Although Rachel Joy Scott died 13 years ago, she is still remembered today by people who heard of her death. People are inspired by her dedication and the work she put into changing the world into a better place.

She always dreamed of starting a chain reaction and wanted kindness to spread across the world. She wanted peace to exist and for us to stop fighting and believe in ourselves. Rachel’s death was also shown as an inspiration on the Oprah Winfrey Show, and many people were captivated as they learned of her death. In fact, people have been inspired by her death, and were shocked to hear that she was the first to die at the Columbine School shooting.

Rachel has been challenging us to start a chain reaction, and so far, many people have accepted that challenge. People all over the world are already jumping into action and starting chains of kindness by writing kind things people have done for them, or something nice they‘ve done for someone, and linking it together as a chain that could stretch for miles.

Also, in Friday Harbor, a guest speaker has visited both the Elementary and Middle School and educated us on what Rachel did before she died as well as how she died. The assembly was about an hour or so long and told us how Rachel Scott was dedicated in her work, helped others, and always wanted to step in.

In the Friday Harbor Middle School, there have been groups who have teamed up and studied deeper into the past of Rachel, and a few even presented their own speeches about how they felt about Rachel. In fact, Nina Paige, a FHMS counselor and others are thinking about starting a club on Rachel Scott’s challenge.

Rachel’s challenge is happening all over the world, including our small town of Friday Harbor. Starting at the Friday Harbor Middle School dance, we have started a chain of kindness, and people have already started jotting down the kind things they or others have done for them. Mrs. Williams and Mrs. Oak are both helping out with the ‘Acts of Kindness’ chains, and are hoping they will be long enough to go around the school’s hallway several times. The Friday Harbor Middle School has gathered many acts of kindness so far, and they’re very excited to see what’s coming up next.

Will this new challenge impact the school? Will it impact the community? Will it impact the world? What can Friday Harbor do next? After finishing the challenge of starting a chain of kindness, what could they do?

People around the world have started fundraisers for people transmitted with cancer, raised money for those who are in need, and simply done everything they could to help those who needed it. So many people have started changing the world to become a better place, and people are being saved everyday because of Rachel’s challenge.

Rachel has inspired so many people, and each one that she’s inspired has accepted her challenge. They’re willing to do what she wanted us to do, and start a chain reaction. Due to Rachel’s challenge, schools all over the world have sprouted more kindness over these past few weeks. Some of the schools have been so impacted by her challenge that an immense number of students have been rising to help others.

Could Friday Harbor make a change? Could we all work together and stand up to start a chain reaction? Are we ready to accept her challenge?

Rachel Joy Scott challenged us personally in her essay – twice. So, are YOU ready to accept it?

-Yasmin Sarah

What happened after Rachel’s Challenge?

We had two large groups form as a result of this program. About 20 or so youth from each school, FHES and FHMS were meeting on a regular basis during school lunch. The FHES is called the DREAM Team. The kids were choosing to make positive change in their schools to benefit everyone.

We also had a group from SSIS, Rock Solid, immediately return to school after the Rachel’s Challenge program and create a special oversized thank you card for a special staff member who isn’t always called out for her hard work and commitment to the school. Because Shelley Shelton-Wilson’s office is upstairs and she handles the accounting for the school, many students don’t get to see her in action, but her dedication helps keep the school running smoothly. She was thrilled when the whole student body signed the card and it was delivered with chocolates! These small acts of kindness can start a chain reaction! Are you up for the challenge?

“The San Juan Island Prevention Coalition is pleased that youth have taken the initiative to reach out to the community and extend the challenge. Great things have happened: Friday Harbor Elementary School created a weekly club that continued to create an environment of acts of kindness at the school, Spring Street International School acknowledged a special staff person, and a Friday Harbor High School Junior mentored by SJIPC developed and implemented a Grade 6 afterschool program to create dramatic vignettes that were presented to Friday Harbor Elementary School Grades  3-5 students in their classrooms. We hope Rachel’s messages and call to action continue on our island.  A special thanks to Yasmin for drafting this reflection article.”

-Cynthia Stark-Wickman, SJI Prevention Coalition Executive Coordinator

To learn more about Rachel’s Challenge, you can visit the website at: http://www.rachelschallenge.org/

Besides the opportunity to learn the latest strategies to prevent alcohol, tobacco and other drug use, the coalition will also hear from such conference headliners as Gil Kerlikowske, Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy and James Fowler, Ph.D., author of Connected: The Surprising Power of Our Social Networks and How They Shape Our Lives, and a Professor in the School of Medicine and Division of Social Sciences at the University of California, San Diego.

The coalition will also have the opportunity to meet and brief Senators and members of Congress from their state during CADCA’s Capitol Hill Day.

In addition, our Prevention Coalition Coordinators, Cynthia Stark-Wickman of San Juan Island and Georgeana Cook of Lopez Island, and last year’s recipient Alex Cook of Lopez Island of CADCA’s Outstanding Youth Leadership Award and have been chosen to present at the National Leadership Forum this coming week! They will offer a workshop on mentoring for success and sustainability. Collaboration at its best!

