Legalize It? Think Again.

Marijuana Use Increasing Among Youth Nationally
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) recently found that the national rate marijuana use is increasing among youth, especially among those in the 8th grade. This was one of several troubling findings in the national Monitoring the Future (MTF) Study- a national series of surveys conducted by researchers at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

Mixed Messages; Serious Consequences
Although debates over medical marijuana and marijuana legalization have proved controversial, there are many strong arguments against legalization. Potential consequences of marijuana legalization include increased substance abuse, high social costs (e.g. health care, criminal justice, lost workplace productivity) and the possibility of increased drug-related violence. Additionally, the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) argues that "mixed messages" about drug legalization may be to blame for increasing rates of marijuana use among youth.

SO... what's the problem with marijuana use, anyways? Public discourse often argues that marijuana is not as harmful as other "harder" drugs like heroin or even alcohol. However, the science shows that marijuana DOES pose a serious threat to brain development, especially during adolescence. "Not only does marijuana affect learning, judgment, and motor skills, but research tells us that about 1 in 6 people who start using it as adolescents become addicted" said NIDA Director Nora D. Volkow, M.D. Marijuana use during adolescence seriously impedes the potential of youth to learn, grow and make healthy decisions. With all of the problems in the world today, the last thing we need is to encourage the use of a drug that slows individuals' and communities abilities to face these challenges head on. How can we ever solve pressing community issues like economic development, domestic violence or sustainable energy solutions if our future leaders don't have the intellectual ability to engage with the world?

All things considered, what do YOU think about marijuana legalization?

Welcome Lori Garrett-Bumba!

Welcome to Lori Garrett-Bumba, our newly hired Coalition Coordinator! Lori has worked with the coalition since its beginning in 2005 in various roles. Her recent experience with the coalition was in providing technical assistance as a Community Development Specialist with the West Virginia Prevention Resource Center. We are pleased to welcome Lori "back" to the Coalition as a new staff member.

Ohio Co. Participates in the American Medicine Chest Challenge

Check out WTRF-7 media coverage of the 11/13 American Medicine Chest Challenge event! An estimated 30 to 50 community members took advantage of this free medication disposal day. Thanks to all of the community volunteers from the Ohio Co. Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition, Valley Hospice, RSVP (Retired Seniors Volunteer Program), Cardinal Health and the Wheeling Police Department (our AMCC Law Enforcement Partner), who all worked so hard made this event possible! The Coalition and its community partners were excited to take part in this national event to raise awareness and get unused & expired medications "off the street" to prevent prescription drug abuse.

"People Dispose of Old Medicine": http://www.statejournal.com/story.cfm?func=viewstory&storyid=89487

Coalition Updates- October 2010

Hello Coalition Members & Community Partners!

Hope that you are enjoying this warm fall day- just wanted to share the latest coalition news & upcoming events. Read on for the latest coalition news & upcoming events!

Heather Markonich has resigned from her staff role as Coalition Coordinator and accepted a position with the Rawle & Henderson legal firm here in Wheeling. We are sorry to see her go, but wish her the best of luck in her new endeavors. Please let me know if you would like Heather's contact information to send her a card, etc. We will be hiring a new Coalition Coordinator soon- stay tuned for details about the job posting & interview process...

National Youth Leadership Initiative (NYLI): We received several applications from Ohio Co. students and will be taking about 3 to 5 WPHS youth to the first training in Canaan Valley from Nov. 4- Nov. 7. This is an exciting opportunity for youth to get involved as real community change agents with our coalition. **Julia Charvat is currently serving as the NYLI Adult Mentor working and traveling with the group but she NEEDS your help! Please contact Julia if you are interested in serving as an NYLI Adult Mentor! This is a great opportunity to work with youth on ground-breaking social change efforts!**

The American Medicine Chest Challenge (AMCC) is coming up on Saturday, November 13th from 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM at the City-County Bldg (1500 Chapline St. Wheeling, WV) . Please spread the word to your friends, families & neighbors that there will be another one-day Rx take-back event where community members can safely dispose of their prescription medications- no questions asked! We are glad to be partnering once again with the Wheeling Police Dept. on this timely event! Check out www.americanmedicinechest.com to see an interactive map of Rx disposal sites across the country (Wheeling, WV is one of 6 authorized AMCC sites in WV).

