organizing SHARPS disposal

How Might Kansas Ensure Safe Syringe Disposal by Individuals in the Community?

 

The state legislature and individual communities may wish to more actively encourage individuals to safely dispose of used syringes and make it easier for them to do so. Many options for state and local action exist. They range from gathering data, to developing community collection site programs and education efforts, to creating partnerships with interested groups, to considering amending laws and regulations. All will help Kansas move toward the goal of "no syringes discarded in the trash or public locations."

 

http://www.cdc.gov/needledisposal/ks/index.htm#disposal_options

Fwd: odd question

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: <askada@diabetes.org>
Date: Thu, May 10, 2012 at 12:49 PM
Subject: RE: odd question
To:


Dear Mike,

Thank you for contacting the American Diabetes Association. We received your e-mail regarding traveling with diabetes supplies.

We are aware of people with diabetes having concerns with the screening process prior to flying, not specifically being accused of carrying drugs. The American Diabetes Association continues to advocate for the rights travelers with diabetes. We work with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to ensure that passengers with diabetes have access to their diabetes supplies and equipment, especially during those times when the nation s security threat level rises and screeners must react quickly to changes in security checkpoint screening protocol.

The Transportation Security Administration makes the following recommendations for airlines passengers with diabetes and additional  "Tips for Travelers" may be accessed from TSA's website: www.tsa.gov or call their hotline at 1-866-289-9673.

 Notify the security screener that you have diabetes and are carrying your supplies with you.

 Make sure a professionally printed pharmaceutical label identifying the medication (insulin) accompanies your insulin vials, insulin pens, jet injectors and insulin pump.  Since the prescription label is usually on the outside of the box containing the vial of insulin or pens, it is recommended that passengers refrain from discarding their insulin box and come prepared with their insulin in its original pharmaceutically labeled box.

 There is no limitation on the number of empty syringes that may be carried through the security checkpoint; however, insulin must be with you in order to carry syringes through the checkpoint.

 Lancets, blood glucose meters, blood glucose test strips can be carried through the security checkpoint.

 For passengers who test their blood glucose levels, boarding with lancets is acceptable as long as the lancets are capped, and the lancets are brought on board with a glucose meter that has the manufacturer's name embossed on the meter (i.e. One Touch meters may say "One Touch Ultra"). Meters should not be affected by security scanning devices.

You may also see:

http://www.diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/know-your-rights/discrimination/public-accommodations/air-travel-and-diabetes/

Other Tips:

Before you travel, you should:

- Have a medical exam to make sure your diabetes is in good control.
- Get a letter from you doctor saying that you have diabetes.
- Get a prescription from you doctor for insulin or oral diabetes pills.
- Get a list of ADA affiliates or chapters if you're traveling in the US.
- Contact the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) for list of foreign diabetes associations: www.idf.org
-Get a list of English-speaking physicians in other countries from the International Association for Medical Assistance to Travellers at www.iamat.org
- Get immunization shots-if you need them-at least one month before you leave.
- Carry a "Diabetes Alert Card".
- Wear a medical ID bracelet.

Do you have a question regarding diabetes, the Association or our publications? Our trained coordinators can answer your questions online just go to our website www.diabetes.org  click on a topic of interest and look for the chat button at the top of the page or you can call us at 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383).


Sincerely,



Jane Nyondo
Center for Information and Community Support
American Diabetes Association
1-800-342-2383

You can join the fight to Stop Diabetes by visiting stopdiabetes.com there you can  share your story, act by becoming an advocate or by getting involved through volunteering or participating in a local event, you can learn more about diabetes or you can help us stop diabetes by making a donation. Please join the movement and make a difference in the lives of people with diabetes.

