April Coalition News

Find Your Good during COVID-19

It can be harder to find the goodness in life while also dealing with COVID-19 (corona virus) and social distancing.

How are young people (teenagers, youth) finding their "good" during this time?

Share the survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/8CH7HC5.

"Good" = fun, healthy or positive ways to manage stress that help people live lifestyles free of alcohol, tobacco or other drugs.

Examples:

• "My good right now is baking because it's something I've always wanted to learn how to do and it's a good way to pass the time."
• "I've been babysitting my sisters for my Mom. They really need me right now and it helps me stay focused about living a good lifestyle."
• "I've been reading a lot because it takes me to another world where I don't have to worry about corona virus. My good is reading."
• "I can still practice basketball in my drive. It's not the same as being with a team but it helps me feel like I'm still being productive. Basketball is my good."

Share this survey with youth your connected with and Prevent will turn their responses into Find Your Good campaign assets tailored to social distancing.

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Prescription Drug Take Back Day originally scheduled for April 25, 2020 has been postponed due to the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. It will be rescheduled for a date shortly after the health crisis recedes and national emergency guidelines are lifted.

The health and safety of our communities is a top priority for DEA. Given the overwhelming public response to past Take Back events and the anticipated large turnout for April’s event, DEA determined it would be prudent to suspend the event until safety concerns are mitigated. During this time, those seeking safe drug disposal options are encouraged to visit the DEA Diversion Control Division locator page.

Read more here.

Act now! There’s no need to wait for a take-back event to safely dispose of unused or expired prescription and over-the-counter medications. In fact, there’re several options in Clark County for safe medication disposal. By using a medication take back program you are preventing dangerous substances from entering our waterways, environment and the wrong hands.

According to the 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 9.9 million Americans misused controlled prescription drugs. The study shows that a majority of abused prescription drugs were obtained from family and friends, often from the home medicine cabinet. Since individuals may have a larger supply of prescriptions in their homes due to the COVID-19 pandemic, now more than ever safe medication storage and disposal are essential.

During the COVID-19 social distancing, ONLY the following Clark County locations are accepting medication for disposal:

• Walgreens- Fisher’s Landing, (360) 885-2938, 1905 SE 164th Ave., Vancouver. Open: 24 hours/day - Call for availability Walgreens Salmon Creek

• Walgreens- Salmon Creek, (360) 574–0914, 2100 NE 139th St., Vancouver. Open: M-F, 8 am-10 pm, Sat, 9 am-6 pm, Sun, 10am-6pm, Call for availability.

• Vancouver Police: East, (360) 487-7500, 520 SE 155th Ave., Vancouver. Open: M-F, 8 am-5 pm. *No pill containers*

• Vancouver Police: West, (360) 487-7355, 2800 NE Stapleton Rd., Vancouver. Open: M-F, 8 am-5 pm, *No pill containers*

• Central Transfer & Recycling Center, (360) 256-8482, 11034 NE 117th Ave., Vancouver. *Medications and inhalers* accepted: Fri-Sun, 8 am-4 pm

• West Van Materials Recovery Center (360) 737-1727, 6601 NW Old Lower River Rd., Vancouver. *Medications and inhalers* accepted: Sat, 8 am-4 pm

• Washougal Transfer Station, (360) 835-2500, 4020 S Grant St., Washougal. *Medications and inhalers* accepted: The first and third Saturday of the month, 8 am-4 pm.

Click here for a complete list of medication take back locations in Clark County.

Go to Take Back Your Meds to find medication take back locations in Washington State.

Check out Starts with One-Take Back Your Meds to learn more about how to safely store medication, dispose of unwanted, unused or expired medication, and the importance of removing prescription opioid medications from homes.

We know many workers are currently having to remote from home. Here is a list of online training opportunities to share.

• Prevention Solutions@EDC use discount code "Discount2020" for 20% off or "Discount2020Ethics" for ethics training
  
• Hazelden Betty Ford
• Prevention Technology Transfer Center Network Podcast Series
  
• Prevention Technology Transfer Center Network Online Training Series
  
• Health Equity & Inclusion in Prevention
• Media Advocacy Toolkit
• Informing Prevention - 6 Part Webinar Series
• Athena Forum Online Training Calendar

Recorded webinars from the Department of Health and the Rede Group are listed below.

