Be FreeEEE, Be MEEEEEEE, Be Drug Free!!
Ozzie is on the move
Partnership staff is evaluating a two-month pilot of its new opioid prevention program provided to nearly 350 area youth during the summer.
The Ozzie OPPs teaches students ages 7 through 18 all about opioids, along with strategies to deal with pain and stress through exercise, consistent nutritional habits, and healthier lifestyles. After the pilot program, students were able to discuss their experiences about medication misuse or prescription drug abuse.
With Ozzie the ostrich mascot and program materials in tow, the staff and volunteers presented the pilot to local Boys & Girls clubs and Village of Promise.
“We had so much fun,” said Jacqueline Carter, who developed the curriculum for Ozzie OPPs. “The students were engaged, and they learned about opioids and more.”
Carter created a short song called “Be Drug Free!” which includes a catchy chorus, “be free, be me, be drug free.”
Carter overheard a conversation between a young boy and girl in which the boy told the girl she needed to change the wallpaper on her cell phone because it was boring. She replied to him if her picture was boring to him that’s OK because it was a picture of her and "it’s OK to be me."
“I loved it," Carter said. "The girl has a shy nature and to see her develop that kind of boldness over the four weeks we worked with them was rewarding."
Carter is an AmeriCorps VISTA member who is in charge of program development. She has been assisted by fellow VISTA members Ashley Mahanna and Brandy Wilkerson. Volunteers and Partnership staff also helped with the summer program.
Key components of the program also include:
Any church or organization interested in the Ozzie OPPs program may contact the Partnership office at 256-539-7339.
The Ozzie OPPs teaches students ages 7 through 18 all about opioids, along with strategies to deal with pain and stress through exercise, consistent nutritional habits, and healthier lifestyles. After the pilot program, students were able to discuss their experiences about medication misuse or prescription drug abuse.
With Ozzie the ostrich mascot and program materials in tow, the staff and volunteers presented the pilot to local Boys & Girls clubs and Village of Promise.
“We had so much fun,” said Jacqueline Carter, who developed the curriculum for Ozzie OPPs. “The students were engaged, and they learned about opioids and more.”
Carter created a short song called “Be Drug Free!” which includes a catchy chorus, “be free, be me, be drug free.”
Carter overheard a conversation between a young boy and girl in which the boy told the girl she needed to change the wallpaper on her cell phone because it was boring. She replied to him if her picture was boring to him that’s OK because it was a picture of her and "it’s OK to be me."
“I loved it," Carter said. "The girl has a shy nature and to see her develop that kind of boldness over the four weeks we worked with them was rewarding."
Carter is an AmeriCorps VISTA member who is in charge of program development. She has been assisted by fellow VISTA members Ashley Mahanna and Brandy Wilkerson. Volunteers and Partnership staff also helped with the summer program.
Key components of the program also include:
- What is an opioid?
- How an opioid impacts the body
- Possessing positive self-esteem
- Becoming self-aware
- Working in a group
- Solving problems
- Resolving conflict
- Practicing sportsmanship
- Building communication skills
Any church or organization interested in the Ozzie OPPs program may contact the Partnership office at 256-539-7339.
Partnership is connecting with the community
Partnership has been active all over Madison County this summer. Did you see us? Here are some highlights.
May 30 – Pastor Dave Draper, vice president of Partnership’s board of directors; Executive Director Candice Dunaway, and Wendy Reeves, public relations manager, attended the Kiwanis Club Huntsville West lunch meeting. Pastor Draper shared the story of his struggles with addiction and how he got involved with Partnership. He also gave an overview of our agency’s education and prevention efforts in the community. Anyone interested in scheduling a presentation by a member of Partnership’s Speaker’s Bureau may call our office at 256-539-7339.
June 5 – Indian Creek Primitive Baptist Church invited Partnership to participate in Innocence to Addiction: Community Awareness Event, a program organized by the church’s youth group. Youth Tobacco Prevention coordinator Ann Marie Martin gave a 10-minute presentation and answered questions about e-cigarettes. VISTA member Jacqueline Carter talked about our new Ozzie OPPs opioid awareness program.
