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Upcoming Events
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December 1-31, 2020 - National Impaired Driving Prevention Month
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January 11, 2021 - First Regular Session of the 66th Idaho Legislature Convenes
Local News Stories
National News Stories
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The 66th Idaho Legislature convenes on January 11, 2021. We expect a robust session that will address legislation regarding a variety of substance-use related topics.
ODP has updated our annual Legislative Bill Tracker to help prevention partners and members of the public follow all of the substance use and misuse related legislation.
Like last year, our Bill Tracker will continue to compile all relevant legislative bills and provide regular updates on their status. However, in 2021 interested individuals can also sign up to get bill tracker updates sent straight to their inbox!
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LETTER FROM ODP ADMINISTRATOR MELINDA SMYSER |
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Good Afternoon,
I've had the privilege of serving as the Administrator for the Idaho Office of Drug Policy the last two years, and I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to work with my fellow staff - they are all amazing at what they do to promote prevention, policy, and programming in the state of Idaho. Additionally, I want to thank all our partners that we work with across the state for all you do to serve others.
This has been a most difficult year for everyone, but it has been especially challenging for our school children, rural communities, and vulnerable populations that experience difficulties receiving programming and services. Thankfully, Idaho has come a long way in Telemedicine just in these few short months realizing the serious needs of those citizens.
Across the nation, drug overdose deaths from opioids increased nearly six times over the last 20 years; and in 2019, our state lost 265 Idahoans to drug overdose related-deaths - a 10% increase from 2017. Furthermore, Idaho had 36 overdose deaths reported through our Naloxone Distribution Partners in the last quarter of 2020. Those are 36 mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, friends, and neighbors who are no longer with us.
Unfortunately, individuals that struggle with Substance Use Disorders are increasingly vulnerable during the COVID-19 pandemic – experiencing an increased risk of relapse, misuse, and of contracting COVID-19 and having adverse reactions to the illness. Throughout 2020 there has been an increase in opioid overdoses, as well as increased use of alcohol and other substances across the country. Now more than ever, it is incredibly important that we not only support those struggling with substance misuse but also take action to prevent Idahoans from developing a substance misuse disorder at all.
Prevention is the answer in reaching children, families, and communities early on and providing them with resources and opportunities for support and engagement.
I want to take this opportunity to share with you all that I will be leaving the Office of Drug Policy at the end of December to start a new private business. Thank you all, again, for making a difference in our communities across the state by developing programs that offer resources and services – it has been a pleasure to work with so many of you. As we move into the Christmas season, let us reflect on how one person can make a difference.
"People are often unreasonable and self-centered. Forgive them anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives. Be kind anyway. If you are honest, people may cheat you. Be honest anyway. If you find happiness, people may be jealous. Be happy anyway. The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway. Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough. Give your best anyway. For you see, in the end, it is between you and your God. It was never between you and them." - Mother Teresa.
Stay safe and positive and remember - Prevention is the answer.
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.DECEMBER IS NATIONAL IMPAIRED DRIVING PREVENTION MONTH.
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Don't forget, December is National Impaired Driving Prevention Month! The holiday season is one of the most dangerous times of the year in regard to drunk and drugged driving. In 2018, there were 285 drunk-driving-related fatalities during the Christmas and New Year's holiday periods - more than any other holiday period that year.
ODP is teaming up with the U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for the national Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving awareness campaign to help keep impaired drivers off the road. Learn how you can join the campaign here.
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ODP & ITD DRUG IMPAIRED DRIVING PREVENTION CAMPAIGN
ODP recently partnered with the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) for a drug-impaired driving prevention media campaign. The campaign, which was part of ITD's ongoing engaged driving initiative SHIFT, focused on engaging young men ages 18-34 and discouraged driving after smoking marijuana. It ran throughout the month of September on YouTube, Twitter, Snapchat, and Twitch.
Overall, the campaign had huge success - delivering 677,345 impressions on YouTube, 386,109 impressions on Twitter, 524,900 impressions on Snapchat, and 328,898 impressions on Twitch. For those of you that, like me, have no idea what Twitch is - it's the world's leading live streaming platform for gamers, where they can watch top gamers and chat with other fans from around the world. Twitch has experienced a 30% growth in Monthly Unique Viewers and a 75% growth in time spent on the platform since COVID-19 began, which made it a strong placement for the campaign.
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GRANTEE SPOTLIGHT:
SALMON DRUG FREE YOUTH RECOGNIZED BY FIRST LADY
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We were very excited to see First Lady Melania Trump recognize the Salmon Drug Free Youth (DFY) program for the positive impact they are making in their community! Salmon DFY is a group of high school students who want to change the culture of drugs and alcohol in their school. They strive to create fun drug and alcohol-free opportunities for their peers and work with their community to build a healthier, cleaner life in their small town. Read more about Salmon DFY and the fun activities they organize here. |
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UPDATES & RESOURCES FROM OUR PREVENTION PARTNERS |
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Marimn Health is preparing to celebrate the grand opening of the Coeur Center, their new landmark youth and family center that will help drive prevention efforts and serve as a catalyst for positive change throughout the community. The 32,000 square foot Center was constructed on tribal land that was donated by the Coeur d’Alene Tribe and built primarily with funds provided Marimn Health, a medical and wellness center owned and operated by the Coeur d’Alene Tribe in Plummer, Idaho.
While the building includes space for exercise facilities and indoor and outdoor recreation activities, its purpose goes far beyond just recreation. The building will provide children, adolescents, and their families with after school programs, behavioral and mental health services, and cultural healing support.
Across the reservation, many youth experience a disproportionate amount of trauma and adverse childhood experiences, which can have detrimental impacts on long-term health and wellbeing. Marimn Health designed the Center to go “upstream” and provide prevention services prior to the onset of unhealthy or harmful behaviors by helping youth develop the resiliency and coping skills needed to overcome adversity - ultimately helping to reduce health disparities, improve mental wellbeing, and combat the effects of substance misuse throughout the reservation and broader community.
Marimn Health’s strategy, says CEO Helo Hancock, is to ensure support services are accessible and that individuals are connected with resources as early and as often as possible. Ultimately, they hope the Coeur Center will provide a safe place for youth to gather, learn, heal and play while simultaneously providing support to help them academically excel, stay away from drugs, alcohol, and crime, and lead healthy lives.
While COVID-19 has hampered their ability to organize a large gathering to celebrate the Grand Opening of the Coeur Center, Marimn Health plans to phase in limited openings of the Center near the end of December with a small Grand Opening ceremony in early January. ODP congratulates Marimn Health on this momentous accomplishment, we are excited to see the incredible impacts the Coeur Center will have on their community in the coming years. Learn more.
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PROJECT HOPE
Crossroads of Western Iowa presents Project Hope, a series of free mental health support sessions and Q&As for those impacted by Covid-19. The 2-hour sessions will run throughout December & January with recordings available for those unable to attend live. While all sessions are free and open to the public, they will touch on issues of particular importance to three groups: first responders, essential workers, and students.
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MADC POST-ELECTION DRUG POLICY OVERVIEW
The Meridian Anti-Drug Coalition put together a great post-election drug policy overview covering all of the policy changes that took place on November 3rd. The overview includes information on U.S. marijuana legalization, the decriminalization of psychedelic plants, and Oregon's Measure 110 that decriminalizes all scheduled drugs.
Find their full election overview here. |
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What's new with you?
Have an update, story, or other news you'd like to share in a future newsletter?
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We envision a safe and healthy Idaho free from the devastating impact of substance use on youth, families, and communities. |
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