Last Updated on November 2, 2021 by Partners for a Drug Free Cass County / Cass County Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition
October was National Substance Abuse Awareness Month, Domestic Violence Awareness Month and Mental Health Awareness Month.
October also recognizes Red Ribbon Week and preventing youth from using substances.
During Red Ribbon Week, schools educate and promote youth staying substance free. The Partners for a Drug Free Cass County and the Cass County Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition host a contest among the schools. Grades 1-5 are invited to do a poster contest, Grades 6-8 do an essay contest, and NEW this year, we had the high school students compete to design a billboard for our organizations centered around staying drug free!
The kids compete for a chance to win gift cards and other goodies, but are also invited to celebrate with their families at the annual Red Ribbon Breakfast (held this year on October 30). The kids get certificates and Walmart gift cards and this year received a bag with other goodies in it. Bolin’s discounted donuts for the breakfast as well.
This year we had many schools participate. Caston had 7 poster winners, Columbia had 5 winners, Fairview (which submitted the most posters) had 14 poster winners, Franklin had 6 poster winners, Landis had 5 poster winners, Lewis Cass had 7 poster winners, Caston Jr High had 4 essay winners, Logansport Jr High had 2 essay winners, Lewis Cass Jr High had 4 essay winners. (Pioneer did not have any entries this year.)
Our winner for our billboard contest was Abraham Velasquez, a Logansport High School student. We had entries from 23 kids at the high school level and one teacher even made it a lesson at the Career Center on billboard design so that was neat and different!
Lewis Cass has been super involved with Red Ribbon Week this year (and most years). They participated in the contests, but also had spirit days in the elementary and Jr/Sr High school. They also had the elementary kids raise money all week for a pie in the face contest. The money will be donated to a prevention organization in the community.
They are also submitting a photo of their time-lapse rock garden for the National Red Ribbon Competition. Voting can occur November 1-16 at https://www.redribbon.org/contest/school.
Most other schools in Cass County did spirit weeks during Red Ribbon Week as well, with drug free messages every day. Oct. 23-31 was a great week!
Naloxboxes are mounted and stocked at Emmaus Mission and the food pantry. Narcan can be found in them at all times, with 24 hour access.
Overdose Lifeline provides 2 free boxes to every county in Indiana. The Partners for Drug Free Cass County and Emmaus partnered for this effort.
There were 2 Overdose Awareness events in October as well. One was on October 23 to kick off Red Ribbon Week. It was done to raise funds for Father’s House, the new sober living home opening up in Logansport. Another one was on October 30 to raise awareness for 4th Dimension Recovery. That event featured speakers and a short Narcan training.
We really strive to get the community involved and excited about drug prevention. Our next meeting date is Nov 18 at 9 a.m. at Revolution Church for anyone interested in helping in efforts such as these.
You can find more info at https://www.facebook.com/pfdfcc.
SOURCE: News release from Partners for a Drug Free Cass County / Cass County Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition