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Welcome to the Tri‑City Partners (TCP)
Monthly News
Tri-City Partners Mission:
To promote health, reduce substance use and other risk behaviors, and build assets in our youth in the communities of Bloomington, Edina, and Richfield
For May 2010
1. The next Steering Committee meeting - Thursday, May 27
New members are welcome!
2. Hot Topic: Obama Drug strategy stresses evidence-based prevention
3. Real thoughts from real students
4. Motivation to act in ways consistent with your beliefs
5. June 1 training: Wellness and Substance Abuse Prevention -
Making the Connection
6. A look back on We can do this together! Raising youth in a
drinking culture
7. May/June Prevention-Ties
1. The next Steering Committee meeting - Thursday, May 27
New members are welcome!
Location: St. Luke's, 1701 W. Old Shakopee Rd., Bloomington 55431
Time: 3:30 - 5:00 p.m.
Read the April meeting minutes
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2. Hot Topic: Obama Drug strategy stresses evidence-based prevention
President Obama said he is “committed to restoring balance in our efforts to combat the drug problems that plague our communities” in unveiling his 2010 National Drug Control Strategy. It emphasizes implementing proven prevention strategies and investing in early interventions better integrated into mainstream medicine. In addition to prevention, drugged driving and prescription-drug use are laid out as the priority focal points for 2010.
Read the news summary from Join Together.org.
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3. Real thoughts from real students
In the ATOD prevention field it is known that transition times, such as changing from middle to high school, are high-risk times in a young person’s life. For many young people this is a time of vulnerability to drinking and/or using drugs. Recently the Bloomington Youth Action Crew asked high school students the following:
"Do you have words of wisdom to share with 8th graders about what they need to know as they make the jump to high school? Help us share a positive message with 8th graders. Think back to your own experience: What do you wish you would have known then? What advice can you share?"
Below are some of the common themes that emerged and the quotes received.
Get involved
-
“Get involved right away.”
- “Best advice I can give is be involved. Join clubs and teams and participate in things.
You only have one chance – make the most of it.”
- “There is something for everyone.”
Be yourself
- “Don’t be afraid to express yourself.”
- “Never be afraid to ask questions.”
- "Don’t stress about fitting in just be yourself and find a group that you feel you
belong to.”
Make friends
- “Be sure you know who your friends are.”
- “Relationships aren’t everything, don’t rely on other people too much.”
- “Make good friends, stay strong in your morals.”
Work hard
- “Do your homework! Freshman year counts toward your GPA so don’t slack off.”
- “Make sure you do your homework and listen in class. High school is important
for college”
- “Start studying from the first day of school – don’t wait until the night before a quiz or test to start studying.”
Make good decisions
- “Make good choices and enjoy the ride. Life is just to live once. Good luck!”
- “Following the crowd isn’t always cool in the long run. Be yourself and have fun!”
- “Don’t fall into peer pressure. If you know it is wrong – follow nothing but your heart.”
Keep a positive attitude
- “Stay positive through everything and don’t get caught up in all the drama. Keep
a smile on and be friendly with everyone.”
- “Don’t take things too seriously. You won’t even remember your problems 5 years
from now.”
- “No matter how scary things may seem in school…it’s all going to be ok in the end if
you keep a positive attitude.”
Stay clear of alcohol and drugs
- “Seriously, please don’t do drugs. It’s a waste of money and time and you’re just
negating all the beautiful things that are real (this includes weed).”
- “Don’t get involved with the wrong people. If they’re doing drugs, you’ll most likely
also end up doing them.”
- “Don’t go to a party where you know you will be peer pressured to do drugs.”
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4. Motivation to act in ways consistent with your beliefs
From Motivation in a Minute
"We could change the world tomorrow if all the millions of people around the world acted the way they believe."
-Jane Goodall
"Most people have beliefs, values, and a relatively similar sense of right and wrong...that's what makes us human. But, while having principles may be natural for us, actually practicing them isn't.
That's what this three minute movie is about...acting in a way that's consistent with your beliefs. It's something that will help you get through the biggest challenges that you face every day."
Click here to watch the movie.
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5. June 1 training: Wellness and Substance Abuse Prevention -
Making the Connection
Keynote Speaker
Dr. Steve Zvonar, Northwoods Natural Healing Center, Doctor of Chiropractic and Certified Wellness Coach has delivered hundreds of lectures and seminars over the past 25 years. Topics have ranged from diet, stress, therapeutic lifestyle change and health coaching. The past two years he has been a speaker at the annual MARRCH (MN Association of Resources for Recovery and Chemical Health) conference.
Breakout sessions include 1) The Mind-Body Connection: Tools to Increase Self-awareness and Decrease Stress, 2) Healthy Eating/Healthy Living, and 3) Experiencing Yoga.
When: Tuesday, June 1, 2010 | 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Where: Neighborhood House-Wellstone Center
| 179 Robie Street East,
St. Paul, MN 55107
Who: School chemical health coordinators, public health professionals, coalition coordinators, youth workers, anyone involved with alcohol, tobacco and other drug prevention in the metro area
Sponsored by: The Metro Regional Prevention Coordinator and Minnesota Prevention Resource Center (MPRC)
Cost: $10
Registration:
Online: www.emprc.org/wellness
Mail, email or fax: download the form and follow instructions
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6. A look back on We can do this together! Raising youth in a
drinking culture
On May 3, over one hundred parents of middle and high school students attended this parent forum to support Edina youth to stay alcohol and drug free. You can review information from the Powerpoint presentation here.
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7. May/June Prevention-Ties
Prevention Ties provides upcoming events and resources for people interested in preventing the problems associated with tobacco and drug use, underage alcohol use, misuse of alcohol by adults, and related violence stemming from substance abuse.
Eight forums have been scheduled throughout Minnesota. The last to be held in the Twin Cities area will be in St. Paul on Tuesday, May 18.
Read the May/June edition of Prevention-Ties.
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Please feel free to pass this on to others you think would be interested in or would benefit from the information.
Have a good month!
Laurie Masanz
Health Communication Specialist
Bloomington Public Health
952‑563‑8904
lmasanz@ci.bloomington.mn.us
TO UNSUBSCRIBE: Make your request to lmasanz@ci.bloomington.mn.us