Jean Kerr
Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center
2009-2010 International Grand Presidents, Jean Kerr and Mike Lagervall have chosen
the Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center as one of their Special Projects
for their year. Together they hope to further our efforts in meeting the $25 million
commitment we made in 2008 to the University of Iowa. They are asking for your support
and assistance in making this the most successful project ever!
Donations should be made payable to: FOE Diabetes Research Center
Mail to:
Charity Department
Grand Aerie
1623 Gateway Circle S.
Grove City, Ohio 43123
Drug and Alcohol Abuse Counseling
Jean Kerr’s second project this year is for Drug and Alcohol Abuse Counseling for
our youth. Jean’s love for children and work in the health profession has allowed
her to learn first hand how much our youth need guidance and counseling to get off
drugs. She will choose several centers and possibly D.A.R.E. programs in the United
States and Canada to donate the money raised. We are still working out the details
but Jean would appreciate your support in making this project a success.
Rates and patterns of drug use tend to vary by age. 4.1 percent of 12 year olds
surveyed in the NHSDA reported current (use within the past month) illicit drug
use. Among this age group, the primary illicit drugs of choice were inhalants and
psychotherapeutics (2.2 percent and 1.4 percent, respectively). Only 0.6 percent
of the 12 year olds used marijuana. However, by age 14, marijuana was the dominant
drug, with a prevalence of 5.9 percent. Overall, the rate of current illicit drug
use among 14 year olds was 9.2 percent.
Among youth 12 to 17 years of age, 10.9% had used an illicit drug within the 30
days prior to survey. Of this group, 7.7 percent had used marijuana, and 5.3 percent
had used some illicit drug other than marijuana. Nearly 15% of youth in this age
group report current cigarette smoking, compared to 40% of young adults aged 18-25
and 25% of adults 26 and older. More than 10 million youth under age 20, report
current alcohol use, with 68% of these individuals reporting binge drinking.
While many young people are using alcohol, tobacco, and other illicit substances,
some data show a decline in each of these areas for the first time in nearly a decade.
The annual PRIDE survey (National Parents' Resource Institute for Drug Education),
which is the nation's largest independent survey of adolescent drug use and violence,
found a 12.9% decrease in annual illicit drug use among students in grades 6-12
-- the strongest one year decline in overall drug use since 1990-1991. Alcohol use
fell by 6.3 percent to the lowest levels in 12 years and cigarette smoking fell
by 15.6% to the lowest levels in 8 years.
Youth in grades 6 to 8 reported the most significant reductions, whereas the smallest
changes in reported substance use were found at the 12th grade level. Among high
school seniors, one in four students report using illegal drugs on a monthly basis
and over 8% report daily use. Further, more than 24% of 12th graders report drinking
alcohol weekly and 23% smoke cigarettes daily.
The annual Monitoring the Future Study of 8th, 10th, and 12th graders found similar
declines in youth substance use, but also noted increases in the use of MDMA (ecstasy)
in each grade along with increases in the use of steroids among 10th graders.
It is so very important to educate our children about drugs and alcohol early. Prevention
is always better then intervention. However, for those that do need help, we will
join together to make sure that they receive the counseling and guidance they deserve.
We hope you will join us in this endeavor.
Donations should be made payable to: H.O.M.E. Fund (Earmarked - GMP’s Project)
Mail to:
Charity Department
Grand Aerie
1623 Gateway Circle S.
Grove City, Ohio 43123
Charity T-shirts
To purchase a T-shirt to benefit Grand Madam President, Jean Kerr's Special Projects,
please contact her Historians.
T-shirts are $12 each and available in sizes Small - 3X while supplies last.
Grand Auxiliary Historians
Maxine Crampton
1238 Iroquois Drive
Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan S6H 7J8
Canada
306.691.0341
Email: grm.grr@shaw.ca
Gladys Johnston
618 Duffield St W.
Moose Jam, SK S6H 5J3
Canada
306-693-1715
Email: sandgjohnston@shaw.ca