The coalition has been working on supporting our youth of San Juan County. Last year, at the CADCA National Youth Leadership Initiative program one of our participants, Teddy McCullough of Lopez Island, incorporated his new learned skills to make a difference in his community. Teddy recently was announced as this year’s CADCA Outstanding Youth Leadership Award recipient and will also be a part of the presentation team from San Juan County at the National Leadership Forum this week!

CADCA’s National Leadership Forum features more than 100 training courses to help community and state leaders prevent and reduce substance abuse and its related problems. CADCA is the national membership organization representing more than 5,000 coalitions and affiliates working to makeAmerica’s communities safe, healthy and drug-free. CADCA’s mission is to strengthen the capacity of community coalitions by providing technical assistance and training, public policy advocacy, media strategies and marketing programs, conferences, and special events. Learn more at: www.cadca.org.

For more information about CADCA’s National Leadership Forum, visit http://forum.cadca.org/.

Members of the media interested in press credentials to attend CADCA’s National Leadership Forum should contact Natalia Martinez Duncan at 703-706-0560, Ext. 256 or nmartinez@cadca.org.

Rachel Scott was the first person killed at Columbine High School on April 20, 1999. Her acts of kindness and compassion coupled with the contents of her six diaries have become the foundation for one of the most life-changing school programs in America.

Please join us for this free community presentation, especially if you know a student who saw one of the Rachel’s Challenge assemblies earlier in the day (Feb. 8th). This powerful and moving story will offer our students, teachers and community a chance to inspire each other and make a chain reaction of kindness and compassion. Please invite your family, friends, neighbors, and community leaders. This evening presentation is geared toward teens and adults.

Enjoy a family friendly dinner of mac and cheese starting at 5:15pm in the FHMS Commons. The Food for Thought folks are generously preparing the meal. A donation is suggested at the door. Hope to see you all there!

Please thank our sponsors who make this possible! San Juan Island Community Foundation, San Juan Island Prevention Coalition, Minor Reinforcement, FHES PTA, FHMS PTSA, FHHS PTSA, and an in-kind donation for the childcare location, Friday Harbor Presbyterian Church/Lighthouse Preschool.

You can learn more about Rachel’s Challenge at: http://www.rachelschallenge.org/

Another great program, sponsored by the San Juan Island Prevention Coalition, is just around the corner!

Bring in the New Year with family, friends, and neighbors! Island Rec and the San Juan Island Prevention Coalition will be joining up once again to offer this alcohol-free community party. Music, entertainment, dancing, games, contests, and activities provide fun for people of all ages. We will have our clocks set to Eastern Standard Time to ring in the New Year! All ages are welcome, youth under 12 must be accompanied by and adult. Bring a savory or sweetsnack to share. Saturday, December 31st from 7-9 pm at the Mullis Center. See you there!

Thank you to our partner, Island Rec, for coordinating the event!

To learn more about Island Rec and their programs, visit their webiste at: http://www.islandrec.org/

Don’t forget that the San Juan Island Prevention Coalition now has a Facebook page. Click here to see it!

http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/rm-quiz-alcohol-myths-facts?ecd=wnl_emw_120711

Follow this link to learn more about how Facebook is getting involved in suicide prevention. This is such a great idea!
http://blog.samhsa.gov/2011/12/13/facebook-provides-first-of-a-kind-service-to-help-prevent-suicides/

Youth Learning Teamwork Skills

United Way continues to provide invaluable support for our county’s youth through many organizations, including the San Juan Island Prevention Coalition (SJIPC).

Youth are experiencing an exciting combination of hands-on educational opportunities – being creatively challenged to discover their own and others’ natural gifts and leadership talents. Hundreds of children in every grade, from preschool to high school, have received support from United Way.

Unique, fun, team-building activities help young people develop essential life skills in problem-solving, communication, cooperation and healthy decision-making. United Way supported the expansion of Challenge this year to include the award-winning Yoga Calm curriculum; enhancing the ability of youth and teens to manage stress and develop healthy practices to improve their physical, emotional and mental well-being, as well as their academic achievement. Older teens are practicing leadership skills with younger youth to create “UNITY in commUNITY,” taking charge of the direction of their lives while helping others.

Please join the San Juan Island Prevention Coalition and our collaborators in thanking United Way of San Juan County for their vision of knowing that creating a healthy community depends on the way we care for our children.

- Alice Hibberd, Challenge Coordinator

Next June, consumers in Washington state will be able to buy hard liquor at grocery and warehouse stores, including Costco.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2016720231_elexliquor09m.html

The link below highlights trend data from 2005 to 2009 on emergency department treatment visits involving energy drinks, and describes demographic characteristics associated with energy drinks consumed alone or in combination with alcohol or illicit or
prescription drugs.