Upcoming Meetings: community participation is essential in planning & implementing evidence-based prevention strategies! We invite community members to have a seat at the table. Currently, most of our meetings are scheduled during the "lunch break" of a week-day (12:30 PM at YSS Hazel-Atlas Bldg), but feel free to set up another time to meet with me in person or by phone if you cannot make these meetings. We are always looking for new leadership and members to make their voices heard. Mark your calender:

• Monday, November 1: Social Marketing Taskforce (SMarT) Meeting
• Tuesday, November 9: Steering Committee Meeting
• Wednesday, November 17: Underage Drinking Prevention Subgroup (UPS) Meeting
• Mon., December 6 & Tues., December 7: Communities Mobilizing for Change on Alcohol (CMCA) Training at Grand Vue Park in Marshall Co.- FREE 2-DAY TRAINING (10 Am to 3 PM both days) WITH LUNCH PROVIDED! If you're interested in community organizing & underage drinking prevention, this is a fantastic opportunity you will NOT want to miss!!

As always- feel free to contact me for further information or to get involved with coalition events and activities! I am excited to collaborate with you on another year of our Drug Free Communities action plan to increase community collaboration and reduce substance abuse in Ohio County. If we combine our efforts and resources, we will truly be able to make a difference in the lives of our youth and families!

In solidarity,
Julia

American Medicine Chest Challenge

An alarming number of Ohio County youth are intentionally abusing prescription medicines to get high. The 2007 study by the National Study of Drug-Use and Health found that 70% of people who abuse prescription pain relievers say they got them from friends or relatives. A recent study on drug use by of teens by the Partnership for a Drug Free America (PDFA) found that 1 in 9 children are abusing prescription pain relievers to get high.

To help combat this growing threat to our nation’s children, the United States Senate has deemed October 2010 as National Medicine Abuse Awareness Month. Here in Ohio County, we’re taking things even further by hosting the American Medicine Chest Challenge (AMCC) on November 13, 2010. Residents can find a local collection site on www.americanmedicinechestchallenge.com or dispose of their medicine at home, following the guidelines on the site.

AMCC a nationwide public health initiative that challenges residents to take the five step Medicine Chest Challenge:

• Take inventory of your prescription and over-the-counter medicine.
• Lock your medicine chest.
• Dispose of your unused, unwanted, and expired medicine in your home or at an American Medicine Chest Challenge Disposal site.
• Take your medicine(s) exactly as prescribed.
• Talk to your children about the dangers of prescription drug abuse.

A local effort is being spearheaded by the Ohio County Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition (OCSAPC) and the Wheeling Police Department (WPD).

Prescription drug abuse is a growing problem in our country, and the easiest way to combat it is to properly dispose of your old medicine. AMCC is the best way to do just that, so on November 13th, we ask all Ohio County residents to dispose of your unused, unwanted or expired medicine at the OFFICIAL OHIO CO. AMCC DISPOSAL SITE:

City-County Building
1500 Chapline Street
Wheeling, WV 26003

HOURS: 10 AM - 2 PM

For more information, please visit http://www.americanmedicinechestchallenge.com/.

Got Drugs? Turn them in for safe disposal on SAT. SEPT 25!!

This Saturday is the day to drop your drugs! Click image above or contact your local law enforcement center to find the DEA-authorized collection site near you. There will be two (2) collection sites in Ohio County:

WV State Police Detachment: 2600 Eoff St. Wheeling (near Jebbia's)

Triadelphia Volunteer Fire Dept: 292 National Rd. Triadelphia

• Free service- one day only! Volunteers will be on hand with informational materials and free pill boxes as supplies last.
• Anonymous- no questions asked! Only legal substances will be collected.
• NOT ACCEPTED: IV solutions or needles will NOT be collected due to risk of blood-borne pathogens

Ohio Co. Coalition Receives 2nd Year of Drug-Free Communities Funding

A second year of the federal Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Support Program grant funding though the Office of National Drug Control Policy has recenntly been awarded to the Ohio County Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition (via Youth Services System, Inc.). This grant is one of $63 million in Continuation grants simultaneously released to 549 currently funded DFC coalitions and seven DFC Mentoring Continuation coalitions. These grants provide community coalitions needed support to prevent and reduce youth substance use.

"Action at the community level—in school rooms, community centers, churches and at kitchen tables—can help drive rates of substance abuse down," said SAMHSA Administrator Pamela S. Hyde, J.D. "SAMHSA is pleased to join the Office of National Drug Control Policy in supporting communities that are bringing people together to create healthy and drug free environments for children."

The Drug Free Communities program is directed by the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, in partnership with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The DFC program provides grants of up to $625,000 over five (5) years to community coalitions that facilitate citizen participation in local youth drug prevention efforts including prescription drug diversion and prevention initiatives and underage drinking programs. Coalitions are comprised of community leaders, parents, youth, teachers, religious and fraternal organizations, health care and business professionals, law enforcement, and the media.

