STEPS Newsletter - September

SOUTHINGTON STEPS COALITION NEWSLETTER

September 2017

IN THIS ISSUE:

PREVENTION AWARENESS

A dealer isn't the only place kids can get drugs. Sometimes they find them right at home in our very own medicine cabinets. A common misconception is that prescription drugs are safer or less harmful to one's body than other kinds of drugs. However, there is a range of short- and long-term health consequences for each type of prescription drug used inappropriately:

Stimulants have side effects in common with cocaine, and may include paranoia, dangerously high body temperatures, and an irregular heartbeat, especially if stimulants are taken in large doses or in ways other than swallowing a pill.
Opioids, which act on the same parts of the brain as heroin, can cause drowsiness, nausea, constipation, and, depending on the amount taken, slowed breathing.
Depressants can cause slurred speech, shallow breathing, fatigue, disorientation, lack of coordination, and seizures upon withdrawal from chronic use.

Some of the ways STEPS makes prevention a priority in Southington:

Educating the community on the dangers of not properly locking or disposing of medication.
Advertising & promoting the medication drop box to encourage Southington residents to properly dispose of medication that is no longer needed.
Stressing the importance of taking medication that is only prescribed to you and following the directions.

To read more about rise in prescription drug misuse and abuse impacting teens, click here.

TAKE ACTION

DISPOSE OF YOUR MEDICATION PROPERLY!

The Medication Drop box is located in the lobby of the Southington Police Department for citizens to dispose of such medications on an ongoing basis, 24/7.

Accepted Items:

Prescription Medications, Over-the-Counter Medications, Medication Samples, Medication for Pets, Liquid Medication in glass or sealed containers, Medicated Ointments and Lotions, Narcotics, Inhalers and Vitamins

Items NOT Accepted:

Personal Care Products, Needles/Lancets/Syringes, Thermometers, IV Bags/Empty Containers, Bloody/Infectious Waste, Hydrogen Peroxide Containers, Aerosol Cans

Please share this information with your friends and family to help the Southington community keep our water system clean and prescription drugs out of the hands of our children.

STEPS ADVISORY BOARD

We look forward to an exciting new year with Chris Palmieri as our 2017-2018 STEPS Advisory Board president!

Click here to read Chris' welcome letter.

We are thrilled to have another exciting year lined up with our newest Advisory Board Members. Please join us in welcoming:

From left to right:

Deputy Chief William Palmieri, Law Enforcement Sector

Kelsey Opozda, New England HIDTA, Reducing Substances Sector

Evelyn Ciaburri, Founding member

Gabe LeBlanc, Grade 9, Youth Sector

Matt Luponio, Grade 9, Youth Sector

Sgt. Brian Leppard, Law Enforcement Sector

Gina Tremaglio, Youth Serving Sector

STEPS YOUTH COUNCIL

We are excited to have our largest Youth Council yet, with 33 members! The STEPS Youth Council is led by Co-Chairs Ev Ciaburri, A.J. Garstang and SHS Senior, Julia Brilla. Click here to see the full list of the 2017-2018 Youth Council members!

CONVOCATION

STEPS was proud to be a part of welcoming back Southington Public School staff at Convocation this year. Local celebrity, Steve Nyerick, was on hand to encourage teachers to develop assets, build relationships with intent and make substance abuse prevention a priority. Each educator was given a calendar that promotes STEPS Asset Building Classrooms (ABC) and the monthly assets.

SNEAK PEEK

We have been busy working with Arid Media on our new website design! We can't wait to share it with you once it is complete - stay tuned!

UPCOMING EVENTS FOR OUR COMMUNITY FRIENDS

APPLE HARVEST

Make sure to keep your eyes peeled for us at the Apple Harvest Parade on Sunday, October 1 at 2pm! Interested in marching with us? There's still time! Email Megan at [email protected] if you are interested!

LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS

Helping in the Community

Looking for volunteers to help out at an event or on a community project? Visit the Southington Serves section on our town website to find the form to submit your volunteer opportunities.