These drinks are very popular among middle and high school students.

http://store.samhsa.gov/product/DAWN11-1122

Brittanie Fenley

FHMS Participates in Youth Leadership Initiative Summit

By Brittanie Fenley, 9^th grade student at FHHS

Friday Harbor High School and Middle School have got the beat. On Wednesday, September 28, Kenya Masala came to our school and jammed with us in the Turnbull Gym. We played the drums, laughed, and had fun with Kenya, an energetic man from Jamaica who did not put up with what he refers to as “ITC”, an “I’m too cool…”attitude.

The students jammed together for an hour, while Kenya talked about the benefits of being involved with the community and how it gives us a good feeling.  After the high schoolers went back to their classes, the eighth graders stayed and learned what marijuana does to your body. The eighth grade students also defined what Courage, Communication, and Commitment meant to them. They said that courage is standing up for what you believe in, communication is expressing your thoughts and ideas to others, and commitment is sticking to your goals and giving your all in everything you do. The students were split into groups and made up sayings that they could use in the community.

After the day was over, I realized that everyone in our community is a leader. Also everything you do should always give you power over yourself. Stand up and become a part of your community in the San Juan Islands!

Thank you to the San Juan Island Prevention Coalition for putting on this full-day leadership summit.

Kenya Masala uses a technique called Kinesthetic Rhythma-Learning through which people interact with the basics of community development (respect, responsibility, synergy) via dynamic rhythmic sensory awareness activities. To learn more about Rhythm of Life with Kenya Masala, visit http://www.rhythmoflifedrumming.com/.

For further questions, inquiries, or to become involved, call the San Juan Island Prevention Coalition at 378-9683 or email at prevention@centurytel.net.

You can also visit their blog at: http://blogs.sanjuanjournal.com/voicesforhealth/ or become a fan on Facebook!

To read more about this bill, visit www.ProtectOurCommunities.com.

Plaque at the Orcas Island Skate Park

Steve Gresham, SJC Prevention Coordinator, snapped a shot of this sign last week. I think it speaks perfectly to the work of prevention.

SJI Prevention Coalition Media Coordinator

Drug companies generated over $4 billion in sales in Washington State last year. These same companies spent $450 million promoting sales in 2008. Because of such an immense amount of medicines sold each year, it is important that WA State provides a safe and sustainable medication take-back program. To do so, it would cost drug companies less than two cents per container of medication sold.

Lobbyists are working around the clock in our very own State Capital in Olympia, hoping that the drug producers selling medicines in Washington State will soon be required to provide and finance a convenient and safe return and disposal program for unwanted prescription and over-the-counter medications. If approved, the 2011 Secure Medication Take-Back Bill would not only help keep our environment clean and save the state millions of dollars in emergency room costs, but would also save people’s lives due to fatal poisonings and deaths. Drug overdoses are now the leading cause of accidental death in WA State.

If approved, this bill would be run by the WA Medicine Return Association, a non-profit that is managed and financed by drug producers. They would be responsible for providing one drop-off site per county; pre-paid mailers where drop-off sites are not available; and paying for collection containers, supplies, transportation, disposal, and promotion.

San Juan County is one of 12 counties in the state operating a take-back program. Despite the grant funding recently received to install and label the drop boxes, more support will be needed to make this program sustainable.

San Juan County Sheriff, Rob Nou shares his support of the county’s recently installed drop boxes. “I think it’s a great idea and it seems to be really well received. The island communities are really embracing the take-back. I think it’s kind of exceeded our expectations.”

It’s important to give credit where credit is due. The County Sheriff’s Office is in charge of collecting, packaging, and transporting the take-back medications to the special high temperature incinerators. These facilities are located in Spokane and Portland. A big thank you to our Sheriff’s Office!

San Juan County Prevention Coordinator, Steve Gresham states his excitement for such a great program, “I have been surprised to see all the public support for this program. I believe that the drug take-back program is for the good of the community.”

Medication drop boxes are now installed at the Sheriffs’ station on San Juan, Orcas, and Lopez Islands and at Ray’s Pharmacy on Orcas. Friday Harbor Drug should have their box ready for drop offs the first week in March. Lopez Island Pharmacy will install their drop box in April when they move to their new location.

To learn more about the Medicine Take-Back Bill, visit www.TakeBackYourMeds.org. For questions about the 2011 legislation, email Margaret Shield, Local Hazardous Waste Management Program at margaret.shield@kingcounty.org.

Visit the SJI Prevention Coalition Voices for Health Blog at http://blogs.sanjuanjournal.com/voicesforhealth/.

Undersheriff, Jon Zerby, helping to collect a total of 500 pounds of medications from last year’s Medication Take Back Days

Article by Carrie Unpingco

Media Coordinator, SJI Prevention Coalition

Getting rid of unwanted drugs just got a whole lot easier in San Juan County! You can now drop off your used and unused medications at six different locations. The pharmacy and sheriff’s station on San Juan, Orcas, and Lopez Islands will each house one box, available to anyone to anonymously discard of their medications or illicit drugs. All the drop stations will be installed and ready the middle of February. A list of what you can and cannot discard, along with specific instructions on how to dispose of the drugs, will be posted on each box.