###

DEA Heads National Rx Drug Take-Back Day to be Held Saturday, Sept. 25th

AUG 19 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Drug Enforcement Administration and government, community, public health and law enforcement partners today announced a nationwide prescription drug “Take-Back” initiative that seeks to prevent increased pill abuse and theft. DEA will be collecting potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs for destruction at sites nationwide on Saturday, September 25 th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. local time. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.

This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Many Americans are not aware that medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are increasing at alarming rates, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, many Americans do not know how to properly dispose of their unused medicine, often flushing them down the toilet or throwing them away – both potential safety and health hazards.

Learn more about preventing prescription drug abuse at Take Care WV: http://www.takecarewv.org/.

Find a DEA-sponsored "Take Back" collection site near you: http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/takeback/

Look for more details coming soon about how the Ohio County Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition will collaborate with local law enforcement and community members in our community!

Ohio County- It's Time to Clean Out Your Medicine Cabinets!

Rx Drug Take Back Day
Saturday, August 07, 2010 - 10am-2pm

The Ohio County Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition in association with the Wheeling
Police Department will be hosting a Prescription Drug Take Back Day!

Bring your expired, unwanted or unused medicine to the following location for safe disposal:

City of Wheeling Operations Center (Clator)
I-70, Exit 2B, 10 Hunter Ave - Wheeling, WV 26003

WPD Officers and coalition volunteers will be on hand to help you dispose of your Rx drugs safely- please take advantage of this FREE service!

Need more information?
O.C.S.A.P.C. at 304-233-2045 ext 305 or
Wheeling Police Dept. at 304-234-3661

Saturday, August 7th: Rx Drug Drop!!

To all Ohio County residents:

Saturday, August 7th, 2010

The day to get rid of your stash!

It's time to get rid of your unused, unwanted and expired medicine.

More details coming soon...!

This event is organized by the Ohio County Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition and the Wheeling Police Department.

International Day Against Drug Abuse (June 26)

Today, as most of us know, marks the one-year anniversary of Michael Jackson's death. The "King of Pop" was well known around the world not only for his talents, but also for his infamous battles with with drug dependence and addiction. Incidentally, tomorrow (Saturday, June 26th) is the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. For many years, countries around the world have participated in the June 26 observance of the International Day Against Drug Use. Established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1987, this day serves as a reminder of the goals agreed to by Member States of creating an international society free of drug abuse.

Whether or not you are a fan of Michael Jackson's music, no one can deny the tragedy of his singer's untimely death and the painful loss to Jackson's family, friends and fans. Unfortunately, the devastating consequences of substance abuse not only hit the celebrity world, but are becoming more of a reality for everyday folks in our communities. The difference is often that access to early intervention, treatment and recovery options for those facing drug dependence or addiction is often expensive and inaccessible for those most in need. Although drug abuse has taken a serious toll on communities around the world, there is hope in substance abuse prevention.

Community coalitions across the country are working to change local conditions which perpetuate alcohol abuse, marijuana use, prescription drug abuse and other concerns. By focusing on evidence-based prevention strategies, such as supporting underage drinking compliance checks, increasing access to treatment and recovery support through drug courts or raising awareness of the harm of sharing prescription drugs, coalitions CAN make a difference.

Preventing substance abuse before it begins is the best way to strengthen our communities and invest in our youth. Research has shown not only which prevention interventions work, but also that prevention is cost-effective. Now, communities and states are using data-driven decision-making as they decide which evidence-based programs, practices, and policies work best to keep their citizens healthy. Prevention begins at home- get involved with your local prevention coalition today!

Tobacco tax would bring in $117 million in new revenue, reduce youth smoking

CHARLESTON, W.Va., June 8 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A new poll released today shows that 63 percent of West Virginia voters support raising the tobacco tax by $1 per pack to help address budget shortfalls and reduce youth smoking.

This support comes from a broad-based coalition of voters, including 61 percent of Republicans, 65 percent of Democrats, and 62 percent of Independents. In addition, voters from around the state and across every demographic group strongly support the tobacco tax increase.

"Now is the time for legislators to listen to the large majority of West Virginia voters who want to raise the tobacco tax instead of cutting critical programs. These results show that, regardless of party, voters across West Virginia understand raising the tobacco tax is a smart way to address budget shortfalls and debt while protecting our kids from tobacco," said Chuck Hamsher of the American Heart Association. "Raising the tobacco tax is a win, win for West Virginia."

The survey of 500 registered West Virginia voters was released by the Coalition for a Tobacco Free West Virginia, which includes the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, American Lung Association, and the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids.

