In memory of Ray Priest, panel  speaker/volunteer, whose daughter Chrissy died in a DUI crash in 1995 just after graduating from OHHS. After a long distinguished career with the U.S. Marine Corps, Ray retired as a Lieutenant Colonel, his last command CO of VMFA 323. He continued his love of flying with UPS. He had a special connect with  personnel at NAS Whidbey panels. We miss you Ray.

ALERT!!!

May 13: At the Oak Harbor Park Board, a council member’s suggestion to allow alcohol in City parks was discussed at great length, both FOR and AGAINST. The OHPB is waiting to hear from the public before they decide whether to approve or not. If approved, it then goes to the City, and most of them support it I’m told. If you DO NOT want the ordinance “eased” please let the park board know by emailing The OHPB president Helen Chatfield-Weeks: helencw2@frontier.com
OH Park Mgr Hank Nydam: hnydam@oakharbor.org

Here is the AGAINST:

Thank you for inviting me here today.  My understanding from the newspaper last Wed. and Councilmember Hizon’s email to me last Thursday – and please correct me if I’m wrong:

There is currently a proposal to ease restrictions on alcohol in our city parks which would allow beer gardens, wine-tasting, and such on a permit only basis within a designated, fenced-in area. People will have their IDs checked at the entrance and can only be served alcohol by licensed bartenders as stated at the meeting.

I further understand, according to the article, several council members said allowing alcohol in this manner would ‘add to special events.’  Let me state for the record, I’m not against alcohol for those legally old enough to drink it. I’m Italian, I like my amaretto and my wine.  And I have worked in the field of DUI / Underage Drinking & Other Substance Abuse for over 20 years.

As the director of an organization that’s mission is to deter driving under the influence and underage drinking in our communities through education and awareness, along with our board of directors, we believe the City of Oak Harbor decades ago had several good reasons for banning alcohol in our parks. They were most likely the same reasons given during the public outcry in 1997 when the ordinance was changed by the City. You see, there was very little notice that was to happen. Then… the ordinance was reversed. Public outcry, it was reversed back. Now it is to be “eased.” This is like bad déjà booze. Easing the ordinance opens the door to the problems which are:

1. First, and foremost, it sends the message to our youth that ‘things go better with booze.’ And remember: the City is an IDIPIC Partner in Prevention. Even with trained servers and police enforcing the rules, you cannot be sure there won’t be youth sneaking drinks. Nor people drinking their allotted number of drinks and possibly others.’

2. Next, when it’s said ‘it adds to special events,’ those of us who drink know what it adds: feelings of warmth and relaxation. One drink – which is any beverage with ½ ounce alcohol – can bring a person to .02 BAC. This can result in some loss of judgment. At this level tests have also shown that drivers experience a decline in visual functions, with a lessening of peripheral vision and the ability to track a moving object. These changes may be very subtle and barely noticable to the person who has had only one drink, let alone noticeable to anyone else, but in an emergency situation, such loss of judgment and reaction, though slight, could cause the driver to not have full control of the vehicle. Therefore it’s simply not a wise choice to get behind the wheel no matter how little one has had to drink.

3.    Regarding alcohol served in a Seattle park and quote “there were no problems.” Because there were no disturbances, no fights, no beer brawls? How do you know if anyone drove under the influence? The sad fact is this: most people who DUI don’t get caught; only about 1 in 100. And speaking of Seattle, after the festivities there you can hop on a bus day or night Monday through Sunday. Here you can’t. Here, most people will get in their cars and drive home.

4.     As for other “successful” festivals which include alcohol, whether here or elsewhere, the past cannot predict the future. The Hindenburg comes to mind – 76^th Anniversary May 6^th — it had 30 successful transatlantic crossings–
You can have dozens of such events, and the added profits having alcohol will help to bring in. But that will matter not if someone is injured or killed due to an impaired driver.

5.     Finally: in restaurants, bars, in their own homes, people are “personally accountable” if they DUI. With the City approving alcohol in parks, it gives a stamp of approval. And while people are still personally accountable if they DUI, by NOT allowing alcohol in the parks, the City is removing if not its liability, then its culpability. The City is then exhibiting “social accountability:” doing what is best for its citizens. More importantly, it is removing any possibility that by  its permission a festival-goer will injure or kill someone by driving impaired.

Public safety should be the City’s highest priority. If what I have shared with you is not enough to keep this from going further, I strongly urge you to loudly ask for public input so that the many can decide if this is actually wanted, not the few. Thank you.

Sources: The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Century Council, among others.

- – -

So PLEASE whether FOR or AGAINST, and as per above, we hope AGAINST, let your voice be heard!!! Contact Helen and Hank and Ms. Hizon, who is pushing the proposal: thizon@oakharbor.org. She’s into social media and is taking input on her Facebook page as well where she is getting LOTS of approval for her idea.

IN FACT, the board was considering if that feedback was enough when I said NO! Not everyone uses Facebook, especially some older folks. I asked the board to PLEASE put out the word via the newspaper, etc.

So it’s up to the public now to decide.

- – -

This didn’t make it the papers:

Prom time: most teens live for, some teens die for
By JoAnn Hellmann

Reading in your recliner you begin to nod. You look up at the clock and sigh. It’s nearing midnight and normally you would be in bed by now but you had wanted to wait for your teenager to get home from the prom. However, it’s been a long, long day. And not a very good one: a too-early meeting with disgruntled volunteers followed by one crisis after another at work topped off with a fender bender as you exited the parking lot of the supermarket.

You close your eyes…and then, an instant later it seems, jerk awake. But your momentary repose it turns out was actually twenty minutes of snooze. Knowing most likely your progeny won’t be home until the wee hours, you reluctantly decide to go to bed.

The day’s problems drift away as you sink into your pillow, and almost as quickly sink into sleep. You feel a smile on your face. But just then…you are yanked back to full consciousness by the doorbell ringing, ringing, rrrrrrrrrrringing.

Grumbling, you go to the closet. Another night of “ Sorry! Forgot my key!” Fumbling for your robe you turn and stub your toe on the foot of the bed. Now limping you nearly trip going down the stairs. By the time you get to the front door, you’re fuming, all set to read the riot act to your teenager. You pull the door open and find not the object of your disaffection but a police officer. And with him your minister. Your anger blows out like a candle as your heart falls to your feet.

