April 2016 - In This Issue:
Join Us at Our Next Coalition Meeting
ESAP COALITION UPDATES

On Thursday, April 7th, the ESAP Coalition visited  local retail liquor establishments to hang posters, place decals on cooler doors, post bottle tags on alcohol packaging and distribute coasters reminding patrons of the risks when purchasing alcohol for minors. The YOUR ACTIONS MATTER! campaign materials were created by the Illinois Liquor Control Commission (ILCC) to remind adults that preventing underage drinking is everyone's responsibility.  The coalition's Alcohol Committee and its volunteers, including group members from the  Evanston Police Department ,  Evanston Township High School , and the  Institute for Therapy through the Arts  implemented the campaign. It's s trategies were informed by local assessment. Data collected from Evanston youth show that adult provision of alcohol for youth is a concern in the community. According to results from the 2014 Illinois Youth Survey, 59% of Evanston youth who drink alcohol obtain it from at least one of the following sources: a knowing parent, another knowing adult, an older sibling, or a stranger who purchased it for them. The campaign hopes to encourage adults to think twice before making it easier for youth to access alcohol.  The following Evanston businesses participated  in this year's campaign: D&D Finer Foods, Evanston 1st Liquors, La Macchina, Bar Louie, Buffalo Joes, Chili's Grill and Bar, Flat Top Grill, Lou Malnati's, Celtic Knot, Smylie Brothers and World of Beer. The ESAP Coalition thanks these businesses and 2015 participants for their commitment to keep Evanston youth healthy and safe.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Tuesday, April 19th
ESAP Coalition Meeting
ETHS- Room E112
6:30pm-8:00pm

Tuesday, April 26th 
Community Outreach Meeting 
10:00-11:30am

Wednesday, April 27th 
Social Host Town Hall Meeting
The Mallinckrodt Center
1041A Ridge Road 
Wilmette, IL 60091 
7:00-8:30pm

Thursday, April 28th 
Tobacco Committee Meeting
Civic Center- Room 2402
12:00pm-1:00pm

Thursday, April 28th 
Executive Committee Meeting
2:00-3:30pm

Week of May 15th 
National Prevention Week 

Tuesday, May 17th 
Alcohol Committee Meeting
Evanston Public Library- 3rd Floor
11:00am-12:00pm





















































"ESAP Coalition's mission is to increase the health of Evanston youth by preventing alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use through community-level strategies."


 
LOCAL NEWS
Chicago Passes Tobacco 21, Preventing Youth from Nicotine Addiction
Following Evanston's lead, the City of Chicago has raised the age to legally purchase cigarettes and other smokeless tobacco products from 18 to 21-years-old. Recognized that 90 percent of smokers start the habit before the age of 21, and that the 18-20 range is a critical time for new smokers, this reform seeks to protect youth who are more vulnerable to nicotine addiction. Along with increasing the legal age for purchasing tobacco products, the ordinance also implements higher taxes on tobacco products beyond cigarettes, including cigars and chewing tobacco. The estimated taxes will bring in about $6 million annually, which will be invested to implement a universal summer orientation program for all incoming Chicago Public School freshmen and to support additional enforcement efforts. This shift in the legal age of tobacco consumption is a significant step in helping keep our youth healthy and smoke-free. Read more here.                               
NATIONAL NEWS
April is Alcohol Awareness Month
Severe Marijuana Dependence Leads to a Reduction in the Release of Brain Dopamine
A National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) funded research study sought to explore whether marijuana dependence is associated with a dopaminergic deficit in the brain. The researchers found that among a sample of severe cannabis-dependent participants who were free of any comorbid conditions (e.g. nicotine use) there was a reduced release of dopamine within the striatum. This region of the brain is particularly important because it is involved in working memory, impulsivity, and attention. Lower dopamine release within the striatum was "associated with greater emotional withdrawal and inattention" in those participants who were marijuana dependent.  Read More
Study Supports Single-Question Alcohol Screen for Adolescents
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) and a team of researchers from the University of Pittsburgh found that a single question was an effective way of screening an Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) among adolescents aged 12-17-years-old. The screening accurately identified 90% of youth who had an AUD. The Director of NIAAA commented on the importance of these findings, expressing that "primary care physicians are encouraged to screen adolescents for alcohol problems, yet many do not, citing time constraints and other issues." This study is undoubtedly a positive step towards early identification and treatment of an AUD among youth.   For more information, click here .
COMMUNITY CORNER
Town Hall Meeting Focuses on Social Hosting
Join us for a conversation led by PEER Services for a discussion about the impact of social host laws on the prevention of underage drinking. The town hall meeting is open to the public and will be held on April 27th, 2016 from 7:00-8:30pm in the Meskill Room of the Mallinckrodt Center, located at 1041A Ridge Road in Wilmette. For more information contact Erin Tegge at 847-492-1778 or [email protected] or  click here.                    
Contact Us
 
Karen Finstad, Coalition Coordinator
[email protected]
847.951.0109

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This newsletter was developed under grant #SP016534 from the Office of National Drug Control Policy and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, US Department of Health and Human Services. The views, policies, and opinions expressed by the ESAP Coalition are those of its members and do not necessarily reflect those of ONDCP, SAMHSA, or HHS.