National Prescription Drug Take Back
Cape Girardeau and Jackson Police Departments participated in the National prescription Drug Take Back Event on Saturday, October 29th. A total of 97.5 pounds of prescription medications were turned in. The Drug Enforcement Agency will safely dispose of these medications. Safe disposal of unwanted and unused prescription drugs reduces youth access to prescription medications and keeps chemicals found in medications out of the water supply. Thank you to all who took the time to dispose of their unwanted medications in a safe way. Thank you to the Cape Girardeau and Jackson Police Departments, the Drug Enforcement Agency and the Coalition members who worked during the Prescription Drug Take back Event!
Jamie Litteken (social work student intern with the Coalition) collects unused medications at the Prescription Drug Take Back Event
| “Research tells us that from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. is the most dangerous time of day for young people – when crime involving youths doubles – as they leave school and return to an empty household or neighborhood street unsupervised. The answer, according to a consensus of experts, is to provide afterschool programs in every community.”
- Denzel Washington |
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Thank you Jim Maginel for all the years of service you have
given to the Coalition and to our community!
Thanks for everything Jim!
Are we inspiring the youth in Cape County to THRIVE?
Visit their website to see how you can get involved locally.
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!
| FOR YOUTH |
FOR PARENTS |
PREVENTION |
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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. |
