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North Center engages community in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day

Our North Center’s Substance Abuse Prevention Program participated in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day at the Walgreens in the Belmont Cragin community this past weekend.

Our staff was on hand at Walgreens to talk with people who came into the store about the importance of safely disposing of unwanted/expired prescription medication. Metropolitan has a drop box for old medication located at the Walgreens pharmacy, and staff informed people about the drop box and its purpose.

A special thank you to Walgreens for hosting the event and to everyone who participated!

The Substance Abuse Prevention Program focuses on evidence-based youth prevention education, increasing prevention-related drug knowledge and resistance skills. It enhances youth’s protective factors and increases their skills in dealing with high-risk situations. Students build core social-emotional skills like goal setting, decision making and emotion management. They also learn about the short and long term effects of abusing alcohol, marijuana, tobacco, inhalants, and opioids.

Engaging the Community

  • Youth Advisory Committee: Youth in the community meet monthly to plan two annual activities that focus on drug and alcohol prevention in their community. Youth also participate in Communications Campaign and Environmental Scan
  • Communications Campaign: Youth and Substance Abuse Prevention Staff work together to implement and promote a communications campaign that addresses Marijuana, Alcohol and opioid abuse prevention.
  • Environmental Scan:  Substance Abuse Prevention Staff and Youth identify businesses in the community that sale drug paraphernalia. The goal is to educate retailers regarding the consequences and community benefits of not selling marijuana paraphernalia.
  • Drug Take-Back: Promoting Drug Take Back locations and events in the community
  • Illinois Youth Survey:  Substance Abuse Prevention Staff help local CPS schools sign up for Illinois Youth Survey