Natrona County Prevention Coalition

What is 7/10 Day?

A niche holiday in the cannabis industry, 7/10 Day offers opportunities for discounts, sales, and special product offerings centered on cannabis oil products. Although July 10 is also known as Dab Day, dabs aren't the only product consumers could see on a 7/10 Day promotion. Rosin, oils, v**e cartridges and v**e pens can all play a role in 7/10 Day.

The Urban Dictionary started listing the term 710 in 2010, and by 2011, specific associations of the number with cannabis emerged. Rapper TaskRok told interviewers that he mentioned 710 to an online message group with other cannabis oil enthusiasts. He included songs called "Boil That Oil" and "7:10" on an album he released on July 10, 2011.2 However, the cannabis holiday really took off when LA Weekly wrote a profile of the holiday in 2013.

The Youth Empowerment Council with Mercer Family Resource Center is going on a trip!!! 5 youth and 2 adults will be going to the 3rd annual Johnny's Ambassadors two-day Preventing THC Use in Teens conference. The 5 youth attending will be the only youth in the whole conference of 300 participants. How amazing is that?!

A HUGE Thank You!!! goes to and The Su***de Prevention Task Force for sponsoring this trip so that YEC and Mercer FRC can learn, understand, and educate our community of the dangers of youth ma*****na use.

Delta-8 and Teens. Get the scoop!!!

Delta-8 and Teens: What It Is and Why Teens Are Using It Because this form of THC is legal, the number of teens using delta-8 has increased rapidly in recent years.

How much do you know about ma*****na? Take the Fact or Crap quiz below! Bonus points if you comment something that you learned or something that surprised you.

https://johnnysambassadors.org/Gameshow/

July 4-10 is Ma*****na Facts Week. Here is a recap article of some recent changes in Wyoming.

Cannabinoid vendors brace for prohibition, await legal intervention CASPER, Wyo. — The “Hemp – limitations on psychoactive substances” bill signed by the governor earlier this March takes effect at midnight Sunday, meaning

Happy International Joke Day!

Q: Why did the accountant do so well in AA?
A: He was already a friend of Bills.

Q: Why are people in recovery so good at dancing?
A: Because they know how to work the steps!

It is illegal to drive while impaired by drugs or alcohol in all 50 states; however, many of the related laws differ. Click here for a quick guide to some of Wyoming’s DUI laws: https://wygcid.org/wyoming-laws/

https://johnnysambassadors.org/videocontest/

We're still a couple weeks out, but NCPC wanted to give a heads up that July 4- July 10 is National Ma*****na Facts Week, created by Johnny's Ambassadors. We will be giving out some facts, including information on the rise of Dab Day (7/10), so we hope you follow along!

May is Mental Health Awareness Month! Despite recent strides in how our society approaches mental wellbeing, many Americans still don’t have access to the high-quality, comprehensive treatment and care they need. Here are some staggering data about mental health in the United States:

*1 in 5 U.S. adults experience mental illness each year.
*Only 47.2% of U.S. adults with mental illness received treatment in 2021.
*1 in 20 U.S. adults experience serious mental illness each year.
*Only 65.4% of U.S. adults with serious mental illness received treatment in 2021.
*1 in 6 U.S. youth have a mental health condition, but only half receive treatment.
*50% of all lifetime mental illness begins by age 14, and 75% by age 24.

Help is out there, and hope is possible. A list of free resources to lean on if you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health and/or substance use crisis:

*SAMHSA National Hotline is a 24/7 treatment referral and information service.
*988 Su***de & Crisis Lifeline offers 24/7, confidential support for people in distress.
*The Trevor Project provides 24/7 crisis support services to LGBTQ+ young people.
*FindTreatment.gov helps people seek treatment for mental and substance use disorders.
*National Institute of Mental Health outlines additional mental health services.

It's Drug Endangered Children (DEC) Awareness Day! Did you know we have a local chapter of this national organization called the Natrona County Drug Endangered Children Alliance? We sure do!!! And here is their mission:

The Natrona County Drug Endangered Children (DEC) Alliance exists to protect children from neglect and abuse by improving the training of and coordination between responding professionals, government agencies and the public.

Shout out to the passionate individuals who are working together to protect Natrona County Children from the traumatic effects of drug use in the home. Happy DEC Awareness Day!