Items not permitted in drop boxes: Needles/syringes, thermometers, IV bags or bloody/infectious waste, personal care products, opened EpiPens, hydrogen peroxide/other chemicals, aerosol cans, mercury products, iodine solutions, radioactives, business waste, and empty containers.

Similar to recycling, if you want people to follow through, it needs to be easy. When dropping off medications it’s important to first remove them from the pill containers and place them in a Ziplock baggie. You can mix all your meds in the same bag and simply drop them in the box. Empty bottles or other packaging needs to be discarded at home in the trash. It is suggested that labels are removed to protect your privacy.

Fortunately, the pharmacy board approved the use of the drop boxes. In addition, the DEA is in charge of disposing the medications properly. Even though the boxes are constructed with the optimal security in mind and are similar to a safe, they will be emptied once a day.

As we know, it’s not easy to put something like this into effect. About two years ago Brian Rader, San Juan County Pollution Prevention Specialist, brought this idea to the surface. He felt that medications improperly being disposed of were an environmental hazard. Brian Rader states, “Proper medication disposal is important for two reasons. First, by providing for a free and easy way to get rid of these materials, they are less likely to end up in the hands of kids or other people that may abuse them. Second, we really don’t want prescription and over-the-counter medications, most of which (including aspirin) are hazardous waste under state law, to end up in surface water bodies or, worse yet, our drinking water supplies. Our waste-water treatment plants are designed to treat biological waste only. These pharmaceutical and over-the-counter drugs are not treated in these plants. Instead, they simply pass through, untreated, into receiving water bodies, like our harbors and bays.”

Once it was recognized that improper disposal was really affecting our water and most importantly our children, the idea that something really needed to be done took off. Fortunately, the Methamphetamine Initiative Grant was awarded between the SJC Sheriff’s Office and the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs. The purchase was allowed because the boxes were placed at the Sheriff substations for take-back of all drugs. The grant also funded officer overtime for meth-related cases as well as officer education. All the islands’ boxes, including installation and labels, were approximately $5000.

This could not have been made possible without the hard and diligent work of many people. Brian Rader; Ray’s Pharmacy; Friday Harbor Drug; Lopez Island Pharmacy; Undersheriff, Jon Zerby; San Juan County Prevention Coordinator, Steve Gresham; former Sheriff Bill Cumming; current Sheriff Rob Nou; and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Thank you to Cara Gresham, who coordinated last year’s monthly take-back programs at Friday Harbor Drug as the summer Intern for the SJI Prevention Coalition. The Coalition and Executive Coordinator, Cynthia Stark-Wickman, have also supported each and every person involved with this huge undertaking. Everyone’s time and commitment will make a huge difference for our entire island community. A special thank you to Rick Hughes, the owner of Ray’s Pharmacy on Orcas Island, who helped write the protocol that made this happen.

After meeting with Jon Zerby and Steve Gresham this past week, I was again reassured why living here is so great. Our community is proactive; making sure good ideas are acted on. All too often news and media focus on the negative, but our county does a great job focusing on the good news.

To find out more about the 2011 Secure Medicine Take Back Bill Policy Overview and the work of Lisa Sepanski from King County, please visit: www.TakeBackYourMeds.org.

Quote for 2011 from Cynthia Stark-Wickman:  “San Juan County has been very fortunate to have Drug Free Communities Support Program funding for three islands:  Orcas (2000-2010), San Juan (2003 – 2013), and Lopez (2010 – 2015/2020).  Each island has the ability to address the local conditions of their specific island, while working together  county and state issues including social hosting and providing alcohol to minors, and state laws that increase or decrease access to alcohol.  As coalitions working together for the good of our islands, we also benefit our individual communities that have their unique qualities.  Collaboration is key, within each coalition, and between the coalitions!”

Written by Carrie Unpingco

Most of us have heard about the San Juan Island Prevention Coalition in the local media and their work in our community, but we have never taken the time to really find out what they strive to accomplish. There’s no better topic for this week’s Voices for Health column in the Journal.

Let’s get technical. The word coalition comes from the Latin word “coalitus,” which means “to grow together.” A coalition is a diverse group of individuals and organizations that work together to reach a common goal. The goals of coalitions often include developing public policy, influencing people’s behaviors, and helping to build a healthy community (GLSEN, Inc, 2010).

The SJI Prevention Coalition works together for a common purpose. We are a non-profit 501-C3 organization that is run by a board of 15 community leaders representing an array of sectors among the community’s social and health systems. The goals of the coalition are to reduce substance abuse among youth; and to establish and strengthen collaboration among the community, creating a community culture supporting healthy choices and responsible behaviors to prevent and reduce substance abuse among youth.

Executive Coordinator, Cynthia Stark-Wickman, and the Board of Trustees all work exceptionally hard to help implement their goals.

The twelve coalition sectors represent the community and range from the Friday Harbor School District to the local Presbyterian Church. We encourage parents to get involved, simply for the reason that they are parents. Together, these segments make up the coalition. It cannot be forgotten that our entire community is the partnership.

