Wood County Prevention Coalition
Uniting For A Drug-Free Community Since 2004
Opioid Addiction Is a Mental Health Crisis, Not a Crime Wave
by Chirlane McCray / NBC / Oct.15.2017 / 4:57 PM ET
Last year, roughly 64,000 people died from a drug overdose in the United States -- the largest annual increase in drug-related deaths ever recorded in our history. Overdoses are now the leading cause of death for Americans under 50. In New York City, we lost a record 1,374 people to drug overdoses in 2016.
And every single one of those deaths was preventable, because all addiction is treatable.
As a nation, we’re failing: failing those with substance use problems, failing those with mental health problems, and failing their friends and family. Cheap heroin and dangerously potent synthetic opioids like fentanyl are flooding our communities and killing our loved ones and neighbors, even as many people are still ashamed to seek help, afraid of being labeled as weak or undisciplined or simply criminal. And when people talk about overdoses, they still talk in hushed whispers or make ignorant condemnations that don’t acknowledge the humanity of the people about whom they are talking.
We need more than prison sentences or policy interventions: We need a culture change. We need to shift from a culture of shame and punishment to one of healing and wellness. And in communities, like ours in New York City, that are suffering, that shift means new policies.
Colleges using sober dorms to combat alcohol, drug addiction
By Claire Altschuler
Chicago Tribune 10/3/17
Over 20 million young Americans started college this fall. For most of them, the next few years will be a time of intellectual challenges, new friendships and career exploration. But for many, those years will also include a lot of partying and exposure to an abundance of alcohol and drugs.
According to a 2016 report by the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration,1.2 million full-time college students drink alcohol, and more than 700,000 use marijuana on an average day. Binge drinking is common. More than a third of surveyed students reported binge drinking (taking five or more drinks in quick succession), according to a 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health.
Most students learn to navigate the college party circuit without much damage. But for those who arrive at school already struggling with substance abuse, easy access to drugs and alcohol poses a real danger. For them, living on a campus where partying is common and alcohol and drugs are readily available can be daunting.
Featured Speaker for November 3rd Coalition Meeting Announced
The next Wood County Prevention Coalition meeting is set to take place at the Wood County Educational Service Center on November 3rd from 8:30 AM to 10:00 AM and the featured presenter will be Jennfier Lloyd, who is the Director of Statewide Outreach on Substance Abuse for Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine.
In this role, Jennifer leads a team tasked with providing community outreach to address the opioid epidemic. Jennifer travels the state to assist communities with developing and implementing strategic plans, including grant assistance, programming and training. Jennifer recently received the Attorney General’s Pride Award in recognition of her efforts to combat the opioid epidemic. Jennifer has previously held various sales and sales management positions in the telecommunications industry. She completed her Master of Science in Psychology in September,2011.
For more information, please see the flyer below.
To RSVP, please use the form below or email mkarna@wcesc.org.
November 3rd Featured Speaker Announced: Jennifer Lloyd
RSVP to the next WCPC Community Meeting!
Wood County Prevention Coalition Meeting
Friday, Nov 3, 2017, 08:30 AM
Wood County Educational Service Center, 1867 N Research Drive, Bowling Green, OH
RSVPs are enabled for this event.
About Us
Our Vision: Helping youth be drug-free, productive and responsible citizens.
Our 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.
Email: mkarna@wcesc.org
Website: wcprevention.org
Location: 1867 Research Drive, Bowling Green, OH, United States
Phone: (419)-354-9010
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WCPCoalition
Twitter: @woodpccoalition