CCCOE Health & Wellness March 2024 Newsletter

MARCH 2024

This month, we are raising awareness about both Prescription Drug Abuse and recognizing National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week March 18–24.

In recognition of Prescription Drug Abuse Awareness Month, we are excited to partner with our CourAGE Youth Health Coalition and the Contra Costa MEDS Coalition to hold a virtual event to discuss the dangers of fentanyl, how to respond to a suspected overdose, and how to access naloxone/narcan. There is no cost to attend, although pre-registration is required.

NDAFW is an annual health observance that inspires dialogue about the science of drug use and addiction among youth. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) encourages us to use this week to implement activities that help support the development of skills related to healthy coping and health promotion among teens.

Contra Costa County Office of Education's Tobacco Use Prevention Education (TUPE) and Wellness in Schools Program (WISP) have collaborated and created a week of activities for educators to explore the topics of mental health, substance use, and health promotion.

Promoting mindfulness and teaching teens how to practice health-enhancing behaviors can support better management of stress and reduce substance use.

More Information about National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week

Visit our Website

2023-24 CourAGE Media Contest

2024 Theme: Under (peer) Pressure

Contra County middle and high school students are invited to submit their original work- video, social media, or drawing/art- for a chance to win prizes!

This is an opportunity for young people to express their thoughts on how young people are positive influences on others and how they can respond to pressures in a healthy way.

Submission Deadline: Friday, March 29

2023-24 Media Contest Flyer & Contest Guidelines (pdf)

For all contest information, guidelines, how to submit, and more check out our Media Contest resource folder.

Please share with middle and high school students!

Virtual Event: Fentanyl Awareness & Overdose Rescue Training Webinar

Join CourAGE Youth Health Coalition members and other local experts for a discussion about:

fentanyl and why it is so dangerous,
how to respond to a suspected overdose, and
where to access Narcan overdose rescue kits.

Thursday, March 7, 2024

6:00 PM - 7:30 PM

Virtual (Zoom)

More Information/Registration

Event Flyer-English/Spanish (PDF)

There is no cost to attend, although pre-registration is required to receive the Zoom link. The presentation recording will be shared with all registered attendees following the live event.

Snap! Snap! Snap! TUPE Site Shout Out!

Ygnacio Valley High School (YVHS) TUPE Peer Educators had a resource table at a

Fentanyl Awareness event at Oak Grove Middle School on February 1.

YVHS students provided quit kits, conversation starter card decks, and parent guides to attendees. The district holds these events monthly, in partnership with Contra Costa MEDS Coalition. The MEDS Coalition coordinator, Mariella Sanding, is the primary speaker at the event, providing information as well as overdose rescue training. Parents who attend are able to receive a free Narcan kit, as well as additional resources from other partner organizations, including TUPE. Thanks to TUPE site coordinator and school counselor, Madison Kelleher, for supporting students' involvement in the event!

Take Down Tobacco Day of Action

Take Down Tobacco National Day of Action is April 1!

Each year, youth advocates and adult allies from across the country come together to expose Big Tobacco for who they are - jokers who gamble with people's lives.

Check out why Contra Costa young people, school staff, and parents want to #TakeDownTobacco on our #TakeDaownTobaccoPowerWall and share your reason why!

Learn more about the National Day of Action and access additional resources.

Professional Development Opportunities

Cannabis Awareness & Prevention Curriculum Training - Smart Talk

Learn about the new 5-lesson Smart Talk curriculum from Stanford University's REACH Lab.

The curriculum is meant to reach all youth, including those at high risk of cannabis use, racial/ethnic minorities, students in continuation and alternative schools, and those identifying as LGBTQ+.

Upcoming Dates:

Tuesday, March 19; 3:30 PM-5:00 PM
Thursday, April 11; 3:30 PM-5:00 PM

Location: Virtual (Zoom)

More Information/Registration

Small Group Intervention Program - Our Healthy Futures Training

Learn about the Stanford Tobacco Prevention Toolkit Our Healthy Futures program.

This training provides the information and resources to facilitate an alternative-to-suspension (intervention) small group program for students who were caught with tobacco or cannabis.

Wednesday, March 27; 10:00 AM-11:30 AM

Location: Virtual (Zoom)

More Information/Information

One-on-One Intervention Program - Brief Intervention Training

Brief Intervention (BI) is a short-term intervention that consists of 2-4 sessions aimed at adolescents who use tobacco, cannabis/marijuana, alcohol, and/or other drugs.

Participants must attend both sessions of the series.

Session 1: Wednesday, March 20, 2024; 8:30 AM-12:00 PM

Session 2: Friday, March 29; 8:30 AM-12:00 PM

Location: Virtual (Zoom)

More Information/Registration

Parent & Family Corner

Substance Use, Mental Health, & Teens: A Guide for Parents & Other Caring Adults

This guide includes local data on substance use among adolescents. The guide spotlights alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, and prescription drugs. It also provides information about adolescent brain development, mental health, and tips for supporting young people.

The guide is available to view and download in an English and Spanish format on our parent guide webpage and our team is developing additional resources.