According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, use of illicit drugs in the United States has been increasing. In their Nationwide Trends report (updated January, 2014), in 2012 an estimated 23.9 million Americans aged 12 or older, approximately 9% of the population, had used an illicit drug or abused a psychotherapeutic medication in the past month.
It’s frustrating to know that someone would abuse a program designed to help children and families in need and let people get back on their feet. That’s why reports that some people are using their taxpayer-paid welfare benefits to pay for tobacco, alcohol, even trips to nightclubs, really touch a nerve.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the first Surgeon General’s report on Smoking and Health. That report was the first federal government report linking smoking to ill health, including lung cancer and heart disease. Fifty years ago, about 42% of adults smoked. Today’s rate is 18%. The lower smoking rate has saved numerous lives. Our state rate, 17%. Unfortunately, our regional smoking rate is estimated to be even higher.
Remington Arms announced last week that it will open a large manufacturing plant in Alabama. While I don’t begrudge another state from securing these high-paying manufacturing jobs, I do begrudge our own leaders for forcing the “SAFE Act” upon its people and hindering economic development right here in New York. Its passage has undoubtedly affected Remington Arms, located in Illion, NY, for more than a century, from expanding in its home state.
From sowing crops by hand and working the land with simple wooden plows to employing new and advanced technologies to grow better and more crops, agriculture has come a long way since it first took root in the United States. Illustrating these changes is the newly-released USDA 2012 “Census of Agriculture.”
As a mother and a grandmother, I know there’s nothing better than a newborn baby. I also know that along with the excitement, comes the feeling of wanting to make sure your little one is as healthy as he or she can be.
The Board of Regents’ decision last week to delay full implementation of the graduation requirements was welcome news but still doesn’t go far enough. Few take issue with the idea that we should raise learning standards in our schools and the idea of the Common Core is to do just that. The problem in New York and elsewhere has been with the implementation of this curriculum.
Here in Upstate New York, we know what it means to be part of a “close knit” community. It means collaborating to better our region. It means sharing in experiences that bring us closer together. And above all else, it means working alongside one another to help those in need.
The Governor’s 2014-15 proposed budget contains, among other things, details relating to his funding and programmatic requests in regards to environmental conservation.As with much of his proposed budget, there are some good ideas and some not so great ideas in regards to environmental conservation.
If you’re someone who enjoys outdoor activities, there’s no better place to be than in Upstate New York. From snowmobiling and skiing in the winter, to fishing and boating in the summer, there are so many opportunities for sportsmen to enjoy all that our region has to offer. If you’re an outdoor enthusiast, you’ll want to take note of important sporting license changes that went into effect on February 1.
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