National Drug Take Back Day Creates Safer Communities | | |
 
The Drug Enforcement Agency’s next National Prescription Drug Take Back Day will take place October 29, 2022 from 10 AM to 2 PM at designated drop-off locations around the nation. This day aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible way of disposing of prescription drugs, while also educating the public about the potential abuse of medications. Encouraging the public to remove unneeded or expired prescription and non-prescription medications from their homes is a way to prevent medication misuse and opioid addiction from ever starting. | |  |
 
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According to the 2020 DEA National Drug Threat Assessment report, controlled prescription drug availability in Illinois remains stable and at high levels. Drug Take Back Day seeks to change that.
During the most recent Prescription Drug Take Back Day on April 30, 2022, Illinois offered 158 drop-off sites, collected 23,952 pounds of unused prescription medication, and engaged 180 law enforcement agencies.
Over the past 22 Take Back Day events, the state of Illinois alone has collected 698,921 pounds of unused prescription medication.
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"At Prevention First, we believe that every decision matters.
Safely disposing of prescription medication is a proactive decision that Illinois residents can make to create a safer community."
– Karel Homrig,
Chief Executive Officer
Prevention First
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New Prevention Coalition Map Raises Awareness | |
The Illinois Prevention Coalition Map has launched! We are often asked about partnership opportunities with local coalitions. By creating this interactive map, we can direct people to coalitions in their respective areas. While creating this map, we only added coalitions that gave us their information and permission to do so. If your substance use prevention coalition is not listed, don't hesitate to contact Jody Heavilin to be added. | |
The Alcohol Policy Resource Center can assist with how to analyze your data, scan your community, and match policy/strategy to assessment findings. The APRC can also provide certified training to law enforcement on evidence-based strategies such as Alcohol Compliance Checks or Controlled Party Dispersal. If you have any questions or need more information, please contact Kellie Henrichs or Jody Heavilin.
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Suicide Prevention Training Available
The Student Advisory Board participated in QPR Gatekeeper Training for Suicide Prevention during their monthly call in September. It was an excellent training that was done in just one hour! The YPRC highly recommends this training for your youth board or club. For more information, contact Randyl Wilkins.
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Technical Assistance, commonly referred to as consulting or coaching, is a one-on-one service that provides timely, flexible, and targeted support to an organization. Using a collaborative approach, Prevention First builds a prevention professional’s capacity to address their local conditions and develop their own prevention solutions to amplify programmatic effectiveness. For more information about technical assistance, please contact providerservices@prevention.org or call 312.909-9768. | |
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Prescription Drug and Opioid Misuse Training Available
A great way to begin preparing to raise awareness of the DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day taking place this month, is to learn more about prescription drug and opioid misuse. Prevention First’s online self-paced Preventing Prescription and Opioid Drug Misuse course covers the most commonly misused prescription drugs, including opioids, use rates and trends among U.S. and Illinois teens, factors that contribute to prescription drug and opioid misuse and effective prevention strategies and applicable resources.
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Online Self Study Courses | |
For more information about technical assistance or other services we offer,
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Updated Illinois Cannabis Use Data
Recent studies have given us more information on the trends in cannabis use among young adults and adolescents.
County reports from the 2022 Illinois Youth Survey indicate teen cannabis use has decreased in many counties, even as other studies have pointed towards a continuing significant increase in young adult cannabis use.
Another study, looking at Monitoring the Future data from 1991 to 2019, examined the relationship between adolescent traits like social engagement, employment and time spent in structured activities and found some surprising connections.
Reach out to the CRPC today for assistance on how you can look at data like this to inform your policy decisions!
Contact Jake Levinson or Kellie Henrichs.
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National Teen Driver Safety Week
October 16-22, 2022
Motor vehicle crashes are one of the leading causes of death for teens (15-18 years old) in the United States.
The Prevention First Traffic Safety Resource Center is encouraging parents to discuss the importance of driving safety with their young drivers. Whether teens are driving a car, truck, or SUV, and whether they’ve just earned their license or have had it for a few years, the rules of the road stay the same.
The greatest dangers for teen drivers are alcohol and other drug use, inconsistent or no seat belt use, distracted driving, speeding, and driving with passengers in the vehicle. Click below for tips to help your teens stay safe behind the wheel.
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It is never too early, or too often, to discuss safe driving habits with your teen. You may choose to start the conversation during National Teen Driver Safety Week, but don’t be afraid to continue the conversation every day throughout the year. Even if it seems like they’re tuning you out, keep reinforcing these rules. They’re listening — your constant reminders about these powerful messages will get through.
For more information about National Teen Driver Safety Week and to learn more safe driving tips for your teens, please click here.
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Celebrate Red Ribbon Week October 23-31!
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The Red Ribbon Campaign is the oldest and largest drug prevention program in the nation, reaching millions of people during Red Ribbon Week, October 23rd - October 31 each year. Participants wear Red Ribbons as a symbol of their commitment to raise awareness of the destruction caused by drugs in America. The 2022 theme, "Celebrate Life. Live Drug Free," is a reminder that everyday Americans across the country make significant daily contributions to their communities by being the best they can be because they live drug free! Check out different activities and ways you can get involved here. | |
Professional Development at Your Pace | |
Archived Webinars
Don't miss out on Prevention First's collection of live webinars to watch at your own convenience:
For APRC Webinars, visit their GoTo Stage for archived webinars.
For Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Webinars, visit their webpage.

For SUPR Treatment & Recovery Webinars, visit SUPR Training Events- Archived Webinar on the sidebar.
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