Two of our coalition members attended the third and final week of the National Coalition Academy in Sacramento, CA to join 20+ other coalitions from across the U.S. in a cohort learning experience.

What was the purpose?

To equip coalition members with knowledge and skills to go back and create environmental or community-level change.

Training dates: June 27-30, 2016

Who attended? 

Brian Sauter – Pleasant Valley Church High School Pastor

Phil Huerta – Winona County ASAP Program Coordinator

Topics covered? Policy/Advocacy & Sustainability

What were some take-away’s?

• Belief that “Policies CAN change behavior”
• How to write a Policy Action Statement
• Steps to advocate for a policy in our community
• Ask “What do we NEED to be sustainable?” vs “What can we get (grants)?”
• 6-step planning process for sustainability

Four things every coalition must sustain:

1. Strong volunteer & membership base
2. Credible process – Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF)
3. Relevance to community concerns
4. Financial and other resources required to do the work

Please let the Program Coordinator know if you are interested in attending any future trainings or would like to learn more about the topics/take away’s.

Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) provided this training.

WOW, what an awesome event!

We partnered with students from Winona State University and Winona Senior High School to host our first National Drug Take-Back Day. The event was held in the Winona Health Parking Lot on Saturday, April 30, 2016 from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm. Collected items were transported by law enforcement to a designated incinerator, and information was provided about the existing drop box location.

Highlights:

• Nearly 175 families showed up!
• 20 thirteen-gallon trash bags were filled!
• 240 LBS of Rx medications collected!
• 25 volunteers helped throughout the day!
• 5 raffle prize winners (Toppers, Kwik Trip, HyVee, Caribou, & Target)
• FREE ice cream vouchers given to each guest

Did you know about the permanent drop box in Winona? You can drop off old prescription drugs to the Winona County Law Enforcement Center (Open 24/7). Learn more on our Drug Disposal page, and print & share our flyer.

Thank you all who attended and helped out!

To learn more or get involved contact the Program Coordinator

Spring is an exciting time of year with warmer weather, high school prom, and graduation parties. Drinking parties are also prevalent, and access to alcohol becomes easier for students. In some cases, parents are hosting parties (big or small) but in other cases parents are unaware their kids are having a party with alcohol or other drugs.

Through the Parents Who Host (PWH) campaign we are raising awareness of the health and legal consequences with underage binge drinking, and encouraging parents to be mindful of what their teens are doing during prom and graduation. Celebrating milestones is important, but not at detrimental costs such as alcohol-related fatalities or legal fees parents may face.

How to participate:

• Sign the “Parent Pledge” and raise awareness by displaying signage provided by Winona ASAP (no cost to you). Parents can benefit from seeing a list of others who pledged to host only substance-free parties, giving them greater assurance and reducing conflict when talking with their teen(s).

• Provide anonymous tips! Help protect the health and future of our kids by giving the Winona Area Crime Stoppers information on parties involving alcohol or drugs. Please call 507-457-6530 or submit online.

Why is this important?

Findings from the 2013 Minnesota Student Survey (Winona County) show:

• Nearly 53% of students reported they thought most students in their school drank alcohol monthly or more often.
• Roughly 25% of high school juniors felt there was slight or no risk from consuming alcohol.

Parent resources:

• Know the facts
• Party tips
• List of things to do
• Truth about underage drinking

See the list of parents who have signed the pledge

I PLEDGE to encourage youth to be substance-free by:

• Hosting only alcohol-, tobacco- and other drug-free parties for them
• Not allowing my child(ren) or their friends to consume alcohol, tobacco and other drugs on my property
• Discouraging my child(ren) from attending unsupervised parties

[wufoo username=”livewellwinona” formhash=”mjy938n1r5z6xr” autoresize=”true” height=”513″ header=”show” ssl=”true”]