-----Original Message-----

From:  
Sent:  5/10/2012 11:58:10 AM
To:  <AskADA@diabetes.org>
Subject:  odd question

Jane,   Given the number of other diabetics I know, I can attest that we have had some interesting conversations. Have you heard of any diabetic users of injections either being accused of carrying illegal drugs or have you heard of anyone having illegial drugs in their "insulin" bottles or pens? I know this is a strange subject but it is something I've wondered about since I started carrying my own medications through security. Oddly, I have never been asked about the number of pill bottles I lug around and my youngest brother said he'd never been asked about his syringes or drug bottles...     Mike

A1C

I went to the Diabetic Support meeting and was surprised with the offer of an A1C test. It was the same as the test in February: 6.3.

2012 Lions Strides Walk in dear old DDC

It is early May and I have done nothing to set up a Lions Strides Walk. I suppose I could get really busy and arrange one but I would have to do so without help from the Dodge City Lions Club. Without their help, this Strides Walk simply can not happen. Three years ago, I thought I had a Strides Walk wired and had two young Lions join my team. They joined my team simply to tell me that I wasn't ready for a Strides Walk and to forget it.

So, it is May and the Strides Walk isn't until October/November and it is already too late to try for one. Damn, but it hurts to  say that!

This is the "Top Ten Tips For Organizing A Strides Walk":

Here are the items:


1) Select your Organizing Committee: Since this is a Lions event, I would need Lions from my club. That would be difficult as the two members (who also shut be down) are the two young enough to be energetic. Still, I think I could get Lions to help. Perhaps I could get members of the Kiwanis and even the Knights of Columbus. I don't believe I could get out of town Lions to help. Maybe I could get the members of the ADA "Walk To STOP Diabetes" to help?

2) Hold your first meeting. Establish a regular schedule for STRIDES meetings. First, I must get a team together. I am beginning to have much more respect for "Community Organizers". 

3) Identify community contacts from among committee members. This can include
potential sponsors, media supporters, entertainers, poster distributors, and groups
of participants. I have some ideas for this but definitely need the help of fellow Lions and my wife's coworkers...

4) Set the event date and start time Some time in late October or early November

5) Establish a route The city owned gym/health centre (Sheridan Centre) has a nice track. We also have the high school football field, which has a track and and meeting room under the bleachers. There is a parking low between the Civic Center and the Guard Armoury; both facilities might be used if their management would give us access free. The Sheridan Centre would...

6) Seek official approval from town, parks, and other departments This could take some doing. Fortunately, my wife and I have known a member of the City Commissioner for years and the manager of the Sheridan Centre is very approachable. However, the City government is talking about giving the management of Sheridan Centre to the YMCA and there is no way of knowing if they would let us use "their" building for free. (They should as the city tax payers will still be paying for the upkeep of the Sheridan Centre!)

7) Organize local sponsor solicitation for giveaways, food and beverages Something that I need help with and something that killed my last attempt. 

8) Approach the media (radio, television, print) for publicity and possible sponsorship See the answer to question 7...

9) Inform and invite local health care professionals, officials and celebrities for support
and presence on event day We could try getting the help of several local MDs, including one who is well known publicly.  We do have a diabetes specialist at the local medical clinic but I get the feeling she is very much uninterested in doing something public.

10) Visit site and route to determine volunteer needs,  placement of equipment, and and
potential concerns   This is an end game event...


We would have to charge an entrance fee for two reasons:

1. People who have paid to participate in something generally take it a lot more seriously and
2. Why should Lions pay for STRIDES pins for possible no-shows?

I wonder if a STRIDES Walk could be combined with an ADA "Walk to STOP Diabetes" Walk? The nearest ADA office and thus, the nearest "Walk To STOP Diabetes" is about 160 miles away. I don't have a lot of hope for help from them. None the less, the Wichita Kansas Lions might be interested in getting involved?

CDC 2011 Diabetes Fact Sheet

Here is the 2011 diabetes fact sheet: http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/pubs/factsheet11.htm

A Bizarro cartoon and diabetes

Do you really wonder why we are a nation of fat fracks?

Do you really wonder why the number (in Kansas) of type two diabetes is growing?

We can take dubious pride in being the descendants of folks who could gained weight and survived famines. This is truly a dubious distinction! At least we can take dubious pride in knowing we're taking the rest of the "advanced" world down with us.  (Is this called leadership?)