This scenario unfortunately plays out year after year in different towns and cities across America. And our communities are not immune to it. Prom night and graduation parties represent a high-risk time for young people and parents had better come prepared. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that at age 16, which is the highest risk age for drivers, 48% of deaths were passengers and slightly more 16-year-old females were killed as passengers than as drivers.

More females will be a passenger of a male teen driver on prom night than any other time of the year across North America. Speeding, multiple passengers and driving between 12:00 am and 3:00 am mixed with alcohol represents the deadliest combination of factors and is the prime recipe for car crashes.

In a recent survey commissioned by The Century Council, teens were asked: “Where do you get the alcohol that you drink?” 65% of the youth surveyed said that they got it from family and friends: their parents, their friends’ parents, older siblings or family members or older friends, with or without permission.

Some parents feel drinking alcohol is a “rite of passage” for their soon-to-be adult teens. That was the very phrase used by a parent several years ago explaining why she allowed her son to attend a hidden graduation party deep in the woods. She felt the adult-planned celebration had adequate safety controls, such as collecting car keys and setting up tents for party-goers to snooze off the effects of the booze. A safer alternative it seemed to her and other parents than the probability of their kid being out on their own with intoxicated friends.

This may be a caring mother but sadly a misguided one. Luckily her son or any other teen that night did not drink to the point of dying quietly of alcohol poisoning in his or her tent. Or in a drunken stupor vomiting in their sleep and dying a la Jimi Hendrix. Or rolling over on a broken beer bottle and bleeding to death. Or sneaking the duplicate key out of their shoe and going for a wild ride with friends.

Truly this “rite of passage” is more an invitation to clouded judgment, limited control and consequences that can last a lifetime…or end one.  That’s because research shows a young person’s brain continues to develop into their twenties. The younger you are, the more capacity you have for memory and learning. Young people who drink may be powerfully impairing these abilities, and short-changing their brain’s potential.

Teen-agers may smirk, shrug their shoulders and act angry at parental intrusion into their lives and prom plans, but deep down they want to know someone is concerned, someone cares and someone will be available to help if they get into trouble.

Parents who intervene can help prevent many of the problems that spring from proms, especially impaired driving. Prevention is the key. Be frank, tactful and respectful, but let your teens know specifically how you expect them to act on prom night.

Establish rules. Make sure your teens know you will not tolerate alcohol/drug use or their attendance at unsupervised parties. Set a curfew.

Establish consequences for breaking rules. If rules are broken, make sure the penalties are enforced, swift and sure.

Don’t rent hotel rooms. Or stock the bar. Or leave your teens in dangerous situations. Agree to pick up your teen, no questions asked, if he or she calls and needs a ride home from any situation.

Know who your teen will be with, including the friends of your teen’s date. Talk to the parents of other teens and make sure you all agree beforehand to the same rules and consequences.

Take advantage of supervised, all-night after-prom parties and activities that may be sponsored by your teen’s school. The goal is to let teens have fun in supervised, risk-free activities and locations.

Remember, the prom is only one night a year. To be really safe, parents must concern themselves with teen driver safety 365 days a year. Safe driving doesn’t take a holiday.

Most high school students eagerly await prom night. So many details and decisions! Tuxedos to be sized, special gowns sought after, flowers ordered, cars waxed, and the perfect pair of shoes selected. Unfortunately, after the prom, some teens don’t come home. And their parents are left to attend to the saddest details and decisions they’ll ever make.

Parents may not think they have great influence in their older children but they still do. And they can use it to help their prom-goers have memories of a lifetime, and not to become a memory.

###

The City of Oak Harbor may allow alcohol in city parks? Here we go again! See Page 5 HERE. AND STAY TUNED!

Annual Appreciation Luncheon for our Partners in Prevention. If you or your agency, business, organization or other group has helped IDIPIC in its mission in the past year, you should have gotten your e-vite to attend Tuesday, May 28 at the Oak Harbor Elks Lodge (behind Flyers) starting  11:30 a.m. Please be sure to RSVP by May 20. This will also be the kickoff event for KISS!

Let’s KISS: Keep It a Safe Summer! IDIPIC’s answer to the 100 Deadly Days of Summer (Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day). We’re doing a series of awareness displays and events in town and on the base which include displays at the Oak Harbor Senior Center, the Oak Harbor Library, South Whidbey High School, and at the base safety fair. Also, feature articles in the local media.

KISS Collection Tubes: Please contact IDIPIC at 672-8219 or idipic AT idipic DOT org by May 20 if your business would like to be a Partner in Prevention and place one of these on your counter during the summer:

Thank you to these businesses
that have already said yes:
Arby’s
Oak Harbor Sears
Whidbey Inspiration
Lotus Tea Bar & Studio
Stewart Title
The Greenhouse Florist & Nursery
State Farm – Landry Agency
Martin’s Automotive Services
Floors Plus
Pioneer Automotive Services

DO YOU KNOW?

Our state is considering new DUI bills? Here’s Rep. Hayes reply to my appeal on IDIPIC’s Facebook page. (Go there and scroll down to April 7 to read what I wrote.. It begins “As the director of the Impaired Driving Impact Panel of Island County and the sister of a DUI fatality victim, I am ashamed, appalled and angered…” Let YOUR VOICE be heard as well:

You can read and comment on this bill HERE. You can contact Rep. Hayes and share your thoughts: Dave.hayes@leg.wa.gov  

You can get charged with a DUI if not driving?

NEWS LINKS

Oak Harbor police conduct alcohol compliance checks at businesses: one fail

Washington Lawmakers Consider Immunity For Minors With Alcohol Poisoning

Suspected DUI crash sends one to hospital

NASWI NEWS We have a FULL HOUSE scheduled at IDIPIC’s 22MAY base panel for NIOC, NOPF, VAQ-132, NASWI, TSCOMM, CVWP, SARP and some FRCNW. June’s panel (the 4^th, seating 1245) has already been scheduled by NHOH and the rest of NASW but there’s room for more. Contact JoAnn at 672-8218 or email idipic AT idipic DOT org to reserve seating for your command ASAP. July’s panel has yet to be reserved. Panel details HERE.

