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Disaster Distress Helpline share
Incidents of community violence can lead to overwhelming feelings of anxiety, confusion, anger or fear. The national Disaster Distress Helpline offers 24/7 confidential support for anyone in the U.S. experiencing distress related to recent events in #Tulsa and #Charlotte. #TalkWithUs at 1-800-985-5990 or text “TalkWithUs” to 66746.
Presidential Proclamation -- Prescription Opioid and Heroin Epidemic Awareness Week, 2016 share
Each year, more Americans die from drug overdoses than in traffic accidents, and more than three out of five of these deaths involve an opioid. Since 1999, the number of overdose deaths involving opioids, including prescription opioid pain relievers, heroin, and fentanyl, has nearly quadrupled. Many people who die from an overdose struggle with an opioid use disorder or other substance use disorder, and unfortunately misconceptions surrounding these disorders have contributed to harmful stigmas that prevent individuals from seeking evidence-based treatment. During Prescription Opioid and Heroin Epidemic Awareness Week, we pause to remember all those we have lost to opioid use disorder, we stand with the courageous individuals in recovery, and we recognize the importance of raising awareness of this epidemic.
To read the full Presidential Proclamation click here.
Family Day - 2016 share
Family Day – Monday, September 26th 2016
Family Day is a national movement established in 2001 to promote simple acts of parental engagement.
So many of us are wearing multiple hats in both our professional lives and our personal ones.It may be hard to find time to do everything we and our children want to do. But according to the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA), even small everyday activities such as tucking your child in at night or driving them to soccer practice can have lasting effect on children by providing them an opportunity to communicate. Opening the lines of communication while they are young and keeping them open as they grow older will not only have a positive impact on your child’s life, but will also set a good example for when they get older. It is up to us to start the chain reaction.
Become a Family Day STAR!
I commit to:
S– Spend time with my kids
T– Talk to them about their friends, interests and the dangers of nicotine, alcohol, and other drugs
A– Answer their questions and listen to what they say
R– Recognize that I have the power to help keep my kids substance free!
Take the pledge here.
Live Facebook Chat-Partnership For Drug-Free Kids share
| You’re Invited! LIVE FACEBOOK CHAT on Rx Stimulant Abuse Among Students |
 Join us next Tuesday, September 20 from 12:00-1:00 p.m. EDT for a live Facebook chat with Alan Schwarz, former national correspondent for The New York Times and author of the new book A.D.H.D. Nation.
Alan will discuss the prevalence and normalization of teens abusing Rx medications used to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) without a prescription. He will also answer your questions and address teen misperceptions about the safety of Rx stimulants taken without a prescription and discuss what should be done to address this dangerous behavior. “Because the drugs are readily available, they’re coming out of backpacks into the other students’ hands.” We invite you to submit questions in advance and Alan will do his best to answer them during the chat. Click here to submit your questions to [email protected]. To participate in the chat, please “Like” and visit our Facebook Page at 12:00 p.m. EDT on September 20. The chat will take place right under the announcement image of Alan Schwarz in the comment thread. Please make sure to refresh your browser throughout the chat to view all of the comments in real time and follow the live conversation. To learn more about what the Partnership is doing around Rx stimulant abuse, take a look at our new documentary, BREAKING POINTS. |
International Overdose Awareness Day share
International Overdose Awareness Day is a global event to raise awareness to overdoses, break the stigma, and spread the message that they are preventable.
What is our community doing to prevent overdoses:
Through youth, parent and family education the Brunswick County Coalition, Cape Fear Coalition and Coastal Horizon’s Prevention Department are working to prevent the misuse and abuse of prescription drugs. According to NIDA, 8 out of 10 heroin users started with prescription drugs and New Hanover and Brunswick County are both in the top ten for prescription drug overdoses in North Carolina. By partnering with other organizations we also address proper storage, use and misuse. Click here to find a medication drop box near you.
North Carolina Harm Reduction Coalition (NCHRC) provides harm reduction resources such as Naloxone, syringe exchange, and the Good Samaritan Law.
DEA National Take-Back Initative share
Brunswick and New Hanover Counties are in the top ten for prescription drug overdoses in North Carolina. According to the National Institute on Drugs (NIDA), in 2014, 54% of prescription drugs were obtained free from a friend or relative.
“About 165 kids — or roughly four school busloads of children — are seen in emergency rooms for medication-related treatment every day in the U.S.,” said Kate Carr, President and CEO of Safe Kids Worldwide. “Every one of those trips was preventable. We can and must do better.”
In 2010, the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) hosted the first ever national prescription drug take-back event. All 50 states participated with a total of more than 4,000 events and over 242,000 pounds of prescription drugs were turned in. Six years later during the May 2016 event, at over 5,400 sites the DEA collected 893,498 pounds of unwanted medicines—about 447 tons.
Last fall in New Hanover County we also broke our record. The team of community partners lead by New Hanover Regional Medical Center collected over 900 pounds of pills.
Let’s continue to take the necessary steps to protect our youth and clean out our medicine cabinets. The next event in New Hanover County will be Saturday, September 17th from 9am to noon at the Medical Mall on 17th Street. Follow the Cape Fear Coalition on Facebook for more information about the New Hanover event. Follow the Brunswick Coalition on Facebook for more information about the upcoming Brunswick County event.
Can’t make an event or need to get your medication out of your home right away, drop them off at one of the permanent medication drop boxes in your area. Click here for Brunswick County’s locations and here for New Hanover County’s location. If you live out of these two counties, click here to choose your county and find the one closest to you.
Recovery Month 2016 share
National Recovery Month (Recovery Month) is an annual observance celebrated every September since 1989. In September, and throughout the year, Recovery Month spreads the message that
- Behavioral Health is essential to health.
- Prevention works
- Treatment is effective
- People recover
Refer to the Recovery Month website, www.recoverymonth.gov, for additional information on the initiative.
Recovery Month is sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. SAMHSA collaborates withapproximately 200 Recovery Month Planning Partners who represent local, state, and national organizations dedicated to prevention, treatment, and recovery.
This year’s theme, “Join the Voices for Recovery: Our Families, Our Stories, Our Recovery!” highlights the value of peer support by educating, mentoring and helping others. It invites individuals in recovery and their support systems to be active change agents in communities, and in civic and advocacy engagements.
Every September and throughout the year hundreds of events occur to celebrate Recovery Month.These events, ranging from recovery walks and rallies to online web chats and group barbecues, encourage the following audiences to address the continued need for prevention, treatment, and recovery support services. Follow the Cape Fear Recovery Month on Facebook for local information and events.
Many treatment options exist. SAMHSA’s Behavioral Health Treatments and Services webpage, www.samhsa.gov/treatment, helps people find mental and/or substance use disorder treatment facilities and programs across the country. SAMHSA’s National Helpline, 1-800-662-HELP (4357) or 1-800-487-4889 (TDD), provides 24-hour, free, and confidential information about mental and/or substance use disorders, and prevention, treatment, and recovery referrals in English and Spanish. Additionally, the “Treatment and
Recovery Support Services” section in this toolkit provides an overview of support options.
Refer to the “Mental and/or Substance Use Disorders: Fast Facts” section in this toolkit for up-to-date statistics on the prevalence of mental and/or substance use disorders in the United States.
Summer Mocktails share
Part 2 of our Mocktail Seres:
Mocktails offer all individuals the opportunity to enjoy a festively fun beverage without the risks and dangers of alcohol. A Mocktail is a non-alcoholic drink consisting of a mixture of fruit juices or other soft drinks.
For our Holiday Mocktail post click here.
Click here for a pdf of the Summer Mocktails.
