"April is National Alcohol Awareness Month. For years, there have been claims that alcohol, such as wine, can be good for your heart. However, the World Heart Federation says otherwise. In a policy brief, they have announced that no alcohol is safe. "We know from lots of studies that alcohol does raise blood pressure, a little bit, not a lot, but if you increase blood pressure even a little bit, it increases the risk of stroke.

And so, the idea that maybe a drink or two a day is good probably is wrong," Dr. Steven Nissen of Cleveland Clinic said. According to the federation, in 2019, nearly 2.4 million deaths were attributed to alcohol, accounting for 4.3% of all deaths globally.

In addition, alcohol has been linked to a variety of diseases and cancer. Dr. Nissen agrees with the federation's stance. He says it is clear from all the new research, that alcohol is not beneficial. However, if someone wants to drink, moderation is key. But, Dr. Nissen notes even that can be a slippery slope.

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New Staff Highlight!

Coalition Rx is excited to have Katie and Jocelyn join us as Program Facilitators. They are excited to work with our students and community!



Katie Hamer

Too Good For Drugs and Violence Program Facilitator

Jocelyn Hutson

Too Good For Drugs and Violence Program Facilitator

Coalition Rx Board of Directors Highlight

Congratulations to Chad Soupir (pictured on the left), a member of the Coalition Rx Board of Directors, for his recent recognition with a Region II Leadership Award!

Chad received the Middle School Principal of the Year award for his role as Elkhorn Valley View Middle School Principal.

WISE at Notre Dame

The Wellness Initiative for Senior Education Program is a wellness and prevention program targeting older adults, which is designed to help them celebrate healthy aging, make healthy lifestyle choices and avoid substance abuse. It provides valuable educational services to older adults on topics including medication misuse and management, stress management, depression, and substance abuse.

Dietation Amanda Jochum with Hyvee recently came to speak with our group about the importance of healthy eating!

Too Good For Drugs and Violence Program and M0re!

Students at JCAC learned about peer pressure, and how to be a positive influence on each other, by encouraging our peers to explore new things and participate in our community! Students explored an educational wildlife trunk from the Nebraska Game and Park

Students at Linden Elementary learned the importance of stress management and coping skills. Guest speakers shared that animals and pets are a great way to help us manage stress!

Too Good For Drugs and Violence training at Completely Kids

National DEA Drug Take-Back

Thanks to everyone who stopped by to drop off their unneeded or expired medication at our DEA drug takeback!

In partnership with the Ralston Police Department, we disposed of over 90 lbs of expired, unused, and unwanted medications.

Too Good For Drugs and Violence:

Alcohol

Underage alcohol consumption has detrimental effects on the development of a healthy body and healthy brain. Student knowledge of the physiological consequences of drinking alcohol lessens the propensity to consume alcohol; however, social pressures and influences can override the protective effect of this knowledge. The capacity to resist the internal and external pressures, influences, and expectations to consume alcohol builds protection within the adolescent to remain alcohol-free.