Our coalition supports many activities in the community. Here are just a few examples of such:

• Project Grad Nite (FHHS Graduation Celebration)
• New Year’s Eve Community Celebration
• Spring community forum
• Representation at the county fair
• Challenge Program and support of LifeSkills Training

From my work during the past three years with the island’s coalition, I often ask myself, “Is it working?” and, “When will we really see that our efforts have been effective?” Yes, the efforts are working. What people don’t understand is that the outcomes of prevention work aren’t immediate. It may take years of extensive work to see results.

What we tend to forget is that the more invested in prevention work, the more time and money saved in the long run. Despite this, it’s often difficult to wait for the outcomes, but it’s proven to work. As a community, let’s help support the SJI Prevention Coalition. Attend this year’s New Year’s Eve celebration! You’ll enjoy yourself and you might find interest in becoming a volunteer.

To find out more about the work of the San Juan Island Prevention Coalition, call Cynthia Stark-Wickman at 378-9683 or email her at prevention@centurytel.net.

You can also visit the Voices for Health Blog at: http://blogs.sanjuanjournal.com/voicesforhealth/.

Carrie is the SJI Prevention Coalition’s Media Coordinator and works as Administrative Assistant at Inter Island Medical Center.

San Juan Island Prevention Coalition

By Cara Gresham

The second Medication Take Back Day took place on Wednesday, September 1, 2010. San Juan Island Prevention Coordinator, Cynthia Stark-Wickman, Undersheriff Jon Zerby, and I were all present again in Friday Harbor Drug to collect medications and answer questions. There was another nice turn out and a total of 23.2 lbs of medications were collected. Congratulations, San Juan Island residents!

The Medication Take Back Program is a monthly on-going program, the first Wednesday of each month from 10am to 2pm. Keep up the safe disposal of medications to protect our youth, community, and environment. We hope to see more people dropping off medications next month! For questions, you can contact the San Juan Island Prevention Coalition at 378-9683 or prevention@centurytel.net.

Cara Gresham has completed her summer internship with the San Juan Island Prevention Coalition and had this to say about her time with the coalition, “I am very proud of the Medication Take Back Program and have been impressed with the support from local organizations. The community support has been great and I have enjoyed working with so many wonderful people.”

Community member turning in medications.

Cynthia Stark-Wickman & Jon Zerby at the 2nd Take Back Day!

Medications Collected from the 2nd Tack Back Day!

San Juan Island Prevention Coalition

Kids making t-shirts!

Article by Cara Gresham

Amidst the animals, flowers, food, games, rides and the many other delights at the fair, was the San Juan Island Prevention Coalition Booth. Nestled in the corner next to the restrooms, and the big fair building that held pictures, photographs, the Journal, fudge from Lopez and much more, sat the volunteers and staff from the San Juan Island Prevention Coalition, Orcas Island Prevention Partnership, Lopez Island Prevention Coalition, 4-H, S-club, and the public health nurses. Despite all the information on a variety of prevention subjects from substance abuse, nutrition, tobacco, and the prescription drug take- back program, the major draw for all ages was the opportunity to create your own t-shirt!

Engaging youth and adults alike, Prevention Coalition volunteers and staff asked questions about alcohol and drugs, tobacco, nutrition, anatomy, and fitness. The reward for answering and discussing was creating your own t-shirt or jump-rope. The message and/or design on t-shirts had to be healthy and positive, otherwise creativity was up to you.

“The coalition is community run, and by having the fair booth we hope to educate, and engage islanders in making healthy choices,” says San Juan Island Prevention Coalition Coordinator, Cynthia Stark-Wickman.

This year’s fair saw sunshine, good food, and plenty of people gathered around the Prevention Booth. “The fair was fun and it was neat to see how busy the Coalition Booth did get,” says Cara Gresham, Intern with San Juan Island Prevention Coalition.

The Prevention Coalition had yet another successful year at the fair. We would like to thank all the volunteers who helped run the booth, and everyone who stopped by to say hello, make a t-shirt, or just check out the booth. We hope to see you all again next year!

The booths!

San Juan Co. Health & Community Services.

Undersheriff, Jon Zerby and the collected medications!

By Cara Gresham, Take Back Coordinator, San Juan Island Prevention Coalition

On Wednesday, August 4, 2010 the Medication Take Back Program debuted at Friday Harbor Drug, Ray’s Pharmacy on Orcas Island, and Lopez Island Pharmacy. Overall, it was a great success!

Cara Gresham, Take Back Coordinator; Cynthia Stark-Wickman, San Juan Island Prevention Coalition Coordinator; and Undersheriff, Jon Zerby were stationed in Friday Harbor Drug from 10am to 2pm to collected people’s returned medications as well as answer questions about the program. The total amount of medications taken back at Friday Harbor Drug was 34.5 lbs. Way to go San Juan Island residents!

