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Welcome to the first e-newsletter, brought to you The Alliance of Coalitions for Healthy Communities. Our newsletter focuses on news of prevention activities, up-to-date research, current trends, and community-based stories with a united focus on prevention through communication and collaboration.
ACHC builds coalitions to increase public health through the reduction of substance abuse, violence and other high risk behaviors. Through communication and collaboration, local communities mobilize to create the change they want in the places they live.
What's Happening Now
Town Hall Meetings on Underage Drinking
Local Communities will join hundreds of communities nationwide to alert residents of the new research on the risks of underage drinking and to empower the community to take action to prevent it. The Federal government's Interagency Coordination Committee supports Town Hall Meetings taking place in communities across America. Read More
Substance Abuse Treatment and Spirituality Conference
Faith leaders, medical and treatment professionals, teachers, social workers, and congregational members will unite with a common goal: to further understand the link between the power of spirituality and the effectiveness of substance abuse treatments. Read More
Trends
Targeting Parents to Combat Teen Prescription Drug Abuse
On average teen drug use is in decline on a national scale, while prescription drugs, second only to marijuana, has become the most readily abused drug by teens. The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy launched its first campaign combating teen prescription drug use, aimed at educating parents on the facts and dangers of the misuse of prescription drugs. Read More
Current Research
Youth Drinking Rates and Problems: A Comparison of European Countries and the United States
A common misconception is that American youth drink more frequently, and experience more alcohol related problems in comparison to the youth in European countries. It was only recently that substantial enough information was compiled to dismiss this fallacy. Read More
Alliance of Coalitions for Healthy Communities Parent Survey Results
The ACHC, along with active members in the community, aims to help parents become more effective in protecting their children from the risks of underage drinking. During the months of October - November in 2007 close to 5,000 parents were surveyed, in order to assess the level of awareness and actions being taken by parents around the Oakland County area. Read More
Coalition Spotlight
West Bloomfield Community Coalition for Youth
The power of the Greater West Bloomfield Community Coalition for Youth is forming partnerships with its member sectors for community projects. Our mentorship program achieves this when it involves eighth grade students from AbbottMiddle School and third and fourth grade students from Roosevelt Elementary School. These West Bloomfield schools have partnered with the Keego Harbor Optimist Club and the Coalition to produce a program that gives an elementary student a chance to form a meaningful relationship with a middle school student who has succeeded both academically and socially.
Five Roosevelt students meet with their five Abbott mentors every Thursday after school in Roosevelt's media center. The Roosevelt students have a chance to talk over their week and to discuss problems that they may have encountered. One of the activities that the students enjoy the most is playing a variety of board games. The Abbott students find that this informal activity provides opportunities for conversations. The Roosevelt students love the fact that an "eighth grader really wants to spend time with me." Included in the four-month program are opportunities for academic support, guest speakers, and social events such as bowling, roller skating, and a culminating activity of attending a Detroit Tiger Baseball game.
Dr. Paul Lipson, retired principal of Roosevelt Elementary School and member of both the Coalition and the Keego Harbor Optimist Club, supervises the program along with Mr. Bill Bertakis, President of the Keego Harbor Optimist Club. Mrs. Nanci Gelsey, counselor at Abbott Middle School, and Mrs. Mary Matich, social worker at Roosevelt Elementary School, help with communications and program design. Mrs. Amy Hughes, Principal of Abbott Middle School and Dr. Steven Palmer, Principal of Roosevelt Elementary School are key supporters of this program. Funding and support for the program comes from the Keego Harbor Optimist Club, The Greater West Bloomfield Community Coalition for Youth, West BloomfieldSchools, West Bloomfield Public Library, Henry Ford Maplegrove and WestBloomfield Parks and Recreation.
Calendar
- Oakland County Locations:
- Hazel Park, Monday March 31
- Oak Paxk, Wednesday April 2
- Madison Heights, Date to be Announced
- Breath Free Smoking Cessation Program - Beginning on Monday, April 3
- Substance Abuse Treatment and Spirituality Conference - Friday April 18
- Promoting a healthy life style 5k walk/run - Saturday April 26
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