• The Vaping Crisis EVALI Updated from CDC, January 29, 2020
• Marijuana Policy Changes, February 2, 2020
• Understanding Political Process for Health/Health Equity, February 26, 2020
• Marijuana & Clean Indoor Air Act, March 16, 2020

We would love to expand this list so if you know of other webinar hubs please send them to preventcoalition@esd112.org.

ESD 112 has compiled a list of local school resources in Southwest Washington. Click here to find out what's available in your district.

Additionally, Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) content experts have curated a selection of links to external organizations providing high-quality online educational materials – courses, lessons, videos, physical and outdoor activity suggestions, etc. Please note that in many cases, these resources are free to use online but are not openly licensed for wide scale reuse and adaptation.

These resources were carefully chosen for their alignment to Washington State Learning Standards (or a recognized equivalent) and/or direct experience with effective implementation with students. Particular attention has been given to identifying best practices and guidance in supporting ALL students and providing suggestions for educator professional learning during this challenging time.

Click here to access the content library.

It's our pleasure to announce that Educational Service District 112 and Prevent Coalition have been awarded a Rural Communities Project grant by the Department of Health’s Youth Marijuana Prevention & Education Program (YMPEP) to fund a new initiative aimed at developing robust prevention strategies and resources for rural communities in Washington State.

In order to form the most cohesive, relevant and culturally aware workgroup possible, we are inviting you to be a part of the new Prevent Coalition Rural Network, which will guide the direction of our work in this area. We know that rural communities are unique and have a variety of needs, and it is our goal to tailor the prevention services of the new Rural Network to effectively meet those needs. We want to connect, support and empower youth marijuana prevention workers in Washington’s rural areas, and we want to hear from you about how best we can do that.

Meeting Details

What: Rural Network Meeting

When: April 23, 2020, 1 - 2 p.m.

Where: Zoom virtual meeting: https://zoom.us/j/727816250

At this inaugural meeting, we will provide an overview of the Rural Network program goals, desired outcomes and timelines for completing projects. Afterward, we will brainstorm as a group what it means to be a rural community, discuss challenges rural prevention providers face and begin planning for how to go about this meaningful work. Your perspective will be invaluable in helping us shape the direction of the Rural Network.

Can’t make it to the meeting?

Share this email with someone you know. Invite individuals who you feel can help guide our work by offering their perspective on youth marijuana prevention in rural communities. People who may be interested in participating are parents, youth, school staff, business owners, medical professionals, law enforcement, government workers, and faith-based organizations in rural Washington communities.

Questions?

Email preventcoalition@esd112.org or learn more at https://www.preventcoalition.org/rural/.

On Tuesday, March 17, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued their final rule to require new health warnings on cigarette packages and in cigarette advertisements. Beginning Friday, June 18, 2021, these new cigarette health warnings will be required to appear prominently on cigarette packages and in advertisements. Learn more from the FDA's press announcement.

Registration opening soon.

This event is intended for researchers, policy makers, treatment providers and prevention specialists, and others interested in cannabis research in Washington State.

When: Tuesday, June 9, 2020 | 9:00am – 5:00pm

Where*: UW Alder Hall, 1315 NE Campus Parkway, Seattle, WA 98105

What: View the program

*The symposium will be held online if the current COVID-19 emergency measures are still in place. The program committee will make a determination by May 25th on this matter.

For updates and information about previous symposia, visit http://adai.uw.edu/mjsymposium

A highlight from Youth Now social media.

"BREATHE. When you feel your mind racing and body tensing, take a moment. Close your eyes. Breathe in slowly, counting to 3. Hold your breath for another 3 seconds. Then breathe out, counting to 3 again. Repeat.

BE KIND. In a “How are you? Good!” culture, we rarely get a glimpse of the anxieties, insecurities, or battles we all experience. A simple smile or act of kindness can shift a person’s entire day.

