LETTERS

Legislative change regarding DUIs in Montana is long overdue
 
The Gallatin County DUI Task Force has been in existence since 1984 to help curtail driving under the influence of alcohol and other drugs in Gallatin County.

Nationwide, Mothers Against Drunk Drivers(MADD) has worked relentlessly since 1980 on the same issue and has shared story after story about the devastating impact of impaired driving.
In Gallatin County, educators teach about impaired driving, law enforcement faithfully enforce DUI laws, and counselors help those with addiction issues and dealing with fallout from DUI crashes.

At the State level, the Montana Department of Transportation sponsors “Vision Zero” as well as interagency conferences to target new solutions.

At the Federal level, the National Highway Traffic SafetyAdministration (NHTSA) creates safe driving campaigns like, “Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving”, and “Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk”.

All of this yet there are still over 10,000 impaired driving deaths per year and nearly 300,000 impaired driving incidents per day in America, with Montana ranked #1for DUI fatalities. The economic, social, and psychological impact of this cannot be overstated.

In 2018, Montana received the lowest rating in the nation by the MADD organization for DUI legislation.

Montana Attorney General Tim Fox captured it well when he stated in his January 8, 2019 column in the Bozeman Daily Chronicle, “more than a few judges, prosecutors, and defense attorneys complain that the laws are convoluted and difficult to enforce.”

The facts show that legislative change regarding DUIs in Montana is long overdue.

For more information and Statewide DUI Analysis click here.

Please let your legislators know that you support these changes.
 

Kelley Parker-Wathne                                                                                                                  Gallatin County DUI Task Force Coordinator

Area Elks working to combat youth substance abuse

During the past year, the Montana State Elks Association Drug Awareness Program strived to teach teens and parents about the dangers of illegal drug use and prevent the abuse of legalized and prescription drugs throughout Montana.

Our community outreach included participation in the Amen Bozeman Free Clinic, Bozeman Health Annual Health Fair, Bozeman International Film Festival, National Night Out in Bozeman, Belgrade Fall Festival, Manhattan Potato Festival, Big Sky State Games in Billings, DEA National Prescription Drug Take-Back Days in Livingston, and Tri-County Fair in Deer Lodge.

Red Ribbon Week chance to show intolerance of drugs                                        

Since its beginning in 1985, the red ribbon has touched the lives of families throughout our country as a catalyst to mobilize communities to educate and encourage participation in drug prevention activities.

Legal or not, marijuana can be harmful to teens

Teens’ perceptions of the risks of marijuana use have steadily declined over the past decade because of the increasing public debate about legalizing restrictions on recreational use.

Protecting kids from drugs a shared responsibility

Protecting our children from harmful drugs and addiction that can be unrelenting is a shared responsibility that requires community-based prevention programs and effective enforcement.

Underage drinking being confused as rite of passage

The 2018 theme, “Changing Attitudes: It’s not a ‘rite of passage,’” is designed to draw attention to the many opportunities individuals, families, and communities have to educate young people on the dangers of alcohol use.

Vaping, too, can have dangerous consequences

In 2017, more than 43,000 students from 360 public schools and private schools across the nation participated in the annual "Monitoring the Future" Survey.

According to the latest results, almost 30 percent of 12th graders reported using some kind of vaping device within the past year. And out of that group, a little more than 11 percent said they had vaped marijuana or hash oil.

And with respect to Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) levels, when you vape THC, you can actually vape at a very high concentration. And the higher the concentration of THC, the higher the likelihood of addiction.

  

‘Housing first’ strategy can ease plight of many

Homelessness itself is a risk factor for mental and substance use disorders, given the many life challenges and disruptions that people who are homeless face: for example, stress, loss of social connectivity, increased threats, harm through victimization and exposure, and deterioration of health status.

Montana needs to do more to reduce drunk driving

Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) uses a five-star ranking system to rate the state’s efforts to encourage the adoption of proven countermeasures that save lives and prevent impaired driving. The most recent ranking by MADD gave Montana 0.5 star and a national ranking of 42nd.


Preventing drug addiction should start at early age

During the last several months, the Elks Drug Awareness Program in partnership with the DEA’s Community Outreach have been disseminating current and relevant drug information at community events to youth, parents, and educators, throughout Montana to increase their awareness about the dangers associated with using drugs.

Recent exhibit showcased personal side of drug abuse

The most pressing public health concern facing America today is alcohol and drug misuse, substance use disorders, and addiction.



Rise in synthetic drug use should concern us all

According to members of Congress and federal officials at a recent House hearing, a rise in trafficking and use of illicit fentanyl may constitute a "third wave" of the opioid epidemic in the United States.

Public must understand risk of underage drinking

Whatever it is that leads adolescents to begin drinking, once they start they face a number of potential health and safety risks.

The abuse of drugs can have devasting outcome

Community-based alcohol and drug prevention programs can be effective in helping to address major challenges raised by substance misuse and its consequences.

Responding to addiction crisis will test us all

Allow me to highlight some of the surgeon general’s report, “Facing Addition in America,” that was created because of the important health and social problems associated with alcohol and drug misuse. 

Community must stand against illicit drug use

When parents and other role models are clear and consistent in their opposition to substance use and abuse, children are less likely to use alcohol and other drugs.

Protecting our children a shared responsibility

Protecting our children from harmful drugs is a shared responsibility that requires effective community-based prevention programs that educate the community though awareness, acknowledgement, and action.

Art exhibit focuses on prescription abuse

Through their art and accompanying statements, the artists presented the pain and struggles that prescription drug abuse can create.

Alcohol-related issues demand society’s attention

Alcohol use by young people is extremely dangerous, both to themselves and to society, and is directly associated with traffic fatalities, violence, suicide, educational failure, alcohol overdose, unsafe sex and other problem behaviors, even for those who may never develop a dependence or addiction.



Legalized marijuana will put us all at risk

All of us should be concerned about the life consequences that legal recreational use of marijuana will have on those who are vulnerable to becoming addicted to marijuana, especially youth users who are most at risk.

Impaired drivers must be reduced, prevented

Families can play an essential part in stopping impaired driving. By talking about the risks and setting clear expectations, parents and other caregivers can help their children stay safe, sober, and focused on the road.



All of us can help reduce drug abuse

All of us have a part in reducing the demand for drugs and encouraging a healthy, violence-free lifestyle that includes talking to our children about the dangers of drug abuse and setting a good example.

Talk to youth about dangers of marijuana

Talking to our youth about marijuana use is not always easy, but it is crucial.  Make sure they are well informed about the extremely potent forms of new marijuana products like dabs, edibles, and flavored e-cigarette cartridges that are being marketed toward young users.

Elks helping our kids stay drug free

The Elks are committed to eliminating the use and abuse of illegal drugs by all members of society and believe that in order to ensure a bright future for our country, it is essential that our children be raised in a drug-free environment.

Youth must understand marijuana impairs driving

As marijuana for medical and/or recreational use gain greater acceptance in our society, it is important to remind teens that smoking marijuana may have affected their view and experiences of reality, and their judgment.

  

Letters to the Editor

Alcohol use puts Montana youth at risk

While some parents and guardians may feel relieved that their teen is “only” drinking, it is important to remember that alcohol is a powerful, mood-altering drug.

America tested by drug abuse crisis

Most Americans know someone with a substance use disorder, and many know someone who has lost or nearly lost a family member as a consequence of substance misuse.

Legal marijuana has life consequences

All of us should be concerned about the life consequences that legal recreational use of marijuana will have on those who are vulnerable to becoming addicted to marijuana, especially youth users who are most at risk.