Cardinal Stritch Catholic High School and Unison Behavioral Health Group are collaborating to raise awareness about prescription and over-the-counter substance abuse through the Ohio Department of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Service’s first-ever youth-led prevention public service announcement (PSA) contest.

Members of Stritch’s S.A.D.D. (Students Against Destructive Decisions) chapter are featured in the PSA – an original video focusing on the dangers prescription and over-the-counter drug abuse prevention. Their message – “Live to Celebrate Another Day.”

Members of Cardinal Stritch Catholic High School’s S.A.D.D. (Students Against Destructive Decisions) chapter are encouraging the community to vote for their public service video on the Ohio Department of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services’ Facebook page.

Members of the community are encouraged to log onto Facebook and vote for the Stritch/Unison PSA entry. To vote, enter the Ohio Department of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services Facebook site via your own Facebook. Once on the page, scroll down until you reach the correct video. (There are nearly 10 videos entered into the contest. The CSCHS/Unison video is labeled SADDPSA.wmv.) Vote for the video by “liking” it.

Voting continues through Oct. 31. The winner of the PSA contest will be announced at the Ohio Prevention and Education Conference Nov. 17.

The video carries an important message about the dangers of prescription and over-the-counter substance abuse – the nation’s fastest growing drug epidemic.

According to the 2010 Lucas County Youth Survey conducted by the Mental Health & Recovery Services Board of Lucas County:

Use rates for painkillers among Lucas County students have increased from 1.8 to 13.9 percent for eighth-graders between 2006 and 2010; 4.7 to 18 percent for 10th-graders and 7.3 to 18.2 percent for 12th-graders

• 15.4 percent of seventh- to 12th-grade Lucas County students reported using painkillers without a prescription at least once in the last year.

• During the past year, 11.3 percent of Lucas County students from seventh to 12th grade reported using non-prescribed cough and cold medicines at least once.

In comparison with national trends, Lucas County students’ use rates of painkillers, prescription drugs, and cough and cold medicines are higher than average.

Red Ribbon Week
The Oregon Police Department and Oregon Community & Family Coalition invite the greater Oregon community to take a visible stand against drugs by celebrating Red Ribbon Week Oct. 23-31.

Red Ribbon Week raises awareness of drug use and the problems related to drugs facing the community, and encourages parents, educators, business owners and other community organizations to promote drug-free lifestyles. Various activities will be held at Oregon City Schools and at the Kateri Catholic Schools.

“Red Ribbon Week encourages our entire community to adopt healthy, drug-free lifestyles,” said Dave Bensch, director of OCFC.

For more than 25 years, the red ribbon has symbolized a continuing commitment to reducing the demand for illicit drugs in our communities. In 1985, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent Enrique S. "Kiki" Camarena was killed by drug traffickers. Shortly after Camarena's death, citizens from his hometown of Calexico, Calif. began wearing red ribbons to remember him and commemorate his sacrifice. Congress established Red Ribbon Week in 1988.

Research shows that children are less likely to use alcohol and other drugs when parents and other role models are clear and consistent in their opposition to substance use and abuse.

For more information on Red Ribbon Week events, visit www.ocfcohio.org. 

Members of Cardinal Stritch Catholic High School’s S.A.D.D. (Students Against Destructive Decisions) chapter are encouraging the community to vote for their public service video on the Ohio Department of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services’ Facebook page.

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