Get ready for the 9th annual Community Baby Shower this Saturday. We have over 20 organizations ready to raffle off tons of baby stuff. Everyone will go home with a stash to welcome their babies to our community. If you have any questions, please call Anna Hebbert at 307-233-4276.

Send a message to learn more

Have you noticed blue pinwheel gardens around town lately? That's for Child Abuse Prevention Awareness Month.

Were you able to attend this past Monday's proclamation by the mayor at the Child Advocacy Project? Casper Mayor proclaimed April as Child Abuse Prevention Awareness Month.

April is National Child Abuse Prevention month CASPER, Wyo. — The Wyoming Children's Trust Fund and Prevent Child Abuse Wyoming is recognizing National Child Abuse Prevention Month, according to a news

April is Alcohol Awareness Month, a time to think about your alcohol consumption to ensure you are enjoying alcohol responsibly and in moderation.

April is Alcohol Awareness Month | National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) April is Alcohol Awareness Month, an opportunity to update your knowledge about alcohol use disorder (AUD) and the adverse impact of alcohol misuse on health and society. Alcohol-related problems continue to take a heavy toll on individuals, families, and communities. Researchers estimate that each....

That's a wrap! Thanks for joining us for National Drug & Alcohol Facts Week.

Mixing different substances such as alcohol, sedatives, over the counter drugs, prescribed drugs and street drugs, can have some really dangerous effects.

Synergistic reactions are when the combined impact of more than one drug is greater than just adding the influence of one drug with the other. For instance, having an alcoholic drink while taking cold medication, you will experience greater impairment that if you simply added the impact of both drugs together.

Antagonistic reactions are when the effect of one drug cancel the effects of the other drug. This can be dangerous, for example drinking alcohol while using medication for high blood pressure.

If you take more than one drug, it's important to receive accurate advice from your doctor. Remember- it's never wrong to verify with your doctor or pharmacist that the medications they're prescribing to you are safe to take together. Make sure to read the information of over-the-counter drugs.

If you have a loved one suffering from an addiction, it's important to note that Narcan is a life saving medication used to reverse an opioid overdose, including he**in, fentanyl, and prescription opioid medications. Narcan® nasal spray is now available to purchase OTC in places like drug stores, convenience stores, grocery stores and gas stations, as well as online.

Natural High - Fentanyl PSA Film (6-Minute Life-Saving Video) Visit https://www.naturalhigh.org/fentanyl to get the Free Natural High Fentanyl Toolkit for parents and educators. There’s no question that education is a k...

How alcohol affects your kids’ brains (VIDEOS) Kids and alcohol don't mix

Over time, excessive alcohol use can lead to chronic diseases and other serious health problems, including:
*Heart and liver disease, and stroke
*Cancer
*Weakened immune system
*Dementia
*Mental health problems, such as depression or anxiety
*Social or family problems
*Alcohol use disorders

More specifically, long-term alcohol use can have effects on almost every organ in the body. Some examples are:
*Temporary and permanent brain injury
*Increase in fluid accumulation in the lungs which can lead to chronic lung infections
*Kidney enlargement and cell damage causing kidney failure

Focusing on our youth, part 2.

Delta-8-THC. Delta-8 is a psychoactive substance that is typically derived from h**p, a variety of the Cannabis sativa plant. Numerous studies have found that adolescent cannabis use is associated with adverse effects on learning, memory, and attention; changes in brain development; and the development of cannabis use disorder and other psychiatric disorders, such as depression, psychosis and suicidality.

Delta-8-THC use reported by 11% of 12th graders in 2023 | National Institute on Drug Abuse Psychoactive cannabis product use higher in states without delta-8 regulations or cannabis legalization

Let's take today to focus on our youth. First up, underage drinking.

Discussing underage drinking with middle schoolers is an important conversation. This is an age where they are being influenced by many factors and are being exposed to new habits and behaviors everyday. The goal is to have these conversions and talk about underage drinking before a child experiments with it or it becomes a problem.

High school is a time where this conversation takes a more serious tone. The effects of underage drinking can be so much harsher in high school because these implications can leave them with life long consequences. It is important to have this conversation multiple times during this time of their lives. It is important to remember that it is common for kids at this age to feel pressure to drink alcohol and be around other kids that are doing it themselves and as parents we need to try our best to take a non-judgmental approach to the conversation.

