May 17-23, 2015 is National Prevention Week.
NPW is a SAMHSA-supported annual health observance dedicated to increasing public awareness of, and action around, substance abuse and mental health issues.
Click here for sample social media messages to use on your own pages to increase awareness.
Check out SAMHSA’s video on this year’s theme, “The Voice of One, the Power of All.”
Visit the NPW website to learn more!
Kara Bernskoetter, MYAA Youth Ambassador and member of the MYAA Marketing Committee, provides us with a first-hand account of her experience at this year’s Prevention Day at the Capitol.
Prevention Day was held at the capitol on January 28th. The day began with us, the MYAA Youth Ambassadors, providing breakfast pastries to the General Assembly and their staff along with the visitors. This was a great opportunity to spread the word about MYAA and what we are and do. There was a display set up of photo voice posters created by us Youth Ambassadors. Photo voice is a way to communicate the message of prevention through pictures and captions. I visited my state senator, Mike Kehoe, and put my advocacy training into action. Talking to your legislator is a great way to prove that the youth have a strong voice and that we truly do care about the decisions made in our communities.
Good morning!
We are so excited that it is almost time for Speak Hard 2015! Almost a year of planning goes into this event, so it is always great for us to see how much fun the youth have, and how much they learn throughout the day. In order to secure a location and a keynote speaker for Speak Hard, we start planning months in advance. Unfortunately, this means that we select the date for Speak Hard before the legislative calendar has been set. For the past eleven years, Speak Hard has been during the same week and not conflicted with the legislature’s Spring Break. This year, we were not that lucky and the legislature’s Spring Break has been moved and will take place during Speak Hard. While I know that some groups look forward to legislative visits as a bonus to Speak Hard, there is still so much to look forward to at this year’s conference!
This year’s keynote, M&P Presentations, is an awesome team that brings high energy and will get the prevention inspiration started early in the day. We’ve also changed the schedule so that every participant will see the keynote and an additional four sessions. That is two additional sessions from last year! There is a ton of fun and education planned for the 11th Annual Speak Hard Youth Conference. Youth will have the opportunity to gain knowledge that they can utilize when advocating in their local communities.
While most representatives will not be in Jefferson City on the date of Speak Hard, there are numerous ways to reach out to them. We encourage you to call, email, or write a letter to your representative. We can still deliver the message that prevention is important and advocate for our communities even if our representatives are not in Jefferson City.
Thank you for your flexibility! We hope to see you all at the 11th Annual Speak Hard Youth Conference so that we can learn together and teach youth the importance of Substance Abuse Prevention!
For more information, and to register, visit the Speak Hard page.
Sincerely,
Chelsea Billeck
MYAA Project Director
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NATIONAL DRUG FACTS WEEK CELEBRATED IN MISSOURI
ACT Missouri partners with “National Drug Facts Week” (NDFW) in 2015. The week-long health observance, organized by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), part of the National Institutes of Health, takes place Monday, January 26th through Sunday, February 1st. NDFW celebrates the inquisitive minds of teens by giving them a space (virtual or physical) to ask questions about drugs and to get scientific answers from experts. As part of the NDFW celebration, ACT Missouri is hosting its 4th Annual Prevention Day at the Capitol on January 28th, as well as a free webinar on January 27th about “The Science of Addiction” facilitated by Jennifer A. Lowery, M.D.
About a third of high school seniors across the country report using an illicit drug sometime in the past year, and more than ten percent report non-medical use of a narcotic painkiller. While drugs can put a teenager’s health and life in jeopardy, many teens are not aware of the risks. Even for those teens who do not abuse drugs, many have friends or family who do, and they are often looking for ways to help them.
After marijuana, RX drugs are now the most common drugs of abuse by Missouri youth. Many teens believe they are safe because they are prescribed by doctors, and 70% of people 12 and older reported getting the drugs from a friend of relative. Missouri has the seventh highest drug overdose mortality rate in the United States.
“We want teens to have the opportunity to learn what science has taught us about drug abuse and addiction,” said Chuck Daugherty, Executive Director of ACT Missouri. “There are so many myths about drugs cluttering our popular culture. National Drug Facts Week is for teens to get honest answers about drugs so they can make good, informed decisions for themselves and share accurate information with friends.”
Prevention Day gives youth and communities the opportunity to speak with their legislator on various prevention topics. The Southeast Regional Support Center will also be participating in NDFW by hosting a trivia night in Cape Girardeau. Northland Coalition will be executing a social media campaign using NIDA and NDFW facts. Schools and educators can participate in Live Chat Day on January 30th.