West Virginia voters also express a preference for candidates who support the tobacco tax. By a margin of 55 percent to 33 percent, voters opt for a candidate who supports the tax over one who opposes it. The preference for candidates who support the tobacco tax holds for Democrats, independents, and Republicans.

"Clearly, West Virginia voters view the tobacco tax as different than other taxes," commented Mark Mellman whose firm conducted the poll. "Far from punishing policy-makers who support the tobacco tax, they are more likely to reward them."

West Virginia voters strongly prefer the tobacco tax over other options for addressing the state's budget woes. When presented with a list of options for closing the budget gap 58% percent support increasing the tobacco tax for this purpose, while a majority opposed other options such as increasing state sales, income, or gasoline taxes, and reducing funding for health care, education, or nursing home care. Increasing the alcohol tax was the only other proposal to garner majority support.

A recent report by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids and other public health organizations found that a $1 increase in West Virginia's tobacco tax would raise $117 million in new annual revenue for the state, despite the declines in smoking it would help bring about. The tax increase would also prevent 19,100 West Virginia kids from smoking, save 9,500 state residents from premature, smoking-caused deaths and save $458 million in tobacco-related health care costs (for more information, go to www.tobaccofreekids.org/winwinwin). These health benefits would be even greater if some portion of the tax is used to fund tobacco prevention and cessation programs, which are underfunded in West Virginia. Three-fourths of voters in the poll support funding prevention efforts at the level recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

West Virginia's current cigarette tax is 55 cents per pack, which ranks 44th in the nation and is well below the national average of $1.44 per pack.

The survey was conducted by the polling firm The Mellman Group. The statewide poll has a random sample of 500 registered West Virginia voters and was conducted May 8 to May 11, 2010. The poll has a margin of error of +/- 4.4 percentage points.

Take Care WV Campaign (WTOV9 News Story)

Take Care WV Campaign Launched to Address RX Abuse in WV

Check out Friday's WTOV9 news story featuring Ohio County Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition member Sgt. Don Miller and Community Educator Heather Markonich:
W.Va. Campaign Takes Aim At Prescription Drug Abuse Among Youth - News Story - WTOV Steubenville (Friday, June 4, 2010)

Everyone knows drugs are dangerous. But did you know that sharing prescription drugs can be just as dangerous and deadly too? Sharing prescription drugs is also illegal.

Data indicate social access (sharing) is a major contributor to the misuse of prescription drugs. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, most prescription drug abusers obtain their drugs from family and friends. In WV, 64% of nonmedical users of pain relievers reported getting the most recently used drug from a friend or relative for free, and another 7.6% reported buying them from a friend or relative.

How can YOU prevent RX abuse?
-Please don’t share prescription drugs. Only take RX medication as advised by your doctor.
-Learn more and view/listen to/download the PSAs by visiting www.takecarewv.org. Share links to the website via email and social networking sites.
-Participate in your county’s forum/discussions about RX abuse. County prevention contacts are available at www.PrevNET.org.
-Encourage your local media/businesses/schools/civic groups to run the PSAs as much as possible on their stations/websites, in their publications/newsletters, etc.

June... So Soon? Coalition Updates!

Hopefully you are enjoying the warm summer weather as graduation parties, picnics and other outdoor celebrations abound. Now that school is almost over, our Community Educator's work implementing prevention education in the schools is at an end and she will start training to become more familiar with the staff roles for Drug Free Communities (DFC) Grant as the coalition’s Strategic Prevention Framework-State Incentive Grant (SPF-SIG) which currently funds prevention education will end this September. We have been working hard in the coalition office to take on some much-needed “housekeeping” as we organize over 3 years of files, order promotional items for outreach, and last but not least…. the truly exciting joys of grant reporting. We look forward to having a clean and organized office so that we can get out and focus on increasing our community collaboration to prevent & reduce substance abuse!

As always, we try to keep you in the loop with coalition activities throughout the month of June and the rest of the summer. Hopefully the warm weather will inspire us to get out and do some much needed assessment to inform our prevention efforts in Ohio County! We are very excited about organizing a Prescription (Rx) Drug Take-Back event with Wheeling Police Department- more details soon! We can plan out the logistics in UPS (Underage Prevention Subgroup) and the media advocacy in SMarT (Social Marketing Taskforce). In the meantime, mark your calendars with the following important coalition and community event dates:

UPCOMING EVENTS:

