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.
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?
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!
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!
Every day during Red Ribbon Week we will bring you a tip of the day. Be sure to watch your email or check back here on our blog to follow along!
Have you signed the Red Ribbon Week Pledge yet? As parents, the Pledge is very important, and we encourage you to sign it.
Let us know in the comments once you sign the Pledge!
Here at ACT Missouri we are busy getting everything ready for the 2014 Substance Abuse Prevention Conference! We are very excited, and cannot believe it is already next month!
fIf you applied for a scholarship, be sure to check your email! Award letters went out this morning. If you did not receive a scholarship, we would still like to encourage you to attend the conference. We have a great lineup of speakers this year!
#FlashbackFriday to the 2013 Prevention Conference
We would love it if you would share and RT any social media posts regarding the Conference! Remember to use #ACTAgentsOfChange for all Conference-related posts. That helps us find them and share them with all of our followers too!
For more information and to register, visit our website.
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.
Back-to-school and the beginning of fall athletics is the perfect time to talk to you student about the dangers of substance abuse. ACT Missouri and The Partnership for Drug-Free Kids is using this time to educate on the dangers of athletics and alcohol/performance enhancing substances.
Alcohol
For years parents have supported their young athlete by driving them to practices, pitching balls, coaching their teams, cheering them on when they are losing, paying traveling expenses, and enduring extreme weather on uncomfortable bleachers. Parents want their children to succeed, and encouraging them to become refined athletes is a good start in building resiliency and teaching necessary life skills. Now that they are in high school and possibly driving themselves, you may think that you have done your part. While it is true that most athletes are dedicated to their health, team, and sport, they also have a tremendous amount of pressure to succeed, be their peer’s leaders, and succumb to alcohol use. Common sense tells you that alcohol and athletics is a losing combination, so don’t turn a blind eye to the fact that your star athlete may be drinking. The solution: talk, talk, talk. Team rules are great, but they’re just the beginning. If your child has to agree to team rules before the start of the season, use them as a conversation starter. You are still the most impactful influence in your child’s life. We know that “kids who learn a lot about the risks of drugs and alcohol from their parents are up to 50% less likely to use than those who do not”. (The Partnership at Drugfree.org)
Enhance this influence by educating yourself on how alcohol affects athletic performance. “Many athletes tend to underestimate the way in which alcohol use (even a few drinks) can erase the effects of a hard workout, reduce endurance, and compromise the mental game.” (Janis Meredith, Alcohol and Athletics Don’t Mix, redding.com, 6/20/12)
In all, “One night of drinking negates two weeks of athletic training!!!”(American Athletic Institute, 2005).
Performance Enhancing Substances
Performance enhancing substances are also a concern with student-athletes. Student-athletes are often under an immense amount of pressure, and may turn to PES in order to “get an edge” on the competition. However, because youth are still developing physically and mentally, they can suffer extreme side effects. It is important to talk to your student-athlete about the effects of using these substances and emphasizing that winning isn’t everything, especially at the cost of their health.
What can you do to help your student-athlete?
Other Resources
Be sure to watch the Play Healthy webinar from The Partnership for Drug-Free Kids. The Play Healthy program is designed to help parents, coaches, and other concerned adults gain a better understanding of performance enhancing substances so that they can help youth athletes make healthier and safer decisions. Also be sure to nominate your coach and player for the Commissioner’s Play Healthy Award! The applications are due by October 31st.
In honor of Red Ribbon Week, the oldest national substance abuse prevention campaign, MYAA is hosting its annual art contest. You can submit still art for the calendar, or a video!
Please incorporate this year’s theme into your artwork: Stay true to yourself, stay drug free!
Last year’s still art Grand Prize winner was 4th Grader Olivia G. from Southwest Elementary in Lawson.
Post by ACT Missouri.
Last year’s Grand Prize video was: “My Life is Worth Framing” by the Lawson Middle School Character Club.
Check out the other 2014 winners!
Entries must be received by October 10th. Click here for contest rules.
Any questions? Give Chelsea a call at (800) 669-2280 or email cbilleck@actmissouri.org.
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to share your creativity, win amazing prizes, and most importantly, help to keep Missouri kids drug and alcohol free!
Need ideas for your Red Ribbon Week celebrations? Give us a call, or click here!
