OCSAPC and the Wheeling Police Department Team up for the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.

Be sure to check out the news story from Channel 7's WTRF.
The story can be viewed by going to:
www.wtrf.com/story.cfm?func=viewstory&storyid=98564&printview=1

Special thanks to the Wheeling Police Department and Det. Gregg McKenzie

OCSAPC Has A New Director

The Ohio County Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition is pleased to announce that Susan Oglinsky has been hired as the new Director. Susan comes with a wealth of knowledge and background in public relations and fund development. She will work with the coalition to strengthen collaborative efforts and build coalition capacity. WELCOME SUSAN!

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.

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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!