CHECK IN. Start a group text with your best friends. Send someone flowers. Email a teacher to say hello. While we’re isolated, checking in is the connective tissue that keeps our relationships nourished.

BE PRESENT. Notice how your mood and physical sensations in your body change throughout the day. We learn a lot about ourselves by how we react to uncertainty.

THINK WE NOT ME. HELP. DONATE. Social isolation is an act of service to others, recognizing we can all do our part to care for our collective health. Support your friends who are the most vulnerable. Thank those in your community who aren’t able to socially isolate and everyone on the frontlines fighting this pandemic.

PRACTICE GRATITUDE. Write 3 things you’re grateful for before you go to bed. These can be as simple as, “I’m grateful for the coolness of the air conditioning on my face” or “I’m grateful that I’m able to move my body.” Ending your day with gratitude will fortify resilience.

FIND JOY. Laughter soothes anxiety. Pay attention to what makes you smile and laugh. Cultivate it. Protect it. Do more of it.

SPREAD LOVE. LEAD WITH HEART. WE’LL GET THROUGH THIS. We’re here for you."

Excerpt from @raymondbraun + @space.ram on Instagram.

See the full post at www.instagram.com/youth_now.

Are tobacco and e-cigarette users at higher risk of COVID-19 infection? Data on the impact of the coronavirus on tobacco and e-cigarette users is still largely unavailable, and may not come for months after the surging impact of the coronavirus has passed. Utilizing what is already known about smoking, vaping, and the spread of viral infections, all major health organizations including the World Health Organization support the following:

• Tobacco and vaping product users are likely to be more vulnerable to COVID-19 as the act of smoking or vaping means that fingers (and possibly contaminated devices) are in contact with lips which increases the possibility of transmission of virus from hand to mouth.
• Smoking weakens the immune system and reduces the ability of the body to use oxygen properly which increases risk of serious illness.
• Quitting all forms of tobacco use is the best way for current tobacco product users to reduce their exposure and limit the impact of infection.

Visit the Youth Now “Vaping in the News” page for more information. Quitting resources are available on the “Counselors Resources” page or by visiting https://www.doh.wa.gov/YouandYourFamily/Tobacco/HowtoQuit.

Prevent Coalition events:

Rural Office Hours (Drop in for guidance and Technical Assistance for rural prevention)

Wednesday April 1

Online from 1-2 p.m.

Coalition Coordinators Meeting

Thursday April 2

9:30-11 a.m.

ESD 112 Columbia Room

2500 NE 65th Ave. Vancouver, WA 98661

Rural Network Meeting (For rural prevention professionals & health providers/educators)

Thursday April 23

1-2 p.m.

Online virtual conference call

Drug Take Back Events

Cancelled- due to COVID19 social distancing policy.

Youth Empowerment Project Meeting

Transitioning to online engagement now until at least June.

Contact preventcoalition@esd112.org to stay updated.

Click for full calendar of coalition and community events.

Community events not sponsored by Prevent Coalition:

4/7 Getting Ready for Sustainability Planning: Online Learning Course from 1-2:30 p.m. 7 week training series.

4/13 Webinar: Partnering with School Systems: Understanding the Culture of Education Partners and Agencies from 1-2:30 p.m.

4/14 Webinar: Pop Culture Influences on Underage Alcohol Drinking at 12 p.m.

4/15 Webinar: Make Zoom Work For You at 10:30 a.m.

4/29 Webinar: Exploring HOPE - Healthy Outcomes from Positive Experiences from 2-3:30 p.m.

6/9 UW/WSU Marijuana Research Symposium online from 9-5 p.m.

6/11 Annual Coalition Appreciation Picnic from 4:30-6:30 p.m.

Forward this newsletter to a friend, colleague or youth leader. You may also pass our news link along: bit.ly/preventnews.

Our mission is connecting and supporting communities to build resilience and prevent youth substance use. We envision a healthy, thriving community free of substance abuse.

Email: preventcoalition@esd112.org
Website: www.PreventCoalition.org
Location: 2500 NE 65th Ave., Vancouver, WA, USA
Phone: 360-952-3457
Facebook: Facebook.com/PreventCoalition
Twitter: @preventcc112