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Free News Updates From And About The International Chiropractors Association For You To Share With Your Colleagues And Your Patients
"E-FACTS" REPORT FROM THE ICA PRESIDENT, D.D. Humber, DC, FICA
January 17, 2003 / Vol. 54
THE NEXT EDITION OF THE CHIROPRACTIC CHOICE IS ON THE PRESS: The 5th edition of ICA's profession-wide newspaper The Chiropractic Choice is on the press and will soon be in the mail to 65,000 DCs and students worldwide. This printing brings the total number of copies produced to date over the third-of-a-million mark, a remarkable accomplishment for ICA and for the Publications Committee and staff. This fresh new voice for chiropractic and source for news is being very well received and is serving as an effective communications tool for ICA's positions, programs and activities. If you are not receiving your copy, contact ICA by e-mail at TheChiropracticChoice@chiropractic.org with your updated mailing information. Don't miss out on this great new communications service from ICA!
CCE REFERS CONTROVERSIAL INITIATIVES TO STUDY COMMITTEES: At their January 11, 2003 session, the governing body of the Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE) elected to defer action on controversial proposals to require institutions to include physiotherapy in the core curriculum of chiropractic programs and to substitute "primary care physician" for all chiropractic specific references in their standards, and refer the proposals to separate study committees. This followed an extensive public comment period that yielded over 1,000 letters of opposition to the proposals, in stark contrast to only 17 favoring the dramatic changes. The study committees will report at next year's annual CCE meeting. ICA issued a detailed position statement in opposition to both initiatives, out of concern for potential added political and legal liability, as well as professional definition and independence concerns. ICA's complete letter to the CCE is available by clicking here, and is also available via FAX by calling ICA at 1-800-423-4690.
CCE-COA RE-ACCREDITS LIFE CHIROPRACTIC COLLEGE WEST: Life Chiropractic College West's accreditation has been re-affirmed and extended for eight years by the CCE-COA. According to the official release from the school: "Life Chiropractic College West is pleased to announce the reaffirmation of its accreditation for a period of eight years by the Commission on Accreditation (COA) of the Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE). Life West President Dr. Gerard W. Clum related the decision of the COA from the site of the COA's hearing in Scottsdale, Arizona. The January 10, 2003 reaffirmation represented the last step in a two-year process that involved a detailed institutional self-study and an on-site four-day, six person accreditation review. As a result of the process, Life Chiropractic College West is accredited to award the Doctor of Chiropractic degree by the Commission on Accreditation of the Council on Chiropractic Education. The reaffirmation process was a routine re-evaluation conducted by the agency. Life West has held status with the CCE since 1987 and was last reaffirmed in 1995."
Congratulations to Dr. Clum and the Life West community on this important milestone. Life West is one of the nation's finest chiropractic educational institutions, housed on an extensive new campus in Hayward, California. See Life West's website at www.lifewest.edu for more details on the school or for student referral information.
ICA JOINS WITH SAMHSA AND FDA TO EDUCATE PUBLIC ON PRESCRIPTION DRUG DANGERS: The International Chiropractors Association has agreed to assist two key federal agencies in alerting the chiropractic profession and the public to a new campaign on the dangers of prescription drugs. Prompted by a massive federal study that reveals the extent of the dangers, this public education campaign uses stark graphics and emphatic warnings of the lethal risks of prescription drug misuse, and is aimed at young people ages 14 to 25. According to a news release dated January 16, 2003, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), in 2001 almost three million youth aged 12 to 17 had used prescription medications non-medically in their lifetimes. "The public needs to know that just because a medication is safe and even life-saving when used appropriately, it is not harmless if used inappropriately," said SAMHSA Administrator Charles Curie. "Abuse of prescription drugs can lead to addiction, misdiagnosis of serious illness, life threatening circumstances and even death."
"Young adults, even teens, are taking opioids, anti-depressants and stimulants for recreation," said H. Westley Clark, M.D., J.D., M.P.H., Director of SAMHSA's Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT). "They do not seem to realize that this misuse can lead to serious problems with addiction." John Jenkins, M.D., Director, FDA's Office of New Drugs, noted that for one class of prescription drugs, pain relievers, "when used correctly and under a doctor's supervision, the benefits of prescription pain relievers outweigh their risks. But abuse them, or mix them with illegal drugs or alcohol, and you can wind up dead. Even using them with other prescription drugs can lead, in some cases, to life-threatening problems," he said.
