Heroin Starts Here Campaign Launched

     This is our new message to parents. We preface this by saying that not all youth who drink alcohol and smoke marijuana will use illicit drugs like heroin. What we are saying is that by using alcohol or marijuana in their teens, young people are setting their brains up for addiction and increasing the likelihood of moving on to other more dangerous drugs including heroin.

     Many parents may say, "well I drank and smoked pot and I'm not addicted to heroin." To this we add, when you were younger marijuana was not as potent as it is today and opiate pain killers were not easily found. Times have changed and we, as parents, must take steps in increase the chances that teens do not progress to even more dangerous drugs. It's time to have an open mind and realize we need to change our reaction to drug use. There are risks to using alcohol and marijuana under the age of 21. Talk to your kids and teens about alcohol and drug use, set boundaries, listen and continue the conversation.

     Finally, heroin/opiate pain killer addiction and overdose is a major problem facing our local residents today.  We know this garners much media attention. Our concern is that alcohol and marijuana use in teens is not getting the attention it needs. Plenty of problems arise from youth alcohol and marijuana abuse even if it doesn't lead to addiction. Local surveys indicate that those under 18, who are using substances, are primarily using alcohol and marijuana. Some risks include: lowered academic success, risky sexual behavior, car accidents, and early onset of mental illness.

Impact Partners with Faith Leaders to Institute WV Day of Hope

The Faith Community Calls for Hope in WV's Substance Abuse Epidemic
Wheeling, W Va. – The Community Impact Coalition & the West Virginia Council of Churches continue to collaborate to bring the 2^nd annual prevention & recovery celebratory day called “West Virginia Day of Hope.” This year it falls on September 18, 2016 and it will be celebrated yearly on the 3^rd Sunday in September.  The idea for the day originated in Wheeling at a coalition round table discussion.  The goal of the initiative is to promote a drug free life-style with folks across West Virginia.  

Faith organizations are encouraged to celebrate in accordance with their own traditions, beliefs and missions as they organize and plan the event for their congregations.  The observance is meant to be open to all faiths so it can be celebrated anytime during the weekend.  West Virginia churches and other ministries will have the opportunity to promote, educate and advocate for substance abuse prevention and recovery from addiction.  Faith organizations can make a great impact on the lives of West Virginians.  

It is promoted to all churches in WV by WV Council of Churches.  Last year it was observed in many ways including: candle light services, prayers, litanies, vigils, fundraisers & donations to recovery organizations, sermons, information in bulletins, provided resources, and connecting with prevention or recovery contacts.  After the Day of Hope, the WV Council or Churches acquired grant funding to host trainings especially tailored to the faith community.  They will also hold 10-12 listening events throughout the state.  The local event is called Project Hope and it will be held on October 27, 2016 from 6-8pm at Simpson United Methodist Church in Moundsville.     

Martha Polinsky, Project Coordinator, states, “Who better to bring hope and compassion but the faith community?  It’s what they do.  We are experts in prevention and they are experts in hope which is a powerful partnership for West Virginia.”

On Fleek Parents Don't Provide Alcohol

Check out this 30 second PSA!  Our youth interns worked with adult coalition members to create it!  On fleek parenting means not providing alcohol or hosting alcohol parties for teens or anyone under 21.  Yes, our youth agree!

!MPACT Youth Interns & The Amazing Act

Community Impact Coalition has four high school interns creating and planning a youth forum and media campaign.  We thank Angela Stevens, Jeff Voanakis, Isabella Gillespie and Cameron McCabe on their great work.  The Amazing Act Youth Forum will take place on July 21, 2016.  It is co-hosted by Laughlin Chapel's summer youth program.  The media campaign will feature a TV & radio PSA as well as billboards in Ohio County.  The media campaign promotes alcohol free youth by urging parents not to supply alcohol to those under 21

WE ARE COMMUNITY !MPACT COALITION #impactwv

Wheeling, WV - The Ohio County Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition has been in existence since 2005 and over the years, it has evolved and expanded in its ability to promote positive change and impact the community.  Members are proud of their collective accomplishments, thus far, and they want to pave the way for maximum impact.  The members of the community-based group decided it was time for a new name and logo to reflect the group’s change and growth. The coalition’s goals remain the same, however, as science progresses and more is known, the group has adapted existing strategies and developed new ones.  Lessons learned make the organization older and wiser.  Furthermore, a name change would allow the group to be open to the possibility of expanding its goals in the future. 

Coalition participants view the group as a true community-based coalition driven by community members with the support of key leaders!  We are a community up organization not a leadership down organization.  This is the best recipe for real and lasting change!  Come join us as we celebrate our past and renew our commitment to positively impacting youth and families in Ohio County.  

Choose a Clear Mind Poster Winners

We are posting to top 3 winners from Ohio County Schools 4th Grade Students!  

They are in random order.  All will appear on billboards in Ohio County!

Summer Youth Interns and Volunteers created a media campaign!  It encourages bystander intervention to avoid alcohol or drug use.  The billboard is above and the TV PSA is below.

