Join Drug-Free Action Alliance for a Two-Day National Training
Beyond Billboards & Brochures: Using Parents Who Host, Lose the Most: Don't be a party to teenage drinking to MOBILIZE your community!

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KNOW! empowers parents to raise their children to be substance-free with twice monthly
alcohol, tobacco and other drug-related information tips designed to get conversations
between parent and child started and to keep them going. 

IT’S A FACT: Seventy-five percent of 12 to 17-year-olds own a cell phone. Like it or not, it is the number one communication tool among our nation’s youth.

Ninety-eight percent of parents polled in a recent survey said that when it came to that first cell phone purchase for their child, it had everything to do with personal safety and being able to reach their child at all times. While the jury is out on the “right” age for a child to be trusted with a cell phone, there is no denying that if a child finds him/herself in a potentially dangerous situation, such as one involving alcohol or other drugs, a cell phone, many times, can provide the means to a quick and safe getaway.

If you do take that big step in purchasing a cell phone for your child, it is important to set limits, provide guidelines and share some basic cell phone etiquette.

Click here for the full Know! Parent Tip, including the Family Cell Phone Contract.

Click here to sign up for FREE Know! Parent Tips.

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Red Ribbon Week

Red Ribbon Week is quickly approaching and serves as an opportunity to increase community-wide support for substance abuse prevention, and serve as the springboard to raise awareness for other programs focused on more evidence-based prevention strategies.

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Generation Rx: Brought to you in Partnership with the Cardinal Health Foundation

The number of preteens and teens abusing prescription medications has skyrocketed. Every day, about 2,500 youth are trying their first painkiller (for a high).

Parents may wonder what goes through the minds of their children when they consider taking that first pill? According to youth themselves, here is what some of them report thinking:

• I have heard so much hype over these pain meds. I just want to try it once. It’s not a big deal.
• I know it’s not ‘”ok” to use drugs, but I want to be part of the “group,” and at least it’s a medicine prescribed by a doctor, which is better than an illegal drug off the street.
• This medicine helped my friend’s mom with her back pain, so there is nothing wrong with borrowing a few pills to help with my ankle injury.  
• If a small dose of my prescription helped me feel good, a little more will make me feel even better.
• If my grandma can take this prescribed drug, it’s certainly not going to hurt me.

Misconceptions, lack of education and the stereotypical teenage “invincibility syndrome” all play a role in the number of young people abusing prescription drugs for the first time.

For parents, a critical first step in prevention is to recognize your child’s risk and to sit down with him/her for an open discussion about the dangers of prescription drugs. Young people need to know that regardless of how one rationalizes his/her particular situation, prescription drug abuse is a big deal, and never an option.

Keep in mind, this is not a one-time conversation, but a topic that needs to be addressed time and again. Drug-Free Action Alliance, in partnership with the Cardinal Health Foundation, will continue to provide parents with information to keep this conversation going. But to get started, we suggest you first cover the importance of the Three R’s of Prescription Drugs:

* Parents, we encourage you to elaborate on these three bullet-points.

RESPECT the power of medicine and use it properly.

RECOGNIZE that risks are always present when taking medications and know that those risks increase with misuse and abuse.

RESPONSIBILITY must be taken to learn about proper use of a prescribed medication. And, take responsibility for seeking help at the first sign of a problem (for yourself or a friend).

For helpful resources and further information on combating the prescription drug abuse epidemic visit The Generation Rx Initiative.

Sources: NCPIE Coalition - Educate Before You medicate: Talking to Your Kids About Prescription Drug Abuse. Cardinal Health Foundation/OSU College of Pharmacy: Generation Rx Initiative.

EVENTS / TRAININGS / OPPORTUNITIES

Two FREE Online Audio Teleconferences

(1) Meaningfully Engaging Law Enforcement in Coalition Efforts
Thursday, October 20, 2011
3:00 p.m. to 4:15 p.m.

As a coalition, have you experienced the challenge of engaging your law enforcement partners in a meaningful way? Perhaps you are a law enforcement officer and are wondering what your role might be with a local coalition? Join us as we discuss the keys to engaging and sustaining a successful partnership between coalitions and law enforcement. We will learn the "do's and don'ts", the culture, and some of the best practices as we hear from successful community and enforcement practitioners.

To register online visit: http://www.udetc.org/audioconfregistration.asp  

(2) Alcohol and Crime
Thursday, November 17, 2011
3:00 p.m. to 4:15 p.m.

This teleconference will examine crimes committed in the U.S. where alcohol is a factor. The Wyoming Association of Sheriffs and Chiefs of Police, beginning in the spring of 2005, received funding support to collect and evaluate alcohol-related arrest data to more accurately determine the scope and impact of alcohol on crime, with the purpose of formulating effective enforcement strategies to reduce the number of alcohol-related crimes and traffic crashes in Wyoming. The data collection has been refined and expanded since then, and the overall conclusions will be shared by a well-respected researcher in the field of criminal justice, including what local communities can do to reduce alcohol-related crime in their areas.

To register online visit: http://www.udetc.org/audioconfregistration.asp

State Farm Grant Opportunity
October 7th Deadline

In an effort to help build safer, stronger and better educated communities, State Farm is inviting non-profit organizations from around the country to submit their applications for a chance to receive $5,000 (minimum) grants for 2012. State Farm’s funding focus is on safety, community development and education.  

For eligibility, funding requirements and additional information please visit: http://www.statefarm.com/aboutus/community/grants/company/company.asp. 

National Depression Screening Day^® (NDSD)
Thursday, October 6^th    

Thursday, October 6th is National Depression Screening Day, as part of Mental Illness Awareness Week which runs from October 2nd-8th. National Depression Screening Day (NDSD) gives people the opportunity to take a free, anonymous questionnaire assessing their risk for mood and anxiety disorders and provides referral information for treatment. You are encouraged to share the following link with others so that they may find a local organization offering depression and anxiety screenings or take a screening online today at www.HelpYourSelfHelpOthers.org.

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Drug-Free Action Alliance
6155 Huntley Road, Suite H
Columbus, Ohio 43229
614-540-9985
614-540-9990 fax
http://www.drugfreeactionalliance.org/