AC4C Annual Prevention Conference

Wednesday, November 8

The AC4C 5^th Annual Prevention Conference will be held Wednesday, November 8, 2023, at the Midwest Counterdrug Training Center (MCTC) at Camp Dodge in Johnston. This year's theme is "Growing Hope with Prevention." Monte Stiles, former Assistant United States Attorney in Boise, Idaho, from the National Marijuana Initiative speakers' bureau will deliver the keynote. His presentation is titled, Rediscovering Joy/Why Prevention Works! There will be a youth track for middle and high school students again this year with Monte helping lead with Lindsey Powers and Savanah Strahan. Youth may sign up through their adult sponsors letting Savanah at ac4cyouth@gmail.com know how many are coming. Adults, please register at the link above.

Don't forget that Registration that day starts at 7:30 with a great Resource Fair and muffins, donuts and coffee. Please be registered by 8:15 so the conference can start promptly at 8:30 a.m.

The workshop topics and presenters included throughout the day are the following: Trauma-Informed Care by Autumn Hartman, Alcohol & Cancer: Drink Less for your Breasts by Dr. Paul Gilbert, Drugs of Abuse Today by Sheriff Deputy Brad Sheeder, Strategic Prevention Framework and Coalition Member Recruitment, Involvement, and Retention for Beginners by Katya Boltanova, Engaging Youth in Coalitions and Advocacy by Monte Stiles, Faith Community- Agents of Prevention by Joy Gonnerman, Make It OK by Brianna Sink, Opioids and Young Athletes, and Injuries by Teresa King and Melissa Summers, Emerging Trends: Opportunities and Threats to Smoke-free Air by Traci Kennedy.

There will be great food and plenty of inspiration! 5.25 IBC ATOD CEUs were approved by IBC. Lodging on campus is full, but AC4C is willing to provide lodging at the AmericInn on Merle Hay Road for scholarships for those whose grants cannot cover lodging, first come, first serve. There are a few rooms yet available. Let Jennifer know at jhusmann@asac.us if you need one. The conference will be free to all, but there will be a $15 charge for a delicious Olive Garden lunch and hearty afternoon snacks.

We would like everyone to pay for their lunch/snacks ahead if possible so that much is taken care of when you come in to register for the day. We now have Venmo! You can also pay with a check ahead. It’s better not to send cash in the mail, but if you are close in proximity to Julie Furne, our Treasurer, that is also an option. Otherwise, please either Venmo or send AC4C a check yourself or for your group (if you send it for a group, please list the names of each group member so we can check off that they are paid).  Our AC4C Venmo is: ACforC Iowa. You can email Julie the names of your group if paying for more than one to jfurne@asac.us.  If you are mailing a check, please make it to AC4C and send to: Attention: Julie Furne, AC4C.  Area Substance Abuse Council, 119 E. Main St. Suite 2, Maquoketa, IA 52060. We will provide receipts for those who need them. 

Upcoming Events and Retreat:

AC4C Prevention Conference:

-November 8

Register HERE by Friday, Nov. 3 See information to left.

AC4C Next Quarterly Work Retreat

-November 30 (One day and Virtual Only) Register HERE. Agenda will be sent out soon.

2024 Day on the Hill:

-February 15

2024 Legislative Learning Event

-March 26, 7 a.m.

Resources to Share and Links to check out... 

Members, keep up with the latest in the news

AC4C on Facebook

AC4C Youth on Instagram

Looking for a training

Iowa Board of Certification

Iowa ODCP

Iowa State Patrol

Iowa Health and Human Services & Your Life Iowa

Partnership for A Healthy Iowa

Do you know about RALI Iowa?

Check out this organization and information about their virtual trailer HERE

More resources...

Governor's Traffic Safety Bureau

Drive Smart Iowa

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Traffic Safety Marketing

Stop Drugged Driving

AC4C members, state partners and others, if you have teens in your coalitions, schools, family, or other areas of your life who might be interested in being a part of AC4C Youth,

they, or you, can send an email to: ac4cyouth@gmail.com

For help quitting tobacco call Quitline Iowa at 800-Quit-Now

Evidence-based Drug Education Course

at MCTC

December 4 - 7, 2023

Course Description

Evidence Based Drug Education (EBDE) is:

-Scientifically Grounded: Our curriculum isn't just evidence-based; it's founded on a robust body of scientific research, ensuring that you receive accurate, up-to-date, and impactful knowledge.

-Community-Centric: EBDE doesn't just stop at imparting knowledge. It empowers attendees to recognize warning signs, stay updated on drug trends, and actively contribute to their communities' well-being.

-Versatile Application: Whether you're in the military, law enforcement, or any organization working with youth aged 10-17, EBDE provides the tools to tailor presentations to your audience and style, ensuring maximum impact.

Key Takeaways

-Understand the history of drug abuse

-Gain a deep understanding of the physiological and behavioral effects of various drugs.

-Learn to identify and address the social challenges arising from drug abuse.

-Acquire tools to create customized presentations that resonate with your audience.

-Stay ahead of drug trends and effectively alert your community.

Who Should Attend?

This course is ideal for:

-Professionals from organizations working with youth between 10-17 years of age.

-Law enforcement and military personnel aiming to enhance both internal drug prevention training and community outreach.

-Anyone passionate about combating drug abuse and making a positive difference in their community.

In order to graduate, students will take a written multiple-choice test and will be required to give a five minute presentation over one of the course topics.

Topics Included:

-Drug categories

-Basic brain process

-How specific drugs affect the brain

-Overview of specific drugs (e.g., marijuana, methamphetamine, heroin) -Synthetics -Drug recognition -Federal drug scheduling

Course Length

Evidence Based Drug Education is a 3.5 Day (28 Hour) course.

Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites to attend this course.

Tuition/Fees

There is no cost to attend this training. There is limited no cost lodging available.

Register HERE

As usual at MCTC, registration for this course is restricted to US military law enforcement personnel along with other local, state, and federal civilian law enforcement employees to include criminal analysts, and corrections officers and substance abuse prevention specialists, substance abuse treatment personnel, school resource officers, school resource deputies, community trainers, and National Guard demand reduction personnel.

Join an Action Team or Work Group session every month!

Access the action team meetings on Mondays. Login information here

Other Substances Action Team

Next meeting- November 6 @ 9:30

Marijuana Action Team

Next meeting- November 13 @ 9:30



Nicotine Action Team 

Next meetings- November 20 @ 9:30

Alcohol Action Team

Next meetings- October 23 and November 27 @ 9:30

_______________________________

Policy Work Group

Chair:  

Jennifer Husmann

Co-Chair: 

Maggie Ballard



4th Wednesday at 2:00 pm

Meeting information can be found here

Click here for meeting minutes

Purpose: To collaborate with the community and statewide entities to advocate and educate on substance abuse legislation, policies, and related issues.

_________________________________

Capacity/Marketing Work Group

Chair:

Jackie Preston

New Co-Chair:

Chris Courtney

3rd Monday at 2:00 pm

Click here for meeting minutes

Purpose: Create a network of professionals that have diverse knowledge, experience, and interests to build skills and provide resources to members of AC4C. 

October is Breast Cancer

Awareness Month.

Did you know there are 7 types of cancer that are associated with drinking alcohol?