The Alabama Department of Public Health Youth Tobacco Prevention Grant
“Tobacco Shouldn’t Taste Like Candy!” There are 15,000+ vape pod flavors. 15,000 candy-flavored ways to hook kids to tobacco. We want to shed some light on such a deceptive industry and reveal some hard truths to e-cigarette customers. Statistically, kids are being introduced to Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) products as early as age 11. It is essential that we give them all the tools they need to stay confident and smart if they are exposed to drugs. If kids can make it to age 21 without ever using a tobacco product, they are inherently more likely to never smoke at all.
Unfortunately, many people are unaware of the harmful chemicals present in e-cigarette devices. Users assume that the vape devices produce water vapor, but that is far from the truth. We want to dispel any ignorance associated with these devices and help people see the ugly truth behind the pretty packaging. We are continuously giving people in the community our “Escape the Vape” flyers in the hopes that we can shed light on these disturbing facts.
Peer Helpers
Each high school in Covington County has a Peer Helper program. The program is comprised of a group of high school students and one faculty advisor. Schools select their Peer Helpers in different ways, some of which require an interview for admission into the program. Each program identifies the needs of its student body and organizes ways in which to make each campus better. Peer Helpers must be drug and alcohol free and have the desire to promote positive lifestyle decisions to their peers. Throughout the school year, Peer Helpers head campaigns against underage drinking, tobacco, bullying, etc. They promote leadership, involvement, and kindness to other students. They also mentor fellow students who seek their assistance with personal issues. Peer Helpers offer tutoring services to middle and high school students.
Youth Leadership Conference
The Youth Leadership Conference is an annual training event for high school Peer Helpers. It is a time in which groups from all six high schools come together to participate in a training from a National Peer Helper Trainer, share activities they have in their schools, and collaborate and plan a Town Hall Meeting.
Religious Leaders Symposium
The Coalition sponsors an annual Religious Leaders Symposium. All local church leaders are invited and encouraged to attend the meeting. Our Coalition chairman, Judge Frank “Trippy” McGuire, speaks with the group on the importance of implementing substance abuse prevention into their religious programs. The most recent PRIDE survey results are also discussed among the group, which reveal results including the percentage of youth who have come in contact with drugs, tobacco products and alcohol.
Prescription Pill Take Back
The Andalusia Police Department hosts an annual National Night Out where they also hold a Prescription Pill Take Back. Community members are encouraged to drop-off any unused and expired medications, both prescription and over-the-counter, for free and safe disposal. No questions are asked and no information is required of participants wanting to rid their homes of medications.
Med Return Boxes
The Coalition has placed a secure Med Return Box at three police departments in Covington County. They are located at the Andalusia Police Department, Opp Police Department, and Florala Police Department. Citizens are encouraged to use these boxes as a means of ridding their homes of unused and expired medications.
Kids Against Prescription Pills (KAPP)
The Drug Task Force visits the county’s middle school students and addresses them on the dangers of misusing prescription pills. The program has two components: a talk by a Drug Task Force agent and a testimony by a former user and family member of a user. DTF agents bring the students information on how to properly use medications and what to do if they know of someone who is wrongly using them.
Castille Character Camp
Covington County middle school & high school football players are provided the opportunity to improve athletic skills while learning social skills and character education. Jeremiah Castille, former University of Alabama and NFL football player and current University of Alabama team chaplain, is assisted by current Division I athletes and teaches the fundamental skills of athletics, giving participants a competitive edge in their athletic performance. Participants are taught teamwork, self-discipline, consideration of others and how to attain and maximize their true potential on the field and in life. The camp concludes with a program and testimonies presented by Jeremiah Castille and The University of Alabama and Auburn University football players in attendance. Participants are provided lunch and dinner, a t-shirt and autographs.
Responsible Vendor of the Year and Dose of Prevention Award
The Coalition recognizes entities in Covington County that are proactive in prevention efforts. Each year two local businesses are selected as the Responsible Vendor of the Year and for the Dose of Prevention Award. Businesses are selected based on compliance with local and state alcohol vendor laws and for going above and beyond in the prevention of prescription pill abuse. The following are the winners of each award:
2016 Responsible Vendor of the Year- Roy Mohon, Gitty Up N Go
2016 Dose of Prevention Award- Charles Smith, Pharmacare
2017 Responsible Vendor of the Year- Anthony King, Cenergy & The Corner Market
2017 Dose of Prevention Award- John Yanes, Andalusia Health
Prevention Billboards
Prevention billboards on the topics of drugs, alcohol, prescription pills, tobacco, and leadership are placed throughout the county. Billboards are designed by Coalition staff, Coalition members, and youth. They offer unique graphics and positive messaging on our county’s roadways.
Postcards
The Coalition sends informational postcards to the homes of every 6-12th grade student in Covington County. These postcards (shown below) provide valuable information to parents and students regarding the dangers and signs of marijuana use.
Guest Speakers
Dr. Shannon Murphy (pictured second from left) was the speaker and guest of the Civitan Club on Friday, August 21, 2015.
Dr. Shannon Murphy spoke at the Coalition’s annual Religious Leaders Symposium in 2017.
Dr. Murphy, a Pediatrician in Birmingham, Alabama, shared with the group the dangers of marijuana particularly as it effects our youth.
Dr. Shannon Murphy, MD, FAAP, is a board certified Pediatrician, the Southern States Coordinator for Project SAM, and the Executive Director of SAM Alabama. On a national level, Dr. Murphy serves on the American Academy of Pediatrics Practice Advisory Committee on Adolescent Substance Use. Dr. Murphy did her undergraduate work at Vanderbilt University, and she received her medical degree from Emory School of Medicine. She worked for over 10 years as a primary care pediatrician in a community group practice in Birmingham, Alabama. Currently, she volunteers her time working in drug education. She has created a school-based Q & A lecture for middle and high school students regarding marijuana, and she is actively involved in developing education based community outreach programs throughout the state. Dr. Murphy lives with her husband and their three children in Homewood, Alabama.
Mr. Ed Shemelya with the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) has spoken in Covington County on two occasions. The Coalition hosted a Workforce Development and Safety Forum in 2016 in which Mr. Shemelya shared his experience and knowledge of the growing popularity of marijuana legalization and drug use.
Ms. Jo McGuire also spoke at the Workforce Development and Safety Forum in 2016. Ms. McGuire is a resident of the state of Colorado and an expert on the effects and drug trends that have come to her home state since the legalization of recreational marijuana took place.
Andalusia High School Peer Helpers visited Samford University in March 2018 to hear Dr. Bertha Madras (pictured left) speak on the connection between marijuana and opiate abuse. Dr. Madras is a Professor of Psychobiology at Harvard Medical School. A faculty member and neuroscientist for 30 years, her research on psychoactive or therapeutic drugs, brain imaging, and others is published in over 200 manuscripts, articles, books, book chapters and commentaries. In June 2017, Dr. Madras was sworn in as one of six commissioners on the President’s Commission on Combating Drug Addiction and the Opioid Crisis.
The Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Board’s “Under Age, Under Arrest” program was presented at several local schools in 2017. Speakers included an Alabama State Trooper, a representative from Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), and Coalition Staff. The presentation concentrates on distracted driving and driving under the influence of alcohol. Pictured from left to right: