Empowering Ohioans to become active in the fight against stigma and promote access to services for mental illness, alcohol & drug addiction. (Request Action Updates )
Action Updates
March 8, 2010
Ohio’s Olmstead Plan
Earlier this month, the Strickland Administration released a draft document entitled, Balancing and Beyond: A Vision for Community Services and Supports for Individuals with Disabilities. This document is to describes existing and future initiatives that offer people with disabilities greater choice in living arrangements and services that support independent living.
This document is in response to the 1999 United States Supreme Court decision in which the court held in Olmstead v. L.C. that the unnecessary segregation of individuals with disabilities in institutions may constitute discrimination based on disability. The court ruled that the Americans with Disabilities Act may require states to provide community-based services rather than institutional placements.
The Administration has asked for feedback on this plan and has provided an opportunity for stakeholders to provide input into Ohio’s Olmstead Plan. The draft plan is available at: http://www.odh.ohio.gov/landing/jackson/olmstead.aspx and feedback can be provided by email to olmstead@emma.ohio.gov.
______________________________________________________________________
March 15, 1010
Adults age 21 or older who had first used alcohol before age 21 were more likely than adults who had their first drink at age 21 or older to be classified with alcohol dependence or abuse (9.6% vs. 2.1%). (SAMHSA) Traffic crashes are the leading cause of teen fatalities, accounting for 38% of all teen] deaths in the United States, and 28% of 15 to 20-year-old drivers who were killed in motor vehicle crashes in 2005 had been drinking. (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration)
Underage drinking can cause a multitude of problems for youth, parents, and communities. A drinking age of 21 is not arbitrary; it’s based on science that tells us a young brain continues to develop until age 21. This makes it crucial to take action to prevent children from starting to drink alcohol. About 10.8 million adolescents, ages 12-20, are underage drinkers. Children who drink are more likely to be victims of violent crime, have serious problems in school, and be involved in drinking-related traffic crashes. You can help protect children from the risks associated with drinking by maintaining open communication and expressing a clear, consistent message about alcohol. Building a close relationship with youth makes it easier for them to come to you for help in making decisions that impact their health and well-being.
Start Talking Before They Start Drinking.
Talk to a young person about why underage drinking is not a smart thing to do.