COALITION NEWS

More than 781 residents in Clark, Skamania and Klickitat counties safely dropped off a total of 2,597 pounds of unused medications and 281 pounds of syringes during a multi-site drug take-back event on Saturday, October 23rd.

The medication disposal event was held at seven locations in three Southwest Washington counties and was organized by a committee of local youth substance misuse prevention coalitions, law enforcement agencies, community business partners, and volunteers.

The Prevent Coalition would like to thank PeaceHealth Southwest Urgent Care, Kaiser Permanente Orchards, the Battle Ground Police Department , Washougal Silver Star Search & Rescue, the Cowlitz Indian Tribal Public Safety Department, the Skamania County Sheriff’s Office and the Goldendale United Methodist Church for hosting the seven event sites.

“Despite the weather on Saturday, we had a decent turnout for the events across our region,” said Kelley Groen-Sieckmann, community prevention specialist with the Prevent Coalition and ESD 112. “It is always inspiring to see members of the community committed to keeping medications out of the environment and to protecting their children and families from possible misuse and accidental poisoning from prescription and over-the-counter drugs,” explained Groen-Sieckmann.

All discarded medications were secured in boxes and will be transported for incineration by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

Drug take-back events have been organized by prevention coalitions and law enforcement agencies in Clark County since 2010. The events are now held twice a year (April and October) in multiple counties, and in partnership with the Washington State Health Care Authority and DEA National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.

For those that missed the drug take-back event, unwanted medications can be disposed of year-round at several collection sites across Southwest Washington. Prescription and over-the-counter medication including controlled substances, such as painkillers and tranquilizers, can be taken to participating law enforcement agencies and pharmacies. Sharps and syringes, can be taken for free disposal to local participating transfer and recovery centers. Visit www.med-project.org to find nearby collection sites that accept medicine for safe, free disposal or to order pre-paid postage envelopes to dispose of medicine by mail. Do not flush or throw away unused medicine as it can be misused, cause accidental poisonings and pollute the environment and our drinking water.

From Department of Health Digest:

An uptick in the accidental ingestion of delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) edibles by children and youth prompted the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to release a health alert after many of those ingestions resulted in hospitalizations.

Consumers of cannabis products should be wary of insufficient labeling on products containing delta-8 THC, a psychoactive compound found in hemp that often comes in the forms of edibles, like gummies and chocolates, beverages, vapes, and tinctures.

Delta-8 THC intoxication can cause adverse effects, especially in children. These effects include:

• Lethargy
• Uncoordinated movements and decreased psychomotor activity
• Slurred speech
• Increased heart rate progressing to slowed heart rate
• Low blood pressure
• Difficulty breathing
• Sedation
• Coma

Click here to keep reading.

From SAMHSA:

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has released findings from the 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). The data suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic had a negative impact on the nation’s well-being. Americans responding to the NSDUH survey reported that the coronavirus outbreak adversely impacted their mental health, including by exacerbating use of alcohol or drugs among people who had used drugs in the past year.

Click here to keep reading.

"Welcome to the Prevent Coalition Podcast. We're sharing stories and strategies to help coalitions and organizations reach their full potential."

In the latest episode, your hosts Jesse and Christopher reflect on the past year through COVID; the sweets, sours, and highlights on what's to come for the coalition's future.

Listen at preventcoalition.podbean.com. The podcast is also available on Google Podcasts, the Apple Podcast app and other familiar streaming services.

• Episode 0 - Welcome
• Episode 1 - Rural Network
• Episode 2 - Policy Change
• Episode 3: Secure Your Cannabis
• Episode 4: "Better You Bingo" with special guests from Clark County STASHA!
• NEW --> Episode 5: Sweet & Sour

Episodes archived at preventcoalition.org/events/news/.

The statewide policy workgroup, Prevention Voices, has published a series of legislative 101 webinars to help prepare for legislative session. You may find some familiar hosts!

Click the links below to watch and learn. These videos will be archived in multiple places, including the Prevent advocacy page.

• Navigating the Legislative Website
• Session Flow
• Reading a Bill
• Crafting a Message

If you live in Southwest Washington, look out for Secure Your Cannabis in your local newspaper! Prevent published prevention campaign ads for the month of November and these are now available for you to use as well. Download these assets on the campaign toolkit page.