PANELS for May are: the 4^th in Freeland and the 11^th AND 30^th in Oak Harbor. To check out future panel dates, check the schedule HERE. Looking for panels in other counties? Check HERE.

PARTNERS IN PREVENTION Welcome Back to Partners in Prevention Soroptimist International of South Whidbey, and, to date, Keep It a Safe Summer sponsors State Farm/Landry Agency, Tradewinds Insurance and Harada Physical Therapy. Your agency, business, church, organization or other group can be a Partner by donating services, items, time and/or funding. See IDIPIC’s many Partners in Prevention HERE.

SCHOOL REPORT IDIPIC presented its Th!nk, Don’t Drink, Drug & Drive class April 3^rd to 11 Munros’ driver’s ed. students.  On April 4^th, 99 students in 4 health classes at Langley Middle School experienced Th!nk, Don’t Drink or Drug. Erik Jokinen, Langley Middle School Health/PE teacher, graciously shared at the this at the bottom HERE.

THANK YOU to our April speakers Tim McManus, Ryan Samplawski, Brian Grimm and Jim Covert and our helpers Phyllis Rainey, Eph Robbins and Cheryl Spiker. If you’d like to learn more about being a panel speaker, details HERE.

THANK YOU 2 to Whidbey Island Marathon water station volunteers who did not let the rain dampen their spirits as they cheered on over 1,600 runners the morning of April 14^th: Richard & Tara Law, Kate Rogers, Tom Roithner, Sabrina Underwood, Briess Potter, Cheryl Spiker, John Hellmann, Maryann Cowan, Karmin Landry, Hope Drager, Shellie Johnson and the Husler Family: Amie, Tim, Zena & Kurt Husler AKA that day as a patrol cop, DUI offender, DUI victim, coroner, EMT, ER nurse, insurance agent, grim reaper: you get the idea. YOU ALL ROCK!

And remember:

100 Deadly Days of Summer starts early
Thank you to Harada Physical Therapy as our first sponsor!
Check out: Keep It a Safe Summer details & sponsorship!

DO YOU KNOW?

IDIPIC has again successfully applied for the CFC Campaign for Island County? MANY THANKS to those of you who supported IDIPIC through your CFC contribution last year. We hope you and others will be able to do so for the 2013 campaign which starts this fall. IDIPIC’s # is 98068.

April is Alcohol Awareness Month?

There’s a new DUID (Driving Under the Influence of Drugs) Victim Network website?

There’s a book called Deception Pass 3 by Ed Wood about the DUID North Whidbey crash 9-3-10 that killed his son and two others? 

DRUG TAKE BACK April 27 2013

NEWS LINKS

Brian Wood’s father recognized by the White House for promoting effective drug ‘per se’ laws

DUI limit isn’t really the limit: WNT LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Two wrongs in editorial don’t make a right: SWR LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Woman charged in December DUI accident on South Whidbey  

Lawsuit filed against driver in fatal North Whidbey crash

Court upholds conviction of Oak Harbor woman

Hawkins appointed as new Island County District Court judge

NASWI NEWS Looks like we have a full house for IDIPIC’s 22MAY base panel for NIOC, NOPF, NASWI, VAQ-132, SARP, and TSCOMM. Seating NLT 1245 at the Skywarrior Theater. Several inquiries on June’s panel; good to reserve ASAP before it’s full too. These panels – now offered once per month – are provided as reserved by commands. So get your reservation in ASAP; we can book months in advance ifs needed. If your command is due or overdue for an IDIPIC panel (usually done every 2 years, check Page 3 of  BASE PANEL LIST & INFO) then contact JoAnn at 672-8218 or email idipic AT idipic DOT org to reserve this potentially life-saving training. That’s it… a phone call or an email, and it’s all set. Panel details HERE.

NASWI NEWS 2: Two commands recently contacted us to ask if we take fundraising donations. YES! So if you’re command is having a car wash, a bake sale, etc. please THINK IDIPIC. All such donations return 100% to cover the cost of the base panels, safety fair and other related support IDIPIC provides to NAS Whidbey Island.

PANELS for April are: the 6^th in Freeland and the 11^th AND 13^th in Oak Harbor. Yes, we are back to TWO panels a month in Oak Harbor to better accommodate our driver’s ed. students and parents. To check out future panel dates, check the schedule HERE. Looking for panels in other counties? Check HERE.

PARTNERS IN PREVENTION Welcome Back to Partners in Prevention North Whidbey Sportsmen’s Association, who certainly understand about safety, be it firearms or vehicles and on South Whidbey, Porter Whidbey Insurance and Whidbey Telecom. Your agency, business, church, organization or other group can be a Partner by donating services, items, time and/or funding. See IDIPIC’s many Partners in Prevention HERE. 

RIDE-ALONGS On Friday March 15 a WSP trooper and I spent about 4 hours looking for St. Pat DUIers but no luck. Ditto with OHPD the next night, although someone else nabbed a driver under the influence off Bayshore… they weren’t driving but she still got arrested for Physical Control. So she was waiting to sober up perhaps before driving, which was good, but getting behind the wheel while under, bad.

SCHOOL REPORT IDIPIC presented its Th!nk, Don’t Drink, Drug & Drive class March 6^th to 25 Munros’ driver’s ed. students.  On March 13^th they attended our panel with their parent. Do the kids really “drink it in” when it comes to our prevention panel? Here are just a few comments from some of our newest drivers:

I’m glad IDIPIC’s required. I learned a lot. Kaylea’s video gave a good inside look on how much it can affect people. I really was touched by Kaylee’s story because I never realized the consequences of DUI. 

This is a really great class and I am glad that it is required. I know for a fact that I will never drive under the influence.

I liked the speakers. Gave me a real connection.

I found this class very impacting and powerful. It changed my view on driving. And the speakers really got to me.

And a few DE parents as well:

I’m glad this class is required for my son to pass driver’s ed. It made a huge impact on me and I really hope it did on my son also. Thank you.

