March’s #SubstanceFreeSaturday

With all the excitement from the 2015 #SpeakHard Youth Conference, we almost forgot about this month’s #SubstanceFreeSaturday! Luckily, the dates are all printed on our #RedRibbonWeek calendar!

This month is a great time to get friends together and watch some March Madness basketball! Is your team still in the tournament?

Source

Even if you don’t like basketball, you can still get a group of friends together and do something fun and #SubstanceFree! Make some yummy snacks, watch a movie, or play a game. Saturdays are a great time to hang out with your friends without the stress of homework!

Missouri Red Ribbon Week Winners Selected

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:
10^th Grade: Statilly R., East Carter R-II Schools

http://ow.ly/DWDGp

Grand Prize Video Winner:
Isaac J., Mt. Vernon Intermediate School

First place Artwork Winners:

1^st Grade:Nyle K., Southwest Elementary

2^nd Grade: Savanna S., Scott City

3^rd Grade: Aaron M., South Callaway

4^th Grade: Alaina A., Skyline Elementary

5^th Grade: Keeley G., Holcomb Elementary

6^th Grade: Morgan P., Holcomb Elementary

7^th Grade: Britney H., Scott City Middle School

8^th Grade: Courtney E., Scott City Middle School

9^th Grade: Taylor A., East Carter R-II Schools

11^th Grade: Itream A., Jefferson City High School

12^th 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

Substance-Free Halloween: Red Ribbon Week Tip of the Day

Happy Halloween!

Tip #9

For our last Red Ribbon Week tip of the day, we would like to give you some options on how to have a fun and safe Substance Free Halloween!

Have some friends over and watch scary (or not scary) Halloween movies.
Volunteer at a Trunk or Treat in your community.
Hand out candy to trick or treaters.
Dress up in a fun costume and go trick or treating.
Have friends over for a fun Halloween-themed party: serve scary snacks and play games.

Tell us in the comments what you are doing for Halloween this year!

How to Stay in Touch: Red Ribbon Week Tip of the Day

Tip #8

So, after Red Ribbon Week, how can you continue to get resources and stay connected with ACT Missouri?

Facebook, Twitter, Instagram-Follow us on Social Media! Be sure to use #SubstanceFreeSaturday each month for all your pictures and activities celebrating. We also love to see and share your #SubstanceFreeSelfie.

Newsletter-Stay connected all year long through our email list. We share events, resources, and updates from the prevention community.

Email Chelsea with questions on MYAA and SADD.

SADD: Red Ribbon Week Tip of the Day

Tip #7

Does your school have a Student’s Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) Chapter? Have they resubmitted their paperwork this year? Do you want to start a new SADD Chapter? Well, you’ve come to the right place!

There are all kinds of benefits to joining SADD, including participating in the annual “It Only Takes One” Campaign, attending Speak Hard (the annual Youth Prevention Conference), and helping your community stay substance-free. Many of they MYAA Youth Ambassadors are also active in their local SADD Chapter.

If you want to get more involved in SADD, be sure to check out the SADD page on our website!

Red Ribbon Week Tip of the Day #6

We’ve seen so many great photos and posts for Red Ribbon Week from schools and coalitions! Please keep posting and sharing with us!

Tip #6

ACT Missouri’s mission is to serve as the statewide prevention catalyst, empowering individuals and fostering partnerships to promote safe, healthy, and drug-free communities.

Here is a quick fact sheet on ACT Missouri and be sure to check out ACT Missouri’s programs, partnerships, and alliances.

There are eleven Regional Support Centers across Missouri, and over 160 community coalitions. These are all excellent resources for programming and education in your school and community.

Do you know who your Regional Support Center (RSC) is and where they are located? Visit the RSC page on our website so you can get in contact with your RSC today!

Red Ribbon Week Tip of the Day #5

Tip #5

Have you checked out the MYAA Fact Sheets or ACT Missouri Fact Sheets lately? We are always adding more topics. The MYAA Fact Sheets use facts for students, teachers, and parents, and are a great resource for your SADD group or school. If you don’t see a topic you would like to know more about, email us at info@actmissouri.org.

Red Ribbon Week Tip of the Day #4

Tip #4

This is the 26th year of Red Ribbon Week. It began in 1988 as a way to honor DEA Agent Enrique Camarena. You can read the entire history of the Red Ribbon and how the National Family Partnership got involved with the movement, and then come back and tell us in the comments what you thought. Did you know how Red Ribbon Week was started?

Substance-Free Saturday: Red Ribbon Week Tip of the Day

Tip #3

Every month, ACT Missouri encourages communities to observe and celebrate #SubstanceFreeSaturday. On this day, plan an activity with your friends, school, SADD chapter, or community that celebrates being Substance Free! Then share your event with us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram using the #SubstanceFreeSaturday hashtag. Be sure to watch Facebook and Twitter or check out your 2014 Red Ribbon Week calendar for #SubstanceFreeSaturday dates!

Let us know in the comments about your favorite #SubstanceFreeSaturday event, or the one you are looking forward to the most!

Red Ribbon Week Tip of the Day #2

Tip #2

Today’s tip of the day is how to get involved with the Missouri Youth/Adult Alliance (MYAA). MYAA is a statewide coalition made up of adults and youth that assists local community efforts in addressing underage drinking. Its mission is to encourage advocates to reduce youth access to alcohol by implementing environmental and social policy changes in their communities. By changing policy we will improve the environment that our children are living in each day; the environment that encourages them to drink alcohol.

So how can you get involved? Complete this membership form and make plans to join us at the next coalition meeting!

Taking ACTion to Build a Healthy Missouri