Newsletter

Summer 2022

Wood County Prevention Coalition

MISSION

We are a coalition of compassionate community members working together to coordinate high quality programs for the prevention of youth substance abuse in Wood County.

VISION

Helping youth be drug-free, responsible, and productive citizens.

Mark Your Calendar

Mark your calendar for our next Wood County Prevention Coalition/Addiction Task Force meeting: Friday, September 23 at 9:00 a.m. at the Wood County Educational Service Center, 1867 North Research Drive, Bowling Green.

Madison Weilnau and Deputy Kaleb Smith of the Wood County Addiction Response Collaborative will deliver a "Safe Drug Disposal" presentation that day. They will also discuss a recent Wood County Prevention Coalition collaborative where this presentation was provided to various Wood County Committee on Aging audiences throughout the county (the Coalition provided drug drop box location magnets and Deterra to attendees). With our 2022 Wood County Youth Survey results indicating an increase in student abuse of prescription painkillers, these presentations are timely.

William J. Ivoska, Ph.D. will also give a presentation on Problem Gambling in Wood County that reflects recent data from various sources. This is another relevant subject matter in light of recent survey results.

Meeting notices will be sent out, but please invite others to attend as well. Those not on our email distribution list should contact Tina Bradley at tbradley@wcesc.org to be added. All are welcome!

Download the 2022 WCPC Meeting Schedule

Drug-Free Communities Grant Updates

A beautiful summer has arrived in Northwest Ohio--just as Wood County's Drug-free Communities (DFC) grant nears the end of Year 8. During this past year, our Coalition has marked graduation from CADCA's National Coalition Academy, the launch of a new website, the development of various marketing and informational campaigns, the re-establishment of our podcast series and an array of collaborative events/activities. Our non-federal funded grant programs (Problem Gambling grant from Prevention Action Alliance and Safe Celebrations 2022 via Bowling Green Community Foundation) served as sources of required match dollars. Both of these supplemental grants have successfully concluded.

DFC Funding Year 9 begins September 30, 2022 and ends September 29, 2023. The continuation grant is for $125,000 in federal funding, and the WCPC will match this with $187,500 in non-federal share.

Students posting Safe Celebrations 2022 prom and graduation posters (April) at Bowling Green High School. This project was made possible by a grant from the Bowling Green Community Foundation and provided (in part) necessary match for this year's DFC grant.

Youth volunteers logo labeling SAMHSA "Talk. They Hear You." vaping, opioid and marijuana prevention brochures (April 2022). Request your FREE supply here.

The Coalition provided youth participants these bracelets (with a great drug-free message on them) at Wood County Educational Service Center Prevention Education's recent "Get Hooked on Fishing Not Drugs" event in May.

Madison Weilnau and Deputy Kaleb Smith answering questions at the Safe Drug Disposal presentation at the Rossford Area Senior Center (May 2022). Our Coalition provided free Deterra and drug drop box location magnets to those in attendance (May 2022).

Judge David Woessner (Wood County Common Pleas Court Probate and Juvenile Divisions), Tina Bradley and Kyle Clark (both of the Wood County Prevention Coalition) joined Clint Corpe on The Morning Show (May 2022) to discuss why parents who host lose the most as part of the Safe Celebrations 2022 initiative. This multi-month project provided Bowling Green High School students and parents ways and information to celebrate landmark events (such as prom and graduation) more safely. It was funded using awards from the Bowling Green Community Foundation and Drug-free Communities grants.

Director Kyle Clark welcomes Hayden Ningsong Motter, our Coalition's summer intern from

Bowling Green State University (June 2022)

A scene from our June 10, 2022 meeting... With 44 in attendance, we had a packed house!

Boy and Girl Scouts Can Earn a DEA Red Ribbon Week Patch!

The DEA Red Ribbon Patch Program provides Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts the opportunity to earn a patch from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) by engaging in anti-drug activities in celebration of Red Ribbon Week. The purpose of the Patch Program is to empower young people to engage with their community through drug-free activities and strengthen their anti-drug beliefs.

Program dates are July 1 through November 30, 2022. All Boy and Girl Scouts are eligible to earn a badge, however:

Patches are mailed out on a first come, first served basis
1 patch per scout, per program year.
Patches are not distributed based on the number of events/activities a scout participates in.
Due to the limited number of patches available, make sure to submit your “Activity Report” as soon as all program requirements have been completed.
Due to COVID-19 and limited staffing at DEA Headquarters please understand the distribution of patches will be delayed.

Patch Requirements are:

Each Scout/Troop or unit must coordinate a Red Ribbon Week activity within your local community or school.
Activities and events must be coordinated during the program dates (July 1 – November 30) of the current year.
Each Scout must attend or participate in a drug prevention education session.
Each Scout must take the DEA Drug Free Pledge.
The Scout leader must complete and submit the online “Activity Report” upon completion of all program requirements.

Get added information here! Also of note: most of our Wood County public schools are participating in Red Ribbon Week activities and prevention education sessions--which could serve to partially satisfy the requirements. Parents and troop leaders, if your Boy or Girl Scout lives in Wood County and earns this patch (or you have any questions related to in-school activities/prevention education sessions, please let us know! We would welcome the opportunity to recognize them in our next newsletter.

Learn How Deterra Can Save Lives, Prevent Addiction -- Watch Our New Video and Request Your Supply Today

The Biennial Report of The Wood County Youth Survey 2022 indicates an increase (4.3%) in painkiller abuse (30-day) amongst students in grades 7 through 12. Youth's access (social availability) to these painkillers is a key "root cause."

Painkiller abuse amongst youth can lead to addiction and overdose. Fortunately, youth painkiller abuse is preventable. Securing medications and disposing of those drugs that are expired or no longer needed helps to minimize access.

Deterra is an at-home, easy-to-use drug disposal option. The Wood County Prevention Coalition has a large supply of free Deterra packets available to individuals and agencies for pick-up upon request.

You can help prevent addiction. Please watch the video below (currently airing as television ads in Wood County) and request your free packets today!