Glad required course. Don, Jason Kaylea: All good to reinforce points.

Thank you all for sharing your stories. I am extremely thankful that you are making this mandatory for not only my student but also others. Presentation was very powerful and even though I have been driving for 20 years… I still take a lot from it and I am glad I have always been the designated driver.

I honestly did not want to attend this class & didn’t know why a parent had to attend. I now get it and thank you. This class was very heartfelt & I am glad that I attended. All of the speakers had a heartfelt impact and I felt compassion for all!

And “clients” (offenders):

I felt the panel today was very effective because it shows a variety of perspectives.

Thanks for allowing me to see this. It gives me more motivation to become a substance abuse counselor. As a DUI driver I would like to speak on this panel. Very eye-opening and informative panel. Could tell speakers were very sincere and passionate.

Wow… I did not know much about  DUI. I do now.

THANK YOU to our March speakers Trooper Dave Martin, Terre Greenwood, Jason Schofield and Don Growe AND our helpers Phyllis Rainey and Debra Kulz. As noted last month, our civilian panels now include the powerful Kaylea Souza DVD that is having a great impact on the audience, particularly our target group, our new young drivers. I watch the faces in the audience, I read the comments after panel (and we send them to Kaylea each month). I’m convinced that it will save lives. We can’t thank enough those who helped make the video possible with their time, effort or photos: Dr. Robert Bishop, Island County Coroner, who taped it and spent endless hours adding music, graphics and more, the families of Charles “Mack” Porter III, Robert Knight,  and Marcel “Mick” Poynter and the Island County Sheriff’s Office. So that the  DVD will have the strongest impact, it will only be shown at the end of panel.

UPCOMING EVENTS The Whidbey Island Marathon will soon be here, which means the biggest and best-themed water station will be there the morning of April 14th to energize with enthusiasm, music, water and Gatorade, hundreds of runners from around the world!

And again, starting in late May, promotion of the 100 Deadly Days of Summer, with K.I.S.S., Keep It a Safe Summer.

Details at the top! Help spread the word, especially to businesses
that may want a counter collection box!
So we can be together in the cause to keep the roads safer from DUI for all of us!

DO YOU KNOW?

Uh oh… he blew it!

Free THAT GUY buzzed mobile game launches! An entertaining action-style game developed for mobile devices and tablets including the iPhone, iPad, and Android.

What’s a drink?

NEWS LINKS

Too High To Drive

A view through DUI goggles

Washington Lawmakers Consider Immunity For Minors With Alcohol Poisoning

NASWI NEWS Whether your command has been DUI-free for a year or more or not, IDIPIC is there to offer unique award-winning training. The sad fact that is that reports show only about 1 in 100 people who DUI get caught and on average drive at least 80 times before that first arrest. So if you think your command is due or overdue for an IDIPIC panel (usually done every 2 years) contact JoAnn at 672-8218 or email idipic AT idipic DOT org to find out current status. If needed, you can then reserve this potentially life-saving training. That’s it… a phone call or an email, and it’s all set. Panel details HERE. On another note, IDIPIC recently connected with NASWI’s CSADD (Coalition of Sailors Against Destructive Decisions). Check out their Facebook page HERE.

PANELS for March, the 2^nd in Freeland and the 9^th in Oak Harbor. Remember, starting this year Oak Harbor panels are held the second Saturday of the month except for September and December. The Freeland panels have always been the first Saturday of the month. For future panel dates, check the schedule HERE. On occasion we get calls for other panels held in our state. Contact info for those can be found HERE.

PARTNERS IN PREVENTION A BIG Welcome Back to State Farm Headquarters for providing a $5,000 grant to IDIPIC for its youth work in the coming year!!!. This will help us reach a LOT of students. Your agency, business, church, organization or other group can be a Partner by donating services, items, time and/or funding. See IDIPIC’s many Partners in Prevention HERE.

SAFE RIDE HOME is a local non-profit that does just what its name says. They’re having a Car Wash March 24th. Help spread the word and be sure to stop by to wash that winter grime away! Check out the details at SRH Car Wash

SCHOOL REPORT IDIPIC presented it’s Th!nk, Don’t Drink, Drug & Drive class February 4^th to 20 Munros’ driver’s ed. students at OHHS.

THANK YOU to our February speakers Jean Gervais, Tim McManus, Ryan Samplawski, Jim Covert and Kaylea Souza and our helpers Phyllis Rainey and Maryann Cowan. Actually, Kaylea will be speaking at both our Freeland and Oak Harbor panel each month via a DVD we were able to make in late January where she is serving time for the triple DUI fatality north of Clinton 11-11-11. Because of her youth, that many know her and/or the young men killed, or know about the crash via the media, we can tell by the strong positive response after just two panels she will reach many about the dangers of DUI. If you’d like to learn more about being a panel speaker, details HERE.

UPCOMING EVENTS IDIPIC will have a series of fundraisers and events starting in late May during its promotion of the 100 Deadly Days of Summer. We’re calling it K.I.S.S., Keep It a Safe Summer. Stay tuned for details!

We can all live with that!

DO YOU KNOW?

About NSquad? Help forensic scientists solve an alcohol related crime!

What’s a drink?

IDIPIC has a Facebook page? Come like us!

NEWS LINKS

Bath Salts: It’s not a fad, it’s a nightmare

Breathalyzers to start hitting fleet Feb. 4

NASWI NEWS IDIPIC offers unique award-winning training that reaches many folks. Here’s just two recent comments from base panels: “Shell-shocking brief from beginning to end. Have been all over the world and sat in many of these briefs but this is by far the best. Not being overwhelmed with statistics and capturing more feeling is an excellent way to drive this message home.” (CPRW-10) and “BREATH-TAKING. I’M SPEECHLESS. A lot of the people in my command may not be fond of me or hang out with me but damn it, if I ever see one of my guys (or girls) drinking & heading to their vehicle, I will use every muscle, every cell, every bit of strength I have to keep them from doing that. Thank you.”  (E-4 / VAQ-134) If your command is due or overdue for an IDIPIC panel (usually done every 2 years) contact JoAnn at 672-8218 or email idipic AT idipic DOT org to reserve this potentially life-saving training. Panel details HERE

PANELS for February: the 2^nd in Freeland and the 9^th in Oak Harbor. Starting this year Oak Harbor panels will be held the second Saturday of the month except for September and December. The Freeland panels have always been the first Saturday of the month. For future panel dates, check the schedule HERE. On occasion we get calls for other panels held in our state. Contact info for those can be found HERE. 

