Congratulations to the 2010-2011 Drug Free Communities Grant recipients, as awarded by the White House's Office of National Drug Control Policy.

Partners for a Drug-Free Milford Miami Township is the region's newest grantee.  They will receive $625,000 over the next five years to facilitate citizen participation in local youth drug prevention efforts including prescription drug diversion and prevention initiatives and underage drinking programs.  Substance Abuse of Greater Anderson (SAGA) coalition received a new five year renewal, their second and final renewal.

Butler County Coalition was awarded a mentoring grant to mentor the Coalition for a Healthy Middletown.  Mentoring grants award $75,000 for two years to help new coalitions grow capacity and prepare for future DFC funding.

Other area coalitions currently receiving DFC funding that were continued, include:

The Coalition for a Drug-Free Greater Cincinnati recently hosted a training on addressing prescription and over-the-counter drug abuse in communities.

“Moving From Awareness to Action” was be presented by:

• Mike Puccini (Business Development Manager for Kroger),
• Dan Urra (Coalition Administrator for the Coalition for a Healthy Oxford),
• Mary Haag (President/Executive Director of the Coalition for a Drug-Free Greater Cincinnati), and
• Marc Grodner (Vice President of Alcohol and Other Drug Services for HCMHRSB)

Communities were provided with:

As you know September is National Alcohol & Drug Addiction Recovery Month. The Alcoholism Council of the Cincinnati Area, NCADD is hosting Rally for Recovery on the Square to recognize that recovery is happening in Cincinnati and that incredible work happens every day in each of our agencies. We want to make the community aware that we are providing hope, help and healing to those affected by alcohol and drug addiction.

We are gathering on Fountain Square on September 22, 2010 from Noon - 1:00PM to speak out about recovery in Cincinnati and to share information about treatment resources available in our community.

We are inviting you to be a voice for recovery and come down to represent your agency with materials that you would like to distribute.

We have many things planned for our short time together. There will be inspirational stories of recovery, and music by local artist Jerry Pinnell. We have requested that Mayor Mark Mallory declare September 22, 2010 as Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Day in Cincinnati.

The process to recovery is often difficult and stressful for  the addict and their family members. Family members may not understand why the recovering addict is not the same person after treatment. Children who grow up in an environment with substance abuse are often in a state of chaos. A healthy and productive home environment may be something they have never experienced. The active role of adults in their school and community is imperative to their health and well being.

As adults, we have the opportunity to affect the lives of the young people around us. It may mean thanking the young man who bagged your groceries or waving at children on a school bus. Young people want to feel loved, cared for, and contributing members of their communities. This reassurance is something that every young person needs. One way adults can impact the lives of young people is by helping them build developmental assets. Developed by the Search Institute, developmental assets are building blocks for healthy development divided into two categories, internal and external assets.

Often when I’m speaking out in the community, I’ll first ask the question: “How many people know someone – a friend, family member, or colleague – who has a problem related to substance abuse?” Whether the audience is parents, youth, or some other segment of the community, the majority of the room will raise their hand. Substance abuse affects everyone.

When our children are young, parents ensure they are seen regularly for well check-ups and immunizations. As adults, wellness check-ups are less regular and more self-monitored. If an imbalance in our health is detected, tests are run, a diagnosis is made, and a treatment protocol is prescribed. Sometimes an illness is chronic in nature and must be managed and monitored long-term.

So it is with substance use disorders. “Inoculating” our children against substance abuse requires frequent conversations and consistent messages about these issues, involvement in pro-social activities, positive adult role models, resistance skills, clear boundaries and expectations, reduced access to substances, and norms and policies that support a safe and healthy community.

Download the flyer

Save the Date information.The conference will be held November 16-18, 2010 at the Crown Plaza Hotel-Dublin, Ohio

As parents and children prepare for the start of another school year, it is important to remember that parents are the number one influence in the lives of youth.  Parents should make it clear to their kids that they expect them not to drink, and set clear expectations for fellow parents that their child not be at parties or events where alcohol is available.

In a previous article, we described the various surveys the Coalition uses to assess adolescent drug use and attitudes about drug use. Our last article included comments from a recent college grad who indicated that the foundation received at home has significant influence on future behavior. In this article we will look at the results from the recent Coalition survey of parents regarding underage alcohol use.

75% of parents felt underage drinking was a slightly big to extremely big problem in the community. The same percentage of parents also felt that it was easy for youth to get alcohol in the community. The majority of parents, 70%, indicated that they had talked to their child in the last 30 days about alcohol use. Only 6% indicated that they had never talked to their child about alcohol use.

Keep doing what you’re doing. Community anti-drug coalitions are poised to move into the next decade ready to address their local substance abuse issues. Collaboration is of utmost importance as dollars have become tighter. Prevention research has demonstrated what works and needs to be applied consistently for effective community change.

On Tuesday, July 13, the Coalition for a Drug-Free Greater Cincinnati hosted a round table discussion with the Office of National Drug Control Policy Deputy Director, Dr. Tom McClellan, and area coalition leaders.

The dialog focused on President Obama’s 2010 National Drug Control Strategy to develop a community-oriented national prevention system focused on young people. Dr. McClellan spoke of three signature prevention initiatives: Prevention Prepared Communities, Prescription Drug Abuse, and Drugged Driving.