NAACP

Disclaimer: The NAACP of Otero County in no way endorses the Democratic Party or the Progressive Party of Otero County, New Mexico.

The following are my notes from the Forum on Substance Abuse held by the Otero County Chapter of PDA June 25th – Ken Nicholson

The Otero County chapter of Progressive Democrats of America hosted a panel discussion on the substance abuse situation in the county. Panel members Dr. Gil Heredia, physician and chair of the Otero Libertarian Party, Sharon Hodges of the New Mexico Department of Health, and Ken Larson, Certified Peer Specialist and Recovery Mentor presented a comprehensive survey of the drug problems we are facing in Otero County to an interested audience of local activists. Al Kissling of PDA NM was the moderator.

Dr. Heredia said that the so called “War on Drugs” was having a more devastating effect on our community than the actual use of drugs. He cited the emphasis of the drug war being on law enforcement and leading to incarceration rather than treatment and rehabilitation. When those caught in the system have finished their time, they are released back into the community, still addicted, without the root of their situation being addressed. Heredia noted the high cost of incarceration versus treatment. Also, drug crimes are crimes against oneself and not directly against the community. He said that if drugs were legal, market forces would pressure dealer profits, and the supply of drugs would dwindle. One community activist added that the prison industry has lobbied for mandatory minimum sentences to the benefit of the private prison industry while removing judges’ discretion. (more…)

NAACP pushes for Commission on Health Equality
By: Adam Wittenberg

HARTFORD - Black children are nearly three times more likely to die as infants than whites in Connecticut according to a recent report, and health and wellness disparities between the races continue into later years.The state NAACP, which authored the study, gathered with religious leaders and lawmakers at the state Capitol Wednesday to advocate for health care reforms.

“How can the richest state in the U.S. be in the top 10″ in health care “for the majority population and be 26th in infant mortality for African American children?” asked James Rawlings, chairman of the NAACP’s health committee and executive director of community health at Yale-New Haven Hospital.

The health care system is broken, not only in terms of access but in the way minorities are treated when they seek care, said the Rev. Shelley D.B. Copeland, executive director of the Capital Region Conference of Churches.
©www.MyRecordJournal.com 2008

Thanks to Joel Hamilton for submitting this article.

Your sharing, remembrance, and application of the following information can save a life.

STROKE: Remember The 1st Three Letters…. S.T.R.

STROKE IDENTIFICATION:

During a BBQ, a friend stumbled and took a little fall - she assured everyone that she was fine (they offered to call paramedics)….she said she had just tripped over a brick because of her new shoes.

They got her cleaned up and got her a new plate of food. While she appeared a bit shaken up, Ingrid went about enjoying herself the rest of the evening.
(more…)

Posted by Diana Hamilton

November 6, 2007

Arlington, VA- The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) has established an online Veterans Resource Center to help support active duty military personnel, veterans and their families facing serious mental illnesses such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and schizophrenia.

“We are a nation at war,” said NAMI executive director Michael J. Fitzpatrick. “The war includes mental illness. Many veterans who return from active duty face a second war at home, confronting profound mental health problems. Their families also are affected.” (more…)