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!

• Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center: Find out more.

Donations should be made payable to: FOE Diabetes Research Center
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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)
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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