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February 1, 2016
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ISSUE 6-3
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We thank you for reading this edition of the Prevention Journal! As always, please keep us informed of your coming events, job opportunities, grant availability, and other activities. Your ideas and feedback are welcomed.
Yours in prevention,
Elysse Chay Wageman
Prevention Services Manager, Public Policy Institute
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Milwaukee Mentoring Forum recap
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Mayor Tom Barrett, Milwaukee Public Schools Superintendent Darienne Driver, Milwaukee Bucks Representatives, NBA Representative, Bob Lanier along with local and national leaders from President Obama's My Brother's Keeper initative, discussed the mentoring landscape in Milwaukee at a Mentoring Forum on Thursday, January 14th at the BMO Harris Bradley Center. The objective of the forum was to identity gaps in mentoring services across Milwaukee to ensure that every young person has access to a mentor. Check out the full coverage here.
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This February, start talking about healthy relationships
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Encourage respectful, healthy relationships for Teen Dating Violence Awareness & Prevention Month in February! Find out more about how you can participate and contribute here. Your voice will join the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), leaders, organizations, violence prevention professionals, and people who empowering youth to make relationships healthy!
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Who are America's adolescents?
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2015 Tobacco compliance checks results reveal great need in Milwaukee
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| Wisconsin WINS is a state-level initiative aimed to decrease youth access to tobacco products. In the City of Milwaukee Community Advocates performs the compliance checks through its City of Milwaukee Tobacco-Free Alliance in partnership with local youth and the Milwaukee Police Department. The above picture represents some of the products illegally sold to the youth in 2015. |
While it's illegal for anyone under the age of 18 to purchase tobacco in Wisconsin, results from the WI WINS Tobacco Compliance checks completed in 2015 reveal that it's far too easy for minors to walk away with illegally-sold tobacco products in the City of Milwaukee.
Milwaukee youth involved with WI WINS checks conducted by the City of Milwaukee Tobacco Free Alliance last year were able to purchase tobacco products at a rate of nearly 27 percent-a concerning 4 percent increase from the 2014 rate and far higher than the average statewide buy rate, which is consistently within single digit percentages. And as evident in the products obtained during the checks (photo below), these products undoubtedly appeal to youth with bright colors and candy flavors.
Smoking remains the number one cause of preventable deaths in the US and in Wisconsin and when youth have ready access to tobacco, there are higher rates of use. The City of Milwaukee Tobacco-Free Alliance will increase the amount of checks conducted in 2016 and will also provide trainings for clerks and retailers about the importance of helping future generations avoid future addiction by keeping tobacco out of their hands. For additional information, contact Coalition Coordinator, Deb Heffner at [email protected] or visit https://www.smokecheck.org.
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MCSAP supports Light & Unite RED campaign
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MCSAP coalition members wore red to kick off the Light & Unite RED campaign. The campaign's purpose is to put a spotlight on the dangers of substance abuse and unite the community to engage in prevention, encourage treatment, and support recovery.
The Light & Unite RED campaign coincided with National Drug Facts Week, in which each day information about drugs will be shared. Each day focused on one of the following: Prescription drugs/heroin; Marijuana; Synthetic drugs; Alcohol; and Tobacco/E-cigarettes.
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