Communi-Key
Cumberland, North Smithfield & Lincoln Prevention Coalitions
October, 2018
Autumn Greetings!
It is a beautiful time to live in Northern Rhode Island! The foliage is breathtaking! We are coming to the end of our 2nd full month of school. By this time, most students & parents are busy juggling homework, after school sports and activities. We thank you for taking the time to read Communi-Key and are excited to welcome new members to the Coalitions!
"Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower."
- Albert Camus
Red Ribbon Week at Cumberland High School!
Youth are celebrating Red Ribbon Week across the country! "Life is Your Journey. Travel Drug Free" is this year's theme.Cumberland High School Students, organized by Student Assistance Counselor Rebecca Young, pledged to be drug-free & decorated the infamous fence across from the high school on Mendon Road to spread awareness!
What is Red Ribbon Week?
Since its beginning in 1985, the Red Ribbon has touched the lives of millions of people around the world. In response to the murder of DEA Agent Enrique Camarena, angered parents and youth in communities across the country began wearing Red Ribbons as a symbol of their commitment to raise awareness of the killing and destruction cause by drugs in America.
Enrique (Kiki) Camarena was a Drug Enforcement Administration Agent who was tortured and killed in Mexico in 1985. When he decided to join the US Drug Enforcement Administration, his mother tried to talk him out of it. "I'm only one person", he told her, "but I want to make a difference."
On Feb. 7, 1985, the 37-year-old Camarena left his office to meet his wife for lunch. Five men appeared at the agent's side and shoved him in a car. One month later, Camarena's body was found. He had been tortured to death.
In honor of Camarena's memory and his battle against illegal drugs, friends and neighbors began to wear red badges of satin. Parents, sick of the destruction of alcohol and other drugs, had begun forming coalitions. Some of these new coalitions took Camarena as their model and embraced his belief that one person can make a difference. These coalitions also adopted the symbol of Camarena's memory, the red ribbon.
In 1988, NFP sponsored the first National Red Ribbon Celebration. Today, the Red Ribbon serves as a catalyst to mobilize communities to educate youth and encourage participation in drug prevention activities. Since that time, the campaign has reached millions of U.S. children and families. The National Family Partnership (NFP) and its network of individuals and organizations continue to deliver his message of hope to millions of people every year, through the National Red Ribbon Week Campaign."
National Drug Take-Back Day!
Saturday, October 27th, 2018 is National Drug Take-Back Day!
The National Prescription Drug Take Back Day aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse of medications.
The last Drug Take-Back Day, held in April 2018, collected over 3,342lbs of expired/unused medications, from the State of Rhode Island!
The Lincoln and Cumberland Police Departments are equipped with Prescription Drop Boxes, that are accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
To locate a safe Drop Box near you, click HERE!
Teal Pumpkin Project
Teal is the new Orange!
About the Teal Pumpkin Project
Putting a teal pumpkin on your doorstep means you have non-food treats available, such as glow sticks or small toys. This simple act promotes inclusion for trick-or-treaters with food allergies or other conditions.
- Provide non-food treats for trick-or-treaters
- Place a teal pumpkin in front of your home to indicate to passersby that you have non-food treats available
- Add your home to the Teal Pumpkin Project map
- Spread the word! Share the Teal Pumpkin Project with your friends and family
Available at dollar stores, party supply stores, or online shops, these low-cost items can be purchased and handed out to all trick-or-treaters, or made available in a separate bowl from candy if you choose to hand out both options. Nearly all of these items can be found in a Halloween theme or festive colors.
- Glow sticks, bracelets, or necklaces, Pencils, pens, crayons or markers, bubbles, Halloween erasers or pencil toppers, Mini Slinkies, Whistles, kazoos, or noisemakers, Bouncy balls, Finger puppets or novelty toys, Coins, Spider rings, Vampire fangs, Mini notepads, Playing cards, Bookmarks, Stickers.
Add your household address to the map & connect with other homes in your area that are participating in the Teal Pumpkin Project! Click HERE to add your address!
Wishing everyone a fun filled SAFE evening!
They got caught, DOING IT RIGHT!
They got caught.......DOING IT RIGHT!! After recent Alcohol Sale Compliance checks performed by the Lincoln Police Department & sponsored by the Lincoln Prevention Coalition, we would like to recognize our local establishments that are keeping our youth & community safe from underage drinking! It truly “takes a village“ & we are certainly appreciative! Kudos to Asia Grille, Harry's Bar & Burger Lincoln, The Twisted Hop Tavern, Dragon Villa Pawtucket Ri, Washington Hill Liquors, Brooksies Bar and Grill & One Stop Liquors! All establishments were presented a certificate & signs to display!
Stay Connected!
Stay on top of all the latest news, trends and events by "Liking" & "Following us! Our Facebook page is, Blackstone Valley Prevention Coalition! Follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/bvprevention/
And last, but not least, we are on Twitter at https://twitter.com/BVPrevention. Be sure to "Like" and "Share" us with your friends and family!
Have questions? Any suggestions? Please email Pam Shayer, at pshayer@lincolnri.org.
We want to hear from you!
We want to hear from YOU! BRIEF Parent survey!
Hidden in Plain Sight.....Coming to N.Smithfield & Lincoln!
If you haven't seen the interactive exhibit "Hidden in Plain Sight", parents in North Smithfield, Lincoln and Cumberland will have the opportunity during upcoming Parent/Teacher Conferences! The Hidden in Plain Sight interactive exhibit has been traveling throughout the State of RI, giving parents a unique opportunity to look into a mock teenager’s bedroom full of 50 common household items that could be used to hide or disguise drug, alcohol, tobacco use or other “risky” behaviors.
The exhibit will be on display:
Wednesday, 11/7 at North Smithfield High School
Thursday, 11/15 at Lincoln High School
Thursday, 11/29 at Lincoln Middle School
Please be on the "lookout" for dates and times, in your community!
Interested in becoming a member of the Cumberland, Lincoln or North Smithfield Prevention Coalition?
Interested in finding out or becoming a member of the Blackstone Valley Prevention Coalition? Please join us for our monthly meeting!
(For Lincoln Residents) Tuesday, November 27th at 6:30pm, Lincoln Police Department
(For Cumberland Residents) Tuesday, November 27th at 4:00pm, McCourt Middle School
(For North Smithfield Residents) Thursday, November 29th at 2:00pm, NS High School
Please join us & learn how YOU can be a part of prevention for the community!
Please watch our Facebook page, Blackstone Valley Prevention Coalition, for more exciting news!