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For 23 years, ACT Missouri has been serving as the statewide prevention catalyst, empowering individuals and fostering partnership to promote safe, healthy, and drug-free communities. We believe in healthy individuals, healthy communities, and a healthy Missouri. Resources are available to communities by contacting us at info@actmissouri.org.
Contact Information:
Natalie Newville
Public Information Officer
ACT Missouri
428 E. Capitol Avenue
Jefferson City, MO 65101
(573) 635-6669
nnewville@actmissouri.org
What is National Drug Facts Week? National Drug Facts Week℠ (NDFW) is an annual health observance week for teens to shatter the myths about drugs and drug abuse. NDFW centers on community events for teens, NIDA’s Drug Facts Chat Day, and partnerships. This year, the events will be held January 26-February 1, 2015.
There are several ways to participate this year: host your own event, participate in the Drug Facts Live Chat Day with your school or SADD Chapter, and attend the 4th Annual Prevention Day at the Missouri Capitol.
Want to do something, but just don’t know what? Check out these Activity Ideas. Don’t forget to register your event, and order the free materials!
Stay tuned to this blog, and Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for more information on #NDFW. Be sure to use #NDFWinMO to share your activities with us!
Today is #GivingTuesday! What is #GivingTuesday? This video does a great job of explaining what this movement is about.
We hope you will take part in this global giving movement and make an impact by making a gift to ACT Missouri.
The 5th annual Substance Abuse Prevention Conference hosted by ACT Missouri was held November 18-19th at Lodge of the Four Seasons at Lake of the Ozarks. Participants were able to attend a variety of breakouts and network with other coalition members from across Missouri.. Scott Collier of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration spoke on the new changes with the National Rx Drug Take-Back Initiative, and Missouri Representative Holly Rehder closed the conference out with a keynote on the importance of a Prescription Drug Monitoring Program in Missouri.
“The Prevention Conference is a time for preventionists from across Missouri to come together to learn and network,” says Chuck Daugherty, Executive Director of ACT Missouri. “We are lucky to have so many local experts who are willing to share their expertise with our communities.”
A highlight of the Conference is awarding the Champion for Change of Prevention, Milestone Award, and Coalition of the Year award. Nina Carter received the Champion for Change of Prevention award. This award is given to someone who supports community efforts to address substance abuse prevention, increase education and outreach, and integrate primary and behavioral health. Nina has increased the capacity of the CHART coalition in Douglas County from 13 members to over 33 members and while including all sectors of the community wheel. She engages youth to become part of the coalition and makes them feel part of the decision making of the group. Her team minded spirit continues to drive the coalition along with her humble attitude, and work ethic. She empowers the coalition to grow and gives consistent reminders that the coalition is part of bigger picture of prevention and they are all part of a cultural shift.
The McDonald County Coalition received the 2014 Milestone Award. The Milestone Award celebrates a coalition’s specific success in FY2014 in the area of outreach, advocacy, media, education, or training. The McDonald County Coalition has only been an organized effort for 21 months and continue to impress with their motivation and willingness to learn the strategic prevention framework, set attainable goals, and work to implement and evaluate programs for the betterment of their community. They want to create positive change the right way. This Coalition has buy-in from all the community sectors and they have realized the impact they can make collectively. They will continue to do great things in the area of substance abuse and violence prevention for years to come.
The Coalition of the Year awards celebrates a coalition’s sustained level of excellence. Lee’s Summit CARES has been one of the model prevention coalitions in the state of Missouri for over 25 years. Their dedication and motivation to reduce underage drug use has greatly benefited neighborhoods throughout the city of Lee’s Summit. Leadership has continued to be top quality in bringing together the community sectors that assist with prevention efforts. The Lee’s Summit CARES vision and mission ensure that Lee’s Summit is informed and educated about the dangers and consequences of alcohol and other drug among the youth in the community is what continues to drive this coalition to reach its goals.
ACT Missouri is the statewide training and resource center for substance abuse prevention. Its mission is to be the statewide prevention catalyst, empowering individuals and fostering partnerships to promote safe, healthy, and drug-free communities.
Contact Information:
Natalie Newville
Public Information Officer
ACT Missouri
428 E. Capitol Avenue
Jefferson City, MO 65101
(573) 635-6669
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Missouri Red Ribbon Week Winners Selected
Red Ribbon Week (October 23-31) is the oldest and largest drug prevention campaign in the country. It serves as a vehicle for communities and individuals to take a stand against alcohol and drug use by making a commitment to live alcohol and drug free lives. The mission of Missouri’s Youth/Adult Alliance (MYAA) is to provide a network of support empowering youth to make healthy decisions about alcohol and other drugs. In the spirit of Red Ribbon week, MYAA hosted its annual state wide art and video/music contest.
Twelve artwork winners and one video winner were chosen. Artwork will be featured in the 2015 Red Ribbon Calendar, and winners receive their choice of a prize valued at $100. The grand prize artwork winner will be featured on the cover of the calendar and the video winner will be featured on the ACT Missouri website. Both will receive their choice of a prize valued at $500.
“Red Ribbon Week encourages our entire community to adopt healthy, drug-free lifestyles,” said Chelsea Billeck of ACT Missouri .“The campaign brings together parents, schools, and businesses as we look for innovative ways to keep kids and communities drug free. Research shows that children are less likely to use alcohol and other drugs when parents and other role models are clear and consistent in their opposition to substance use and abuse.”
Grand Prize Artwork Winner:
10th Grade: Statilly R., East Carter R-II Schools
Grand Prize Video Winner:
Isaac J., Mt. Vernon Intermediate School
First place Artwork Winners:
1st Grade:Nyle K., Southwest Elementary
2nd Grade: Savanna S., Scott City
3rd Grade: Aaron M., South Callaway
4th Grade: Alaina A., Skyline Elementary
5th Grade: Keeley G., Holcomb Elementary
6th Grade: Morgan P., Holcomb Elementary
7th Grade: Britney H., Scott City Middle School
8th Grade: Courtney E., Scott City Middle School
9th Grade: Taylor A., East Carter R-II Schools
11th Grade: Itream A., Jefferson City High School
12th Grade: Hannah A., East Carter R-II Schools
To view the winning pieces and video, visit ACT Missouri on Facebook at www.facebook.com/actmissouri.
Contact Information:
Chelsea Billeck
MYAA Project Director
ACT Missouri
428 E. Capitol Avenue
Jefferson City, MO 65101
(573) 635-6669
cbilleck@actmissouri.org
ACT Missouri is taking part in SAMHSA’s annual National Wellness Week! Our mission, to serve as the statewide prevention catalyst, empowering individuals and fostering partnerships to promote safe, healthy, and drug-free communities, is a perfect fit for National Wellness Week.
Wellness is not just about exercise. Getting enough sleep, relaxing, eating fruits and veggies, and taking care of your mental health are all important components of wellness. SAMHSA says it best:
We know that wellness—the presence of purpose in life, active involvement in satisfying work and play, a healthy body and living environment, joyful relationships, and happiness—is integral to our behavioral health. However, too many Americans who experience mental and/or substance use disorders are in poor health, mostly due to preventable medical conditions. Practicing wellness has become an essential part of good behavioral health.
Does your place of employment have a wellness policy? The Board of Director’s at ACT Missouri decided several years ago that healthy employees were more productive and efficient, and they developed ACT Missouri’s Wellness Policy. A summary of our wellness policy is below:
ACT Missouri’s workout space…also known as our lunch room, annex, break room, board room, meeting space….you get the idea.
Share your Wellness activities this week with #ShareWellness on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
If you are interested in viewing ACT Missouri’s entire Wellness Policy, or need assistance developing your own policy, please email us at info@actmissouri.og.
Today, September 10, 2014, is World Suicide Prevention Day.
Suicide is the third leading cause of death among teenagers and young adults (15-24). Risk factors for suicide include: mental illness, substance abuse, family history of suicide and previous suicide attempts.
So what can you and your community do to help prevent suicide? First of all, be sure to know the warning signs. Listen and get involved, directly. It is important to talk openly with the person and provide support to them. Most importantly, get help from a professional, or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is dedicated to reducing the national suicide rate 20% by 2025.
“Robin Williams’s recent death saddened our nation. It also prompted a much-needed conversation about this important health issue,” said Robert Gebbia, Chief Executive Officer of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. “Over the past few years, more and more people are speaking out about their personal experience with suicide. That’s a big change. And it’s why we believe that in the next ten years, by 2025, we can reduce the annual suicide rate by 20 percent. But to accomplish this, we need to take action – we need greater investment in research, education, and advocacy.”
The AFSP is asking that partner agencies use #EndSuicide on Social Media this week, and post their #SelfiesAgainstStigma on Friday.