PARTNERS IN PREVENTION We love our PiPs! ♥ Welcome Back to the City of Oak Harbor and Island County. Your agency, business, church, organization or other group can be a Partner by donating services, items, time and/or funding. See IDIPIC’s many Partners in Prevention HERE.

SCHOOL REPORT IDIPIC was pleased to present its PICKLES program to the four 3^rd grade classes at South Whidbey Elementary School on January 11 reaching a total of nearly 100 students. Thank you to the principal and 3rd grade teachers there who invited IDIPIC into their classrooms as well as a mother on South Whidbey who helped open the door. If you are, or know of, a 3^rd grade teacher who may not be familiar with PICKLES, just click on or forward this link. We also have references from current teachers and you can call JoAnn at 672-8219 or email her at idipic AT idipic DOT org.

THANK YOU to our January panel speakers Kim Robinett and Officer Mel Lolmough of the Oak Harbor Police Department and our helper Maryann Cowan. We had no panel in Freeland since the last driver’s ed. class on South Whidbey was October and the next isn’t until February. If you’d like to be a panel speaker, details HERE.

UPCOMING EVENTS

* The best-costumed group (that’s IDIPIC!) will once again man a water station at the Whidbey Island Marathon, which will be Sunday April 14. Here come da judge… and da coroner and da…

* IDIPIC will have a series of fundraisers and events starting in late May during its promotion of the 100 Deadly Days of Summer. Watch this space for sponsorship and other details.

NEWSLETTER: IN THE LOOP / JANUARY

DO YOU KNOW?

What’s a drink? Click here and Surly will tell you!

About Washington State’s Target Zero? The aim is  to end traffic deaths and serious injuries by 2030. Read how HERE

About 25,000 drivers in Washington currently have ignition interlock devices in their cars? And as of January 1 ignition interlock will include a camera.

This good news:

NEWS LINKS

Marines’ new alcohol policy strictest in U.S. military

Synthetic marijuana linked to thousands of hospital emergency departments

WSP believe drugs or alcohol caused Hwy 525 Christmas week crashes

NASWI NEWS Is your command due or overdue for an IDIPIC panel? (Usually done every 2 years.) Contact JoAnn at 672-8218 or email idipic AT idipic DOT org to find out. Panel details HERE

PANELS for January: none in Freeland and the 12^th in Oak Harbor. Starting this month Oak Harbor panels will be held the second Saturday of the month except for September and December. For future panel dates, check the schedule HERE. On occasion we get calls for other panels held in our state. Contact info HERE.

PARTNERS IN PREVENTION Welcome Back to Bay Printing, one of our longest Partners in Prevention. Your agency, business, church, organization or other group can be a Partner by donating services, items, time and/or funding. See IDIPIC’s many Partners in Prevention HERE.

SCHOOL REPORT OHHS Th!nk, Don’t Drink, Drug & Drive class was presented to Tom Coe’s class of 23 Munros’ Driving Instruction students on December 17. 

THANK YOU to our December panel speakers Terre Greenwood, Tim McManus, Ryan Samplawski, Tara Law and Jim Covert and our helpers Phyllis Rainey and Eph Robbins. If you’d like to be a panel speaker, details HERE.

THANK YOU 2 to Hope Drager, OHHS driver’s ed. student, who assisted IDIPIC at the Oak Harbor Fire Department safety fair December 29.

UPCOMING EVENTS IDIPIC will have a series of fundraisers and events during the “100 Deadly Days of Summer” Memorial Day Friday through Labor Day Monday. Watch this space for details and feel free to email or call JoAnn to get involved. Remember: we’re all on these roads together.

HOLIDAY SAFETY ARTICLE IN WNT 12-12-12
READ IN ITS ENTIRETY HERE:
Holiday DUI Article 2012

CH-CH-CH-CHANGES as David Bowie sings. As we say, starting in January Oak Harbor panels will be held the second Saturday of the month (except for September and December). Check the 2013 schedule HERE. AND THERE WILL BE NO PANEL IN FREELAND IN JANUARY. Qs? Call JoAnn at 672-8219.

DO YOU KNOW?

Alcohol, drugs common in fatal crashes

12 Hangover Myths

FAREWELL to Trooper Josh Lancaster who now patrols Skagit County. Josh spoke on several panels starting in 2007 using his own unique blend of serious and not-so-serious to reach folks. He also lent a hand during IDIPIC’s youth programs at island middle schools to lend that air of reality as well as allow students to see law enforcement in action when something GOOD is happening. Worked just as well when he assisted IDIPIC at the NAS Whidbey safety fair. We hope to have him back patrolling on our island one day.

NEWS LINKS

White House Proclamation — National Impaired Driving Prevention Month, 2012

Letter to drunk driver leaves jury in tears

Blood alcohol content 6 times legal limit on dangling pickup driver

Washington State Has Highest Seat Belt Use Rate in the Nation: 97.5%!

NASWI NEWS Psssssssst….if you haven’t gotten the word, IDIPIC provides DUI/Underage Drinking Prevention panels… just a phone call or email away. For current information on this potentially lifesaving training check HERE. If you’re looking for a speaker for your safety stand down, DON’T CALL MADD as there is NO MADD CHAPTER on Whidbey. IF you call the state office, they call us. On November 21, IDIPIC panelist Francis “Bags” Bagarella spoke at VAQ-131’s SSD. Their DAPA emailed me: “It went great! We enjoyed having Master Chief speak at our SSD, and even though it was a tragic story, people were anxious to hear what had happened.”

Wing TEN LOA

PANELS for December: the 1^st in Freeland and the 10^th in Oak Harbor. There will be a change in Oak Harbor panel dates starting in January. For future panel dates, check the schedule HERE. On occasion we get calls for other panels held in our state. Contact info HERE

PARTNERS IN PREVENTION Welcome Back to Gold Partners in Prevention Walmart Foundation for its funding and WhidbeyLocal for their great IDIPIC banners and ads. To learn more about how your agency, business, organization or other group can be a Partner, check out this page HERE.