• Saturday June 5: Wheeling Chili Cook-Off at Heritage Port in Wheeling (12pm-5pm)
• Monday, June 7: Social Marketing Taskforce (SMarT) meets at YSS at 12:30pm to develop our coalition media plan, discuss Take Care WV media campaign
• Wednesday, June 9: Leadership Team meets at YSS at 12:30pm to act as steering committee & strengthen shared coalition leadership efforts
• Wednesday, June 16: Underage Prevention Subgroup (UPS) meets at YSS at 12:30pm to re-visit/update taskforce charter & plan for community assessment
• Saturday, June 19: YSS Steak Fry (6pm-midnight)- come out & support this fundraiser (tickets are $20) for YSS’s annual Celebrate Youth 2010 festival
• Friday, June 25: International Day Against Drug Abuse
• June 25 – June 27: Ohio Valley Black Heritage Festival at Heritage Port in Wheeling
• Wednesday, July 21: **OCSAPC Quarterly Meeting at YSS at 12:30pm** (lunch provided- please RSVP for food count!): Evaluation of our March 2010 Rx Drug Summit, Special Rx Take-Back presentation by the WV Rivers Coalition
• July 23 – July 25: Italian Festival at Heritage Port in Wheeling
• Aug. 1-Aug. 6: National Coalition Academy (Week 3) in Des Moines, Iowa (**Contact Julia to participate in this valuable training opportunity!**)
• Tuesday, August 3: National Night Out Against Crime in Wheeling
• Thursday, August 12: Celebrate Youth 2010 (YSS) at Wheeling Park (11am-5pm): FREE food, wristbands for the park & entertainment for youth & families!

For more updated event information, visit the City of Wheeling Events Calendar. Also see the latest edition of OV Parent Community Calendar for a list of fun things to do this summer. We hope that you can make time to get involved, or (if you are already an active coalition member) STAY involved with community-based prevention strategies. Your help is needed and does make a difference to youth and families in Ohio County. Thank you for all you do to focus on preventing substance abuse in our community.

Obama Drug Strategy Stresses Evidence-Based Prevention

Obama Drug Strategy Stresses Evidence-Based Prevention

The newly released national drug strategy focuses on keeping science-based prevention as a key component of the effort to address substance abuse in the United States. Our coalition (along with over 700 community anti-drug coalitions across the country) uses a nationally recognized "Strategic Prevention Framework" (SPF) to carry out our prevention activities in Ohio County. The main components of the SPF are:

• Assessment: using local data to determine our community's assets and needs
• Capacity Building: improving our coalition's ability to collaborate & carry out prevention efforts
• Planning: selecting evidence-based strategies to match our assessed needs
• Implementation: putting our strategies into action
• Evaluation: documenting outcomes of our actions
• Sustainability: ensuring that our work will continue, with our without grant funding!
• Cultural Competence: incorporating appropriate ethnic/cultural considerations based on our community's demographics

Want to learn more about what's happening nationally? You can read the 2010 White House Drug Policy here: http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/strategy/

WV: Highest Hepatitis Rate In The US

Wednesday May 19, 2010

State has most cases of hepatitis

Official says sharing needles, other equipment for drug use is biggest factor in W.Va's high rate
by Tom Bragg

Daily Mail staff

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- West Virginia has long been at or near the top of the list among the 50 states in cases of heart disease per 100,000 residents, but now it is saddled with another unwanted distinction.

It has the highest incidence of hepatitis B per 100,000 residents, according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control.

The Mountain State had 4.5 cases of acute hepatitis B for every 100,000 residents in 2007, the most recent year for which statistics are available. Oklahoma was second on the list with 4.2 incidences per 100,000.

Vicki Hogan, hepatitis B epidemiologist for the state health bureau, said the West Virginia counties with the highest rates of hepatitis in 2009 were Berkeley, Mercer, Logan, Cabell and Kanawha.

Loretta Haddy, director of the Office of Epidemiology and Prevention Services for the W.Va. Bureau for Public Health, said the sharing of needles and other equipment for drug use is the biggest factor in West Virginia's high rate.

"That's what is indicated on the reports we have received on hepatitis B, and that's all we really have to go on," Haddy said. "With the culture and population of injecting drug users in those counties, we can identify risk behavior like that and try to intervene and target those populations and minimize transmission and get out educational messages."

Hepatitis B is an illness caused by a virus that infects the liver. It causes liver inflammation, jaundice and vomiting, though it is rarely fatal. Occasionally, cirrhosis and liver cancer can result.

Statewide, the number of reported cases of hepatitis B rose from 69 in 2005 to 84 in 2009. In addition to sharing needles, the risk factors for hepatitis include having unprotected sex, especially men with other men, having many sex partners, or having had another sexually transmitted disease.

Hogan said the numbers the bureau receives are from self-reported incidents of hepatitis, and that some people are probably reluctant to talk about their sexual history and history of drug use with a physician.

