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Representing the Watauga Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition and Western Youth Network, Hollie Storie, Gretchen Summerville and Tommy Boyd were among 2,700-plus substance abuse prevention specialists and advocates from across the country in the Washington, D.C., area Feb. 1-4 for the 26th annual National Leadership Forum of the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America.

Considered the premier training event of its kind, the annual forum offered 70 sessions on a variety of topics — from preventing prescription drug abuse and heroin use, creating tobacco-free environments and developing policies, to reducing underage and excessive drinking.

Nationally known prevention experts, federal administrators and concerned policymakers were among the presenters.

CADCA Chairman and CEO retired Army Gen. Arthur T. Dean described the forum as “a national movement that brings together federal and state officials and community leaders to find solutions to our nation’s substance abuse problems.”

The local representatives also visited Congresswoman Virginia Foxx’s office during Capitol Hill Day to share information on the importance of substance abuse prevention and the impact that the coalition is having in Watauga County.

“Continued conversations with elected officials regarding data driven approaches to addressing substance abuse highlight the need for local actions to be complemented by federally supported initiatives,” Storie said.

Storie said they returned to Boone with new energy and strategies to continue to reduce youth alcohol and drug use in the High Country, adding, “We believe our community can be a better place and one that doesn’t suffer from the harms of drug and alcohol abuse.”

More about WSAP

WSAP is a data-driven, evidence-based, multi-sector coalition with a goal to reduce youth substance use and abuse in Watauga County, said Storie, who is also director of prevention services at Western Youth Network Inc.

“WSAP partners with the community to prevent and reduce the misuse of alcohol, marijuana and prescription medication by youth through awareness, advocacy and action,” she said.

WSAP implements evidence-based strategies to reduce underage drinking and prescription drug abuse by focusing on reducing youth access to alcohol and drugs, both at home and in retail and social settings, Storie said.

“As a result of community-based efforts, Watauga County underage alcohol and prescription drug use has significantly decreased,” she said.

Moving forward

WSAP plans to expand its efforts this spring through youth leadership under the guidance of Tommy Boyd, an Appalachian State University alumnus who, through his role at WYN and several years’ experience working as a Peace Corps Youth in Development volunteer in Ukraine, brings extensive youth empowerment experience to WSAP.

He has worked with youth from Iraq, Nepal, Bolivia, Poland, Bosnia, Italy, Belarus, Moldova, Germany and Ireland.

In June, Boyd and another chaperone will accompany three to five area youth to the annual CADCA-sponsored National Youth Leadership Initiative, at which 1,200-plus youth across the U.S. and abroad are empowered each year to fight drug use and other problems plaguing their communities.

“It inspires passionate teens who are eager to analyze and influence their communities in a positive way,” Storie said, “and helps to strengthen their foundational knowledge, skills and capacities.”

In the meantime, Boyd plans to work closely with Watauga High School youth in creating a foundational group to address substance abuse issues.

“This spring, WSAP will aim to build creative opportunities which give youth leadership roles, find and use their voice and organize the community for action,” Storie added. “Youth can absolutely strengthen the WSAP coalition, but they will also gain skills to positively shift the trends of substance abuse.

“Their voices will carry weight with peers. And they will move ahead in life better equipped to lead their communities, not just on substance abuse but on whatever issues may be facing their communities.”

Other WSAP projects

WSAP has applied for a $25,000 grant through the Cardinal Health Foundation’s Generation Rx Medication Disposal Grant Program to raise awareness and knowledge about the dangers of prescription drug misuse, Storie said.

“Easy access to unused/expired medications continues to be a significant reason for medication falling into the wrong hands,” she said. “One of the most important, yet simple ways communities can reduce prescription drug misuse is to encourage the proper disposal of unused/expired medications.”

According to a recent survey, Storie said approximately 67 percent of those who misuse prescription medications get them from family members or friends, often from the medicine cabinet.

This project will also highlight a new trend in prescription medication disposal by making in-home disposal kits available to community members.

Currently, Watauga County has three permanent prescription medication drop box locations, biannual drug take-back days and a personal prescription lock box program.

Boone Drug Inc. and Appalachian State University Pharmacy will both contribute and participate in hosting a provider/prescriber training that will seek to engage primary care physicians, dentists, chiropractors, psychiatrists, veterinarians, pharmacists and more in comprehensive continuing education regarding prescription medication safety, Storie said.

“These efforts will be in addition to the continued enhancement of current drug take-back efforts,” she said.

If the grant is awarded, the project will begin in April, Storie said, but funded or not, WSAP will still introduce a new strategy.

WSAP continues to work to increase civilian access to the drug Naloxone (also known as Narcan), a nonscheduled (nonaddictive) prescription medication called an “opioid antagonist,” Storie said, used to counter the life-threatening effects of opioid overdose, i.e. morphine and heroin.

“Naloxone only works if a person has opioids in their system; the medication has no effect if opioids are absent,” she said.

Currently, local EMS and law enforcement are trained to carry and administer, she said, “however, anyone can have a prescription, if they are concerned about a friend or family member who may be abusing opioids.”

Partnering with the district attorney’s office, WSAP has launched an evidence-based underage drinking deferral program called Prime For Life, designed to challenge common beliefs and attitudes that directly contribute to high-risk alcohol and drug use.

“Those receiving first time underage drinking offenses can be deferred to take the course, rather than solely have a punishment, like community service. WSAP is now hosting classes at least twice per month and sees the program as a huge change for our community,” Storie said.

“We recognize people may be experiencing difficulties in their lives and some are ready to commit to a lifestyle that incorporates making low-risk choices with drug and alcohol use,” she said. “Others aren’t fully ready, but are considering taking small steps.

“Wherever anyone is on their own unique path, our goal is to support them along your journey.”

WSAP has also been funded through the N.C. Preventing Underage Drinking Initiative to implement a strategic plan regarding fake IDs in Watauga County.

Strategies include development of a business/vendor task force to survey local conditions; training and resources for bars and restaurants, including ID booklets; information about laws and consequences targeted to college age; increase in on-campus penalties, partner with ASU conduct; media, including point-of-sale signage; and partnership with DMV on new N.C. driver’s licenses.

Having received a $500 planning stipend for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s 2016 Communities Talk: Town Hall Meetings to Prevent Underage Drinking initiative, WSAP/WYN will host a Law Enforcement Appreciation Luncheon on April 27, with a focus on the community’s underage drinking initiative.

The keynote speaker will be former chairman of the U.S. Alcohol Policy Alliance, Diane Riibe.

For more information, visit www.wsap.org.

http://www.wataugademocrat.com/community/training-boosts-watauga-s-substance-abuse-prevention-efforts/article_84e01f0f-ca4a-55c5-8fb8-95c7b5886e2b.html