CDC Survey: As Many Teens Smoke Marijuana as Cigarettes, Cigarette Use Dropping Faster
June 5, 2008
(Washington, D.C.) Two just-released federal reports indicate that regulation of tobacco continues to produce a steady drop in teen cigarette use and teen access to tobacco, with current cigarette use by high school students dropping markedly faster than use of marijuana.
The just-released 2007 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports rates of current cigarette use and current marijuana use among teens in grades nine through 12 in a statistical tie at 20 percent and 19.7 percent, respectively. The cigarette use figure represents a sharp drop from the 2005 survey, when it was 23 percent. Marijuana use, at 20.2 percent in 2005, showed a much smaller decline.
Another report released this week, the Fiscal Year 2007 Annual Synar Report on tobacco sales to youth, showed the 10th straight annual decline in the rate of illegal tobacco sales to minors. In 1997, 40.1 percent of retailers violated laws against tobacco sales to minors. In 2007 the rate had dropped to just 10.5 percent, the lowest ever.
“Efforts to curb cigarette sales to teens have been wildly successful, and it’s past time we applied those lessons to marijuana,” said Aaron Houston, director of government relations for the Marijuana Policy Project in Washington, D.C. “Tobacco retailers can be fined or put out of business if they sell to kids, but prohibition guarantees that we have zero control over marijuana dealers. Foolish policies have guaranteed that the marijuana industry is completely unregulated.
“This isn’t about whether you think marijuana is good or bad, it’s about common sense,” Houston, a father of three children, continued. “If you think marijuana is bad, why would you want it controlled by unregulated criminals, which guarantees that kids have greater access to it?”
The full CDC report is available online at http://www.cdc.gov/HealthyYouth/yrbs/pdf/yrbss07_mmwr.pdf. The 2007 Annual Synar report is at http://prevention.samhsa.gov/tobacco/synarreportfy2007.pdf.
With more than 23,000 members and 180,000 e-mail subscribers nationwide, the Marijuana Policy Project is the largest marijuana policy reform organization in the United States. MPP believes that the best way to minimize the harm associated with marijuana is to regulate marijuana in a manner similar to alcohol. For more information, please visit http://MarijuanaPolicy.org.
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New York Patients Announce Medical Marijuana TV Ad Campaign
June 3, 2008
(Albany, N.Y.) Hoping to build support in Albany for legislation to protect seriously ill New Yorkers from arrest for using doctor-recommended medical marijuana, patients at a press conference today unveiled a new TV ad that begins airing today across the state. The bill has passed the Assembly, but has not been acted on in the state Senate.
The ad – available at mpp.org/NYads and http://youtube.com/watch?v=wARi35Jz2nM – features Kingston resident Burton Aldrich, a quadriplegic who relies on medical marijuana to control the excruciating pain and violent spasms related to his condition. In the ad, Aldrich says, “I don’t know if I would be around if it wasn’t for marijuana.”
“I use medical marijuana with my doctors’ support because I can’t find anything that works as well with as few side effects,” Aldrich said. “I have no choice but to break the law in order to find relief. That’s wrong. I’m counting on the Senate to do the sensible, compassionate thing and make it right.”
Bill sponsor Assembly Health Committee Chair Richard N. Gottfried called on his Senate colleagues to finish the work the Assembly started last year when it passed a medical marijuana bill, 95-52.
“When the law says we must arrest sick and dying patients for seeking relief from debilitating pain, then it’s time to change the law,” the Assembly Health Committee chair said. “There’s no excuse for this cruel injustice.”
Following the press conference, patients from across the state joined Aldrich to lobby senators to support medical marijuana legislation. Those lobbying included Bruce Dunn of Otsego County, who suffers chronic pain from a vehicle accident in 1988; Barbara Jackson, a cancer survivor from the Bronx who was arrested for using marijuana to treat dangerous appetite loss; and Richard Williams of Richmondville who has battled HIV for 20 years and also has hepatitis C.
With more than 23,000 members and 180,000 e-mail subscribers nationwide, the Marijuana Policy Project is the largest marijuana policy reform organization in the United States. MPP believes that the best way to minimize the harm associated with marijuana is to regulate marijuana in a manner similar to alcohol. For more information, please visit www.MarijuanaPolicy.org.
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Next Generation Radiology Utilizes PET/CT for Accurate Melanoma Staging
May 21, 2008
(Great Neck, N.Y.) It is the time of year when people trade in their scarves and hats for flip flops and beach towels. Many people will spend their summer enjoying trips to the beach, golf outings, boat rides and picnics. Unfortunately, the summer sun’s UV rays also pose a threat to the health of their skin. The National Cancer Institute estimates that 62,480 new cases of melanoma will emerge in 2008.
May is Melanoma/Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month and Next Generation Radiology encourages people to take proper precautions when outdoors. “There needs to be increased melanoma awareness,” says Dr. David Katz, Next Generation Radiology Medical Director. “A dermatologist can perform initial melanoma screening with direct skin evaluation, and we at NGR will use our advanced PET/CT technology to accurately stage the melanoma if needed. NGR can also perform follow-up PET/CT imaging to assure that there is no tumor recurrence or spread of disease.”
In 2003 NGR became the first practice on Long Island to embrace combined dual scanner PET/CT technology. “Over 4,000 exams have been performed and interpreted by our experienced team,” says Mark Pugach, NGR co-founder. “Next Generation is a proud member of the National Oncologic PET Registry allowing patients easier access to PET/CT technology.”
People are encouraged to have any moles with a change in size, shape or color screened as early as possible. If melanoma is found and treated in its early stages, the chances of recovery may be very good. For more information on melanoma staging or PET/CT technology, contact Next Generation Radiology at (516) 504-1600 or visit www.nextgenerationrad.com.
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Julianna Corso
AdCount Direct LLC
631-331-2675
The Leslie Munzer Neurological Institute of Long Island Presents its Spring Neurological Summit
May 20, 2008
(Rockville Centre) The Leslie Munzer Neurological Institute of Long Island (LMNI) will present its Spring Neurological Summit on Saturday, June 7, 2008 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon at the Melville Marriott Hotel- Grand Ballroom.
The summit, featuring a distinguished panel of neurosurgeons, neuro-oncologists, neurologists and pain management specialists, offers informative sessions on a variety of topics relating to diseases of the brain and spine including Brain Aneurysms, AVMs, Brain Tumors, Cancers, Strokes, Spine Care, Pain Management, Trigeminal Neuralgia and Face Pain.
“The seminar is intended for individuals already diagnosed and in treatment for neurological disorders and diseases, those who feel they may be exhibiting symptoms or know someone they feel is exhibiting symptoms, as well as individuals wishing to know more about diseases related to the nervous system,” said LMNI board member, neurosurgeon and speaker Dr. Michael H. Brisman. Physicians, patients, family members and friends, caregivers and health care professionals are invited to attend.
LMNI is presenting the Neurological Summit free to all attendees as a service to the community, however, seating is limited. Reservations are suggested.
The Melville Marriott is located on Long Island at 1350 Old Walt Whitman Road in Melville. Registration and breakfast begins promptly at 8:00 a.m. For more information, visit LMNI’s website at www.lmni.org. To make a reservation, please contact Lynda Distler at 516-442-3527.
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The Leslie Munzer Neurological Institute of Long Island, LMNI, a 501 (c) 3 foundation founded in 2006, was created by Long Islanders to address the needs of Long Islanders who suffer from diseases related to the nervous system, their caregivers and family members; improve the quality of life of those affected by the diseases; advance the understanding and knowledge of the nervous system and related neurological disorders; provide education and outreach to patients, physicians and community at large; fund research in the neurosciences, and work with Long Island hospitals to help purchase the equipment necessary to ensure that quality health care, advanced diagnostic techniques and treatment are available on Long Island. To that end, LMNI supports the talented physicians practicing here on Long Island, many of whom are renowned in their fields and provide Long islanders with health care rivaling that which is available anywhere today.
New York Benefit to Celebrate Recent Medical Marijuana Successes
May 5, 2008
(Long Island, N.Y.) On Wednesday, May 14, 2008 the Marijuana Policy Project (www.MPP.org) will host a spring soiree, a night of comedy and music to benefit MPP’s efforts to protect seriously ill New Yorkers from arrest and jail if they use medical marijuana with their doctor’s recommendation. Patient advocate Joel Peacock will be honored and Sony/BMG recording artist Nicole Atkins & The Sea and other special guests will perform.
MPP is leading the fight to gain medical marijuana access for seriously ill New Yorkers who have the approval of their physicians. All funds raised will be used to pass a bill to make New York the 13th medical marijuana state in the country. An entertaining, energizing, and provocative evening is guaranteed. Your support will be part of the tipping point that brings about this momentous change!
The Host Committee for the event and those attending include: Joshua Baer, John Perry Barlow, Paul Bennett, Lewis Black, State Senator Joseph Bruno ‘s Director of Public Affairs in New York City Lisa Black, Richard Brookhiser, Tucker Carlson, Jason Flom, Savion Glover, Leslie Lansman, David C. Leven, Peter Lewis, Kurt Loder, Fred Newton, Medeski Martin and Wood, Michelle Phillips, ABC’s John Stossel, Ben Taylor, Montel Williams and Robert W. Wilson.
Last year - - for the first time ever - - the New York Assembly passed MPP’s medical marijuana bill - by a 95-52 vote, sending the bill over to the Senate. This was the result of a four-year lobbying effort that we commenced in 2003.
During that time, our lobbyist in Albany built an impressive coalition of institutional support, including the state physicians association, state nurses association, state public health association, and the city councils of Albany, Buffalo, and New York.
Before his resignation, Gov. Eliot Spitzer (D) expressed his openness to signing medical marijuana legislation, and the new Gov. Paterson seems likely to be a supporter as well, so all eyes are now focused on the Republican-controlled Senate, where Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno is supportive of allowing medical marijuana, but has not brought the issue to a vote.
With the Republicans facing a tough election this November, when they could very well lose control of the Senate, we’re hoping they’ll pay attention to the public opinion polling that indicates 76% of New York voters -and even 55% of Conservative Party voters in the state –support legal protection for medical marijuana patients.
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The MPP benefit will take place at the Highline Ballroom, 431 W 16th Street between 9th and 10th Aves. (212) 414-5994. Tickets for $250 in advance- $300 at the door (most of your contribution is tax-deductible) are available at (202) 462-5747 Ext. 104 or www.mpp.org/highline
For NYC Event - Gail Parenteau/ Parenteau Guidance 212-532-3934, gail@parenteauguidance.com
For MPP – Bruce Mirken/ Director of Communications 415-668-6403, bruce@mpp.org
A Night of Music & Comedy to Help Push Campaign to Victory
May 14th – Highline Ballroom
Spring Soiree to Benefit Effort to Protect Seriously Ill New York Patients Who Use Medical Marijuana
U.S. Nursing Shortage Approaches Record Levels
May 1, 2008
(Belleville, Ill) The American Nurses Association is celebrating the heroic and crucial care that nurses provide during this year’s National Nurses Week on May 6 through May 12. The 2008 theme is “Nurses: Making a Difference Every Day.” Organizations, including Allsup, which represents people nationwide for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits, are helping to observe this special occasion and to recognize the important role of nurses.
More than 3 million RNs will be employed in 2016, an increase of 20 percent from more than 2.5 million in 2006, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. A combination of job growth, nurses retiring and leaving the profession, and fewer new nurses is expected to yield a shortage of more than 1 million RNs by the end of this decade.
But there’s no need to look to the future for a shortage. The American Hospital Association reported in mid-2007 that more than 5,000 community hospitals nationwide already have a need for 116,000 RNs to fill current job openings. More information can be found online.
