Wood County Prevention Coalition |
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We are a coalition of compassionate community members working together to coordinate high quality programs for the prevention of youth substance abuse in Wood County. |
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Helping youth be drug-free, responsible, and productive citizens. |
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Mark your calendar for our next Wood County Prevention Coalition/Addiction Task Force meeting: Friday, June 7, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. This meeting will be held at the Wood County Educational Service Center, 1867 North Research Drive, Bowling Green, OH 43402.
Meeting notices will be sent out, but please invite others to attend as well. Those not on our email distribution list should contact Tina Bradley at tbradley@wcesc.org to be added. All are welcome!
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Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Grant Updates |
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Spring forward and breathe in the emerging blossoms and blooms. Carve out precious moments to notice the natural world literally come back to life. Enjoy more time outdoors. It is a new season with endless, exciting opportunities. During the last quarter, our Coalition was active and busy despite the cold and snow! Featured below are a few highlights of significance... |
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The Coalition welcomed Diaviana Gilliam, our creative and talented spring semester intern from Bowling Green State University in January. Above, you can click into the wonderful alcohol prevention video she created recently. |
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The Coalition, in partnership with the Wood County Educational Service Center and the Wood County ADAMHS Board, held a press conference (January) to relay the results of the Wood County ADAMHS Youth Survey 2024. This well-attended event also served as a 20-year celebration of youth survey data collection in Wood County
(Yes, we had cake!!!)!
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In February, the Coalition spearheaded a podcast/video event where the Wood County ADAMHS Youth Survey 2024 results were discussed. Special thanks to Shanna Gerken, Wood County Educational Service Center Parent Mentor (who also serves as the Coalition's Parent Sector Leader) for volunteering to videotape this discussion!
Below are various sources of information related to our 2024 Youth Survey results:
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Our March 22 meeting featured an in-depth presentation on the recent 2024 Wood County Youth Survey results, networking and the sharing of relevant information. |
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Every day is "Drug Take Back Day" in Wood County! |
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Are you aware each of us has the ability to prevent the likelihood of accidental poisoning, drug addiction and overdose? That's right--by merely taking a few precautions in your own home, it is possible. The simple practice of locking up prescription and other medications helps to safeguard youth residing in (and visiting) your home from drug use/abuse. Likewise, by regularly disposing of your unwanted and/or expired prescription drugs you limit the potential for medication overflow into unsecured spaces where youth can access them. Get facts and resources related to the importance of why these measures make an impact here and here.
Twice a year (the last Saturday in October and April), National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is observed. The next one takes place on April 27, 2024. Use this collection site locator to find participating sites near you. Then, plan on bringing all unwanted and/or expired medications to drop off for disposition. Additionally, in Bowling Green, a prescription drug take back drive-through event is planned at Wooster Green Park (walk up or drive-through on South Church Street) from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. on April 27. Download the PDF flyer by clicking here.
Please remember, however, that in Wood County, Ohio, we are fortunate to have eight prescription drug drop off locations open to you 24 hours a day/365 days a year. That's right! This means you can drop those items off any day/time (no questions asked) in an array of locations. Access the infographic containing those locations as well as others open at specific days/times here.
Additionally, there are also various pharmacies and medical facilities that offer prescription drug drop boxes for your use within Wood County. A list of those sites is found here.
Lastly, you can safely dispose of prescription drugs at home using Deterra. Get information on this easy-to-use option here. If you live in Wood County and would like to request free Deterra from the Coalition, email us. We can have it ready for you to pick-up at the Wood County Educational Service Center.
Whether it's your participation in the next National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, drug disposition at one of Wood County's many sites various times throughout the year or use of Deterra at home, these practices, in conjunction with locking/securing your medicines, bring us another step closer to someday realizing a drug-free community.
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A BIG Thank You to Our Dedicated Volunteers! |
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April is National Volunteer Month. Our volunteers support us in a variety of ways--from attending our Committee and/or Coalition of the whole meetings--to creating advertising and media content--to assisting with our web page content--to assembling various items for delivery--to providing support at special events--and a whole lot more.
Yes, even your attendance at our meetings counts as dedicated volunteer support. As a Drug-free Communities grant recipient, we must provide 150% match to our annual allocation of $125,000. Our funder allows us to count volunteer time as part of that match.
Last program year (September 30, 2022-September 29, 2023), volunteers contributed service valued at over $32,000. This year, volunteers have already contributed services valued at nearly $10,000!
Thank you for your ongoing support. It makes a difference in oh-so-many ways!
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Below are links to a few resources of potential interest:
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Request your FREE supply of this children's activity book! |
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To contact Tina Bradley, M.P.A., OCPSA
Wood County Prevention Coalition Coordinator:
(419) 354-9010 Extension 174
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Wood County Prevention Coalition | Website
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