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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 7, 2011)
Page 8 The INDEPENDENT, December 7, 2011 Veterans can get help with issues of post traumatic stress disorder Veterans account for a trou- bling 20 percent of our nation’s suicides. This means that every day in the United States, an average of 18 veterans take their own lives – or about one every 80 minutes. Twenty-sev- en percent of Oregon’s sui- cides are veterans. From 2005 to 2010, active service mem- bers took their own lives at a rate of approximately one every 36 hours Post Traumatic Stress may occur in those who experience or witness intense violence, se- rious accidents, or life-threat- ening events. It can make peo- ple feel angry, hopeless, fear- ful, horrified, and over- whelmed. Post Traumatic Stress is treatable. Many veterans and active military balk at seeking help through traditional channels due to fear of negative career impact, the stigma of perceived weakness among their peers and frustration with red tape. Left untreated, the challenges can intensify as they feel more isolated. “Often it’s family and friends who see the conflict, but don’t know how to help. We encour- age them to call us day or night” said Josh Groesz, Iraq War veteran and Director of the Military Helpline. “This is a tan- gible way to truly thank people for their military service” The line is answered by a highly trained and dedicated team of volunteer crisis work- ers, many of whom have mili- tary backgrounds. All possess a strong understanding of the serious issues that can impact service members and their families, including the loss of a job, family strife, alcohol and drug abuse, home foreclosure, post-traumatic stress, suicidal thoughts and other medical and health care concerns. Service members, military veterans and their family mem- bers struggling with thoughts of suicide, feelings they don’t un- derstand, pain they can’t define and questions that need an- swers, receive immediate free, anonymous assistance from Oregon Partnership’s Military Helpline – (888) 457-4838, or they can chat securely online at www.MilitaryHelpline.org . Founded in 1993, Oregon Partnership is a 501(c)3 non- profit organization whose mis- sion is to end substance abuse and suicide. To learn more, vis- it www.orpartnership.org . Public urged to use antibiotics wisely As we enter cold and flu season, it’s important to be aware of the correct use of an- tibiotics, caution public health experts. “If you have a cold or the flu, antibiotics won’t work for you,” said Ann Thomas, M.D., of the Oregon Health Authority’s Pub- lic Health Division. This is the simple message being passed from nursing, pharmacy and physician assis- tant students and to children in 21 Oregon school districts. The campaign is part of an innovative collaboration among six Oregon health professional schools and the Oregon Al- liance Working for Antibiotic Resistance Education (AWARE). Thomas is medical director for AWARE, a statewide coalition promoting the appropriate use of antibi- otics. So what’s the problem with taking antibiotics when they’re not needed? According to Thomas, a few facts sum up the reasons to worry about overuse of antibiotics: • It’s estimated that more than half of antibiotics pre- scribed for respiratory illnesses like coughs and colds are un- necessary. AIUSA likes the Governor’s stand on death penalty In response to Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber’s announce- ment to halt executions in the state during his administration, Amnesty International USA (AIUSA) Death Penalty Aboli- tion Campaigner Brian Evans issued the following comment: “Amnesty International wel- comes Gov. Kitzhaber’s rejec- tion of the death penalty. He has courageously joined the Mariolino’s Come in from the Cold growing chorus of responsible elected officials who have real- ized that the death penalty can- not be fixed, and that there are better ways to protect public safety and honor victims’ fami- lies.” AIUSA activists worked to repeal the death penalty in New Jersey, New Mexico and Illinois, in addition to Oregon. For more information, visit www.amnestyusa.org/abolish . Join us for Hot Homestyle Soup 721 Madison Ave.,Vernonia • 503-429-5018 State Farm Providing Insurance and Financial Services Home Office, Bloomington, Illinois 61710 ® Bunny Girt, Agent 1229 N. Adair PO Box 543 Cornelius, OR 97113-0543 Bus 503-357-3131 Fax 503-357-9667 bunny.girt.b71g@statefarm.com 503-901-1705 • Taking antibiotics when you don’t need them, or not as prescribed, increases your risk of getting an infection later that resists effective antibiotic treat- ment. • Side effects to antibiotics are another drawback; allergic reactions to antibiotics, such as rash and anaphylaxis, send thousands of patients to the emergency room yearly. By teaching students who are just starting their health care careers about appropriate antibiotic use – students who then pass this knowledge on to school children using games and activities designed for chil- dren in kindergarten through sixth grades – AWARE is train- ing both health care providers and consumers about the haz- ards of inappropriate use. For consumers who are con- cerned about preventing the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and want to avoid health risks from the improper use of antibiotics, Oregon AWARE has three key mes- sages: • Don’t pressure your clini- cian to prescribe antibiotics for viral infections such as colds or flu. • If antibiotics are pre- scribed, take every dose – even if your symptoms im- prove. Not finishing the treat- ment contributes to the devel- opment of resistant bacteria. • Never share antibiotics. Taking a prescription that isn’t yours or using leftover antibi- otics to try and treat an illness can cause adverse reactions. The AWARE partnership in- cludes physicians, health care providers, public health agen- cies, and representatives from higher education and commu- nity organizations. Founded in 2001 out of concern for the growing problem of antibiotic resistance, Oregon AWARE is one of 10 state and local pro- grams coordinated through the U.S. Centers for Disease Con- trol and Prevention’s “Get Smart: Know When Antibiotics Work” campaign. To find out what you can do to help promote the safe use of antibiotics and to learn more about Oregon AWARE, go to healthoregon.org/antibiotics or call 971-673-1100. Columbia County Mental Health 800-294-5211 ----------------- Suicide Hotline 1-800- 784-2433 or 1-800-273- TALK(8255) Domestic Abuse Hotline 503-397-6161 or 866-397-6161 ----------------- Military Helpline 888-HLP-4-VET (888-457-4838)