Both Ray’s Pharmacy on Orcas and Lopez Island Pharmacy also had a good turnout. Thank you to everyone for turning in your medications for safe disposal. This will make a huge difference.

The Take Back Program will be an on-going program the first Wednesday of each month. The next Medication Take Back Day is Wednesday, September 1, 2010 from 10am to 2pm. Go dig out your old and/or unused medications and get rid of them safely! We hope to see an even larger turnout in September.

Future Take Back Days: Sept 1, Oct 6, Nov 3, and Dec 1

Betty Baker (right) was the first community member to bring back medications!

Undersheriff Jon Zerby, Take Back Coordinator Cara Gresham, Hazardous Waste Coordinator Helen Venada, and community member Kathie Ward (from left to right)

Take Back Coordinator Cara Gresham; Brad Fincher, Chair of San Juan Island Prevention Coalition, and Undersheriff Zerby holding a bag of returned medications (from left to right)

San Juan Island Prevention Coalition Coordinator, Cynthia Stark-Wickman; Friday Harbor Drug pharmacist, Norm Degraaff; Sheriff Bill Cumming; and Undersheriff, Jon Zerby (left to right). Medication Take Back Coordinator, Cara Gresham (front)

San Juan Island Prevention Coalition

Medication Take Back Program Info

By Cara Gresham, Intern, San Juan Island Prevention Coalition

Health care providers have been prescribing and administering medications for years, so what has changed? The use and abuse of illegal drugs and alcohol has been a social problem of ever-changing proportion. The latest drug of choice is prescription medications. Prescription drug abuse is on the rise throughout the nation and is adversely affecting the nation’s youth. According to the Office of National Drug Control Policy, young adults ages 18 to 25 have the highest rate of prescription drug abuse, followed by teens ages 12 to 17.

Easy access plays a key role in why prescription drug abuse is on the rise. The number one way youth are gaining access to prescription drugs and other medications are from family and friends. Youth are not necessarily stealing these medications either. The 2008 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) states that 56% of youth who are abusing prescription drugs, are obtaining them from friends or family for free. Youth are also abusing their own prescription medications, and/or using over-the-counter medications that they buy or find in the family’s home. The number one cause of emergency medical calls and deaths among youth have moved away from blunt force trauma (i.e. car accidents) to overdoses. The Office of National Drug Control Policy states that by 2008, emergency room visits for the misuse of prescription or over-the-counter medications became as common as those for the use of illicit drugs. Just because pills are prescribed by a health care provider does not mean they are safe.

For me this represents a sad state of affairs for our youth, families, and country. As someone pointed out to me, is this not the age group which abuse falls most heavily on? This may be true, and that in itself makes the need for organizations such as Prevention Coalitions and programs like the Drug Take Back Program all that much more important. Decreasing access to prescription drugs to lower abuse rates among youth is a vital part of creating Drug Free Communities. Medication Take Back Programs are a great way to help decrease access, and be more environmentally friendly.

People in San Juan County should no longer feel there isn’t an alternative to dispose of medications than flushing them down the toilet, throwing them in the garbage, or letting them gather dust in a medicine cabinet. Individual community members can make a big difference in the decrease of substance abuse. Bringing unused, unwanted, or expired medications back to your local pharmacy on Take Back days will help increase safe disposal and decrease access. Remember, you can make a difference in decreasing prescription drug abuse in the lives of youth in our community.

For more information on the Medication Take Back Program, call the Take Back Coordinator, Cara Gresham, at 360-378-9683 or email her at cara.preventionsanjuan@hotmail.com.

San Juan Island Prevention Coalition

Susan Grout

By Susan Grout, MA. Psych, LMHC

As simplistic as it sounds, I am in the business of making people happier. No one walks by my or any other counselor’s office and says, “Hey, it’s a nice day, think I’ll go in for counseling.” Clients come in because they’re carrying around problems that need discussing, if not always solving.

Long ago, I read a pivotal study by Dr. Martin Seligman that positively influenced me. In the 1980’s his group performed an unkind experiment with dogs on “learned helplessness.” They shocked the dogs randomly until they just gave up, lay down in their cages and awaited the next jolt. They had induced despair. The story could have ended there, with a pack of neurotic dogs. However, these were scientists who had hearts as well as brains and they decided to see if they could help these dogs recover. So, using sausages as rewards, they coaxed the dogs out of their pens. With some of the dogs it took as few as 10 times dragging them by the collar to the sausages, with others as many as 50 times, but ultimately all of the dogs recovered. It made me think that perhaps I could help clients find the particular “sausage” that would coax them out of their own cages.

The drug companies would have you believe that only with their particular drug can you recover from depression. Pharmacology does have its place in psychotherapy, but significantly less than the drug companies would have you believe. The truth about antidepressants is that, in controlled studies, placebos did almost as well. [Turner et al, University of Oregon Health and Science 2006 and a 2005 article in Scientific American]. Pharmaceuticals is a multi-billion dollar industry and the last thing they want you to know is that there is a more natural route to recovery from depression that is nearly as effective as their drugs. [Caution: If you are taking an antidepressant and want to stop, do not cease taking your medication. Talk to your doctor about withdrawing slowly.] The alternative and, in my opinion, superior route to happiness consists of simple things like following a healthy, nutritious diet, exercising regularly (that means most days), having good supportive friends, becoming aware and mindful in your life and seeking counseling when troubled.