June 13 – At Huntsville Housing Authority’s Family Fun Day at Sparkman Homes, we presented our Youth Tobacco Prevention Taste Challenge activity. We mix several nontoxic, mystery liquids to illustrate the fact that e-cigarette aerosol contains lots of dangerous chemicals. We don’t know all the ingredients in e-juice because it’s not regulated by the FDA. About 450 people attended the event.
June 20 – Parks and Recreation hosted Family Fun Fest at Milton Frank Stadium. This was a day filled with activities for children of all ages. Partnership offered face painting, snow cones, drug prevention literature and a taste challenge to approximately 1,500 attendees.
June 22 – We took our Youth Tobacco Prevention Taste Challenge to Alabama A&M University’s Agribition Center for the Family Day of Education and Fun, an event of the Parent-Child Reading Enhancement Program, attended by more than 700 children and parents.
July 26 – We attended Seminole Boys & Girls Club’s Summer Health Fair. The children who participated in summer programs at the club shared what they learned with their neighbors. About 160 people attended.
July 27 – We had a table at the annual Community Awareness for Youth (CAFY) event at Calhoun Community College. We highlighted the dangers of e-cigarettes and nicotine’s effects on the teenage brain.
July 30 – We took part in LearningQUEST’s Rally Day to promote programs for the fall semester. Board members Karren Crowson and Teresa Taylor-Duncan will talk about “Prescription Drug Abuse: A National Epidemic” on Tuesday, Aug. 20, at 10 a.m. in the auditorium of the main Huntsville-Madison County Public Library.
Let us know if you need a guest speaker, or if you're interested in one of our programs. Call 256-539-7339.
May 30 – Pastor Dave Draper, vice president of Partnership’s board of directors; Executive Director Candice Dunaway, and Wendy Reeves, public relations manager, attended the Kiwanis Club Huntsville West lunch meeting. Pastor Draper shared the story of his struggles with addiction and how he got involved with Partnership. He also gave an overview of our agency’s education and prevention efforts in the community. Anyone interested in scheduling a presentation by a member of Partnership’s Speaker’s Bureau may call our office at 256-539-7339.
June 5 – Indian Creek Primitive Baptist Church invited Partnership to participate in Innocence to Addiction: Community Awareness Event, a program organized by the church’s youth group. Youth Tobacco Prevention coordinator Ann Marie Martin gave a 10-minute presentation and answered questions about e-cigarettes. VISTA member Jacqueline Carter talked about our new Ozzie OPPs opioid awareness program.
June 13 – At Huntsville Housing Authority’s Family Fun Day at Sparkman Homes, we presented our Youth Tobacco Prevention Taste Challenge activity. We mix several nontoxic, mystery liquids to illustrate the fact that e-cigarette aerosol contains lots of dangerous chemicals. We don’t know all the ingredients in e-juice because it’s not regulated by the FDA. About 450 people attended the event.
June 20 – Parks and Recreation hosted Family Fun Fest at Milton Frank Stadium. This was a day filled with activities for children of all ages. Partnership offered face painting, snow cones, drug prevention literature and a taste challenge to approximately 1,500 attendees.
June 22 – We took our Youth Tobacco Prevention Taste Challenge to Alabama A&M University’s Agribition Center for the Family Day of Education and Fun, an event of the Parent-Child Reading Enhancement Program, attended by more than 700 children and parents.
July 26 – We attended Seminole Boys & Girls Club’s Summer Health Fair. The children who participated in summer programs at the club shared what they learned with their neighbors. About 160 people attended.
July 27 – We had a table at the annual Community Awareness for Youth (CAFY) event at Calhoun Community College. We highlighted the dangers of e-cigarettes and nicotine’s effects on the teenage brain.
