Klarides-Ditria proposes 'medical amnesty' legislation for minors

HARTFORD - In an effort to prevent injury and save lives by encouraging minors to seek medical assistance for alcohol poisoning, state Rep.  Nicole Klarides-Ditria, R-Seymour has introduced “medical amnesty” legislation.

The bill would eliminate the criminal penalty for a minor in possession of alcohol under certain circumstances.

Medical amnesty is similar to the Good Samaritan laws already in place across the country, including Connecticut. 

However, this legislation creates a specific limited exemption from prosecution for minors who report people in need of immediate medical attention.

“It’s important to make sure everyone gets the medical attention they need as quickly as possible, and this legislation prioritizes the safety of our residents by removing the fear of being fined for doing the right thing and seeking help,” Klarides-Ditria said. “Eliminating a minor criminal penalty if specific criteria are met, including being the first to call for help and cooperating with authorities, sends a message to our youth that their health is our top priority, not punishment.” 

HB 5023 - An Act Concerning Immunity from Arrest for Possession of Alcohol by a Minor When a Person Under Twenty-One Years of Age Seeks Assistance for Possible Alcohol Poisoning - would provide immunity from arrest for possession of alcohol by a minor when a person under 21 years of age seeks medical assistance for possible alcohol poisoning, provided such person is the first to call for assistance, remains at the scene of the incident, and cooperates with law enforcement and medical personnel.

Connecticut is one of a handful of states without some form of medical amnesty policy. The Medical Amnesty Initiative reports that “a Cornell University study concluded that while 19 percent of college students reported that help probably should have been called for a highly intoxicated individual they were with, only 4 percent actually made the call.”

“As parents we tell our children that it’s best to tell the truth and ask for help, and this change underscores the state’s commitment to keeping our children safe,” Klarides-Ditria said. 

The bill has been referred to the Public Health Committee and awaits action.

This is a press release from Klarides-Ditria's office. 

Adam's House in Shelton seeks volunteers to support kids grieving loss

January 2021

"Helping Hearts Heal" Winter Program Has Spots Available

Do you know a child who is struggling with the death of an important person in their life? Consider our 8-week "Helping Hearts Heal" program where a child's grief can be heard. Let Adam's House support these grieving children so they may regain strength, resiliency and most of all, hope! Our program is free to all CT families and our next group begins March 3rd. Contact Us Today

Fall 2020 "Middles" Group

Contact Us

Winter FIG Training is next week

Cindy Dunlop describes the vital role of a FIG YES! I want to be a FIG! A FIG (Friend in Grief) is a special volunteer that works with kids during our evening program nights. After the 12 hour training, we hope you can commit to an 8-week session. Your training is valid for up to two years.   Register Today! ​ ​Training Dates: Thursday Jan 28th: 5-8pm Friday, Jan 29th: 5-8pm Saturday Jan 30th: 9am- 3pm

Derby Public Library to hold workshop on Social Security via Zoom

DERBY - Derby Public Library will hold a virtual webinar about Social Security from 6-7:30 p.m. Feb. 17.

Almost 74 percent of Americans voluntarily received reduced retirement income benefits because they don’t know all the facts (Source: SSA Annual Statistical Supplement, 2011).

In this workshop Rebecca Miller, Financial Awareness Foundation, will cover when to apply for benefits, how to avoid reductions, and increase benefits and how to coordinate benefits with your spouse. 

You will learn special rules for divorced spouses and survivor benefits.

Register here https://bit.ly/2Y0ka1l with your Library card number by 4:30 p.m. Feb. 17 to receive the Zoom link and password.

This is shared from the Derby Public Library Facebook page.

Recuperation journey: Looking at the sky

This cloud looked like an avalanche first thing this morning. Haha!

Derby Little League holding online registration

 

Naugatuck Valley Health District urges homeowners to test for radon gas

Shared from the Naugatuck Valley Health District Facebook page:

The month of January has been designated as Radon Action Month in Connecticut.

The Connecticut Department of Public Health, the American Lung Association of Connecticut, and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency urge you to test your home for radon, and, if necessary, mitigate high levels, when found.

Radon is a naturally occurring colorless and odorless radioactive gas.

Radon enters the home through small cracks and holes in the basement. At levels above 4 picocuries per liter it can increase one’s risk of getting lung cancer.

Public health officials have found that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S., behind cigarette smoking and the leading cause among non-smokers.

If you smoke cigarettes and have radon in your home, then your risk of getting lung cancer is even greater.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention an estimated 15,000-30,000 U.S. citizens die from radon-induced lung cancer each year.

“We live in an area of the country where elevated radon levels in homes are quite common,” says Jessica Kristy, Director of Health. “Most of Connecticut is located in a zone where there is a high to moderate potential for having a radon issue in the air or water in one’s home. Yet, very few people are testing for radon. Now is a good time of year to test.”

The only way to find out if your home has radon is to test for it. The heating season is the best time to test for radon because your home is closed up, and radon levels tend to build up indoors. The Department of Public Health, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the American Lung Association of Connecticut are partnering to promote radon testing and mitigation during Radon Action Month.

Call the Naugatuck Valley Health District to receive a free home test kit at 203-881-3255 ext. 108.

Supplies are limited so call today! You can also purchase a test kit by calling the American Lung Association of Connecticut directly at 1-800-LUNG USA or by going online at www.alact.org.

For additional information on radon, contact your local health department at 203-881-3255 or the Connecticut Department of Public Health Radon Program at 860-509-7367 or visit the CT DPH website at https://portal.ct.gov/.../Environment.../Radon/Radon-Program.

Derby Neck Library to restart curbside service Saturday, reopen to public Feb. 2

*Note: I neglected to put a headline on this post Wednesday. My apologies for any confusion.

Derby Neck Library

Good afternoon,

I wanted to post an update about our closing yesterday after we received notice of a possible [COVID-19] exposure at the library.

After speaking with the Naugatuck Valley Health District and after the precautions we took, it was concluded that we went above and beyond what was necessary and that no contact tracing was warranted, nor any further action required.

Although shutting down was not necessary by CDC standards, what we did was out of an abundance of caution and applauded. We did this to keep our staff and our community safe.

Ever since the pandemic began, we have worked hard on developing and implementing protocols to help ensure just that. As such, we have been given clearance to reopen at our discretion.

Our plan moving forward is to restart our curbside pickup service beginning this Saturday, January 23 at 1 p.m.

On February 2, we will begin allowing the public back into the building for browsing and computer use starting at noon. During this downtime, we will continue our deep clean of the facility.

We appreciate your understanding and apologize for any inconvenience caused. We look forward to serving you again very soon.

Be safe and be well,

Ian Parsells

Head Librarian

Derby Neck Library

This is shared from the Library's Facebook page.