Are you or someone you know looking for help with substance abuse? Do you need resources relevant to the prevention, treatment and recovery from substance abuse? Or... would you like more information on how you can become involved as a community member to prevent substance? Go to www.StopSubstanceAbuse.com to become involved.
Together...We Can Make a Difference!
Please join our efforts in Southwest VA to positively combat the substance abuse epidemic that has so negatively impacted our region. A united voice can make a difference. Prevention has significantly reduced the “litter” and “smoking” problem in our county and together we can definitely change the drug culture area as well!
Are you or someone you know looking for help with substance abuse? Do you need resources relevant to the prevention, treatment and recovery from substance abuse? Or would you like more information on how you can become involved as a community member to prevent substance abuse? Go to www.StopSubstanceAbuse.com to become involved.
Sixth Faith Based Community Initiative Event Draws over 90 folks in Wytheville VA February 12th! Stories of recovery inspire churches to join ASAC Coalition in making a difference in their communities. #OurCommunityOurResponsibility.
Click here if you would like to sponsor a FREE Revive Training in Southwest Virginia please contact the ASAC Coalition for arrangements at
Understanding Naloxone
Naloxone (also known as Narcan®) is a medication called an “opioid antagonist” used to counter the effects of opioid overdose, for example morphine and heroin overdose. Specifically, naloxone is used in opioid overdoses to counteract life-threatening depression of the central nervous system and respiratory system, allowing an overdose victim to breathe normally. Naloxone is a nonscheduled (i.e., non-addictive), prescription medication. Naloxone only works if a person has opioids in their system; the medication has no effect if opioids are absent. Although traditionally administered by emergency response personnel, naloxone can be administered by minimally trained laypeople, which makes it ideal for treating overdose in people who have been prescribed opioid pain medication and in people who use heroin and other opioids. Naloxone has no potential for abuse. Naloxone may be injected in the muscle, vein or under the skin or sprayed into the nose. Naloxone that is injected comes in a lower concentration (0.4mg/1mL) than Naloxone that is sprayed up the nose (2mg/2mL). It is a temporary drug that wears off in 20-90 minutes.
Tuesday, April 18, 2017
March 9, 2017- The ASAC Coalition continues to strategically plan for with Community Partners at the Inn at Wise in August for the prevention of prescription drug use in Southwest Virginia.
August 2016 Southwest VA at its finest! Community partners coming together to tell "our story" of 20 years fighting the prescription drug problwm in SW VA. Pioneers in dealing with the problem, ASAC speaks out to build community resouces and avenues to action. Legislators and local commonwealth attorneys join the cause.
Mountain Youth Drama, a prevention theatre group in Southwest VA is taking a
stand against drinking and driving! Sign a drug - free contract and earn a
chance to win 50 dollars.
Motivating kids to get involved in community projects can often be
challenging! Simplification and easy tasks to involve hands on activities makes
for smooth sailing. Friday night high school football in America is a season
that embodies the real joy of small town living. Our community wanted to forgo
the usual homecoming parade this fall and try an approach that included more involvement
from the community. Culturally, you have a captivated community ready to enjoy
some time with each other. Unfortunately, when a community is at a loss in providing
alternative activities for youth during this season, "a six pack and a back
road" becomes the activity of choice. Students decided to hold a block party to attract folks to the high school
campus prior to their traditional bon fire the Thursday night before the
homecoming game. Local bands, community organizations, churches & groups
and of course high school clubs all had the chance to operate booths to fund
raise and add to the spirit of homecoming. The school also hosted inflatable
games, wagon rides, a dunking booth and games such as the ever popular
"corn hole". Mountain Youth Drama, developed a
simple strategy to add to the event as well as provide a forum to encourage
kids to be drug free.! Enjoy their video and use their idea in your own
community. Together....We Can Make A Difference!
Prescription Drug Epidemic is a documentary on a rural communities experience with the enormous surge in prescription drug deaths in Southwest Virginia. ASAC: Appalachian Substance Abuse Coalition for Prevention
Treatment & Recovery serving the Virginia counties of Buchanan, Dickenson, Lee, Russell, Scott, Tazewell, Wise and Washing ton and the cities of Bristol and Norton ,was developed in 2001 as a region's response to this crisis.