"When a physician interviews the patient, they are asking them certain questions to get their history and the patients are providing the answers," Hogan said. "Some patients are not going to talk about their behaviors and history.

"Any person who is identified as positive for hepatitis B that comes through and we find out about, we can offer testing and vaccines through their local health department."

Sandra Graham, coordinator of the Adult Viral Hepatitis Program for the bureau, said vaccines are available for hepatitis B and that the virus can survive outside of the body for up to seven days.

"To date, we have 30 health departments that offer free vaccines, two jails and two substance abuse centers," Graham said. "Along with the vaccines, the nurses at these venues provide preventative educations, such as not sharing toothbrushes or razors, to help prevent them from transmitting the virus to others."

Graham said the number of vaccines administered at these venues rose 37 percent from 2008 to 2009 with 2,513 doses of the vaccine administered last year.

May is Hepatitis Awareness Month, and as part of that the state Office of Epidemiology and Preventative Services will host the W.Va. Viral Hepatitis Summit on Thursday at the Ramada Plaza Hotel in South Charleston.

Graham said the goal of the summit is to raise awareness of the hepatitis problem in West Virginia and to help prevent possible new cases of the virus.

"Take Care WV" To Prevent Rx Abuse

Everyone knows drugs are dangerous. But did you know that sharing prescription drugs can be just as dangerous and deadly too? Sharing prescription drugs is also illegal.

Data indicates social access (sharing) is a major contributor to the misuse of prescription drugs. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, most prescription drug abusers obtain their drugs from family and friends. In WV, 64% of non-medical users of pain relievers reported getting the most recently used drug from a friend or relative for free, and another 7.6% reported buying them from a friend or relative.

Please don't share prescription drugs. Only take prescriptions as advised by your doctor.

The WV Partnership to Promote Community Well-Being and the WV Prevention Resource Center are launching Take Care WV – a social marketing campaign to spread the word that sharing prescription drugs is illegal, and it can be just as dangerous and deadly as illicit drugs.

How can you help support this campaign and reduce the misuse of prescription drugs in our state?

1. Please visit www.takecarewv.org to view/listen to campaign messages, read facts and statistics about RX drug misuse/abuse, and learn about proper RX storage and disposal.

2. Participate in your county’s discussions about Rx abuse. Community Forums/Discussions on Rx abuse are being scheduled across the state this summer. Dates will soon be posted on the WV Prevention Training & Events Calendar available at www.PrevNET.org. Contact information for your County Prevention Partnership is available at PrevNet as well as www.takecarewv.org.

3. Encourage your local coalitions/media/businesses/schools/civic groups to air/print the PSAs as much as possible. All the PSAs can be downloaded at www.takecarewv.org.

Some specific ideas for distributing the campaign messages include:

• Email/talk to all your professional and personal contacts about this campaign. Feel free to forward this message as is, but also consider adding your own personal touch.
• Print some of the PSAs as flyers and distribute/post them in your community. Ask your doctor, dentist, child care provider, church, employer, etc. to post flyers in their waiting areas, exam rooms, lunch rooms or bathrooms.
• Facebook/Twitter the following message: Take Care WV: Please don’t share prescription drugs. Learn more at www.takecarewv.org
• Include the print PSAs in newsletters, church bulletins, meeting packets, mailings, etc.
• Talk to your local pharmacist about the campaign. Ask if they’ll post some of the flyers, and tell them later this summer we plan to have RX bags (with the campaign logo/message) for all WV pharmacies to use for a limited time. We’re working on corporate permission for the chains right now.
  
  Thanks in advance for your support of Take Care WV. Please feel free to contact Michelle Burnside at (304) 552-7982 if you have any questions/comments/ideas.

Happy Spring! Coalition Updates

Congrats Coalition Co-Chairs!
At the quarterly OCSAPC meeting on April 14th, the coalition voted Betsy Bethel-McFarland and Jim McGoldrick in as our new Coalition Co-Chairs. Thanks to Betsy and Jim for graciously accepting these positions as a great step towards a more community-driven coalition. We will be meeting soon to develop a leadership team to guide the strategic planning process that makes for effective science-based prevention efforts.

Coalition Training & Capacity-Building
Our coalition is participating in a couple of trainings to build our capacity to make community level change right here in Ohio County: Service to Science (STS) and the National Coalition Academy (NCA). Our coalition was nominated and then selected to participate in STS in early April to gain important evaluation tools and support. The National Coalition Academy is a year-long innovative training program that combines three-weeks of classroom training, distance learning and Web support to teach our community what it needs to know and to do in order to sustain a highly effective anti-drug coalition.

