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SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2010
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VOLUME 1 NUMBER 5
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From the Executive Director
Pounding the Pavement for Prevention
National Prescription Take Back Event
Media Training Available through
ACT Missouri
MRN News
Recovery Month
MRN Recovery Month "Tip of the Day" Recognized Nationally
Presidential Proclamation for Recovery Month
DMH Consumer Conference 2010
New MRN Council Members
MYAA News
Missouri's Youth/Adult Alliance Update
Suicide Prevention Week
UDETC National Conference
CARES "eXtreme Teen Drinking" Presentation
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ACT Missouri Staff
Karen FarrisProject Director, Missouri's Youth/Adult Alliance
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 From the Executive Director
September was an incredibly busy month for ACT Missouri and many of the communities we work with across the state. The fall theme for us at ACT Missouri is "Pounding the Pavement". In September the Missouri Recovery Network spent lots of time traveling the state, attending and supporting events celebrating recovery. MRN staff, volunteers, and local and national partners were driving every weekend to some part of the state celebrating National Recovery Month. We participated in eight recovery events this year, double the number of events celebrated in September 2009! Look for MRN stories and pictures of these events in this newsletter.
While MRN was "Pounding the Pavement" for recovery, ACT Missouri staff has been busy organizing an inaugural event for Red Ribbon Week in October. "Pounding the Pavement for Prevention!" is a 5K run/walk on October 29 starting at 5:30pm. The 5K, held in conjunction with Red Ribbon Week activities, will feature a luminary red ribbon, red glow sticks for all participants, commemorative t-shirts for participants and best of all, cash prizes for the top three finishers for both men and women. There is more information regarding this inaugural event, including how to register to run and how to become a sponsor for this worthy cause, on the ACT Missouri website.
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 Recovery Month
September was National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month. Various communities across Missouri hosted events to spread the word that addiction is a treatable disease, recovery is possible and communities become stronger as a result of recovery. Recovery Month highlighted the benefits of treatment and recovery support not only for the individual seeking or in long term recovery, but for their family, friends and the community that supports recovery efforts.
This year's Recovery Month theme: "Join the Voices for Recovery: Now More Than Ever!" reflects the campaign's goal of reaching groups who may be susceptible to alcohol and/or drug use during times of stress, such as the country's current economic recession. Stress and other external circumstances can lead to the onset and relapse of addiction, particularly among specific groups who face stressful life situations.
Nearly a dozen Recovery Month events took place across the Show-Me State with the help of ACT Missouri and the Missouri Recovery Network.
Celebrate Recovery's Picnic in the Park
The 2nd annual Recovery Month picnic, hosted by Celebrate Recovery in Washington, MO, was held on September 11. This event focused on bringing forth a passionate message that "recovery is the place to be". Event Coordinator Debbie Luxton, Assimilation Coach for Celebrate Recovery First Christian Church and newly elected Missouri Recovery Network Council member, sought out speakers, entertainment and sponsors who believe in recovery and have a message of hope to share.
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 Missouri's Youth/Adult Alliance Update
With the restructuring process completed, Missouri's Youth Adult Alliance (MYAA) is now focusing on building membership and increasing youth participation throughout the state. Membership is open to all who have a passion for working with youth and working to prevent underage drinking. It is exciting to report that in September we processed 11 new members including two youth members!
We are pleased to report that a new program is currently being developed and is scheduled to be implemented in the fall of 2011. Missouri's Youth/Adult Alliance Youth Ambassador program is designed to get Missouri youth leaders involved in advocating for drug and alcohol free activities in their communities. MYAA will build a network of youth ambassadors across the state that will serve as the primary contact between MYAA and the youth group of that community. This contact will help combat underage drinking and promote a healthy lifestyle by working with schools and local businesses to promote prevention education and the planning and implementing of substance free activities.
Under this new program, a Youth Ambassador will: network and build statewide alliances with other youth leaders and prevention professionals; plan and implement substance free activities at schools and within their community; learn how to educate peers and the community about the importance of alcohol, tobacco and other drug (ATOD) education and prevention; assist in planning and executing MYAA's annual Speak Hard youth rally; and coordinate and participate in community service activities.
Being a Youth Ambassador will also benefit the participating student. He or she will: gain valuable leadership experience, learn substance abuse prevention education, get experience working with local and state elected representatives, learn how to build partnerships with local business and/or individuals, earn community service hours, and learn about scholarship opportunities, including MYAA's Youth Ambassador Scholarship.
More information about the Youth Ambassador Program will be presented at the Speak Hard youth rally in March or you may contact Karen Farris at kfarris@actmissouri.org for more information.
The next MYAA meeting is scheduled for October 19 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the ACT Missouri office.
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Upcoming Event Calendar
October 6 - Missouri Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse State Advisory Council Meeting
10:00 a.m.
Missouri Department of Mental Health, Jefferson City, MO
October 19 - MYAA Coalition Meeting
10:00 a.m. - 2 p.m.
ACT Missouri, Jefferson City, MO
October 20 - Regional Support Center Meeting
10:00 a.m. - 2 p.m.
ACT Missouri, Jefferson City, MO
October 23-31 - Red Ribbon Week
Osage Beach, MO
October 25-29 - First Call NCADD SAPST Training
Kansas City, MO
October 29 - "Pounding the Pavement for Prevention" Red Ribbon Week 5K Walk/Run
Starts at ACT Missouri at 5:30 p.m.
Contact ACT Missouri, (573) 635-6669 / (877) 669-2280 for more information
November 9-12 - National Alliance for Drug Endangered Children Conference
Dallas, TX
November 13 - American Medicine Chest Challenge National Prescription Take Back Day
Contact: Mallory at ACT Missouri, (573) 635-6669 / (877) 669-2280, to register your coalition
December 9-10 - 2010 Missouri Substance Abuse Prevention Network Prevention Conference
Lake Ozark, MO
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ACT Missouri
428 E. Capitol Avenue, 2nd Floor / Jefferson City, Missouri 65101
573-635-6669 / 877-669-2280
www.actmissouri.org
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