From Cancer.org:

Quitting smoking isn’t easy. It takes time. And a plan. You don’t have to stop smoking in one day. Start with day one. Let the Great American Smokeout event on the third Thursday in November be your day to start your journey toward a smoke-free life. You’ll be joining thousands of people who smoke across the country in taking an important step toward a healthier life and reducing your cancer risk. Plus, the American Cancer Society can help you access the resources and support you need to quit.

Quitting starts here.

From the PTTC Network:

Brush up on your cannabis knowledge with this series of short lessons on cannabis and prevention! Each lesson consists of a 5-10 minute video followed by a brief quiz. Topics include the basic differences between THC, CBD and hemp, how drug screening and confirmation for cannabis works, the effects of cannabis consumption on road safety, and the role of prevention in cannabis policy decisions.

Click here to start learning.

The Starts with One campaign is designed to inform and educate young adults, their parents, and older adults about the dangers of prescription drug misuse and the importance of safe storage, use, and disposal. To learn more about what you can do to make a difference in preventing opioid misuse or to find help for you or someone you know suffering from addiction to opioids go to www.GetTheFactsRX.com.

If you're in Clark, Skamania, or Klickitat counties, contact Kelley Groen-Sieckmann to request Starts with One printed materials including rack cards, posters, and stickers (while supplies last).

* If you or someone you know is suffering from addiction to opioids, now is the time to get help. Programs are available across Washington state to help you live an opioid-free life. To access support and information about effective treatment near you, call or text the Washington Recovery Help Line at 1.866.789.1511. Call 24/7/365 or Text M-F 9am-9pm.

The Public Health Learning Network offers this free online training. Learn more about how framing messages appropriately can build lasting relationships.

Overview:

This is a 30-minute self-paced online module.

This course focuses on the 10 PHRASES (Public Health Reaching Across Sectors) framing recommendations and four framing tools. The four framing tools included in the PHRASES Toolkit are frame elements, sample emails, “When You Say They Think” charts, and reframed answers to tough questions.

Click here to get started.

It's survey season! Coalitions around Southwest Washington and the state implement a "community survey" every Fall / Winter that informs how coalitions select programs, how they are making a difference, and is an opportunity for citizens and community members to share their insight and knowledge on what's happening.

Each coalition has a minimum goal they are trying to reach in order for the survey data to be valid. This year, coalitions need your support more than ever because COVID creates barriers for getting survey responses. Prevent encourages you to participate if any of the surveys below match where you live, work, or play. Check with your local coalition to see if they're implementing a survey too! Visit this link for a map of coalitions across the state.

• Battle Ground: https://www.research.net/r/CLBAGREN2021
• Klickitat & Lyle (English): https://www.research.net/r/KLKLLYEN2021
• Klickitat & Lyle (Spanish): https://es.research.net/r/KLKLLYSP2021
• La Center: https://www.research.net/r/CLLCUNEN2021
• Longview (English): https://www.research.net/r/COLOEN2021
• Longview (Spanish): https://es.research.net/r/COLOSP2021
• Skamania: https://www.research.net/r/SKSTEN2021
• Washougal (English): https://www.research.net/r/CLWAEN2021
• Washougal (Spanish): https://es.research.net/r/CLWASP2021
• Central Vancouver (English): https://www.research.net/r/CLCEVAEN2021
• Central Vancouver (Spanish): https://es.research.net/r/CLCEVASP2021
• West Vancouver (English): https://www.research.net/r/CLWEVAEN2021
• West Vancouver (Spanish): https://es.research.net/r/CLWEVASP2021

New elements have been added to the online Rural Toolkit for prevention & education.

These items are designed to promote the network as a tool for outreach and new member recruitment. Each item however is fully adaptable to your needs. Download, edit, then use for your organization!

• Email Recruitment Templates by Sector
• Letter Recruitment Templates by Sector
• Canva Thank You Card Template
• Canva Post Cards Invite Template

Click here to access the toolkit, password “ruralrocks!”

