PREVENTION POINTS
Spring 2020
Lake-Geauga Recovery Centers' Prevention Highlights
Many things have changed in this season of COVID-19 and our Prevention Department has had to be creative in finding ways to continue to interact with and serve our community. Our charge is to create an environment of health in our community and so while typically we do this by meeting with community partners and members to provide education, resources, and trainings, we have had to rely on our resourcefulness to continue. The need for prevention remains, but current circumstances have required us to change the way we offer our services. Below are just a few ways in which we have continued our prevention endeavors.
IN OUR GEAUGA COUNTY SCHOOLS
When schools were asked to close their doors, it created an unexpected burden and stress on parents and caregivers in Geauga County, especially those whose job has been impacted by COVID-19. Matt Petersen from LGRC’s Prevention Department was contacted by our MHRS Board and informed about a program that is making lunches for the school aged children in our community. The program runs out of the First Congregational Church in Claridon and is organized by Judi Maloney. Although this started as a summer program, Judi and her team saw an immediate need and jumped into action to serve our families and students of Geauga County, regardless of household income. The program is open to any school aged child (18 and younger) in Geauga County and includes children who may reside outside of Geauga County but are staying with a relative that lives within the county. Matt has joined this outreach program and in just 6 weeks this team has made and provided 3,552 lunches. By providing meals three times a week, the program provides relief for the families of Geauga County. If you have any questions please visit  www.ClaridonCommunityHelps.org  or call Judi Maloney 440-321-5596.
 
Our Geauga County Youth 2 Youth group is working to spread messages of connectedness to their peers by creating Snap Chat challenges and TikTok videos from the safety of their homes. TikTok is one of the newest social media platforms that allows the user to create short videos up to 60 seconds. These videos range from people doing short dances to singing songs or making short speeches. Our young people understand the gravity of their current situation and while they might be struggling with all the changes brought on by COVID-19, they want to create a sense of connectedness with their peers by promoting and encouraging positivity.
 
TOBACCO PREVENTION & CESSATION
This season is hard for all of us, but especially for those who fight addiction. The desire to quit using may be outweighed by the temptation to use due to the increased stress this season has brought upon us. This is just as true for tobacco users as it is for other drugs and alcohol. According to WHO, health experts have warned that smokers with COVID -19 are more likely to suffer more serious conditions that could lead to premature death. This is a better time than any to quit tobacco use. Our Tobacco Prevention Specialist, Tammy Sacchini, is working to increase Geauga County’s tobacco cessation provider and provider referral networks. A learning opportunity on how to be a provider referral, understanding the difference between cessation services, and knowing what cessation services are available in the county was scheduled for the end of March. Unfortunately, due to the stay at home and social distancing orders, this had to be cancelled. As with many other programs, we worked around the situation and the presentation has been sent to over 15 community agencies. The hope and goal is that each agency will be interested in becoming a provider referral so they may guide their clients to the cessation services available in our county. If you are interested in receiving the presentation, please email Tammy at tsacchini@lgrc.us.

PREVENTION CLASSES
Our Anger Management and Saturday Education programs will continue and will be held via one on one telephone or video session. Anyone can register by going online to www.lgrc.us or calling the office at 440-255-0678.
 
PREVENTION AWARENESS
April was Alcohol Awareness Month. In LGRC’s press release, we shared that during Governor DeWine’s Stay at Home order people may be using more alcohol during times of stress as a coping mechanism or to fight boredom. The Ohio Division of Liquor Control reported 1.38 million gallons of spirits sold from March 1 - 29, a 23.7% increase from 1.11 million gallons sold in the same period in March 2019. We offered some helpful tips surrounding alcohol use:
  • Keep track of how much you drink
  • Choose a day each week when you will not drink
  • Don’t drink when you are upset
  • Limit the amount of alcohol you keep at home
  • Avoid places where people drink a lot
  • Make a list of reasons not to drink   
 
May is Mental Health Awareness Month and we know that mental health and addiction often goes hand in hand. Now more than ever our mental health is so important. How we are dealing with stress, anxiety and fear is key not only to mental health but in addiction as well. The National Institute of Mental Health shares some suggestions to support yourself in these difficult times:
  • Take breaks from the news. 
  • Take care of your body.
  • Make time to unwind.
  • Connect with others.
  • Set goals and priorities.
  • Focus on the facts
 
Also happening in May is the “ We Are The Majority Rally” through the Prevention Action Alliance. This year it will broadcast as a virtual event on Friday, May 15th at 5:00. For more information you can go online to https://preventionactionalliance.org/watm-rally/ for more details. This rally is to highlight the fact that the majority young people are making good, healthy choices and decide not to use drugs or alcohol. 
Lake-Geauga Recovery Centers is generously supported by