July 30 – We took part in LearningQUEST’s Rally Day to promote programs for the fall semester. Board members Karren Crowson and Teresa Taylor-Duncan will talk about “Prescription Drug Abuse: A National Epidemic” on Tuesday, Aug. 20, at 10 a.m. in the auditorium of the main Huntsville-Madison County Public Library.
Let us know if you need a guest speaker, or if you're interested in one of our programs. Call 256-539-7339.
Taking it back --
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Huntsville Police Chief Mark McMurray announces new drop box at the North Precinct.
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Another tool to keep opioids off the streets was announced Monday, June 3 as the North Precinct of the Huntsville Police Department unveiled its new drop box location.
Since Partnership initiated the Prescription Medication Take Back events in 2010, more than 24,000 pounds of old or unwanted pills have been destroyed.
The most recent Take Back event was held April 27, when 1,620 pounds of old and outdated medications were destroyed after being collected at various locations in Huntsville, Madison, Alabama A&M University, and throughout Madison County.
In addition to the semi-annual take-back events, residents can drop-off old or unwanted medications at drop box locations throughout the county. During the first quarter of 2019, the drug take back bin at Huntsville police headquarters at 815 Wheeler Ave. collected 554 pounds of medications, the largest amount recorded in one quarter since the program started.
Drop boxes are located throughout Madison County for those who don't want to wait for a take back event. Locations at Madison police, Alabama A&M police, and the Wheeler Avenue location for Huntsville police departments are open and accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Other locations are open during regular business hours. Dropbox locations include:
HUNTSVILLE
MADISON
MADISON COUNTY
Since Partnership initiated the Prescription Medication Take Back events in 2010, more than 24,000 pounds of old or unwanted pills have been destroyed.
The most recent Take Back event was held April 27, when 1,620 pounds of old and outdated medications were destroyed after being collected at various locations in Huntsville, Madison, Alabama A&M University, and throughout Madison County.
In addition to the semi-annual take-back events, residents can drop-off old or unwanted medications at drop box locations throughout the county. During the first quarter of 2019, the drug take back bin at Huntsville police headquarters at 815 Wheeler Ave. collected 554 pounds of medications, the largest amount recorded in one quarter since the program started.
Drop boxes are located throughout Madison County for those who don't want to wait for a take back event. Locations at Madison police, Alabama A&M police, and the Wheeler Avenue location for Huntsville police departments are open and accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Other locations are open during regular business hours. Dropbox locations include:
HUNTSVILLE
- Madison County Sheriff's Office Annex, 715 Wheeler Ave.
- Huntsville Public Safety Complex, 815 Wheeler Ave.
- Huntsville Police North Precinct, 4014 N. Memorial Parkway
- Huntsville Police South Precinct, 7900 Bailey Cove Road SE
- Alabama A&M Department of Public Safety, 453 Campus Road
- Hunnington Pharmacy, 11220 S. Memorial Parkway
- Medical Mall Pharmacy, 1963 S. Memorial Parkway
- Propst Discount Drugs, 717 Pratt Ave.
- Star Market Discount Pharmacy, 704 Pratt Ave.
- Star Market Discount Pharmacy, 7900 Bailey Cove Road SE
MADISON
- Madison Police Department, 100 Hughes Road
- Sure Save Pharmacy, 30694 US 72 W
- Walgreens, 7813 US 72 W
- Star Market Discount Pharmacy, 8020 US 72 W
MADISON COUNTY
- Star Market Discount Pharmacy, 12078 US 231/431 N
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In the photo from left, Brandy Wilkerson, Partnership VISTA, Cathy Larsen and Amy Di Girolamo with JustServe.org, along with Candice Dunaway and Ann Light from Partnership.
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Partnership is excited about its new collaboration with JustServe.org. This is a website and App where the volunteer needs our organization may be posted and volunteers may search for places to serve with us. If you are interested in volunteering with Partnership, please click here
Partnership has been active all over Madison County throughout the Spring months. Did you see us? Here's an overview of our activities.
March 7 and 22, ADTRAN Employee Education events.
March 8 Opioid Training with Auburn University School of Pharmacy.
