National Prescription Drug Take Back
The Drug Enforcement Administration has designated Saturday, April 28th from 10am-2pm a National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. Both Cape Girardeau City and Jackson Police Departments will be hosting local events. Unwanted and unused medications can be safely disposed of on April 28th between 10am and 2pm at the West Park Mall parking lot (near Steak and Shake) in Cape Girardeau and at the Jackson Police and Fire Station. Please spread the word and plan to drop off any medications you no longer need that day. Medications that can be dropped off include any prescription and over the counter medications except liquids.
Prescription and over the counter drug misuse/abuse is dangerous and growing problem. Prescription Drug Take Back Days help to reduce the availability of these substances for misuse.Flushing these drugs down the toilet may contaminate surface waters and Prescription Drug Take Back Days provide venues for safe disposal. Thank you to Cape and Jackson Police Departments for hosting these important events!
Jamie Litteken (social work student intern with the Coalition) collects unused medications at the Prescription Drug Take Back Event
The Search Institute has identified 40 Developmental Assets that are important for young people as they grow. Research shows that the more assets young people have, the less likely they are to engage in risk taking behaviors including substance abuse.
This month, our focus is Asset #23*: Homework Youth with this asset get better grades in school, score higher on tests and have fewer behavior problems in school.
“Feeling valued is a crucial part of human development. Kids need to believe that they matter to adults.”
– Peter L Benson
Are we inspiring the youth in Cape County to THRIVE?
Visit their website to see how you can get involved locally.
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Rise Above
Many local youth are rising above the pressures to use alcohol, tobacco and other drugs. We want to hear how! Please visit our youth Facebook page and think of posting a video about what you do to Rise Above the influence!
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FOR PARENTS |
PREVENTION |
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April is Alcohol Awareness Month
Parents – Talk to your kids about underage drinking!
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Did you know that nationally, 70% of children say their parents are the leading influence on whether or not they choose to drink?
Tips for talking with your children about underage drinking:
- Have conversations with your child about underage drinking. Don’t lecture them, but ask them open ended questions about alcohol and really listen to their answers. Find out what they already know about alcohol and what they think about underage drinking.
- Once you know what your child thinks about underage drinking, this may give you an opportunity to clear up some misconceptions with some facts about underage drinking. Share good reasons not to drink alcohol. Many teens say the best way to persuade them to avoid alcohol is to appeal to their self respect. Let them know they are too smart and have too much going for them to mess it up by drinking.
- It is important that youth know consequences that may result from underage drinking. Talk to your child about the health consequences that can occur as a result of underage drinking. For example, explain to your child that drinking before the body and brain are fully developed may cause irreversible damage. Make sure your child understands other facts about alcohol – it impairs coordination; slows reaction time; and impairs vision, clear thinking, and judgment.
- Make sure your teen understands other consequences that may result from underage drinking. Explain to them it can interfere with getting good grades in school. It can negatively affect athletic performance. It can cause injury while swimming or biking. It is illegal and may mean trouble with police, parents, and endanger future plans if its on your criminal record. Underage drinking is illegal. Because alcohol use under the age of 21 is illegal, getting caught may mean trouble with the authorities.Drinking also makes a young person more vulnerable to sexual assault and unprotected sex.
- Control your emotions. If you hear something you don’t like, try not to respond with anger. Instead, take a few deep breaths and acknowledge your feelings in a constructive way.
- Don’t try to “score points” on your teen by showing how he or she is wrong. If you show respect for your child’s viewpoint, he or she will be more likely to listen to and respect yours.
- Help your child say no. The best way to say “no” is to be assertive—that is, say no and mean it. Stand up straight. Make eye contact. Say a firm “No thanks. I don’t want to.” Don’t make excuses. Stand up for yourself.
For more information about common misconceptions regarding alcohol, visit our Underage Drinking FAQs page. |
