Turning Point Times Summer 2024

By turningpc | June 3, 2024

Summer Update

Turning Point Coalition helped students and families have a great end to the school year with a couple of presentations and a fun event at the library.

Alcohol Literacy Challenge – 20 seventh grade students were taught about the differences between physical and mental effects of alcohol, and how alcohol marketing conditions people to look past the physical effects of alcohol.
RAPA Presentations – RAPA members taught 20 seventh grade students about the dangers of vaping, and talked to 20 eighth grade students about what they should expect when they get to high school.
Pizza and Books – The annual Pizza and Books event set a new attendance record with 108 people coming together for some pizza and games.
Prom Promise Banner – 22 students promised to make good choices while attending prom this year. RAPA members provided the banner and encouraged students to make the pledge.

Parents Who Host – The annual Parents Who Host campaign is coming to an end. This campaign runs from mid-April through June and reminds parents to not be a party to underage drinking.

The Importance of Positive Alternatives

Turning Point Coalition (TPC) and Orrville Public Library partnered together for their annual Pizza and Books event (pictured above). The event was a success and saw a record attendance with 108 people coming to the event. Positive alternative events like these play an important role in prevention. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Agency (SAMHSA) describes positive alternatives as being fun, challenging, and structured activities that “help people – particularly young people – stay away from situations that encourage use of alcohol, tobacco, or illegal drugs.” Pizza and Books, the library tailgate event, and Haunted Halls are successful alternatives that TPC provides to bring families together.

TPC community events are just one example of positive alternatives. Other examples include fifth quarters, all-nighters, summer reading programs, and field trips. All of these activities provide safe, drug-free spaces where youth can have fun and/or learn new skills. They also encourage participants to make healthy choices. SAMHSA says that one in four teen car crashes involve an underage drinking driver. Alternative proms and prom after parties sponsored by churches and schools give students a safe place to celebrate.

Positive alternatives are may not appear to be as impactful as an informative billboard or classroom training, but they are an integral part of prevention. The memories created while visiting a museum or going to the library with your parents will stick with you longer than a statistic in a presentation. Take some time this summer to get involved in a positive alternative whether it is having a movie night, attending a parade, or going on a hike. Use those activities to encourage your children to make safe and healthy choices. Check out the links below for some ideas.

Resources

21 For a Reason – Alcohol-Free Activities: Summer Fun & Prevention
Mothers Against Drunk Driving – Activities and Strategies
SAMHSA – Focus On: Prevention
SAMHSA – Impaired Driving: Talk With Your Kids

Youth Vaping Prevention Programs

Youth vaping is the main focus for many groups focused on substance use prevention including Turning Point Coalition. The focus on this issue has led to the creation of multiple resources that teach students about the dangers of vaping and give them resources that can help them quit if they have started. Here are some programs that are currently available.

CATCH My Breath – This evidence-based program was designed to give students in grades 5-12 the knowledge and skills they need to avoid vaping.
INDEPTH: An Alternative to Suspension or Citation – Intervention for Nicotine Dependence: Education, Prevention, Tobacco and Health (INDEPTH) is an education program that was developed by the American Lung Association. INDEPTH is meant to be used in place of suspension when a student is caught vaping. It teaches students about nicotine dependence, establishes healthy alternatives, and helps students get out of nicotine addiction.
My Life My Quit – Stanford University developed this cessation program to help students quit smoking and/or vaping. This program was developed with input from teens to be as relatable as possible.
Ohio Department of Health Tobacco Use Prevention and Cessation Program (TUCPC) – This program has three main goals: preventing youth from using tobacco and nicotine products, helping those who want to quit using those products, and passing policies that limit the availability of tobacco products and secondhand smoke exposure.

Meeting Times
When: The second Friday of the month at 8:30 AM
Where: Orrville High School Board of Ed and Zoom

Upcoming meetings:

June 14th
Speaker: Kelly Dremann – Tobacco Cessation Coordinator at Holmes County General Health District

July 12th
Speaker TBD

August 9th
Speaker TBD

To receive the Zoom link, message us on Facebook or email CoalitionsCommunication@gmail.com

Turning Point Coalition (TPC) was launched in 2004 by a group of concerned citizens working to help create a community environment where youth strive to be alcohol, tobacco, and drug free. Sixteen years later, the coalition continues its mission with education, information, and advocacy.

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This publication is developed in part under grant number SP020543-10 from the Office of National Drug Control Policy and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The views, policies, and opinions expressed are those of the Coalition and do not necessarily reflect those of ONDCP, SAMHSA, or HHS.

Turning Point Coalition
c/o 104 Spink St.
Wooster, OH 44691

T urningPointCoalition.com
CoalitionsCommunication@gmail.com

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