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What is St. Paul Prevention Ministry?

"An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure"

Literature suggests prevention (primary) of drug use to begin at home and school, reinforced or continued by community programs, provided by parents, teachers, counselors and other trained individuals. Evidence supports prevention as the most effective way to deal with addiction. Over time, skills and knowledge gained will be applicable to all aspects of life choices.

Addiction affects people from all walks of life, regardless of age, profession, gender, religious beliefs, or race. The majority of those already diagnosed with the disease are still in the work force. Current prevention programs (eg D.A.R.E. program) reach only a small and select portion of the population.

Our Vision

Every individual attaining the knowledge, strength, determination, and will to help others, and to help themselves make positive life choices.

Our Mission

Our mission is to empower our faith community by raising awareness and knowledge of positive life choices by:

• achieving balanced living
• strengthening personal identity and faith in Christ and humanity through the resources, friendship, and informal support of our Catholic community and family.

Goal: To develop or improve individual core values by:

1. Promoting awareness on how to prevent making possibly harmful life choices.
2. Helping parishioners gain knowledge and skills to develop resilience to addictive behaviors, including the misuse of alcohol and drugs.
3. With secondary goal of establishing a support network within the parish for persons who may already be affected by addiction.

Characteristics of the Ministry

• Catholic faith based
• Proactive, and ongoing
• Utilizes strength/values of the person -> family unit -> community
• Building resilience against risk factors that could lead to substance misuse and/or process dependence.
• Ownership: For the parish, by the parish
• Ability to work with other ministries
• Will bring information to the parishioners
• Integrated, consistent message

How the Ministry Aims to Fulfill This Mission

• Short information or "tips"/ "how to", Q & A in the parish bulletin
• Ministry newsletter
• Arms length collaboration with RASS (Richmond Addiction Services Society).
• Liaison with community resources
• Specific trained core member to serve as first contact for any question/s related to this ministry
• Ministry web site linked to our parish and other related web sites
• Involvement of all parishioners in whatever capacity
• eg reading and making use of information provided in the bulletin or other sources, sharing of information or talent for program improvement, etc.
• Resource literature and information to be available on the web site or through printed materials.
• Regular presentations to parish 3
• 4 x a year on general topics such as building resiliency to potentially negative societal pressures for all ages
• for example Developmental Assets, seniors awareness topics.
• Presentations, as necessary on specific topics such as:
  • life skills, building self esteem, etc.
  • prevention
  • education related to drugs and alcohol as well as other forms of addiction or abuse
  • issues as identified by the parish related to behaviors with negative consequences.
• Training through RASS of interested individual/s as resource for the parish

 

Information Previously Published in Our Parish Bulletin

Why kids use drugs?

This 10 part series is now available by clicking the following link:
Why Kids Use Drugs Series

Bulletin Info - July 14-29, 2007, 2007:

Are you on SLEEP MEDICATION? BE AWARE...

Ask your pharmacist or doctor what kind of sleep medication you are on.

If you are taking sleep medication such as benzodiazepine, benzodiazepine-like ("Z" drugs), or barbiturate, regularly:

1. Do not stop taking them abruptly.
2. See your doctor for advice.
3. If you abruptly discontinue taking these medications, you may experience withdrawal, including seizure.

Other considerations in long term use of benzodiazepines:

1. Unwanted side effects
2. Social and economic consequences
3. Loss of its effect after few weeks of use

There are other ways of treating insomnia other than taking pills.

Source: 1. Ashton Manual. 2. http://www.benzo.org.uk/manual

Bulletin Info - July 7-8, 2007:

Are you on SLEEP MEDICATION? BE AWARE...

Sleep problem or insomnia and addiction? What's the connection? Majority of medications prescribed for sleep problem carry risk of addiction.

Bulletin Info - June 23-July 1, 2007:

Are you on SLEEP MEDICATION? BE AWARE...

Which one are you taking?

