Dover Taking Back Unwanted Prescription Drugs

On Saturday April 28th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the Dover Police Department, Dover Coalition for Youth and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will give the public another opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs. Medications can be brought for disposal to the Dover Police Department at 46 Locust Street. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.

“Over half of teens report that prescription drugs are easy or very easy to get” according to Dover Coalition for Youth coordinator, Vicki Hebert. “70% of teens who abuse prescription drugs obtained the medications from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. We are holding this event to allow community members to dispose of their medications and remove the source of temptation from their home.”

This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Surveys show that one in five New Hampshire high school students have used a prescription drug that was not prescribed to them.

This is the fourth national take back imitative that Dover has participated in. The last three events have resulted in over 220 pounds of drugs being collected. “The turnout from previous events clearly demonstrates that people are looking for a safe way to dispose of their medications.” said Chief Anthony Colarusso of the Dover Police Department.

Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines—flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash—both pose potential safety and health hazards. The DEA states that unused prescription drugs thrown in the trash can be retrieved and abused or illegally sold. Unused drugs that are flushed contaminate the water supply.

If you are unable to attend a collection event during the national take back day visit the Food and Drug Administration website at www.FDA.gov to learn about other recommended disposal methods.

For more information about the take back event visit the DEA website at www.DEA.gov. If you want to learn more about the local problem and how you can get involved contact the Dover Coalition for Youth at 603.516.3279 or online at www.DoverYouth.com.

Breaking the Chain of Underage Drinking

Town Hall Meeting Hosted by the Dover Coalition for Youth

Alcohol use among our nation’s youth is a significant public health and economic problem. In New Hampshire, underage alcohol use is the number one youth drug problem and is six times more likely to kill young people than all illegal drugs combined.

In an effort to curb underage alcohol problems, communities across the country are organizing a nationwide series of town hall-style meetings. Fifteen of these sessions will be held in New Hampshire. Locally, the Dover Coalition for Youth is holding one in Dover.

The meeting is intended to increase understanding of the prevalence and risks associated with underage drinking. Participants will hear from two speakers.

Christopher Sullivan was a defensive lineman with the New England Patriots for 5 years. Chris shares his story of how alcohol and drug use affected his career in the NFL.

Kathi Meyer will also share her story of how her 17-year-old daughter, Taylor, died after a night of drinking. Kathi shares details of that night and how elements of the community could have intervened and broken the chain of events.

The presentation will spark conversations about the role that each member of the Dover community has in addressing the problem of underage drinking.

• WHO: Dover Community Members
  
  
• WHAT: A Town Hall Meeting to Address Underage Drinking
  
  
• WHERE: McConnell Center Café, Dover, NH
  
  
• WHEN: Thursday April 19th from 6:00 - 7:30pm

The Dover Coalition for Youth is a part of the Dover Police Department’s Community Outreach Bureau. The Coalition is tasked with improving the quality of life in Dover for youth and families by preventing the harm caused by substance abuse. The Coalition is the means by which we hope to bring all of the elements of the community together to take on underage drinking, marijuana and prescription drug abuse.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is sponsoring this national initiative, with the goal that these meetings will generate energy and leverage action leading into the month of April, which is National Alcohol Awareness Month.

Santa’s Castle

Dover Youth to Youth is hosting its 5th annual Santa’s Castle at the McConnell Center in 30 St. Thomas Street in downtown Dover on the two weekends before Christmas. Each night children and their families will be able to tour several rooms in Santa’s Castle and meet Santa and many of his elves and other costumed characters. During the first weekend the event will be held on Saturday and Sunday December 10 & 11th between the hours of 2 – 6:30 pm. Over the second weekend the Castle will be open on Saturday December 17th from 2-6:30 pm.

Santa’s Castle is designed for children ages 9 and under, but the whole family is invited. The cost is $5 per child and $2 per adult. However, a whole family can take the tour for a maximum of $15.00. Proceeds support the anti-drug activities of Dover Youth to Youth. Santa’s Castle is sponsored by radio station WTSN and The BAY. For additional information, go to the Youth to Youth web site at www.DoverYouth.com or call the Dover Police Department’s Community Outreach Bureau at 516-3274.

Drug Prevention Group Looking for Incentives for High School Students

In most schools, Dover included, there is exaggerated beliefs about drug use by peers. Students believe there is more drug use than there really is. This can increase drug use by making it seem “normal.” The Dover Coalition for Youth is implementing a yearlong social norming campaign to address this problem. Social norming is a marketing approach that uses facts to counter misperceptions.

The Majority Rules campaign has been developed and will heavily marketed at Dover High School throughout the school year. The campaign will include everything from posters to radio ads to video contests.

One element will include a text messaging. Students will be able to text MRULES to 77948. Once they have subscribed the Coalition will be able to send them a variety of text messages throughout the year. These texts will include positive campaign messages and poll questions about drug use. In order to keep students engaged and reading the messages we are looking to partner with local businesses to offer incentives. We are looking to partner with one business each month to text a coupon with a special offer to students. The student would then be able to visit your business and redeem the incentive by showing the text message. Offers could be anything from a free slice of pizza to half off a game of bowling.

For more information about the campaign or to discuss potential promotional offers please contact Vicki Hebert at v.hebert@dover.nh.gov or by calling 603.516.3279.

The Dover Coalition for Youth is a non-profit community organization that provides comprehensive and coordinated drug prevention efforts for the citizens of Dover. The Coalition is the means by which we hope to bring all of the elements of the community together to take on underage drinking, marijuana and prescription drug abuse. No one agency, business, or program can solve the complex issues associated with substance abuse. The Coalition promotes a cooperative approach to prevention that results in a consistent strategy and message.