Countdown to National Drug Facts Week 2015

Register to host an educational event for National Drug Facts Week in your community. Get started now with FREE materials!

ACT Missouri is proud to announce their partnership with the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) for the 2015 National Drug Facts Week!

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!

#GivingTuesday

Today is #GivingTuesday! What is #GivingTuesday? This video does a great job of explaining what this movement is about.

There are several ways you can support ACT Missouri today (or any day, for that matter).

You can make a purchase through AmazonSmile. A portion of your purchase is donated back to ACT Missouri.
You can donate directly to ACT Missouri through Paypal.
You can share the #MOPrevention message on your social media pages.
You can join MYAA.
You can start a SADD chapter in your community.
You can apply to be a Youth Ambassador.

We hope you will take part in this global giving movement and make an impact by making a gift to ACT Missouri.

Thank you for supporting prevention efforts in Missouri!!

ACT Missouri Hosts Annual Substance Abuse Prevention Conference

The 5^th annual Substance Abuse Prevention Conference hosted by ACT Missouri was held November 18-19^th 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

nnewville@actmissouri.org

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?

Taking ACTion to Build a Healthy Missouri