March 2016 - In This Issue:
Snap a Selfie, Stand Up to Big Tobacco during the #NotAReplacement Social Media Campaign
ESAP COALITION UPDATES
In recognition of National Kick Butts Day on Wednesday, March 16th, Evanston community members can take a stand against tobacco use by sharing their "selfie statement" in the Evanston Substance Abuse Prevention (ESAP) Coalition's  #NotAReplacement social media campaign, in partnership with the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids.

Each day, 1,300 Americans die from tobacco use. More than 2,800 youth under the age of 18 try smoking for the first time, while another 700 become regular smokers. Tobacco companies are aggressively creating new and innovative products and using creative marketing strategies that are appealing to youth.

Beginning March 16th, community members are encouraged to tell the tobacco industry that they're not "replacement smokers" by sharing a selfie statement declaring who they are and what they represent. (Example: "I am not a replacement. I am an athlete.")

To participate:
1. Personalize the "I am not a replacement" selfie statement,  
create your own, or use the selfie statement generator .
2. Take a photo of yourself holding your selfie statement.
3. Twitter & Instagram Users: Share it on Instagram or Twitter using the
hashtag  #NotAReplacement and tag @EvanstonSAPC in your post.
4. Facebook Users: Share it on Facebook using the hashtag  #NotAReplacement
and tag @Evanston Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition in your post.

Those who are not on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter can submit your selfie statement photos to [email protected]. Participants will be recognized on the ESAP Coalition website and featured during the ESAP Coalition's April 19th community meeting at Evanston Township High School.

Kick Butts Day is a national day of activism that empowers youth to stand out, speak up and seize control against Big Tobacco. This is the 2nd annual #NotAReplacement campaign which began in 2015 with the City of Evanston's Health and Human Services Department. To learn more, visit the Kick Butts Day website or contact the ESAP Coalition Coordinator at 847-951-0109 or [email protected].
UPCOMING EVENTS
Wednesday, March 16th 
#NotAReplacement Campaign Kickoff

Saturday, March 19th
Connections to the Community 
ETHS- Room A241
12:00-4:00pm

Thursday, March 24th 
Tobacco Committee Meeting
Civic Center- Room 2402
12:00pm-1:00pm

Tuesday, March 29th 
Community Outreach Meeting
PEER Services- 2nd Fl Conference Rm
10:30am-11:30am

Thursday, April 7th 
Your Actions Matter Campaign
Institute for Therapy Through the Arts
1702 Sherman Ave- Large Group Room
4:30pm-7:30pm

Tuesday, April 19th 
ESAP Coalition Community Meeting
Evanston Township High School- E112
6:30pm-8:30pm
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
Mahalia Gilot, LPC, is an adolescent counselor at PEER Services. She studied at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign then earned her Master's degree at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Mahalia is originally from Haiti and speaks French, Creole and some Spanish. She is dedicated to multicultural issues and diversity. Her experience includes providing counseling support to adolescents, young adults and families. Mahalia enjoyed volunteering with ESAP at the recycling fair. She understands the importance of prevention in substance abuse. Mahalia believes that knowledge and information leads to thoughtful decision making.   


"ESAP Coalition's mission is to increase the health of Evanston youth by preventing alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use through community-level strategies."


 
LOCAL NEWS
Join Us at the Connections to the Community Conference at ETHS on Saturday, March 19th
Evanston/Skokie community members, parents, alumni and people who work in Evanston will have the opportunity to participate in a community conference at Evanston Township High School on Saturday, March 19th from 1:00pm -4:00pm. Join the ESAP Coalition and the ETHS Student Assistance Program for a presentation on the collaboration between the s chool and community on preventing youth substance use.  Check-in will open at 12:00pm.  Register here.
NATIONAL NEWS
CVS Invests $50 Million in the Be The First Campaign, Bringing the Nation One Step Closer Towards a Tobacco-Free Generation
This month, CVS Health announced the Be The First campaign , a five-year  $50 million  initiative to help deliver the nation's first tobacco-free generation. Through this initiative, which is funded through CVS Health and the CVS Health Foundation, the company is extending its commitment to help people lead tobacco-free lives. Recognizing that tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of disease and death in  the United States  and that youth use of some tobacco products is on the rise, Be The First  comprises comprehensive education, advocacy, tobacco control and healthy behavior programming in partnership with organizations uniquely positioned to tackle this public health challenge. Read more.
The United States Senate Passes the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act 
On March 10th, the United States Senate passed the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA) by a 94-1 vote. This piece of legislation is important to the field of prevention in that it will provide a variety of provisions designed to combat the prescription drug and heroin epidemic. CARA  is the most expansive federal, bipartisan legislation to date for addiction support services, designating between $40 million and $80 million toward advancing treatment and recovery support services in state and local communities across the country, which will help save the lives of countless people. Now, it is crucial that this momentum carries over to the House, which must also pass this bill for it to become law. Track the bill and take action today! Read More.
National Institute of Drug Abuse Releases Publication on Early Childhood Risks and Protective Factors
The National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) released an online guide that integrates the latest  research to identify and define risk and protective factors that affect a child's self-control and  overall mental health from prenatal development to eight years of age. NIDA Director, Nora D. Volkow,  M.D., commented that, "Thanks to more than three decades of research into what makes a young  child able to cope with life's inevitable stresses, we now have unique opportunities to intervene  very early in life to prevent substance use disorders. We now know that early intervention can set  the stage for more positive self-r egulation as children prepare for their school years." This  publication is an important and accessible resource for parents, professionals and the community in  preventing youth substance use and promoting health and well-being of children in their early years through adolescence.  For more information, click here .
COMMUNITY CORNER
Evanston Health and Human Services Department is Hosting Women Out Walking  
The Evanston Health & Human Services Department is hosting the Women Out Walking (WOW) kick-off event on March 19th from 10:00am -1:00pm at Evanston Township High School. WOW is  a 12-week walking program that aims to encourage women (and men) in Evanston to become more physically active and lead healthier lifestyles. The cost of registration is $5. Online registration is preferred, but in-person registration will be available the day of. Participants will also be given the opportunity to attend workshops that provide information on nutrition and healthy living. Stop by the ESAP Coalition's table during the resource fair scavenger hunt!  Read more .
Contact Us
 
Karen Finstad, Coalition Coordinator
[email protected]
847.951.0109

Visit Our Website

This newsletter was developed under grant #SP016534 from the Office of National Drug Control Policy and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, US Department of Health and Human Services. The views, policies, and opinions expressed by the ESAP Coalition are those of its members and do not necessarily reflect those of ONDCP, SAMHSA, or HHS.