Red Ribbon Week 2015

October 2015 Volume 7, Issue 7

A monthly newsletter to keep you current and In The Know on topics related to the Prevention of Substance Abuse

Do you or someone you care about need help because of Drugs, Alcohol or Gambling call:

1-877-8HOPENY(1-877-846-7369)

24 hours a day, 7 days a week * Free & confidential information and referrals.

Each October, during Red Ribbon Week, there is a focus on alcohol, tobacco and other drug and violence preven-tion. This year marks the 30th year for the annual Red Rib-bon Week Celebration. Since its beginning in 1985, the Red Ribbon Week Celebration has touched the lives of millions of students and their families throughout the coun-try. It is the oldest and largest awareness campaign in the United States. Red Ribbon Week represents the nation-wide commitment to raising drug awareness in our schools. By honoring the history of DEA agent Enrique "Kiki" Camerena's sacrifice, students wear red ribbons with drug free life slogans, decorate doors, and school hallways.

On February 7, 1985, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administra-tion Agent Enrique (Kiki) Camarena was abducted by drug traffickers and murdered. His body was found one month after his murder in a shallow grave 70 miles from Guadala-jara, Mexico. Later that same year, the National Federation of Parents for Drug Free Youth joined forces with the DEA and implemented a Red Ribbon campaign. The National Red Ribbon Week is celebrated every year and is dedicat-ed to Kiki Camarena and all of the people who have been wrongly killed due to the violence of drugs. Kiki was a be-

liever that one person can make a difference and he sacrificed his life to prevent drugs from entering the Unit-ed States.

Red Ribbon Week (RRW) is a time to pro-mote having a drug free life in. Getting clear messages to youth about the dan-gers of drugs is an important educational piece that is rein-forced during RRW. Positive activities help reinforce the important message that can help mold better choices for the growing child. Steuben Council on Addictions helps promote RRW campaigns in local schools.

It is important to talk to children early and often about the dangers of drugs, alcohol, and tobacco. For information about drug prevention or how to talk to your children about drugs please contact a Prevention Educator at Steuben Council on Addictions (607) 776-6441.

Steuben Council on Addictions

A program of Substance Free Living

October recognized at Bullying Prevention Month October is Bullying Prevention Month. Bullying has been a major topic in our society over the past few years and communities across the nation have been trying to educate and reduce bullying and its’ effects. Bullying has been defined as unwanted, aggres-sive behavior that involves a real or per-ceived power imbalance. The unwanted behavior is repeated over time. The im-balance of power and repetition are the two main components of bullying. Bullying behaviors may include threats, rumors, physical and/or ver-bal attacks, and excluding someone from a group on pur-pose. Also, there are different roles in the bullying dynamic. There is of course the bully and the victim, but there also can be a witness(es).

Bully prevention programs try to teach that if you are a wit-ness to this behavior that you should intervene. Interven-

tion can be direct or indirect. If the situation is not a safety concern, the witness can try to calm and separate the people involved. If safety is a concern, the witness can seek help from an authority figure such as a parent, teacher or police officer. The witness should never ignore the situation. The effects of bullying in our society can be very serious. Bullying has been linked to mental illness, substance abuse, low self-esteem and suicide.

The Steuben Council on Addictions offers several preven-tion education programs that try to teach coping skills, emotion management and problem-solving to reduce ag-gressive bullying behaviors. If you would like more infor-mation about these programs, please contact us at 607-776-6441.

Steuben Council on Addictions would like to welcome Jessica Alli-son as the new Secretarial/Clerical Assistant. Jessica is a native of Bath, NY and attended Bath Haver-ling and Corning Community Col-lege. Jessica comes to us from Air-Flow manufacturing and is excited about her new journey with Catholic Charities Steuben. Jessica enjoys music and spending time on the lake. We are happy to have her join our team. We are excited to have her on our team.

The John Southard Youth Recreation Commission had a

successful summer, with a registration total of 157 kids.

This year the JSYRC attended 10 field trips, Mossy Bank,

Bowling, Crystal Cinemas, Watkins Glen State Park, Kick-

ball, Corning Museum of Glass, Swimming at Deport Park,

Minnehan’s Fun Center, Party Central, and Summer Bash

at Mossy Bank. Bath Area Hope for Youth would like to

thank all the chaperones and businesses in the communi-

ty that help make this program successful. We would also

like to thank the Village of Bath for funding the John

Southard Youth Recreation Commission Program. We

had an excellent group of kids who were eager to learn.

Please join us October 23, 2015 at 5:30pm for the Annual

Halloween Parade at Bath VEW School.

The Council Corner

Steuben Council on Addictions is a program of Substance Free Living, which is a service priority for Catholic Chari-ties of Steuben. In The Know is a regular monthly update about alcohol, tobacco and other drugs to help in the preven-tion of substance use and abuse. For more information please contact Stacey O’Dell, Prevention Educator at sodell@dor.org.

• The National Family

Partnership estimates

that more than 80 mil-

lion people participate

in Red Ribbon events

each year.

• Red Ribbon Week

educates individuals,

families, and commu-

nities on the destruc-

tive effects of alcohol

and drugs and en-

courages the adoption

of healthy lifestyle

choices.

• The campaign is a

unified way for com-

munities to take a

stand against drugs

and show intolerance

for illicit drug use and

the consequences to

all Americans.

• Wearing a red ribbon

during the last week

of October has come

to symbolize zero tol-

erance for alcohol,

drug, and tobacco use

and a commitment to

substance abuse pre-

vention.

• DEA joins with com-

munity coalitions and

prevention groups to

plan and carry out

Red Ribbon Week

activities, ranging

from classroom

events to stadium-

sized rallies.

A look at facts and figures relating to Red Ribbon Week.

8 East Morris Street, Bath, NY 14810

Phone: (607) 776-6441 * Fax: (607) 776-6664

Prevention Director: Jim Bassage

Prevention Educators: Barb McCollumn, Stacey O’Dell, Erin Fleming, Michele Sexsmith

Administrative Assistant & DDP Coordinator: Diana McIntosh

Clerical Assistant: Jessica Allison

Drug Free Communities Coordinator: Norm McCumiskey

Drug Free Communities Program Assistant: Kira Johnson

Bath Hope for Youth Counselors: Sherry Sutton—Campbell-Savona

Bridgette Lanphere—Hammondsport Jennifer Beaty—Haverling

By the Numbers...

Steuben County Underage Party Tip Line

Anyone with information about anything related to underage drinking -

such as parties or underage sales - in Steuben County are urged to call the toll-free line.

The tip line will be monitored seven days a week, 24 hours a day. All calls are anonymous.

1-877-862-4847

Youth who drink alcohol are more likely to experience: School prob-lems, such as higher absence and poor or failing grades. Social prob-lems, such as fighting and lack of

participation in youth activities. Legal problems, such as arrest for driving or physically hurting someone while

drunk.

Prohibiting the consumption of alcoholic beverages and/or illegal drugs by minors on

private premises in Steuben County. 1st Offense a violation

$250 fine & up to 15 days in jail

2nd Offense a misdemeanor

$500 fine & up to 60 days in jail

3rd / subsequent offenses misdemeanor

$1,000 fine & up to 1 year in jail

For every offense completion of a court-approved alcohol and drug awareness program is required. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

It is NEVER legal for any adult to provide alcohol to someone else’s child even with the permission of that child’s parent.