SCHOOL REPORT OHHS: Our Th!nk, Don’t Drink, Drug & Drive class was presented to Tom Coe’s class of 27 Munros’ Driving Instruction students on November 19.

THANK YOU to our November speakers Jean Gervais, Brian Grimm, Carol Seth, Dorothy Fodor and Francis “Bags” Bagarella who spoke at VAQ-131’s Safety Stand Down and our helpers Phyllis Rainey and Debra Kulz. If you’d like to be a panel speaker, details HERE.

UPCOMING EVENTS

PR O C L A M A T I O N  IN  RECOGNITION  OF
NATIONAL IMPAIRED DRIVING PREVENTION MONTH
December 2012

CITY OF OAK HARBOR
(To be proclaimed December 4th at City Council meeting)

WHEREAS, driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs needlessly threatens our families, friends, co-workers and neighbors; and

WHEREAS, all drivers risk impairment when consuming alcohol or other impairing drugs–whether legal, over the counter and prescription medications or illegal substances; and

WHEREAS, throughout December, we ask each citizen to make a conscious effort to ensure a safe and healthy holiday season for everyone by not driving impaired, by being a responsible party host, and by intervening when someone you know attempts to get behind the wheel after drinking or taking drugs; and

WHEREAS, the Impaired Driving Impact Panel of Island County, Oak Harbor Police Department, Oak Harbor Fire Department, Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Whidbey General Hospital Emergency Medical Services and Oak Harbor High School’s Students Against Destructive Decisions join forces this year to remind citizens that impaired driving crashes are 100% preventable if we all do our part to prevent them.

NOW, THEREFORE, WE, Scott Dudley, Mayor and Councilmembers of the City of Oak Harbor, designate December 2012 as National Impaired Driving Prevention Month to help make our roads safer for all.

ISLAND COUNTY
(Proclaimed November 19th)

WHEREAS, driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs needlessly threatens our families, friends, co-workers and neighbors; and

WHEREAS, all drivers risk impairment when consuming alcohol or other impairing drugs–whether legal, over the counter and prescription medications or illegal substances; and

WHEREAS, throughout December, we ask each citizen of Island County to make a conscious effort to ensure a safe and healthy holiday season for everyone by not driving impaired, by being a responsible party host, and by intervening when someone you know attempts to get behind the wheel after drinking or taking drugs; and

WHEREAS, the Impaired Driving Impact Panel of Island County, Island County Sheriff’s Office and Whidbey General Hospital Emergency Medical Services join forces this year to remind citizens that impaired driving crashes are 100% preventable if we all do our part to prevent them.

NOW, THEREFORE, WE, Angie Homola, Helen Price-Johnson and Kelly Emerson, Island County Commissioners, do hereby designate December 2012 as National Impaired Driving Prevention Month to help make our roads safer for all.

UNITED STATES
(Proclaimed November 30th)
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

As Americans gather with friends and family to share in the holiday season, National Impaired Driving Prevention Month reminds us of the importance of celebrating safely. Every year, accidents involving drunk, drugged, or distracted driving claim thousands of lives, leaving families to face the heartbreak of losing a loved one. We stand with all those who have known the tragic consequences of drugged or drunk driving, and we rededicate ourselves to preventing it this December and throughout the year.

Alcohol and drugs present serious risks to all drivers. It is well known that drugs, including some prescription medications, can impair the skills necessary for safe and responsible driving. Distractions like using mobile phones and other electronics behind the wheel also make our roads more hazardous. To reduce the prevalence of impaired driving, my Administration is working to raise public awareness, improve impaired driving screening procedures, and ensure law enforcement officers get the training they need. We are also striving to stop substance abuse before it starts by supporting local prevention programs and providing youth with the facts about alcohol and drug use.

Families 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. Educators, health care providers, and community leaders can join in that important work by promoting responsible decision-making and encouraging young people to live free of drugs and alcohol.

This month, we recommit to keeping our streets safe, our families healthy, and our communities strong. To learn more about impaired driving and how all of us can work to prevent it, visit www.WhiteHouse.gov/ONDCP and www.NHTSA.gov/Impaired.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim December 2012 as National Impaired Driving Prevention Month. I urge all Americans to make responsible decisions and take appropriate measures to prevent impaired driving.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirtieth day of November, in the year of our Lord two thousand twelve, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-seventh.

BARACK OBAMA

COMBINED FEDERAL CAMPAIGN CFC funding provides for IDIPIC’s prevention work with youth on alcohol, OTC, prescription, other drug abuse  via its school and community programs. To those who pledged funds for IDIPIC’s work for “safer kids, safer roads” THANK YOU!

DO YOU KNOW About the Medicine Abuse Project?

FAREWELL to LT Harry Uncapher of the Island County Sheriff’s Office who is retiring soon. Harry spoke on over a dozen panels over three years about a personal loss from DUI that elicited strong touching feedback. There’s no doubt there are people who may well be alive today because of his message. Harry also helped IDIPIC at Langley’s Children’s Day and Red Ribbon Week activities. The first day of November a parent called to check on Saturday’s panel in Freeland and asked if Harry would be there. So Harry: you are remembered and you will be missed.

NEWS LINKS Lynnwood teen dies of alcohol poisoning

VIDEO: Underage Drinking Could Cost Parents: Mercer Island may have the first ordinance in the state to combat underage drinking by fining parents

NASWI NEWS Kudos to Wing10 for completing two panels in mid-October reaching over 1,200 personnel. On October 19 VAQ-134’s Garudas also experienced an IDIPIC panel. For current information on this potentially lifesaving training check HERE. The DUI wrecked car that was near the Charles Porter gate is now at the Langley gate, which will get 24/7 visibility. Great way to catch the eye and mind especially with the holidays looming and hopefully help people to THINK, DON’T DRINK if they plan to drive.

PANELS for November: the 3^rd in Freeland and the 10^th in Oak Harbor. For future panel dates, check the schedule HERE.

