Care Coalition on Violence has published A Review of the Research on Home Visiting: A Strategy for Preventing Child Maltreatment to examine the nature and impact of home visiting services. This extensive review of research looks at home visiting services where the goal was to improve the health and well-being of new and expectant families and to prevent child maltreatment. If you would like a copy of this review, contact the Health Care Coalition on Violence, 612-576-1825, fax 612-427-7841. There is no charge for copies to organizations in Minnesota. The Coalition is requesting a $25 contribution from organizations outside of Minnesota.
Speakers Bureau
The MPRC is expanding its Speakers Bureau! We receive requests from Minnesota schools, agencies, businesses and communities seeking prevention related presentations on alcohol, tobacco, other drugs, violence and similar topics. We need your help! If you can recommend someone or you are a speaker on any of these topics, please call Kelly Reynolds at 800-247-1303 or 612-427-5310 or e-mail mprc@miph.org.
Stoned, Cold Dead Poster
A poster and companion fact card under the heading Stoned, Cold, Dead are now available. Both would be a perfect addition to winter resort areas, bars, baitshops, snowmobile outlets, highway rest stops and homeless shelters. The poster and card outline the risks and suggest the prevention message, "If you're going to drink, stay warm. If you're going to spend time in the cold, don't drink. Tell a friend." To order, call 800-247-1303, 612-427-5310, or e-mail mprc-order@miph.org.
Snowmobile Safety Information
Snowmobile safety is taught to promote safe and courteous participation in the sport. The DNR sponsors snowmobile courses taught by volunteer instructors who have been certified by the Minnesota DNR Division of Enforcement. The courses emphasize responsibility, preseason maintenance, proper clothing, laws, general operation, protection of the environment and problems that may occur when riding. The course also includes a hands-on field test for operators ages 12 to 17. For general information on snowmobile safety training classes or classes outside the metro area, call 800-766-6000 or 612-297-4897 in the metro area. Current law requires those ages 12 to 17 to take the state approved safety course.
New NIDA Infofax Service
This service provides 40 fact sheets on a range of topics related to illicit drug abuse. The fact sheets are based on recent research findings and are updated regularly. Callers can listen to audio messages or instruct the system to send fact sheets by fax or mail. Call 888-NIH-NIDA or for the hearing impaired, 888-TTY-NIDA.
Monitoring the Future Study
December 20, 1997, press releases on the new survey results were made available. To view tables and information go to http://www.isr.umich.edu/src/mtf/. If you don't have Web access and would like a copy of either the press release for cigarette smoking rates or drug use rates among American teens, call MPRC at 800-247-1303 or 612-427-5310 or mprc-order@miph.org.
DATANET Health Profiles Database
DATANET is an online information system of Minnesota Planning consisting of summarized statistical information serving Minnesota's governments, businesses, schools, nonprofit agencies and citizens. The system contains statistics about social, economic and demographic conditions in Minnesota. The Health Profiles Database allows you to view more than 200 health indicators for all Minnesota counties and the state. The health profile is organized under five themes: demographic and vital statistics, morbidity and health care utilization data, chemical health indicators, environmental health data and maternal and child health data. Take a look at: http://www.mnplan.state.mn. us/datanetweb/health.html.