Amanda Davis, Youth Services Coordinator, Tyler Riley, a Junior at Lourdes Central Catholic and Danielle Palensky, a Junior at Syracuse-Dunbar-Avoca, attended the OJJDP 13th National Enforcing Underage Drinking Laws Leadership Conference in Orlando, Florida in August. Youth, law enforcement professionals, prevention specialists, and other community leaders from around the county attended the conference and were given the opportunity to network with one another.
Danielle and Tyler were selected to participate because of their record of volunteer service and personal commitment to drug-free lifestyles for youth. They learned skills they can take back and implement in their hometowns. Tyler is excited about the information she gained about ways to educate her peers at Lourdes Central Catholic about the negative effects of alcohol and drugs on youth. One of the programs she learned about is called "Lock it Up - Talk it Up." Danielle returned with new information about how to work with community partners to make community activities and festivals safe, successful and family-friendly that she'd like to use in the Syracuse community.
Amanda Davis said "It was great to provide the students with this opportunity and see them interact with other peers and professionals who share the same goals and I'm excited to see what we can achieve from the experience." She indicated this if the third time people from Otoe County participated in the Leadership Conference and each year the participants have returned to implement new strategies in the local community, including the underage drinking hotline 1-800-MUST-B-21 coming to Nebraska, implementing local city ordinances to prevent sales to minor or intoxicated persons, and the implementation of the new Designated Driver Rewards Program. The trip was made possible, in part, by federal Strategic Prevention Framework State Incentive Grant funds awarded to Partners for Otoe County by the Governor's Office and the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.
We're Recruiting!
TeamMates of Nebraska City is currently recruiting for 10 men and 5 women to serve as TeamMates Mentors. TeamMates matches a volunteer mentor with a student to meet at school for one hour per week and share a variety of activities.
For more information, contact Stacie at 402-873-6343. To get a jump start on the paperwork you can visit: www.teammates.org and click on the "Become a Mentor" button.
New School Year Prompts Vaccination Reminders
With all of the area schools now back in session for the 2011-2012 academic year, district health directors and local pediatricians are encouraging parents to make sure their children are vaccinated. Read more.
Concussion Law Goes into Effect in Missouri
Missouri and Illinois now join 26 other states that have youth concussion laws. What are the three main principles of the law?
Did you miss the CADCA TV show, "The Blunt Truth: Communities Dealing with Marijuana?" Worry not because you can still watch the show. Simply click on the "View Webcast" icon and watch it at your leisure. During this hour-long show, representatives from various states will discuss how medical marijuana laws and marijuana legalization efforts are impacting their communities, and what they're doing to tackle this issue. The show can be viewed anytime on demand.
TIME magazine reported recently that big-name tobacco brands are ramping up their presence in the dissolvable tobacco game, and consumers in test markets, as well as regulators, are trying to figure out what make of the new products.
FCCLA is sponsoring CASA NIGHT at the JV Volleyball game at 5:30 and the Varsity Volleyball game at 7:00. All concession proceeds will benefit Otoe County CASA.
Tuesday- Sept 9
P4OC / Town & County Pharmacy present Safe Meds program - 11:00 to 12:30 - Syracuse Senior Center
Next Take Back Event Scheduled The next Medication Take Back Events have been scheduled for Saturday, 10-29-11 from 10:00 to 1:00 at the City Parking Lot in Nebraska City and the Otoe County Fair Parking Lot it Syracuse.
The P4OC Safe Rx group has also developed some Safe Meds resources, available for download on the p4oc website, at your Otoe County pharmacy or by calling 402-873-6343.
KNOW! To Ease Back-To-School Anxiety
It's a fact! Access, availability and the pressure to drink, smoke and use other drugs continues to increase as students get older. It is also true that as anxiety and stress builds, youth are at greater risk of turning to alcohol, marijuana or other substances as a coping mechanism.
The start of a new school year can stir up a mix of emotions. While children may look forward to the increased independence a higher grade level brings, they may be filled with anxiety at the thought of increased expectations both inside and outside the classroom.
Visit HelpThemKnow.com to begin recieving your FREE Know! Parent Tips. You are encouraged to share this and other Know! Parent Tips with anyone who may benefit.
New School Year Prompts Vaccination Reminders
Dealing with Marijuana?" Worry not because you can still watch the show. Simply click on the 