March 20 and 21 Kick Butts Day events at the Albert Farrar Scout Hut in the Searcy Homes Community and the Community Meeting Room at the One Stop Shop For Community Services in the Butler Terrace Community.
April 4, Youth Tobacco Prevention program presented at Central School.
April 9, an Opioid Forum, originated by Madison City Councilwoman Maura Wroblewski and sponsored by Partnership was held at the Auditorium of Bob Jones High School to discuss issues surrounding the deadly epidemic; and what potential solutions are on the horizon to help the community.
April 11 Partnership participated in a wellness fair at Torch Technologies.
April 20 Youth Tobacco Prevention Coordinator Ann Marie Martin took a Taste Test Challenge to the Earth Day celebration at Hay's Nature Preserve. Martin created the Taste Test Challenge as a way to relate the impact of smoking electronic cigarettes and JUULs which contain many dangerous chemicals and substances in addition to high levels of nicotine. Volunteers from the University of Alabama in Huntsville and some of Partnership's AmeriCorps VISTA members were on hand to assist with the popular event. For more information on the youth tobacco prevention program, contact Martin at amartin@thedrugfreepartnership.org
Also on Saturday, April 27, Partnership was honored by the Draper Memorial Church of God in Christ as its 2019 Draper Memorial Scholarship Committee’s Community Outreach Award winner.
April 30, Partnership joined Madison City Schools to start a conversation about e-cigarettes and JUULs at Madison City Hall with a parent workshop. "This is a growing problem that’s not going away," says Dr. David West from the school system.
April was one busy month.
May was equally busy with preparations for the Ozzie OPPs program, strategic planning sessions, and our Spring Board meeting, which was held May 16.
Stay tuned for more exciting news we hope to announce in the coming months related to a new program we hope to launch that will give support to those suffering from an addiction disease, along with their families and friends.
March 7 and 22, ADTRAN Employee Education events.
March 8 Opioid Training with Auburn University School of Pharmacy.
March 20 and 21 Kick Butts Day events at the Albert Farrar Scout Hut in the Searcy Homes Community and the Community Meeting Room at the One Stop Shop For Community Services in the Butler Terrace Community.
April 4, Youth Tobacco Prevention program presented at Central School.
April 9, an Opioid Forum, originated by Madison City Councilwoman Maura Wroblewski and sponsored by Partnership was held at the Auditorium of Bob Jones High School to discuss issues surrounding the deadly epidemic; and what potential solutions are on the horizon to help the community.
April 11 Partnership participated in a wellness fair at Torch Technologies.
April 20 Youth Tobacco Prevention Coordinator Ann Marie Martin took a Taste Test Challenge to the Earth Day celebration at Hay's Nature Preserve. Martin created the Taste Test Challenge as a way to relate the impact of smoking electronic cigarettes and JUULs which contain many dangerous chemicals and substances in addition to high levels of nicotine. Volunteers from the University of Alabama in Huntsville and some of Partnership's AmeriCorps VISTA members were on hand to assist with the popular event. For more information on the youth tobacco prevention program, contact Martin at amartin@thedrugfreepartnership.org
Also on Saturday, April 27, Partnership was honored by the Draper Memorial Church of God in Christ as its 2019 Draper Memorial Scholarship Committee’s Community Outreach Award winner.
April 30, Partnership joined Madison City Schools to start a conversation about e-cigarettes and JUULs at Madison City Hall with a parent workshop. "This is a growing problem that’s not going away," says Dr. David West from the school system.
April was one busy month.
May was equally busy with preparations for the Ozzie OPPs program, strategic planning sessions, and our Spring Board meeting, which was held May 16.
Stay tuned for more exciting news we hope to announce in the coming months related to a new program we hope to launch that will give support to those suffering from an addiction disease, along with their families and friends.
