School Symposium: Preventing Opioid & Substance Misuse
October 15, 2020
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ODP, in partnership with the State Department of Education, will be hosting the Symposium on October 15, 2020.
Guest speakers include U.S. Senator Jim Risch, Governor Brad Little, Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden, and State Superintendent Sherri Ybarra. The event will also include a panel discussion and Q&A session.
The Symposium marks the closing of the Governor's Opioid & Substance Use Disorder Advisory Group, which Governor Little created via an Executive Order in June 2019. The Advisory Group will be presenting Governor Brad Little with their 18 final recommendations.
"Over the past several months, the Advisory Group has done amazing work developing the final recommendations for combatting the opioid and substance use disorder crisis in Idaho," said ODP Administrator and Advisory Group Chairman, Melinda Smyser, "We are very excited to present the recommendations to Governor Little and continue our work to keep Idaho free from the devastating impacts of substance misuse."
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National Prescription Drug Take Back Day
October 24, 2020
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The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and its state and local partners will hold the 19th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, October 24, 2020 from 10am-2pm. The DEA began the initiative in 2010 to provide easy, anonymous opportunities to remove medicines in the home that are highly susceptible to misuse, abuse, and theft.
The Office of Drug Policy is encouraging local organizations across the state to coordinate Take Back Day events in their communities to help Idahoans properly dispose of expired or unused prescription medications and prevent prescription drug misuse in our state.
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Whether or not you host a Take Back Day event, this is a great opportunity to revisit the various resources and media materials that are available to you through the Speak Out, Opt Out, Throw Out campaign to bolster the opioid prevention work in your communities!
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Red Ribbon Week & DrugFree Idaho's Red Ribbon Rally
October 23-31, 2020
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Red Ribbon is a national anti-drug campaign that is celebrated annually, October 23-31. During Red Ribbon, youth and young adults in communities and schools across the nation pledge to live drug free by wearing red ribbons and participating in school- and community-wide anti-drug events.
The annual campaign also includes local and national Red Ribbon Rally - and for over 30 years DrugFree Idaho (DFI) has brought hundreds of Treasure Valley students together for the Red Ribbon Rally on the Idaho Capitol steps to encourage our youth to live healthy, drug-free lives. This year, because of precautions put into place, an in-person event is not an option…but that creates an amazing opportunity for Red Ribbon Week to go statewide with a virtual program!
DFI asked several prominent Idahoans what being drug free means to them. A series of short (5-minute) videos has been created showcasing their responses. The videos can be shown, each day, during Red Ribbon Week in schools (or viewed in homes!).
The real-life stories underscore the importance of staying true to oneself, making good decisions, and surrounding yourself with peers who support your choices in life. The videos are free to access and can stand alone or serve as a catalyst for additional discussions.
If you would like access to these videos and the inspiring words of Idahoans like, Governor Brad Little, Olympian Kristen Armstrong, the Honorable Judge Sergio Gutierrez, motivational speaker Vincent Kituku, and others, simply go to http://www.drugfreeidaho.org and look for the banner “Red Ribbon Week 2020”.
To learn more about the history of Red Ribbon Week, access a Toolkit to help you get your community involved, and find COVID-19 safe activities for schools and organizations, visit www.dea.gov/redribbon.
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We envision a safe and healthy Idaho free from the devastating impact of substance use on youth, families, and communities. |
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