Friday, October 30, 2009

Parents Promote Prevention

Pictured here are concerned parents and Ohio County SAPC coalition members: Ken Boyle, Terri Garrett, Cheryl Maltese, and Heather Markonich. The most recent meeting was Oct. 28 and there parents discussed future activity options; they also offered much needed support to each other. All concerned parents, grand parents and community members are welcome. The next meeting is slated for January!

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Red Ribbon Week- Lock and Count Your Meds!












This year for Red Ribbon Week our coalition decided to kick off our campaign to address prescription drug abuse in Ohio County. We aim our public service announcements on WTOV and billboards around town on bringing attention to a problem which many parents and adult community members do not believe is happening to the extent that it does in our county. We are continually finding new statistics that emphasize that prescription drug misuse is on the rise with our young people.

Prescription drug misuse is reaching an epidemic proportion in West Virginia and Ohio County. In fact, WV had the highest state rate of drug overdoses leading to death for adults under the age of 45 years of age. Of 295 fatal overdoses, prescription pain medication contributed to 93.2%.

At the local level, Ohio County has a higher rate of youth non medical use of pain relievers than several southern counties and the state rate of use (National Survey on Drug Use, 2003). Youth often gain access to prescription drugs from family, friends and directly from the medicine cabinet. Research indicates that teenagers abuse prescription drugs more than heroin, cocaine, methamphetamines, crack or ecstasy; partly because they see prescription drug misuse as “safer” than other drugs (WV Drug Abuse Quit Line, 2008).

We are asking the community to "Lock and Count Your Meds."

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Parents Promote Prevention












As a result of our Parent Town Hall meeting, some local parents decided to continue meeting to promote prevention with Ohio County youth. The next meeting is Oct. 28 from 6-8pm at Christ United Methodist Church. All parents or grand parents welcome!

Topics:
  • Support & Ideas
  • Education of Parents
  • Prevention Strategies
  • Real Life Solutions
  • Partner with schools and churches

Funding

The Ohio County Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition (OCSAPC) is funded by a federal Drug Free Communities (DFC) Support Program Grant from the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Youth Services System, Inc. (YSS) serves as the coalition's fiscal and administrative agent.

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