PARTNERS IN PREVENTION Welcome Back to the Langley Police Department with Chief Heston’s recent help at Langley Middle School. To learn more about how your agency, business, organization or other group can be a Partner, check out this page HERE.

SCHOOL REPORT – Busy month!!!

* Coupeville HS: Th!nk, Don’t Drink, Drug & Drive class was presented to Ryan Grenz’ class of 13 Munros’ Driving Instruction students on October 15. 

* North Whidbey MS: Th!nk, Don’t Drink or Drug was presented to all 6 of Mikki Boyer’s classes of 122 health students on October 26.

* Coupeville MS: We were excited to bring Th!nk, Don’t Drink or Drug to all 5 of Terry Welch’s 123 health students. Kudos to IDIPIC Youth Liaison Officer Briess Potter and CMS Ass’t Principal for Lori Stolee for helping to make that happen.

* Langley MS: We’ll be presenting to Erik Jokinen’s health students in the spring when they cover substance abuse. Meanwhile, IDIPIC was invited to do a display table with handouts. Langley Police Chief Randy Heston was on hand October 30 to help administer the walk-the-line with the Fatal Vision goggles. Over 100 students participated during the safety event as part of Red Ribbon Week and took home safety message bookmarks, stickers, tattoos and wristbands.

THANK YOU to our October speakers Kate Rogers, Trooper Dave Martin, Lori Spear, Pat Kelley, Dr. Robert Bishop, Jim Covert and Francis Bagarella AND our helpers Phyllis Rainey and Ephraim Robbins. If you’d like to be a panel speaker, details HERE.

THANK YOU2 to Gino Wolfe, Debra Kulz, Briess Potter and Steven Johnson who manned our display table Oct. 27 at WalMart for Be Safe Be Seen on Halloween. We handed out over 100 reflective treat-or-treat bags among other goodies to local area youth and quite a few glow-in-the-dark designated driver key fobs. Thank you to Partner in Prevention Oak Harbor WalMart for the candy and for teaming up with IDIPIC for this for 12 years!

THANK YOU3 to those of you who have donated to IDIPIC through either United Way, the Combined Federal Campaign, at panel or with support from your business, organization or church as a Partner in Prevention. And to the many volunteers who speak on panel or help in ways like these we give:

Campaign ends 9 November 2012
IDIPIC CFC# 98068

DO YOU KNOW?

Your medicine cabinet?

A parent with a teen?

NEWS LINKS

The latest DUI news across the country

Alcohol suspected in death of Bellingham middle school teen

NASWI NEWS While IDIPIC panels are not a requirement for commands, they are strongly endorsed by NAS Whidbey. There MAY be one in the next week or so — check back here or call later this week to be sure. Currently eight of these potentially lifesaving panels are available to reserve by commands this fiscal year. Contact and general info on base panels HERE.

PANELS for October: the 6^th in Freeland and the 9^th in Oak Harbor. For future panel dates, check the schedule HERE.

PARTNERS IN PREVENTION Welcome Back to Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, one of our Platinum Partners in Prevention. NASWI makes it possible for IDIPIC to provide 8 panels per fiscal year on base. To learn more about how your agency, business, organization or other group can be a Partner, check out this page HERE.

SCHOOL REPORT IDIPIC’s Th!nk, Don’t Drink, Drug & Drive class was presented to 27 of Munros’ Driving Instruction students at OHHS last month.

IDIPIC’s Th!nk, Don’t Drink or Drug will be available to all local middle schools this fall. Red Ribbon Week Oct. 23-31 is a great time to schedule this engaging and informative class! Drug Czar Speaks About Red Ribbon Week HERE.

THANK YOU to our September speakers Terre Greenwood, Officer Mark Brinkman, Jim Covert and AE1 Jason Schofield AND our helper Phyllis Rainey and Cheryl Spiker. If you’d like to be a panel speaker, details HERE.

THANK YOU 2 to Phyllis Rainey for helping to man our display table with JoAnn during Children’s Day Sep. 22 at Langley’s South Whidbey Community Park. Over 250 children and parents stopped by our table to play our unique trivia game. : )

THANK YOU 3 to an educator in Illinois who wrote us in part: “I just wanted to send you a quick email to say thank you for your webpage. My name is Beth, and I  volunteer with a youth group where we host activities for middle school aged children. Next weekend, we are having an alcohol and drug awareness event for National Recovery Month. Your page had some great resources that we will be able to share with the kids. Just wanted to say thanks for all the help! ” Our pleasure Beth!

UPCOMING EVENTS Platinum Partner in Prevention Oak Harbor Wal-Mart and IDIPIC team up for Be Safe Be Seen on Halloween for the 12^th straight year. We’ll have a display with reflective trick-or-treat bags, costume and bike stickers plus lots of candy and other goodies at Wal-Mart, Saturday Oct. 27 from noon to 6 p.m. which is also Make A Difference Day. Come by and see us!

DO YOU KNOW?  

The facts about DUI ? Take the quiz

NEWS LINKS

Synthetic marijuana sending more teens to hospital, study finds

DEA cracks down on sellers of bath salts, designer drugs

NASWI NEWS Next panel reserved for 8 August, seating 1345, Skywarrior Theater. Two more of these potentially lifesaving panels are available to reserve this fiscal year. Contact and general info on base panels HERE.

PANELS for August: the 4^th in Freeland and the 11^h in Oak Harbor. For future panel dates, check the schedule HERE.

PARTNERS IN PREVENTION A Partner in Prevention is any agency, business, organization or other group or individual providing services, items, time or funding. IDIPIC is fortunate to have so many, over fifty! See all our Partners HERE.

SCHOOL REPORT IDIPIC’s Th!nk, Don’t Drink, Drug & Drive class was presented to 36 of instructor Don Zisette’s driver’s ed. students at SWHS and 24 of Tom Coe’s students at OHHS in July. That’s another 60 new drivers of over 400 driver’s ed. students that IDIPIC reaches each year about the dangers of DUI and underage drinking/other substance use.