Get ready for Ozzie —
a super cute and cuddly ostrich with a message about opioids
Partnership's new Ozzie OPPs curriculum is being piloted over the summer with several Boys & Girls Clubs locations in Huntsville. The new program was launched on Monday, June 3 at the James A. Lane Center with AmeriCorps VISTA members Jacqueline Carter, Brandy Wilkerson, and Ash Mahanna; and Wendy Reeves, Partnership's public relations and grants manager.
The Ozzie OPPs curriculum was developed by Carter and includes specialized programs for youth in elementary, middle and high school. It will be taught throughout the summer helping students learn to make good choices and to understand what opioids are, how they impact the body, and the consequences of using them.
The Ozzie OPPs curriculum was developed by Carter and includes specialized programs for youth in elementary, middle and high school. It will be taught throughout the summer helping students learn to make good choices and to understand what opioids are, how they impact the body, and the consequences of using them.
ATTENTION PARENTS:
Come to Madison City Hall on Tuesday, April 30 from 6 to 7 p.m. to learn more about the electronic nicotine devices youth are using in record numbers.
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Thank you Sheriff DorningAnd welcome new board membersPartnership Executive Director Candice Dunaway honors the service of Madison County Sheriff Blake Dorning with the Spirit of Partnership Award following his recent retirement. Dorning has always been a strong supporter of Partnership's efforts, Dunaway said at the Winter Board meeting.
Two new board members were sworn in at the meeting including new Madison County Sheriff Kevin Turner and Dr. Edward Soule, husband of the late Deborah Soule, Partnership's founder and longtime executive director. |
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Welcome Americorps ViSTA MEMBERS |
From left, Jacqueline Carter, Silla Dixon, Ash Mahanna, and Brandy Wilkerson
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Partnership for a Drug-Free Community is boosting resources to
address the opioid crisis with new staff members through the AmeriCorps Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) program. The VISTA members are dedicating themselves to help the agency build its capacity to strengthen its prevention and education efforts in the community, says Candice Dunaway, executive director. The move is possible for the nonprofit that serves Huntsville, Madison and Madison County thanks to a grant from the Corporation for National and Community Service. The federal agency leads service, volunteering, and grant-making efforts in the U.S. More than 980,000 Americans have given more than 1.4 billion hours of service through AmeriCorps, helping millions of our nation’s most-vulnerable citizens. AmeriCorps VISTA members serve as a catalyst for change, living and working alongside community members to meet our nation’s most pressing challenges and advance local solutions. “In recent years, funding issues have forced us to reduce staffing and hours,” Dunaway says. “At the same time, our community has been hard hit by the opioid crisis, and we need to do more. We are very thankful for this grant opportunity to add these amazing, highly qualified VISTA workers to help us build capacity and do a better job of serving our community.” |
new
youth tobacco initiative begins
january 2019
Partnership awarded $87,000 grant from
Alabama department of public health to
focus on youth tobacco, e-cigs, Juuls
E-cigarettes and electronic nicotine delivery systems, like JUULs, are surging in popularity with youth. The Partnership for a Drug-Free Community is adding a program to address the issue locally through a grant from the Alabama Department of Public Health.
The Partnership has been awarded an $87,000 grant to be used for youth tobacco prevention programs in Huntsville, Madison and Madison County, says Candice Dunaway, executive director. The grant program includes a curriculum developed by Stanford Medical School, which will be taught to local youth in grades 6-12.
Earlier this month, Monitoring the Future, an annual survey of American teenagers’ drug use sponsored by the National Institute on Drug Abuse and conducted by the University of Michigan, reported that teen use of e-cigarettes soared in 2018.
The survey, which polls eighth-, 10th- and 12th-graders across the country, found the rise in nicotine vaping was the largest spike for any substance recorded by the study in 44 years. The survey also found that many students believe they are vaping “just flavoring.” In fact, just about all brands include nicotine, and Juul has particularly high levels of it.
Currently, some 3.6 million middle- and high-school students are now vaping regularly, according to a CDC study released last month.
As part of the new Partnership program, a youth advocacy team is being assembled. Applications are being accepted for the Youth Tobacco Initiative (YTI). The group’s first meeting is planned for Jan. 19 at the Partnership office on Clinton Avenue. Partnership is in the process of contacting local school systems to get applications and information about the program to school counselors. Any interested student can download a copy of the application on the Partnership website.
Dunaway says Ann Marie Martin has been named the project coordinator for the tobacco prevention and control grant. She has previously been communications director for the Huntsville-Madison County Public Library, and was a writer and editor with The Huntsville Times. She has worked and volunteered with youth throughout her career.
“Smoking and tobacco use in general have been on the back burner for a few years. Now these new nicotine devices have emerged, and we’re seeing deceptive marketing techniques similar to those once used by cigarette makers,” Martin says. “Youth are being lured into thinking these new trendy devices are safe. Our goal is to educate students about the health risks of using devices like JUULs.”
The Partnership has been awarded an $87,000 grant to be used for youth tobacco prevention programs in Huntsville, Madison and Madison County, says Candice Dunaway, executive director. The grant program includes a curriculum developed by Stanford Medical School, which will be taught to local youth in grades 6-12.
Earlier this month, Monitoring the Future, an annual survey of American teenagers’ drug use sponsored by the National Institute on Drug Abuse and conducted by the University of Michigan, reported that teen use of e-cigarettes soared in 2018.
The survey, which polls eighth-, 10th- and 12th-graders across the country, found the rise in nicotine vaping was the largest spike for any substance recorded by the study in 44 years. The survey also found that many students believe they are vaping “just flavoring.” In fact, just about all brands include nicotine, and Juul has particularly high levels of it.
Currently, some 3.6 million middle- and high-school students are now vaping regularly, according to a CDC study released last month.
As part of the new Partnership program, a youth advocacy team is being assembled. Applications are being accepted for the Youth Tobacco Initiative (YTI). The group’s first meeting is planned for Jan. 19 at the Partnership office on Clinton Avenue. Partnership is in the process of contacting local school systems to get applications and information about the program to school counselors. Any interested student can download a copy of the application on the Partnership website.
Dunaway says Ann Marie Martin has been named the project coordinator for the tobacco prevention and control grant. She has previously been communications director for the Huntsville-Madison County Public Library, and was a writer and editor with The Huntsville Times. She has worked and volunteered with youth throughout her career.
“Smoking and tobacco use in general have been on the back burner for a few years. Now these new nicotine devices have emerged, and we’re seeing deceptive marketing techniques similar to those once used by cigarette makers,” Martin says. “Youth are being lured into thinking these new trendy devices are safe. Our goal is to educate students about the health risks of using devices like JUULs.”
Middle and high school students are eligible to apply from any school in Madison County, Huntsville and Madison. Download application
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JUUL - do you know what it is?
Town Hall on drug trends 2018
Video of Town Hall Panelists
Legacy fun day 2018
Sharing FACTs with new jerusalem MB Church
On Tuesday, June 5, members of New Jerusalem MB Church invited speakers Karren Crowson, pharmacist and Partnership Board secretary and Candice Dunaway, executive director, for a presentation on the opioid epidemic and other prescription medication trends.
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check out our new location
We've moved from our Five Points location to 2201 Clinton Avenue at the Seminole Drive intersection, near the Huntsville Police Department's West Precinct
Check out our new office space
Check out our new office space
The Partnership for a Drug-Free Community's Today's Youth, Tomorrow's Leaders is influencing young people as well as adults to better understand the impact and dangers of prescription pill abuse and the resurgence of heroin. This youth-oriented media awareness program, Today’s Youth –Tomorrow’s Leaders.
WELCOME ...
Are you searching for something specific pertaining to youth substance abuse? If so, read all about us. We may be able to help you. Most likely, many of you who are visiting this website are parents or grandparents concerned about the different drugs that you are reading about in the media. We share your concern. That's why we're here. We are the drug prevention agency for Huntsville, Madison, Madison County, and even North Alabama. Take a look around our site. If you can't find what you're looking for here, feel free to call us. We'll do our best to help.
256-539-7339.