A new website is now available through which campaign materials can be accessed and ICA urges all in the chiropractic profession to make maximum use of these important public health resources in their practices and in their communities. These new materials are available at: http://www.rx.samhsa.gov. Materials now available in this campaign include two print public service announcements - The Buzz Takes Your Breath Away and It's to Die For and a consumer education brochure entitled The Buzz Takes Your Breath Away - Permanently. The educational materials are targeted to get the attention of 14 to 25 year-olds, but the materials are relevant for all consumers who use prescription pain relievers for non-medical purposes. ICA URGES ALL DCS TO ACCESS AND UTILIZE THESE POWERFUL NEW PUBLIC HEALTH RESOURCES.
SAMHSA's reports and other information are available on the web at www.samhsa.gov. FDA consumer information on the dangers of abusing prescription pain relievers is also available by calling 1-888-INFO-FDA. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, a public health agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is the lead federal agency for improving the quality and availability of substance abuse prevention, addiction treatment and mental health services in the United States.
ICA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE TO MEET IN WASHINGTON TO ADDRESS STRATEGIC PLANNING, PUBLIC POLICY ISSUES: ICA's five-person Executive Committee will meet at the Association's international headquarters in Arlington, Virginia, in the very shadow of the U.S. Capitol, on January 18-19th to address a wide range of developmental, legislative and strategic planning issues. ICA has a host of new opportunities and decisions regarding affinity programs, commercial partnerships and other developmental matters that require Executive Committee direction. As well, a full review of ICA's public policy operations, including activities at the state legislative, international and Congressional levels will be conducted. The Executive Committee will be issuing a report of its actions following this intensive session.
PRINCETON INSURANCE TO WITHDRAW FROM MALPRACTICE MARKET IN SEVERAL NORTHEASTERN STATES-ICA'S ChiroSecure STANDING BY TO SERVE DCs LEFT WITHOUT COVERAGE: Princeton has provided malpractice coverage for many chiropractors on the East Coast but has now indicated that they are withdrawing from the market in most remaining states. A.M. Best, the nation's primary insurance rating agency, has also downgraded the financial strength rating of Princeton Insurance Company to B+ (Very Good) from A- (Excellent) and placed it under review with negative implications. If you are in need of replacement coverage, ChiroSecure can help. They have seamlessly assisted many chiropractors in the transition to this proven, dependable program. ChiroSecure IS AT YOUR SERVICE: The International Chiropractors Association (ICA) is proud to recommend a program that meets the highest coverage standards and supports ICA's subluxation based philosophy. The ChiroSecure Professional Liability Insurance Program, is underwritten through ACE (Formerly CIGNA) Ratings A (Superior) - A.M. Best, A+ - Standard and Poors, and provides a superior malpractice insurance policy with many unique features and long-term solid protection. Their philosophy of combining discerning underwriting practices, competitive premiums and aggressive claim management is designed to protect you and your future. Dr. Stuart Hoffman, President of ChiroSecure will be available to assist you with all of your malpractice needs. For information call ChiroSecure: Call toll free at 1-866-80-CHIRO, 1-866-802-4476 Ext. 11 or check their website at: www.chirosecure.com
DATES TO REMEMBER: Certification in Chiropractic Spinal Trauma (CCST) program kickoff, Jan. 18-19th, 2003, with Dr. Dan Murphy, Las Vegas, Nevada; New Era in Whiplash & Spinal Trauma Part I with Dr. Dan Murphy, January 25-26th, Houston, Texas, and February 1-2nd in Portland, Oregon; New Era in Whiplash and Spinal Trauma, Part II featuring Dr. Richard Christie, Esq., February 1-2nd, 2003, Cromwell, Connecticut; Chiropractic Without a Doubt, with Dr. Steve Hoffman and Dr. Robert Braile, February 22-23rd, Dallas, Texas; 11th Annual ICA Symposium on Natural Fitness Featuring Arnold Schwarzenegger, February 28th-March 2nd, 2003, Columbus, Ohio; Inaugural Conference on Chiropractic Philosophical Standards, sponsored by ICA's new Council on Chiropractic Philosophy, Kansas City, Missouri, May 17-18, 2003.
For More Information, Contact the International Chiropractors Association, a Worldwide Community of the Most Successful Chiropractors on Earth at chiro@chiropractic.org or visit the ICA website at www.chiropractic.org.
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