Hundreds of deaths have led to economic decline, higher than state average crime rates and the destruction of Southwest Virginia’s stronghold...the family. Understand the problems associated with prescription drug use and watch the pioneering strategies this coalition and its related communities implement. Drug deaths begin to decline as the coalition embraces their slogan, “Substance Abuse Prevention...Its Our Community ...Its Our Responsibility.”
Run Time: 42minutes
ASAC: Appalachian Substance Abuse Coalition
for Prevention Treatment and Recoverywould like
to invite you to take part in a regional prevention campaign, ”Substance
Abuse Prevention…Our Community Our Responsibility”. Our goal is to
decrease the number of individuals using prescription drugs in our region. We are providing you with the free locally filmed
documentary, The Prescription Drug
Epidemic; A Coalitions Journey, to help you in your efforts to understand
the prescription drug problem and discover ways you can make a difference in
the areas of prevention, treatment or recovery. The documentary is also available to anyone who requests,while supplies last by emailing lgates@cmcsb.com.
With the documentary you will receive a
booklet outlining talking points that can be used with the following target populations:
1.Physicians
2.Employers
3.Youth & Parents
4.College Students and
5.Faith-Based Organizations
So many lives have been affected and many more
are searching for ways to become involved to turn this problem around. We are asking for your help to not only promote
community involvement but incorporate the viewing of this film throughout the
region through community
coalition activities, recovery programs, educational activities, drug free work
place programs, and public viewings such as lobby’s, health fairs and school events.
The DVD includes the entire 42 minute documentary and a 8 minute trailer as
well for smaller events.
We are also offering the DVD free to all our web friends across the country to support your community coalition efforts as well.
Together we ARE making a difference!
Requests for a FREE DVD of the documentary can be made to Lori Gates-Addison, lgates@cmcsb.com
Dedicated to the health and well being of my three boys.
As hard as parents try.....college students today more than any other time
in history, are more at risk of using drugs than ever before. Exposure through
the media and the growing epidemic in American culture of prescription pill and methamphetamine use to the creative ways to experiment such as candy
soaked in Vodka, to new the highs of synthetic drugs and bath salts are all evidence of this risk. The rise
of this culture has almost made the consumption of alcohol the lesser of two
evils in many peoples eyes. Take a good look at binge drinking behavior and
college students you will be reminded not to stray n this direction!
So what is a parent to do? How do you prepare your child for these very real
and expected challenges that they will inevitably be faced with? The typical
adult response is to restrict access or exposure to these situations. You might
want to consider something different as this approach obviously has not been
effective as seen by the epidemic death rates in recent years of prescription
drug deaths and related problems associated with binge drinking.
First , from a young age it is important to be direct and give accurate
information about substance abuse. Secondly, we know that young people
who are college age are developmentally looking for power and are willing
to take risks. Most have a desire for purpose in their lives and are seeking a
sense of belonging. Stress during this time brings the desire to escape
difficult situations even if momentarily.
To avoid the easy migration towards college age substance abuse,consider doing the following for your child
when addressing the issues and needs above:
·Create opportunities and outlets to experience
acceptable risks
·Provide outlets where young people can
experience purpose
·Provide outlets that nurture a sense of
belonging
·Make the concept of resiliency the foundation of
your parenting by raising a child with the ability to problem solve, share a
sense of community, belonging, and have healthy bonds to supportive adults.
Our purpose as caregivers is not to rein our young adults in, (although they
need healthy expectations and consistent boundaries) but to nurture them to
choose more opportunities and healthy options. Young people who have a strong
family, a strong community of friends and adults who are invested in them and
have a strong faith in who they are and who they want to be, will be the best
equipped to deal with the dangers inherent in the current drug culture in
America.
Remember …”It’s Our Community It’s Our Responsibility”….together we can make
a difference in raising today’s college student.
Lori Gates-Addison, LCSW, PS
VIDEO RESOURCES:
The Truth About Adderall
College Binge Drinking
Each day...2,500 kids ages 12-17 try
drugs for the first time.....they are 42% are less likely to try drugs if
their parents talk to them about drugs...
