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Celebrating 10 Years of Being a DFC Coalition The Drug-Free Communities (DFC) grant funds community-based coalitions who bring multiple sectors of the community together to prevent youth substance use. This grant gives coalitions $125,000 per year for up to 10 years, allowing them to implement initiatives, build community partnerships, and create sustainability plans. Turning Point…

The Current State of Youth Mental Health The increased focus on mental health in recent years has helped us realize the importance of mental wellbeing. This development has improved education on mental health challenges, led to the creation of resources to support those who need help, and helped reduce the stigmas about mental health. Youth…

Focus on the Positives: Using Social Norms in Prevention All of us are strongly influenced by group norms, and that is especially true for adolescents. Young people are strongly influenced by the behaviors and attitudes they perceive their peers to have. This works well when it comes to youth learning how to interact with and…

The History of Substance Use & Substance Use Prevention October is Substance Use Prevention Month, and this year’s focus is on telling the prevention story. Understanding the history of substances and addiction can help us improve how we treat addiction and can help preventionists have more success in preventing substance use. Substance use for medicinal…

Fall Update Turning Point Coalition spent most of the summer planning for the beginning of the school year. Here are some highlights from the past few months: Orrville Public Library Summer Reading Program Kickoff – The coalition had a table at this fun event. Kids enjoyed spinning a prize wheel and answering trivia questions to win sunglasses with “It’s…

Supporting Those in Recovery It does not matter how slowly you go, as long as you do not stop. – Confucius The American Psychiatric Association (APA) defines substance use disorder (SUD) as “a complex condition in which there is uncontrolled use of a substance despite harmful consequences.” The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) recently…

Communities Talk: Let’s Talk About the Effects of Marijuana Learn more about addiction, the disease concept, and the mental health effects of marijuana from Dr. Nicole Labor, OneEighty Medical Director, and Dr. Dennis Helmuth, OneEighty Psychiatrist. 2.0 CEUs available for Ohio Counselor, Social Work, and Marriage & Family Therapy; Nursing CEs requested. Please bring your…

Join Wayne County Coalitions and OneEighty in remembering those who have lost their lives to addiction. Overdose is the leading cause of death for people ages 18 to 45 in the United States, with 107,543 overdose deaths in 2023. International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) is observed annually on August 31 to create a better understanding…

Why Harm Reduction Matters An estimated 107,543 Americans lost their lives to a drug overdose in 2023 according to data from the CDC (Centers for Disease Control). This is a decrease from the 111,029 overdose deaths in 2022, but any life lost is a tragedy. Public health officials, government leaders, and communities are struggling with…

Social Media’s Role in Youth Substance Use It is no secret that youth love using social media. According to Clearfork Academy, 95% of youth are active on social media, with the top platforms being Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube, and Twitter (X). These platforms provide youth with entertainment and a chance to stay connected with friends.…