Parent Alert October 2025
Substance Use & Misuse Prevention Month
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) celebrates Substance Use & Misuse Prevention Month every October. Their goal is to showcase the positive impact prevention is having in communities across the country by inviting everyone to share their prevention story. Prevention work is a growing field that is constantly adapting to new challenges. Here is how prevention specialists and agencies are making a difference:
- Preventing substance use entirely, preventing the progression of use to a disorder, and preventing consequences of substance use.
- Taking a scientific approach showing that prevention works with decades of research and community-based experience.
- Strengthening protective factors and reducing risk factors in individuals, families, schools, communities, and society.
- Getting ahead of substance use and mental health challenges so that youth, families, and communities can thrive.
SAMHSA is not alone promoting substance use and misuse prevention in October. Check out the other campaigns and activities from other organizations below.
SAMHSA – Substance Use & Misuse Prevention Month
Red Ribbon Week – October 23-31: This national campaign mobilizes communities to educate youth and encourages participation in drug prevention activities.
Red Ribbon Campaign – Homepage
DEA National Take Back Day – October 25: This Drug Enforcement Agency initiative aims to prevent prescription medication from falling into the wrong hands. You can help make this day a success by cleaning out your medicine cabinet and taking any unneeded or expired medication to a local collection site for safe disposal.
DEA – Take Back Day
MEDWAY DEA – RX Disposal Boxes (Wayne County)
Deterra – Homepage
National Medicine Abuse Awareness Month: CADCA (Community-Based, Advocacy-Focused, Data-Driven, Coalition-Building Association) created this initiative to prevent and reduce teen Rx and over-the-counter medicine misuse. Their PreventMedAbuse toolkit contains facts, strategies, and tools to support communities in their prevention efforts.
PreventMedAbuse – National Medicine Abuse Awareness Month
StopMedicineAbuse.org – Homepage
Wayne County Coalitions strives to observe the many different awareness events throughout the year that focus on mental health, substance use prevention, and other important topics. Please click on the links to learn more.
Domestic Violence Awareness Month: This year’s theme, “With Survivors, Always”, explores how advocates can work with survivors toward safety, support, and solidarity.
Domestic Violence Awareness Project – DVAM 2025: With Survivors, Always
Ohio Domestic Violence Network – Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Mental Health Awareness: October is emphasizing mental health awareness and information sharing. Important observances include Mental Illness Awareness Week from October 5 – 11, and World Mental Health Day on October 10.
American Behavioral Clinics – October is National Depression and Mental Health Screening Month, ADHD Awareness Month, & So Much More!
NAMI – Mental Illness Awareness Week
World Health Organization – World Mental Health Day
National Coming Out Day – October 11: National Coming Out Day started in 1988 to commemorate the 1987 National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights. This day is meant to honor the significance of coming out or inviting others in, and raising awareness about LGBTQ+ rights.
Human Rights Campaign – National Coming Out Day
LGBT Network – Coming Out 2025 Campaign October 6-10
Resources
Mental Health America – Kids and Teens
Mental Health America – Mental Health Resources for Parents
NAMI – Kids, Teens, and Young Adults
Nationwide Children’s – Community Behavioral Health Resource Directory
The Kids Mental Health Foundation – Free Mental Health Resources
We Think Twice – Mental Health
Harvest Bash returns on Thursday, October 23rd from 5pm-8pm at OneEighty, 104 Spink St. in Wooster.
Harvest Bash welcomes people celebrating fall’s arrival and the importance of family bonding and connectedness. The event is being hosted by CIRCLE Coalition, whose mission is to bring together Wooster community members to address the common goal of reducing substance misuse among youth and adults.
The event includes FREE food, fun, games, music, and prizes. There will also be a costume contest for youth and adults with prizes for the winners! Food and drinks include pizza, popcorn, juice, and a variety of treats. All activities and food are free to the community. Bring your appetite and get ready to kick up your heels and enjoy the fall.
Please contact Robert Bean by e-mail at beanr@one-eighty.org or by phone at 330-804-3122 for more information.
We’ll see you there!
Thank you for being a vital member of our community!
Please click on the link below to send this Parent Alert to a family member or friend. They will also have the opportunity to sign up to receive monthly Parent Alerts.
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Copyright © 2025 Turning Point Coalition. All rights reserved.
Our mailing address is:
Turning Point Coalition
c/o 104 Spink St.
Wooster, OH 44691
CoalitionsCommunication@gmail.com