Thanks to Cheryl Maltese for traveling to Bloomington, MN to participate in the STS training; she has helped to kick-start some practical coalition evaluation tools- making sure that we are staying on track with prevention strategies. Thanks to Jim McGoldrick and Grant Coleman for traveling to Des Moines, IA and participating in this great training opportunity! There is a space open for any coalition member who would like an all-expense paid trip to Iowa with me the week of August 1-6, 2010 to participate in the third and final week of this very valuable training. Contact Julia if you’re interested!

MAY DATES! MAY DATES!

• Wednesday, May 12: Sustainability Taskforce Meeting (12:30pm at YSS- SNACKS PROVIDED). AGENDA: Planning beyond the DFC grant!
• Monday, May 17: Social Marketing Taskforce Meeting (12:30pm at YSS- SNACKS PROVIDED). AGENDA: Developing our coalition media plan!
• Thursday, May 20: “Moving People Into Action” Workshop (10am-3pm at Grand Vue Park, LUNCH PROVIDED- RSVP BY MAY 17). AGENDA: This hands-on workshop, taught by leadership expert Peter Hille, will set people on the path toward greater community involvement. Workshop sponsored by Marshall County Anti-Drug Coalition.
• Friday, May 28: "Tiny Tot Trot" FREE family event sponsored by OV Parent Magazine (Registration begins at 5pm outside WesBanco Arena in downtown Wheeling)

Alcohol Abuse: A Serious Concern in Ohio County

Press Release Contact: Terri Garrett, Coalition Member/Ohio County Rotary/Wheeling Human Rights Commission, (304)234-3609, garretthrc@yahoo.com

Did you know that April is Alcohol Awareness Month? Alcohol abuse is a serious problem among youth in Ohio County. As an example, 72% of Ohio County students from the 11th grade reported using alcohol within the past year. Other examples of alcohol abuse in our community include college students who binge drink at local bars, pregnant women who drink and put their babies at risk for fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), professionals who drink after a long day’s work, and senior citizens who drink out of loneliness. Do you know of anyone who fits in these categories?

Alcohol abuse affects many people in our community and across the country in various ways. Alcohol can have negative health effects on our bodies, especially on our children during critical years of growth and development. In fact, youth who start drinking before the age of 15 are 5 times more likely to develop a substance abuse problem as adults. Drunk drivers endanger our safety and our children’s safety. Last year, 119 people were charged with a DUI (Driving Under the Influence) in the City of Wheeling alone. Alcohol dependency and addiction limits one’s ability to cope with everyday life stressors, especially during these difficult economic times. Unfortunately, treatment and recovery (though important) present a lifelong challenge for people who have alcohol dependency and addiction.

If we as a community can work together to promote prevention strategies such as social marketing campaigns (look for “Choose A Clear Mind” billboards this month), prevention education with schools and social organizations (e.g. DARE and “Choose a Clear Mind” curriculums in Ohio County middle and elementary schools), and training (responsible beverage server practices for area managers, law enforcement officials and community members in TIPS-Training Intervention ProcedureS going on this month), then we can raise community awareness and eventually change our community’s social norms.

The Ohio County Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition (OCSAPC) continues to work on preventing underage drinking and alcohol abuse in our community. We invite all concerned community members to our Parents Promote Prevention planning meeting to be held at Bridge Street Middle School at 5pm. Dinner will be provided- please contact Julia Charvat at (304) 233-2045 ext. 305 if you would like to attend!

March: Rx & OTC Awareness Month

Did you know that March is Prescription (Rx) and Over-the-Counter (OTC) Drug Awareness Month?

This week, OCSAPC is kicking off its Rx Drug Abuse Media Campaign off with two 15-second TV commercials which will air March 16-March 28, 2010 on various channels throughout the day in Ohio County. Look for them starting tonight!! We are also airing a 1-minute radio PSA on various local radio stations during this time. This media campaign aims to raise awareness of the dangers of prescription drug abuse and ways we can take action as community members to Prevent Rx Drug Abuse!

Additionally, this media campaign is designed to tie in with our upcoming 2010 Rx Drug Summit, which will be held next Friday, March 26th from 8am-4pm at West Virginia Northern Community College. There are still a few spots available- registration fee is just $5.00; a number of continuing education units (CEUs) and lunch will be provided on-site. Don't miss this great opportunity to learn more and collaborate with others in the community to prevent and reduce prescription drug abuse.

Also see these TV ads on our Coalition Facebook Page.

Parents Promote Prevention Meeting TOMORROW!

Calling all parents, grandparents and concerned citizens in Ohio County!