To be fair, I have seen cases where clients have been diligent about this non-drug approach and still were not able to escape their cage. In these cases antidepressants may also be a necessary adjunct. Numerous studies have shown that psychotherapy coupled with antidepressants greatly enhances recovery from depression. Yet, this seems not to be well understood in our culture. Is it because people are embarrassed to seek professional help? Most of us can’t make our own sausages so we turn to the butcher. Sometimes people just need a little tug on their collar in order to view their life in a new way. Counseling can provide that tug on the collar.

Susan Grout is a licensed mental health counselor here in Friday Harbor. You can reach Susan at 378-3212.

Medication Take Back Program Info

Written by: Cara Gresham, Intern, San Juan Prevention Coalition

July is National Prescription Drug Abuse Awareness Month. To help raise awareness locally, the San Juan Prevention Coalition and the Sheriff’s Office are launching a Medication Take Back Program.

Prescription drug abuse is on the rise and falls second only to marijuana. According to the Office of National Drug Control Policy young adults ages 18 to 25 have the highest rate of prescription drug abuse followed by teens ages 12 to 17.

Youth are getting prescription drugs from their own prescribed medications or from friends or family. Keep medications in a safe and secure place, and remember to dispose of them by taking them back to the pharmacy or local take back program. 71,000 children under the age of 18 are seen every year in emergency rooms due to unintentional prescription or over-the-counter medication overdoses. Take Back Programs exist around the Nation, offering a safe place for citizens to dispose of unused, unwanted, or expired medications.

The San Juan Island Take Back Program will kick off in August, and will be ongoing . The drop off dates will be the first Wednesday of every month. The Take Back Program is a partnership between the San Juan Sheriff’s Office, the San Juan Island Prevention Coalition, Ray’s Pharmacy on Orcas, Friday Harbor Drug, Lopez Pharmacy, Lopez Island Prevention Coalition, Orcas Island Prevention Partnership, as well as other community partners.

For questions or further information contact:

Take Back Coordinator: Cara Gresham

(360) 378-9683

Cara.preventionsanjuan@hotmail.com

Medication Drop Off

Wednesday August 4, 2010

10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Friday Harbor Drug

Prescription Take Back Coordinator, Cara Gresham (center) welcomed by San Juan Island Prevention Coalition Coordinator, Cynthia Stark-Wickman (left) and Chair, Brad Fincher.

CALL FOR INCREASED INVESTMENT IN PREVENTION

 

Article by Cara Gresham, San Juan Island Prevention Coalition Intern with technical assistance from Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA)

Washington, D.C. – The 2009 Monitoring the Future Survey, released in December 2009 by the National Institute on Drug Abuse and the University of Michigan, showed that while there were slight decreases in the use of cocaine and methamphetamine among youth, marijuana and prescription drug abuse showed no signs of slowing down. In fact, marijuana use among adolescents increased gradually over the past two years after years of declining use; and past year rates of Vicodin and OxyContin abuse increased during the last 5 years among 10th graders and remained unchanged among 8th and 12th graders.

Several drugs showed signs of increasing with attitudes softening for drugs such as marijuana, ecstasy, inhalants and LSD. For example, the percentage of 8^th graders who view occasional marijuana use as potentially harmful dropped to 44 percent, compared to 48 percent last year. In addition, the perception of “great risk” associated with marijuana use declined among 8^th and 10^th graders.

 “The 2009 Monitoring the Future survey is a wake-up call to all of us. It shows that our teens still don’t understand the dangers of abusing prescription drugs, such as Vicodin and OxyContin; and they don’t realize the harm that marijuana use can cause,” said Cynthia Stark-Wickman, San Juan Prevention Coordinator. Beliefs and attitudes about these drugs are going in the wrong direction.  The decreases of perception of harm around marijuana and inhalants are especially concerning, as that often leads to an increase in use.  

“The San Juan Island Prevention Coalition plays a critical role in addressing drug abuse in San Juan Island, Washington and in implementing strategies to change attitudes and availability. But we need to increase our investment in substance abuse prevention in order to make a dent in these problems.  More young people need to get the message that these drugs are harmful if we are to reverse these trends, but our coalition can’t do it alone. We need the help of everyone in the community” said Brad Fincher, Chair of the San Juan Prevention Coalition.

More information on the National 2009 Monitoring the Future Survey is available at www.monitoringthefuture.org. The San Juan County and Washington State Healthy Youth Survey is available at http://www.doh.wa.gov/healthyyouth/reports/default.htm.