WV Day of Hope Gives Faith Organizations a Voice in Substance Abuse Prevention

Martha Polinsky, Project Coordinator, Lori Garrett-Bumba, Program Director, Bishop Dunkin and Bishop Bransfield proudly announce the DAY OF HOPE!

     The Ohio County Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition (OCSAPC) & the WV Council of Churches have collaborated to bring a “Prevention & Recovery Sunday” called “WV Day of Hope” to West Virginia churches and other ministries.  OCSAPC plan includes bringing the faith community to the "table" and encourages opportunities for policy change on a state-wide basis.  Faith organizations can shine a light on substance abuse prevention and recovery on a single designated day.  The group applied for and received a proclamation from WV Governor Earl Ray Tomblin.  This one day make a great impact on the lives of many.  Faith groups have the opportunity to help in the following ways:

Ø      Reinforcing Drug & Alcohol Free Youth

Ø      Providing Parent Tips

Ø      Empowering Folks in Recovery & Reducing the Stigma of Addiction 

Ø      Guiding Those Struggling with Substance Abuse

Ø      Supporting Families or Friends of Alcoholics & Addicts. 

Ø      Talking about Community Solutions

Ø      Healing for Children of Alcoholics/Addicts

Ø      Remembering Those Lost to Addiction

Ø      Creating Learning Opportunities

Ø      Finding Help and Resources

     The idea came about when community member Bill Hogan contacted OCSAPC's Project Coordinator.  Bill had been trying to reach bishops in WV and ask them for help with the substance abuse problem in our state.  As a result, OCSAPC added a faith-based component to their annual membership retreat and had state and local representation from Lutheran, Episcopal, Methodist, Catholic and nondenominational faiths.  Several state faith leaders joined local faith leaders to talk about what could be done about substance abuse in WV.  The plan for the “Day of Hope” began. The group agreed WV needed a designated day to unify the promotion of a drug free life-style with folks across the state.  This is a great opportunity to bring prevention strategies to a large receptive audience and to promote and support recovery.  Organizations are encouraged to remain true to their own traditions, beliefs and missions to organize and plan the event for their congregations. 

     In attendance at the faith-based meeting first meeting was Reverend Jeff Allen, Director of the WV Council of Churches and The Most Reverend Bishop Ralph W. Dunkin of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America.  To propel the idea, Reverend Allen presented it to the council and they agreed to promote the day to all churches in WV.  They chose September 13, 2015 as the first official Day of Hope.  Each organization or churches are encouraged to add elements to their services to celebrate a substance free life-style.  OCSAPC has invited all state prevention coalitions to promote the “Day of Hope” in their counties to their local faith organizations.    

Wheeling Park High School SADD Students "Tie One On"

Red Ribbons 

SADD Club Members at Wheeling Park HS.  

 Wheeling, W Va. - Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD), a club at Wheeling Park High School, is comprised of students who want to encourage a substance free lifestyle and decisions that will have positive outcomes for teens.  The group has a pre-prom campaign they will implement throughout their school.  The campaign is chosen because prom and graduation season can bring an increase in fatal car accidents for teens.   The campaign which takes place prior to prom includes:

Ø      Tie One On -  On April 15 SADD members placed red ribbons on student cars at Wheeling Park High School.  The ribbons, supplied by the local Mothers Against Drunk Driving MADD Chapter, are a reminder to students to make the decision to not drink alcohol on prom night and not to ride with someone who has. 

Ø      Please Return On Monday (PROM) posters & flyers, created by the students, to be placed within high school the week prior to prom.  Print material focus on safe decisions.  The tag line is “The problem with drinking is the mourning after.”

Ø      Please Return On Monday ribbons, purchased by the SADD Chapter, which will be distributed by local florists with all WPHS prom corsages and boutonnieres. 

Ø      School Announcements, written by the SADD members, will encourage youth to be alcohol free, not drink & drive, not ride with someone who has been drinking, not text & drive and wear seat belts.  Basically encouraging youth to make decisions which statistically give them a better chance to remain safe and could save lives.   

Ø      Radio Public Service Announcement – the group wrote and taped a radio PSA to be aired during the month of April promoting a substance free lifestyle.  

One of four posters created by the youth.

OCSAPC Round Table Series

     

OCSAPC has been busy for the last 6 years building coalition capacity thereby creating more opportunities for change.  As a result of internal assessments the coalition decided to host a round table series dedicated to four important community sectors.  The round tables are focusing on Healthcare, Faith-Based, College and Business partners.  The discussions have led to numerous strategies and ideas to be implemented in our community.  Stay tuned for more information.  The next College Round Table is March 12 at Wheeling Jesuit from 5-7 PM.  The Business Round Table is March 26 at Christ United Methodist Church from 5-7 PM.  The Faith-Based Team will meet April 28 at 1:00 PM at 87 15th St. and the next Healthcare Team meeting will be announced.