October/2010
Fall Update for the Coffee County Anti-Drug Coalition
Dear Coalition Member,

Hello!  We hope this finds you well!  We have been very busy at the coalition since the start of school.  In an effort to keep everyone updated on our coalition events and happenings we are going to begin using Constant Contact Newsletters.  We hope this provides you with more detailed information.  If you ever want an event included in our newsletter please contact Christina Keith.
 
Reminder:  Next Coalition Meeting October 21, 2010 at 12pm at Coffee County Board of Education.  Please bring a friend or colleague.  Lunch provided.   
 
Thank you,
Kristina Clark, Executive Director
Christina Keith, Prevention Coordinator
Prescription Drug Take Back Update
The Coalition partnered with Coffee County Sheriff's Department, Tullahoma Police Department, Marcroms Pharmacy, Tullahoma Drug and First Vision Bank (Manchester and Tullahoma) to do three drug take backs at the end of September.  First, we want to thank all the volunteers who came and helped the events be so successful.  Also, we would like to Thunder Radio for helping us get the word out! 
 
We collected approximately 50 pounds of medication, both prescription and over the counter, at the take backs.  Each law enforcement entity then took the medication into evidence and incinerated it.  Through  a survey of take back participants we know that most were simply keeping their old/unwanted medications.  This presents a problem as we know many Coffee County teens using prescription medication get it from a family member.  To help combat this issue we handed out medication lock-boxes to all participants.  These boxes can be screwed into a medicine cabinet or a desk drawer. 
 
We also hosted a town hall meeting to education the public on the proper disposal of unwanted medications. Jennifer Dodd, the State Pretreatment Coordinator did an excellent job educating all present of the dangers of flushing unwanted medication. 
 

Red Ribbon Week

 (October 25-October 30)

 

Red Ribbon Week is a big week for the coalition.  We are currently partnering with all 3 school systems in Coffee County.  Every school system will be celebrating this drug-free week differently. 
 
Coffee County Central High School will be participating in a social norms campaign with the help of P-cubed.  The theme will be "Most Red Raiders do NOT drink".  P-cubed will be hosting events every day within the high school.  Teachers will receive a t-shirt which they will be wearing Friday of Red Ribbon Week to show their support of a student's choice to be drug-free.  Also, during the week P-cubed will hold their Recognition and Induction Banquet at UTSI.  This is a time for us at the coalition to recognize P-cubed's efforts and induct all members, new and returning, into the club.   
 
Coffee County Middle School will be participating in "Living Above the Line".  Each student has a choice to be alcohol, tobacco, and other drug free.  Living Above the Line helps students to see the benefits of making a choice to be above the "line".  They will participate in various activities including the TN National Guard's Counter Drug Task Force Drug Awareness Trailer, P-cubed motivation video, and a t-shirt contest.
 
All Coffee County Elementary Schools will be doing school specific activities.  The coalition is hosting Good Character Awards.  Each school will be able to award students who are exhibiting good character choices. 
 
Manchester City Schools will be participating in Red Ribbon Week, as well, with activities to be announced.
 
East Middle School will be Planting a Promise this year. All 400 students will be planting red tulips and making a pledge to be drug-free.  East Students on the Move (ESOM) will be leading the school in this activity.  ESOM has already planted red tulips around Tullahoma during a service learning project in September.  Students will also participate in assemblies and the silent numbers campaign.  The theme at EMS will be Peace, Love, and Drug-Free! 
 
Farrah Elementary School this year will also be Planting a Promise! 
 
Robert E. Lee Elementary School will be hosting a 5k race and Family Day on October 30th. The coalition has helped sponsor t-shirts.  We will be providing water bottles with successful parenting strategies and giving out information at this event. 
 
We are so excited to have so many schools participating in Red Ribbon Week!  If you are interested in helping a particular school, helping the coalition before the actual week, or attending the P-cubed induction in support please contact Kristina or Christina. 
Permanent Drug Take Back Box
 
We are excited to begin working on a permanent drug take back box.  This would look much like a Fed Ex or USPS box.  It would allow citizens to properly dispose of their unwanted medication anonymously at their leisure.  Be looking for more information in the upcoming months.  If you would like to help in this effort please contact Kristina or Christina.
October is National Medication Abuse Month
 

October is National Medication Abuse Awareness Month.  This is the perfect time to start the conversation about prescription (Rx) and over-the-counter (OTC) medication use and misuse with your teen.  In Coffee County 1 out of 10 teens are using prescription drugs to get high (Spf-Sig Student Survey 2008). Teens who learn about the dangers of drugs from their parents are half as likely to abuse drugs.  Parents, you have the power to prevent medication abuse.  First and foremost educate yourself on how teens are abusing medication.  It may not be your teen misusing, but it could be your teen's friends.  You can do a few simple things to decrease the availability of Rx and OTC medications in your home.  First, keeping track of how much of a medication you have will help you easily notice if  any is missing.  Secondly, lock up all medications (Rx and OTC) in a cabinet, medication lock box, or even a desk drawer.  Lastly, properly dispose of unwanted, unused, or expired medication.  For more information go to www.stopmedicineabuse.org or visit the Coffee County Anti-Drug Coalition.

Short-Term Action Teams (STAT)
We are beginning new STAT teams.  These teams will be composed of Coalition members that will work on specific initiatives in 6-8 week spurts.  The STAT teams will allow the coalition to work more ideally and for Kristina and Christina to work more effectively in the drug-free efforts in Coffee County.  A current STAT team is our Red Ribbon Week team which includes Gina Cleek (CCMS), Lana Creek (CCMS), and Suzie Young (EMS). Our upcoming STAT teams will be:
 
November:
  • Parents Who Host Lose the Most Kick-Off
  • Public Relations Team for Permanent Take Back Boxes
  • Membership Renewal Campaign
We hope that this newsletter has been helpful!  We know not everyone is able to attend our monthly meetings.  The hope is that these newsletters will be able to keep you updated and involved in the coalition.  The coalition is soon getting a webpage and new e-mail addresses.  Our web address is www.ccantidrug.org  Please be watching for updates!  Don't forget if you are on the square in Manchester drop by and see us.  We are located at 116 W. Fort St. next to American Financial. 
 
 
Sincerely,
 
Kristina Clark                                                        Christina Keith
Executive Director                                                 Prevention Coordinator
931-247-2542                                                       931-273-3830