 Locally we need the continued support of the community to help decrease use among our youth. The 2008 Healthy Youth Survey showed a significant increase in marijuana use in the past 30 days from 3% in sixth grade, up to 32% in twelfth grade. These numbers indicate higher use for local youth compared to state and national use. Use of pain killers, such as Vicodin and or OxyContin to get high in the past 30 days among tenth graders was 17% according to the 2008 Healthy Youth Survey, almost double the state average. For further questions, inquiries, or to become involved, call the San Juan Island Prevention Coalition at 378-9683 or email at prevention@centurytel.net.

San Juan Island Prevention Coalition

Carrie Unpingco, Coalition Media Coordinator

By Carrie Unpingco

Associate Trustee of the San Juan Island Prevention Coalition

 Everyone has a different idea of what makes a person healthy. What does being healthy mean to you? Are you healthy enough if you can walk a mile in 30 minutes? Or, are you healthy if you never eat junk food? If all you can find time for is 20 minutes a day to relax, does that make you healthy? Honestly, it’s difficult to know if what we’re doing is good enough, or if what we’re doing is too much. Being healthy is a constant battle between not enough and too much.

Now that our society understands so much more about health, we are constantly bombarded by the media with rules to live by. Just what we need is more rules, right?!

We are supposed to eat a balanced diet. Healthy fats like nuts are good for you, but only a handful. Exercise 30-60 minutes most days of the week, but much more if you’re trying to lose weight. Monitor your alcohol intake. One to two glasses of wine a day is good for your heart. But remember women, more than two drinks will increase your risk of breast cancer. Oh, and don’t forget to spend time with family and friends because being social is part of wellness. But also take time out for yourself each day. By the way, when was your last check up? These “rules” are confusing and constantly contradict one another. No wonder so many people can’t stay on track.

But we don’t have to give up. We owe it to ourselves and our family and friends to stay healthy. And it doesn’t have to be difficult.

As a community health educator, I believe health is a lifelong journey. We learn and grow every day by listening to our bodies and what works for us. I have chosen to make healthy choices so I am able to experience the things in life I most enjoy. But no one is perfect. We can’t do it all every day, but we can do good most of the time.

Health education is individualistic. Everyone has their own set of goals and interests of what they want to do or change. I want to influence and help inspire individuals in our community to maintain healthy lifestyles or change the belief that it’s too hard to get started. It doesn’t have to be done all at once. Little changes to your lifestyle make for a big change in your quality of life. It can also be fun! Here are some ideas of little things that can make a huge difference!

• Eat a variety of fresh foods
• Do something active every day
• Try a new activity or hobby just for you
• Drink lots of water
• Eat at home as a family
• Relax
• Laugh
• Get enough sleep

Carrie works as the Administrative Assistant at Inter Island Medical Center. Click here to view the IIMC website.

Another school year is quickly coming to an end, and on the minds of all high school seniors is graduation! Often this “rite of passage” is viewed by many as a chance to celebrate with drinking alcohol or using illegal substances.

Thankfully, our community has stepped up to help offer our graduating seniors another option, Project Grad Night, an all-night, alcohol and drug-free party exclusively for them! With participation over 94% each year from the senior class, the buy-in is huge! What makes this so powerful is the students have made a conscious choice to enjoy their graduation night without drugs or alcohol.  In the end, only the students can make the decision for themselves. According to the 2008 Washington State Healthy Youth Survey, “About two out of three seniors choose not to drink alcohol.”

Project Grad Night is the community at its best. Students, parents, local business owners and community members come together to support our youth in helping to make healthy choices. Not only will this positive influence be felt on grad night, but it is our hope they will continue to make decisions about how they want to celebrate other “special passages” as they move into adulthood and the decisions it will require.

The graduating seniors will be whisked off 10 minutes after their graduation ceremony on to a thrilling, fun and engaging night of activities. The planning has been in the works for the past year for the 2010 graduating seniors. In 2007, Project Grad Night was first introduced on San Juan Island. Parent volunteer, Joyce Stimpson, was involved from the start and continues to help facilitate the program. Her son Loch, FHHS ‘07 Grad said, “It was nice of Project Grad Night to take the stress off of the kids to come up with a party because there was already one planned.”

Each year, the planning committee of senior parents try to keep the events a surprise making the night that much more intriguing and safe. Because it is a surprise, it gives the students the feeling of a “natural high.”  Events in past years have included “sumo wrestling,” a game of “Survivor” on Jones Island, and a sunrise cruise aboard the whale watch boat the Odyssey. Graduate Loch adds, “I think the feeling of doing something as a class for the last time gets understated far too much with this experience.”

This will be a night to remember, especially since they will be alcohol and drug-free. Graduation night is supposed to be fun, not fatal. Give those graduating seniors a huge congrats as you send them on their way that night. They’ve already shown great wisdom in their plans for their big night out!

Much gratitude also goes out to the many volunteers and donors giving their time, talents and resources to make this happen! The San Juan Island Prevention Coalition supports this program, but it’s through fundraising efforts by senior parents and the students in our community that make Project Grad Night a reality!  Here’s to a healthy future for the 2010 Graduating Seniors!

Project Grad Nite Website