Tomorrow 's "Parents Promote Prevention" meeting will include training on the "Parents: You Matter" program presented by Heather markonich, Community Educator for the Ohio County Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition (OCSAPC).

WHEN: Tuesday, March 2nd from 6:00-7:30pm
WHERE: Bridge Street Middle School (Wheeling, WV)
WHO: This event is sponsored by the Ohio County Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition

Parents Promote Prevention is a group of parents involved with prevention and support efforts in our community. Home and family is our focus. Check it out and get involved!

**Make sure to bring your friends- whoever brings the most people has a chance to win a Kroger's gift card! Runner up will recieve a homemade batch of baked goods to enjoy!**

It Has Been an Honor

I would like to thank everyone for the opportunities I’ve had in working with and supporting this coalition. I thought I would outline the highlights of my duties in attempt to show coalition and community members that they can get involved doing the same such “jobs” that I have. I hope this give everyone a better understanding of our goals and activities. Community involvement is so important to bringing about change over a whole population. A few persons doing these activities can not make a large impact, but many persons can make an enormous impact. If I can do it, anyone can!

I started this journey as prevention educator. I went to schools, implemented programs and coordinated activities with Ohio County Schools. It was a great chance to get involved with area youth, learn what’s “going on out there” and work first hand to educate youth on substance abuse and most importantly hopefully affect their decision making process when faced with alcohol or drug use.

Then my title and job description evolved into Community Educator. I began supporting the coalition members in working with key community leaders, mobilizing 12 community sectors, community meetings, social marketing and media advocacy. We began working with Communities Mobilizing for Change on Alcohol (CMCA) one on one discussions. This helped us to assess the community and find out the direction of our activities. We found that most community members feel youth gain access to alcohol through friends, family, and parents. This prompted us to focus on parents in our activities. We are implementing CMCA again and I hope that our members really get out there and talk to people!! We can’t help if we don’t know what the problem is and what the community sees as a solution.

I’ve enjoyed supporting our Social Marketing Taskforce. We apply marketing principles used to sell products to the public to changing social norms of the public, such as raising the low perception of harm around alcohol and drugs held by youth and parents in Ohio County. If a parent doesn’t perceive alcohol use as harmful, it is doubtful that the child will perceive it as harmful. Our Underage Prevention Subgroup had a Parent Town Hall meeting and a spin off parent meeting. We have also had various media messages geared towards parents. Our parents may begin canvassing local restaurants and placing alcohol reduction messages for parents on table tents. It’s a great environmental strategy to address social norms.

Our youth are also bombarded with ads they portray alcohol as cool, sexy, and fun (also found in CMCA). We use media to try and reach the public just as large beer companies would (with a lot less money, of course). This gave area youth good reason to carry out a “Sticker Shock” event just prior to Super Bowl Sunday. See above pictures of Linsly and We Are The Future youth. We Are the Future youth helped us create and produce numerous public service announcements and bill boards. Wow was that fun!! Cody and Jordan rock as actors! Keith, Steve and Doree are awesome leaders as well!!!!

Getting news stories out to the public has been great fun. Writing press releases and ALERTING THE MEDIA to our activities really helped me to understand the who, what, when, where, why, and how of what we do!! Writing letters to the editor and getting my face on the news was exciting, but it’s not about me, it’s about our community wanting to make change and making our youth and families safer. I urge you all to get involved in this taskforce and speak up for prevention! It’s so much more powerful if YOU carry this message. Banded together we can do so much.

I then worked as SPF SIG Project Director and Program Director to Drug Free Communities Support Programs grant. Training new employees and organizing a new grant proved very challenging, however with your help we are in a great position to proceed onward. I also began writing all meeting agendas & minutes and facilitating all meetings! These jobs would be great for able bodied community members who want to help out. It’s your coalition. In the past our coalition relied heavily on paid staff for these “jobs,” however we are now asking coalition members to take FULL ownership of this coalition and its direction. Come to the next quarterly meeting and vote for the next chairperson. Each subgroup has been working to gain leadership from non paid members. Our Leadership Board will begin meeting to steer our activities. Not only does this make our coalition community driven, it can help sustain our activities with much less funding or no funding if that time ever came. That’s called sustainability!

Our job as paid staff is to empower you (the people in the community) to change Ohio County. Reduction of substance abuse is possible! Focus on access, social norms, and policy is the way to do it. If youth don’t drink until after their 21 birthday they are 4 times less likely to suffer from alcohol problems!!! You can literally lower alcohol problems. Something can be done, but your personal help and conviction is needed!

I love you all! Go forth and kick butt!