THANK YOU to our July speakers Caryn Knight of Visser Funeral Home in Langley, WSP Trooper Dave Martin, OHPD Officer Mel Lolmaugh and Sharon Knight AND our helpers Phyllis Rainey and Sabrina Underwood. If you’d like to be a panel speaker, details HERE. Or please consider volunteering in these other ways.

UPCOMING EVENTS National Night Out, America’s Night Out Against Crime, returns to Windjammer Park August 7^th from 3-8 p.m. Stop by IDIPIC’s booth for some fun and freebies!

CELEBRATION TIME, COME ON!

Oh what a night!!! The good times were non-stop at IDIPIC’s “Comedy, Canapés, Magic & More!”  June 30th at The Whidbey Playhouse which raised nearly $10,000 for our DUI / Underage Drinking prevention work with Island Thrift’s match. Magic man “JR” Russell got the fun ball rolling, then the Whidbey Improv Team kept it going. Thanks to our sponsors and silent auction donators noted below, helpers Scott, Martha and Briess, other supporters and audience: you all made it happen for “safer kids, safer roads.” APPLAUSE!!!

DID YOU KNOW?

IDPIC is on Facebook. Give us a visit there, and if you haven’t  yet, please LIKE US!

NEWS LINKS

Bath salts linked to bizarre Camano Island crime

Anna’s Lessons about Teen Drinking and Driving (Forwarded from WSLCB)

NOTES

So let me introduce to you, IDIPIC’s newest Board of Directors as of July 1: 

Cecilia Welch/President/3^rd term, with IDIPIC since it 2000, attorney with NAS Legal,

Mike Diamanti/V.P-Funding Chair/1^st term, IDIPIC speaker since 2003, former director of Central Whidbey Youth Coalition,

Mary Durkee/Treasurer/2 term, IDIPIC helper since 2005 (and previous treasurer), retired OHHS bookkeeper,

AE1 Jason Schofield/Secretary/1^st term, panel speaker since 2004, with VAQ-130,

CMDCM Gino Wolfe/NAS Liaison Officer/1^st term, NASWI Command Master Chief,

Briess Potter/Youth Liasion Officer/ 1^st term/ Coupeville HS Junior

NASWI NEWS

Kudos to CNATTU for completing IDIPIC’s DUI/Underage Drinking prevention 29 June
along with personnel from NOPF and VAQ-134 bringing total attendance to over 400 personnel. Dr. Robert Bishop, Island County coroner, introduced something new that
really gave everyone the “YOU ARE HERE” experience: video from a 2010 North Whidbey DUI crash. Next panel reserved for 8 August. Seating 1345. General info on base panels HERE. It takes a small village to make a base panel happen: so a shout to our ‘behind the scene’ helpers who assist: MAC Eric Wynn of Security, AC1 Thomas O’Brien who ensures we have sight and sound  and Liz Vaughan who handles the ‘little lights’ (dimmers). And while we’re here: thx to VAQ-136’s Safety Officer for requesting addition to our distribution list so we can keep the Gauntlets In The Loop.

PANELS for July are the 7^th in Freeland and the 10^h in Oak Harbor. For future panel dates, check the schedule HERE. Panels are open to the public and free unless court- or attorney-ordered.

PARTNERS IN PREVENTION Plenty of applause please to all our Partners in Prevention who supported IDIPIC’s fundraiser “Comedy, Canapés, Magic & More!” Farmers Insurance / Richard Voit Agency: take an extra bow for getting a match from the main office. Golden!

Farmers Insurance/Richard Voit Agency
Harada Physical Therapy
HomePlace Special Care Center
Munros’ Driving Instruction
Martin’s Auto Electric
Oak Harbor Les Schwab Tire Center
Pioneer Automotive Services
State Farm/Karmin Landry Agency
Tradewinds Insurance
“JR” Russell
Whidbey Local
Whidbey Marketplace & News
Arby’s
Domino’s Pizza
Taco Bell
Whidbey Island Kettle Corn
Island Thrift  

See all our Partners HERE.

And our many Silent Auction Donators:

Anacortes: Swinomish Northern Lights Casino

Coupeville: Christopher’s, Ciao!, Knead & Feed, Linds Pharmacy, Spinnaker Tea B & B

Ferndale: Silver Reef Casino

Friday Harbor: San Juan Excursions

Greenbank: Greenbank Cellars

Oak Harbor: Andrew J. Wyamn, D.D.S, BBQ Joint, Bayshore Chiropractic, Casual House, El Cazador, Forever Pretty, Fraser’s Hideaway, Home Place Special Care Center, Indulge Salon, Jumbo Buffet, La Lonnie’s Notions, Lotus Tea Bar & Studio, Overall Home Repair, Rhonda Ince LMP, San Remo, Sweet Rice, Thrive, Whidbey Playhouse, Whidbey Coffee, Wind & Tide, Zorba’s

Seattle: Children’s Museum, Museum of Glass, Underground Tour, Woodland Park Zoo

SCHOOL REPORT Over 100 of Mikki Boyer’s 6^th-7^th -8^th grade health class students at North Whidbey Middle School experienced Th!nk Don’t Drink or Drug on June 5. That completes all 24 of NWMS health classes. : ) The day before at Coupeville High School 31 of Ryan Grenz’s driver’s ed. students completed a Th!nk, Don’t Drink, Drug & Drive class. The school year wrapped up with two PICKLES classes: one at Hillcrest Elementary for Donna Smith’s 26 students and the other at Oak Harbor Elementary for Peter Woodards’s 27 students. But school is not out for IDIPIC as driver’s ed. classes continue through the summer.

THANK YOU to our June speakers Tim McManus, Ryan Samplawski, Sharon & Bruce Knight whose son Robert was lost in the tragic 11-11-11 Clinton DUI crash, Robert May of Whidbey General Hospital Emergency Medical Services, Scott Scrimshaw, Dr. Robert Bishop, and Karen Lewis AND our helpers Phyllis Rainey and John Hellmann. If you’d like to be a panel speaker, details HERE. Or please consider volunteering in these other ways.

UPCOMING EVENTS

National Night Out, America’s Night Out Against Crime, returns to Windjammer Park August 7th.  Great family fun! IDIPIC will be there and volunteers needed to man our booth.