WRASAP Small Grants Program:

Western Regional Agricultural Stress Assistance (WRASAP) is offering a distribution of funds to partners, collaborators and stakeholders. Requested funds should address causes of and solutions for agricultural stress in the Western region. Small Grants are offered four times per year in the fall, winter, spring and summer.

Apply for up to $10,000 to educate yourself/your organization or reduce agriculture-related stress and/or prevent agricultural suicides in your state/territory. Funding opportunities are available in three categories:

1. Translation,
2. Outreach, and
3. Professional Development.

Click here to learn more and apply.

OSPI Grants:

Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) is opening a new round of grants to non-profit Community-based Organizations (CBOs) using federal ESSER/ARP funds. Grant funds will be allocated in four key activity areas:

1. Academic support for students: includes activities such as tutoring, student engagement and enrichment activities
2. Behavioral health supports: includes activities such as clinical services and social/emotional/behavioral supports for students
3. Case management and wraparound services: includes services for specific populations such as homeless, foster care, refugee, etc.
4. Mentoring of students

Applicants must have a formal partnership with one or more districts, tribal compacts, or charter schools in order to be eligible.

Learn more and apply today.

• Policy: We're hosting trainings by Prevention Voices and a legislative Q&A in November. Look at our meeting minutes for a recording of the latest policy training.
• Toolkit: The workgroup convenes to figure out what to build next.
• Training: We're partnering with Rede Group to make your dreams come to life for our "rural conference" or gathering! We'll plan this gathering each month, and host it in Summer/Fall of 2022.
• Recruitment: We published a recruitment kit on the rural toolkit page. Find letter templates, emails, thank you cards, and post cards all tailored to different sectors.
  
• Promotion: Thank you Brisa Sanchez and Sarah Meyers for sharing our work and equity lessons learned during the Washington State Prevention Summit! You both made the coalition proud!
• Photo Toolkit: Published! You may still submit more photos.
• Story Toolkit: Published! You may still submit more stories.

For a full grant progress timeline visit www.preventcoalition.org/rural/our-work/.

Locks Save Lives Phase 2 Stakeholder Committee

Wednesday November 17

10-11:30 a.m.

Online conference call.

For stakeholders of the campaign and opioid prevention partners.

Coalition Coordinators Meeting

Date & Time to be determined - late November.

Online conference call.

For Coalition Coordinators & staff in SW Washington.

SW Regional Network Meeting

Date & Time to be determined - late November.

Online conference call.

For coalition stakeholders and sector representatives throughout SW Washington.

Click for full calendar of coalition and community events.

Rural Office Hours

Wednesday November 3

1-2 p.m.

Online conference call.

For members to receive Technical Assistance and consultation.

Rural Toolkit Workgroup

Thursday November 4

2-3 p.m.

Online conference call.

For members interested in developing our online toolkit.

Rural Steering Committee

Monday November 15

10-11:30 a.m.

Online conference call.

For Steering Committee Members of the network.

Rural Network Meeting

Tuesday November 30

2-3:30 p.m.

Online conference call.

For rural volunteers, representatives & leaders across Washington.

Conference Workgroup

Thursday December 2

1-2 p.m.

Online conference call.

For rural residents interested in designing this gathering opportunity.

Click for full calendar of coalition and community events.

Relevant events not sponsored by Prevent Coalition:

11/2 - 11/3: Washington State Prevention Summit

11/6 Legislative Youth Advisory Council Online Youth Town Hall

11/10 Webinar: Implementing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion throughout the SPF

Supported by the fiscal agent ESD 112, Prevent Coalition is a community coalition formed in 2003 to increase collaboration, awareness, and reduce youth substance use in Southwest Washington. Prevent also implements initiatives for rural communities across Washington state. As a community mobilizer, the coalition creates a culture promoting healthy choices; advocates for policies and regulations that protect, empowers and nurtures youth; and facilitates positive opportunities for youth to be involved and thrive.

Email: preventcoalition@esd112.org
Website: www.PreventCoalition.org
Location: 2500 NE 65th Ave., Vancouver, WA, USA
Phone: 360-952-3457
Facebook: Facebook.com/PreventCoalition
Twitter: @supportyouthnow