|
Greetings!
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), prescription and over-the-counter drugs are, after alcohol and marijuana, the most commonly abused substances by those age 14 and older.
Here are three things that we can all do to educate and protect young people:
- Educate yourself. (see list of resources below)
- Talk to the young people in your life about how the improper use of prescription drugs can be dangerous.
- Safely dispose of medications -- Disposal locations (Contra Costa County)
Resources:
Rx for Understanding: Free Online Tool to Teach Students
Resources for School Nurses
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
NIDA for Teens: Facts on Prescription Drugs
National Coalition Against Prescription Drug Abuse (NCAPDA)
The Medicine Abuse Project
If you have any questions about prescription drug misuse/abuse, or other health-related topics, please feel free to contact me.
Sincerely,
Emily Justice
Contra Costa County Office of Education (CCCOE)
|
|
 Kick Butts! Day
March 20, 2013
Kick Butts! Day is right around the corner...and a great opportunity to engage students as the next generation of tobacco-free advocates!
Quick & easy and no/low cost
Activity Ideas:
- Create powerful visual displays to help people realize the deadly consequences of tobacco use:
- Everyone has reasons why they are tobacco-free, especially former smokers. Set up a booth to take photos of students/staff with personalized, "I am tobacco-free because..." signs.
|
|
Call for Entries: ARTshowcase
Art Resisting Tobacco (ART) Showcase
The California Youth Advocacy Network (CYAN) is accepting entries for the Art Resisting Tobacco (ART) showcase to be displayed at Youth Quest 2013. California youth ages 12-18 are eligible. Top three prizes will be awarded.
This year's theme is: Clean Air for All to Share: Protecting Everyone from Secondhand Smoke Exposure. Drawing, painting, and photography submissions must reflect the theme.
Entries must be received by March 22, 2013. Complete rules and registration information at www.cyanonline.org. For more information contact Julia Velonjara. |
Cancer Prevention Study
Guest Article from the American Heart Association
The Cancer Prevention Study is a scientific study to examine why some people develop cancer in their lifetime. The study is expected to be an extraordinarily valuable resource.
The study is open to anyone in the United States and Puerto Rico who is willing to commit to a long-term study, is between 30 and 65 years old, and has never been diagnosed with cancer (not including basal or squamous cell skin cancer).
Would you like to join the study or can you think of anyone who might be interested in the study?
View the flyer for more information or to visit this weblink to schedule your appointment today: www.cps3contracosta.org
If you have any questions, contact Stellie Kim at 925.270.6043.
|
Thank You
We hope you enjoyed this month's Health & Wellness Matters e-newsletter! If you have suggestions for future articles or resources to share, contact Emily Justice.
CCCOE Educational Services
Emily Justice, Manager, Tobacco Use Prevention Education
Pamela Comfort, Ph.D.,
Associate Superintendent, Educational Services
Pam Tyson, Ph.D., Director, Educational Services |