"Z" drugs:

• Ambien and Ambien CR (Zolpidem)
• Sonata or Starnoc (Zaleplon)
• Lunesta (Eszopiclone)
• Imovane or Rhovane (Zopiclone)

Benzodiazepines:

• Ativan (Lorazepam)
• Restoril (Temazepam)
• Bromazepam (Lactopam)
• Rivotril (Clonazepam)
• Dalmane (Flurazepam)
• Serax (Oxazepam)
• Halcion (Triazolam)
• Tranzene (Clorazepate)
• Librium (Chlordiazepoxide)
• Valium (Diazepam)
• Mogadon (Nitrazepam)
• Xanax (Alprazolam)
• Prosom (Estazolam)

Source: Compendium of Pharmaceuticals and Specialties (CPS)

Bulletin Info - June 16-17, 2007:

Are you on SLEEP MEDICATION? BE AWARE...

All sleep medication products (Benzodiazepines, "Z" drugs, Barbiturates) have potential for sleep related behaviours such as sleep driving, making phone calls and preparing and eating food while asleep.

Source: FDA News, March 14, 2007

Bulletin Info - June 09-10, 2007:

Are you on SLEEP MEDICATION? BE AWARE...

Examples of sleep medication products causing complex sleep related behaviours such as sleep driving, making phone calls and preparing and eating food while asleep.

1. Benzodiazepines such as: Dalmane (Flurazepam), Doral (Quazepam), Halcion (Triazolam), Restoril (Temazepam)
2. "Z" drugs such as: Ambien and Ambien CR (Zolpidem), Lunesta (Eszopiclone), Sonata (Zaleplon)
3. Barbiturates such as: Seconal (Secobarbital)

Source: FDA News, March 14, 2007

Bulletin Info - June 02-03, 2007:

Are you on SLEEP MEDICATION? BE AWARE...

US FDA (Food and Drug Administration) requests label change for all sleep medication products to include risks such as:

1. severe allergic reaction
2. severe swelling of the facial
3. sleep related behaviours such as sleep driving, making phone calls and preparing and eating food while asleep.

Source: FDA News, March 14, 2007

Bulletin Info - April 21-May 6, 2007:

Something to ponder... Gambling.

The act of risking or betting something of value on an event with an uncertain outcome.

Problem Gambling - gambling behavior that creates negative consequences for the gambler, others in his or her social network, or the community.

The word "gambling" does not appear in the Bible however, the practice is evident in numerous passages of scripture.
Source: Presentation by RASS, "Ready Or Not" April, 2006

Bulletin Info - April 14-15, 2007:

Something to ponder... biologic purpose of pleasurable activities.

• Sleep - for body to be able to repair
• Exploration - for learning
• Eat - for nourishment and sustenance
• Sex - for reproduction
• Alcohol and drugs - none

Bulletin Info - April 7-8, 2007:

Something to ponder... on Temperance.

"Temperance is the moral virtue that moderates the attraction of pleasures… It disposes us to avoid every kind of excesses: the abuse of food, alcohol, tobacco or medicine.

In the New Testament it is called moderation or sobriety.
Source: Catechism of the Catholic Church

Bulletin Info - March 24-25, 2007:

Something to ponder... on lifestyle.

"Be careful then how you live, and not as unwise people but as wise, making the most of the time, because the days are evil. So do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery…" The Bible. Ephesians 5:15-18

Bulletin Info - March 17-18, 2007:

Something to ponder...

"… Although you are barren, having borne no children, you shall conceive and bear a son. Now be careful not to drink wine or strong drink, or eat anything unclean." The Bible. Judges 13:3-4

Avoid alcohol consumption during pregnancy. Alcohol can cause abnormality in the fetus such as FAS (Fetal Alcohol Syndrome) or FAE (Fetal Alcohol Effect). There is no definite amount of alcohol that is considered safe to consume during pregnancy.

Bulletin Info - March 10-11, 2007:

The Rule of St. Benedict
Chapter 4: What are the instruments of good work (72 items):

• #1. In the first place, to love the Lord God with the whole heart, the whole soul, the whole strength.
• #12. Not to become attached to pleasures.
• #35. Not addicted to wine.
• #41. To put one's hope in God.
• #72. And never to despair of God's mercy.

Source: Rule of St. Benedict

Bulletin Info - March 3-4, 2007:

Something to ponder...two psychic effects of sin:

1. Fear
2. Flight

Love masters fear. Unless fear is overcome in forgiveness, it ends in the persecution of others. Penance arrests flight. Unless escapism is conquered by a return to God, it drowns itself in alcoholism, opiates, the boredom of excitement!
Source: The World's First Love. Fulton Sheen

Bulletin Info - February 24-25, 2007:

Spring clean ... include your medicine cabinets!

Tips:

• Bring unfinished and expired medications to the pharmacy for proper disposal. Expired medication can be potentially dangerous and is usually ineffective. Unfinished medications left in the medicine cabinet poses risk of inappropriate use
  
• Keep your medications in their proper, labelled containers.
  

Reminders:

• Generosity is a virtue, but please refrain from lending your medication to other people. Your medication has been prescribed solely for your use for a specific reason. It can be dangerous for another person.
  
• If you are taking medication on a daily basis, carry a list with you. This may be helpful in case of emergency.
  

Bulletin Info - February 17-18, 2007:

Did you know… that some prescription and over the counter medications have addiction or dependency potential?

Ask your doctor or the pharmacy about your prescriptions.

Bulletin Info - February 10-11, 2007:

Did you know… that there are 2 kinds of addiction?

1. Addiction to substances
   Examples: Alcohol, nicotine, prescription and over the counter drugs, street drugs, designer drugs and other substances
   


2. Process addiction
   This is addiction to gambling, video games, sex, work, etc.
   

For both kinds, the 3 C's of addiction applies.

Bulletin Info - January 2007:

The three "Cs" of Addiction:
Compulsion to use drug and/or alcohol
Loss of Control
Use of drug and/or alcohol despite Negative Consequences.
If an individual meets all three "Cs", Addiction is likely.
Source: Dr. David Smith

Bulletin Info - January 1-2, 2006:

Of beer, wine and spirits...

Avoid alcoholic beverages when on the following medications:

• Pain killers
  
• Antibiotics
  
• Blood thinners
  
• Antidepressants
  
• Anti-diabetic pills
  
• Antihistamines
  
• Anti-psychotics
  
• Anti-seizure
  
• Blood pressure and heart medications
  
• Sleeping pills/anti-anxiety

Bulletin Info - December 17-18, 2005

Of beer, wine and spirits. When the safest option is NOT to Drink:

• under age
  
• before driving or operating machinery - this activities require wakefulness or alertness
  
• pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding - alcohol affects fetus/baby
  
• on medication - danger of alcohol and drug or medication interaction
  
• certain medical illness and mental health
  
• in person with chemical dependence or addiction
  
• family member with addiction or alcoholism
  

Bulletin Info - December 24-25, 2005

Of beer, wine and spirits. Adults Beware!
Children may accidentally drink from glasses or cans or bottles of alcoholic beverages left within their reach.

Bulletin Info - December 10-11, 2005

Of beer, wine and spirits. What is a "Standard Drink"?
1 Standard Drink (SD) is equal to:

• 1 can or bottle of 12 oz (341 ml) beer /cider (5-8% alcohol)
  
• 1 glass of 5 oz (142 ml) table wine (12% alcohol)
  
• 3 oz (85ml) fortified wine - port/sherry/martini (18% alcohol)
  
• 1.5 oz (43 ml) hard liquor/spirits (40% alcohol)

Low risk drinking guideline:

1. No more than 2 standard drinks per occasion for men and women
   
2. No more than 14 standard drinks per week for men
3. No more than 9 Standard drinks per week for women and elderly

Sources: 1. Canadian College of Family Physicians and Canadian Centre for Substance Abuse 2. Physician Mannual. Management of Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Problems

Bulletin Info - December 3-4, 2005

"Of beer, wine and spirits. Christmas is here. Celebrate without getting tipsy.

• "Sip" not "gulp" - no more than 1 drink per hour
  
• "Space" not "chase" - drink non-alcoholic drink in between alcoholic drink
  
• Choose low alcohol content
  
• Dilute if possible
  
• Eat before and while drinking - food slows down absorption of alcohol
  
• Avoid salty snacks - makes you thirsty, and drink more
  
• Drink for taste
  
• Do your math - keep count of the drinks you've had
  
• Fill your own glass
  
• Glass down between sips
  
• Don't top up
  
• Set limit to drinking time"