Wywetalk.org for talking points with your children.

Save the date! The Wyoming M**h & Substance Abuse Conference will be happening October 9th and 10th this year!

Short-term effects of methamphetamine use can include:
*Increased attention and decreased fatigue
*Increased activity and wakefulness
*Decreased appetite
*Euphoria and rush
*Increased respiration
*Rapid/irregular heartbeat
*Hyperthermia

What are the long-term effects of methamphetamine misuse? | National Institute on Drug Abuse Long-term methamphetamine abuse has many negative consequences, including addiction. Addiction is a chronic, relapsing disease, characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use and accompanied by functional and molecular changes in the brain.

Underage drinking negatively affects your developing brain. When your cerebellum, the part of the brain responsible for coordination and speed, is impaired, it becomes harder to react quickly and efficiently.

Brain Storm Put your cerebellum to the test by catching all the brains as they fly through the sky. As you play you will also learn facts about why it’s important to say YES to a healthy lifestyle and NO to underage drinking.

Alcohol Myth versus Fact- do you know the difference?

It's easy to tell when you've had too much to drink to drive safely. Myth or Fact?
The more red wine you drink, the healthier your heart gets. Myth or Fact?
Alcohol affects adults and teenagers about the same. Myth or Fact?
Beer can be as intoxicating as liquor. Myth or Fact?
If you only drink beer, you won't develop problems with use. Myth or Fact?

Did you know there aren't any tricks to sober up if you overconsume alcohol? If you go to bed at midnight with a BAC of .20 and alcohol leaves the system at a rate of .015 per hour, you may not be sober until 2 PM the following afternoon.

WHY ARE THEY CONSIDERING IT?

Adolescents might consider using substances for many reasons, often stemming from a variety of biological, psychological, social, and environmental factors. It’s important for parents, caregivers, educators, and communities to be aware of these factors and engage in open communication with adolescents about the risks and consequences of substance use. Having conversations with adolescents about substances before they are exposed to them is crucial to playing a role in stopping the behavior before it starts. Providing accurate information, fostering strong emotional connections, and helping adolescents develop healthy coping mechanisms can all contribute to preventing or addressing substance use issues.

Regardless of which substance your child may be interested in using, these are some common reasons that they may being seeking these substances:
*Academic pressure
*Adverse childhood events
*Mental Health Disorders
*Low self-esteem
*Increased access to substances
*Going through transitional periods, such as entering puberty or attending a new school

Addiction is a chronic disease characterized by drug seeking and use that is compulsive, or difficult to control, despite harmful consequences. The initial decision to take drugs is voluntary for most people, but repeated drug use can lead to brain changes that challenge an addicted person’s self-control and interfere with their ability to resist intense urges to take drugs. Fortunately, researchers know more than ever about how drugs affect the brain and have found treatments that can help people recover from drug addiction and lead productive lives.

Understanding Drug Use and Addiction DrugFacts | National Institute on Drug Abuse Provides an overview of drug use and addiction, including what happens in the brain during drug use, why some people become addicted while others don't, and the importance of prevention.

Join the Natrona County Prevention Coalition this week as we celebrate National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week!!

What is National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week®?
National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week®, or NDAFW, is an annual, week-long, health observance that inspires dialogue about the science of drug use and addiction among youth. It provides an opportunity to bring together scientists, students, educators, healthcare providers, and community partners to help advance the science and address youth drug and alcohol use in communities and nationwide. It was launched in 2010 by scientists at the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) to stimulate educational events in communities so teens can learn what science has taught us about drug use and addiction. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism became a partner in 2016, and alcohol has been added as a topic area for the week. NIDA and NIAAA are part of the National Institutes of Health, and work with leading organizations, media outlets, and other Government agencies to spread the word about NDAFW.

While many people love the holidays, for some, the holidays are the hardest part of the year. The stress and pressure from the holidays can cause you to question your recovery journey, but we're here to remind you it is all worth it. The 12-24 Club provides the comfort, community, and support you need to stay on your journey all year long. As a haven of recovery, the 12-24 Club has become a trusted space for anyone battling life-threatening addiction, one step at a time, even during the bustling holiday season.

The 12-24 Club provides fellowship and comfort 365 days a year (yes, even on Thanksgiving and Christmas). Learn more at www.1224club.org/resources