Nurses work in an expansive variety of positions and workplaces to improve healthcare in the United States. “Today’s nurses make the ultimate sacrifice on a daily basis to provide expert care during times of disaster and crisis,” said ANA President Rebecca M. Patton, MSN, RN, CNOR. “We want to honor the men and women who not only chose this challenging and rewarding career, but make a difference in the lives of their patients and in the nursing community.”
Nurses provide a particularly important role for individuals who become disabled through injury, illness or chronic disease. Along with supporting patients through times of trauma and crisis, nurses comfort patients’ families and are an indispensable resource for multidisciplinary medical teams working in hospitals, clinics and other care environments.
During National Nurses Week, the ANA and other organizations recognize the valuable service nurses provide to the community through their courage, heroic acts and commitment to quality care despite the increasing challenges facing healthcare.
Allsup is observing National Nurses Week with free posters available to hospitals, clinics and other community groups by calling Karen Hercules-Doerr at (800) 854-1418, ext. 5770.
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Media contact:
American Nurses Association
Mary McNamara
(301) 628-5198
www.nursingworld.org
Law Enforcement Objections to Medical Marijuana Bill at Odds With Reality, Advocates Say
April 29, 2008
(Minneapolis, MN) In a press conference held today at the statehouse, advocates offered a point-by-point refutation of misleading-to-outright false statements made by some law enforcement officials during testimony before the legislature and in the media regarding the medical marijuana bill pending on the House floor.
Proponents of S.F. 345, the bill to protect from arrest seriously ill Minnesotans who use medical marijuana with a doctor’s recommendation, said certain aspects of the law enforcement community were relying on misstatements and untruths to derail the bill.
“Some legislators, as well as the governor, have indicated they may not be willing to support this sensible and compassionate legislation, based on the words of certain aspects of the law enforcement community,” said Neal Levine, director of state campaigns for the Marijuana Policy Project. “Therefore, we feel it’s important to look at those words.”
For example, Dakota County Attorney James C. Backstrom stated in legislative testimony that “there is no proven medicinal value in using marijuana to treat illnesses or disease.” In fact, the 124,000-member American College of Physicians has noted “marijuana’s proven efficacy at treating certain symptoms and its relatively low toxicity.”
For a detailed list of false and misleading statements made by Minnesota law enforcement officials, along with sourced refutations of each one, visit: http://www.minnesotacares.org/media/law_enforcement.pdf.
Also during the press conference, Levine announced the latest in a series of TV ads airing statewide, featuring Minnesota medical marijuana patients urging Gov. Tim Pawlenty not to veto the medical marijuana bill as he has threatened to do if the House passes it.
The new ad features K.K. Forss of Ely, who suffers constant debilitating pain caused by a ruptured disk in his neck and nerve damage from subsequent surgeries. The ad is available online here: http://minnesotacares.org/Ads_video.html.
“This doesn’t have anything to do with culture wars,” Forss says in the ad, noting that he is a registered Republican and a born-again Christian. “We have people suffering in horrible pain, and we talk politics – it doesn’t have to be that way.”
With more than 23,000 members and 180,000 e-mail subscribers nationwide, the Marijuana Policy Project is the largest marijuana policy reform organization in the United States. For more information, please visit www.MarijuanaPolicy.org.
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Senate Democrats Move to Ban Tier 4 Prescription Drug Pricing Plan
April 23, 2008
(Long Island, N.Y.) State Senate Democratic Leader Malcolm A. Smith (St-Albans) and members of the Senate Democratic Conference today announced they will introduce legislation preventing health insurers from implementing a prescription drug pricing system in New York that has dramatically increased consumer co-payments in other states.
“Health insurance companies are proposing new pricing methods for high-priced prescription drugs, asking patients to shell out hundreds and even thousands of dollars of their earnings for medications they need to survive,” said Smith, the St. Albans Democrat. “This new structure means the obligation of health care and prescription costs will be shifted from health insurers and thrown onto the backs of struggling low-and middle-income families that may need specialty medications in order to survive. The whole point of health insurance is to share the costs of paying to keep people healthy and well.”
In New York State, most Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) and Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) currently operate under a standard three-tier system ($5 generic, $10 or more for preferred-brand, and $25 or more for non-preferred brand) common to most people who use private insurance.
But, increasingly families and individuals in other states struggling with diagnoses of anemia, cancer, multiple sclerosis and hepatitis C, who depend on cutting-edge medications for functioning or daily survival have been hit hard by pricing increases that can amount to 33 percent of the total costs of each prescription. Instead of the standard co-pay, patients are seeing fees dramatically increase to hundreds or even thousands of dollars per prescription.
One New York City woman suffering from multiple sclerosis said that the proposed Tier 4 pricing system would make her medication completely unaffordable by dramatically increasing her $25 monthly co-payment to as high as $735.
Another MS sufferer in Orange County said that if Tier 4 where implemented his $35 monthly co-payments could reach $805.
“Tier 4 drug pricing is a terrible concept,” said Senator Neil D. Breslin (D-Albany), ranking Democrat on the Standing Committee on Insurance. “Insurance is designed to spread risk among a group of people. Singling out our sickest and most vulnerable to pay more money for their health care is unforgivable in any context, let alone in a climate where HMOs are recording excessive profits and a HMO like HIP is allowed to double the compensation of its top ten executives.”
Senator John L. Sampson, the ranking Democrat on the Health Committee said that an extensive review needs to be conducted of “this unfair proposal.”
“We must block the possibility that New Yorkers will be subject to this unnecessary and unfair burden of unaffordable price increases for their medication,” said Senator Sampson (D-Brooklyn). “Not only will the negative effects be felt by the patient, but in these times of hardship, families will be left choosing between essential health care and life’s basic necessities like food and shelter.”
According to the New York State Insurance Department (DOI), premiums and rate changes are reviewed by the Superintendent of Insurance. Health insurance companies are required to submit a formal application which DOI may modify, approve, or reject. DOI has not approved any Tier 4 proposals for New York residents, and no Tier 4 plans are currently in effect here.
Senate Democrats will introduce legislation barring the pricing system in New York State.
Smith and his Senate colleagues joined health advocacy groups in urging New York State Superintendent Eric R. Dinallo to continue to reject all Tier 4 applications that may be submitted before the proposed legislation is signed into law.
”We applaud Senator Smith for taking action on a critical issue that affects thousands of people living with Multiple Sclerosis,” said Pamela J. Wiener on behalf of the New York City Chapter of the Multiple Sclerosis Society. “The medications used to treat MS are among the first to be assigned to specialty tiers. Accordingly, the Senator’s legislation will protect many people living with MS who would otherwise pay $630 co-pay each month for a medication to treat the disease. At these costs, many people would be forced to forgo taking these essential medications that are used to slow down the progress of the disease and reduce future disability.”
Some health insurers have argued that the new pricing structure is necessary to reduce employer medical insurance premiums. But Senate Democrats maintain that the proposed implementation of the Tier 4 pricing would unfairly shift the burden to consumers.
Senator Efrain Gonzalez, Jr. (who has a medically-disabled son who requires special medications already on the Tier 4 list in other states) said that “If this Tier Four structure is permitted in New York State, all families will be living on the brink of a medical state of emergency.”
”If they are confronted with new sky-high co-payments under Tier 4, working families in my district will clearly be at risk of losing their health, homes, quality of life and their dignity,” said Sen. Gonzalez, Jr., a Bronx Democrat. “We need immediate action to prevent these proposals and protect our most vulnerable families and individuals.”
Smith added: “Hard-working families and individuals living with medical conditions are depending on us to help provide affordable health insurance and prescription drugs. We will do all we can to make sure that health care remains accessible and affordable.”
Photo: BANNING TIER 4- Senate Democratic Leader Malcolm A. Smith (D-St.Albans) along with Senate colleagues and health care advocates stood on the steps of New York City Hall announcing legislation to prevent health insurers from implementing the controversial Tier 4 prescription drug pricing system in New York. The pricing-plan dramatically increased co-payments in other states. (L-R) Democratic Senator’s Liz Krueger (D-Manhattan), John Sabini (D-Queens), Efrain Gonzalez, Jr. (D-Bronx), John Sampson (D-Brooklyn), Malcolm A. Smith (D-St. Albans), Bill Perkins (D-Manhattan), Ruben Diaz (D-Bronx).
Study Confirms Medical Marijuana Pain Relief
April 17, 2008
(Long Island, N.Y.) A clinical trial conducted at the University of California at Davis and just published online by the Journal of Pain has demonstrated significant relief of neuropathic pain (pain caused by damage to nerves) stemming from a variety of causes. This is the second study in just over a year to show that marijuana relieves neuropathic pain, which is notoriously resistant to treatment with conventional pain drugs, including opioid narcotics. A UC San Francisco study published last year showed relief of HIV/AIDS-related neuropathy.
In the new study, 38 patients experiencing neuropathic pain from diabetes, spinal injury, multiple sclerosis and other causes were given marijuana cigarettes of three different strengths: Zero percent THC (placebo), 3.5 percent THC or 7 percent THC. In each session, patients took the same number of puffs, following a standardized procedure to ensure uniformity of the dose received at each strength.
Both doses of marijuana reduced pain significantly, producing marked declines in pain intensity that lasted over five hours. Researchers Barth Wilsey and colleagues wrote that side effects “were relatively inconsequential,” and “psychoactive effects were minimal and well-tolerated.” Although the scientists did express caution about the neurocognitive effects of the higher dose — reflected in lower scores on some tests of memory and problem solving, the study was not designed to examine the potential for marijuana to allow reduced doses of narcotic painkillers that also cause cognitive impairment, a benefit widely reported by patients.
For a copy of the complete study, contact MPP director of communications Bruce Mirken at 202-215-4205.
“This is yet more proof that the American College of Physicians was right that U.S. government policy on medical marijuana is totally divorced from scientific reality,” said Rob Kampia, executive director of the Marijuana Policy Project in Washington, D.C. “Congress needs to act to end the federal war on medical marijuana, but in the meantime states should act on their own to protect medical marijuana patients from arrest, as several states are considering right now.”
States where legislators are presently considering medical marijuana legislation include Illinois, New York and Minnesota. A medical marijuana initiative has qualified for Michigan’s November ballot.
With more than 23,000 members and 180,000 e-mail subscribers nationwide, the Marijuana Policy Project is the largest marijuana policy reform organization in the United States. MPP believes that the best way to minimize the harm associated with marijuana is to regulate marijuana in a manner similar to alcohol. For more information, please visit http://MarijuanaPolicy.org.
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Informative Health and Wellness Fair Held at Dowling College
April 15, 2008
(Oakdale, N.Y.) Dowling College Continuing Education recently held a Health and Wellness Fair at the Rudolph Campus in Oakdale that was free and open to the public. This informative event hosted various informational booths featuring chiropractors, massage therapists, nutritionists, acupuncturists and herbalists.
Good Samaritan Hospital representatives were also present at the event, including the departments of Breast Health, Radiology, Nutrition and Rehabilitation. They handed out helpful literature and brochures to all participants.
To learn more about other upcoming Continuing Education events, please visit www.dowling.edu.
About Dowling College
Dowling College is an independent, coeducational college that serves more than 6,500 students at its historic Rudolph Campus on the banks of the Connetquot River in Oakdale, NY, and the 105-acre Brookhaven Campus in eastern Long Island and a business center located near the Nassau-Suffolk border in Melville. Dowling offers Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral degrees in several disciplines through its four schools: Arts and Sciences, Aviation, Business, and Education.
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Kelly Kazemier
Director of Communications
631-244-3318
