Substance Use Prevention Coalition Hosts Virtual Meeting for September

[September 16, 2024] 

The Substance Use Prevention Coalition met virtually to share updates and to learn the results of this summer’s environmental scan. Prevention Coordinator Grace Irvin of Chestnut Health Systems led the online meeting. Irvin oversees four different grants for substance use prevention.

Prevention Updates

Prevention Specialist Dominic Valenti provided information about this month’s prevention endeavors. Education initiatives will begin next week at three Logan County schools. Prevention banners and postcards have been mailed to schools. The Logan County Resource Directory is continually updated and also in process of a facelift

Harm Reduction Updates

Free naloxone distribution continues at Family Custom Cleaners and the Lincoln Department of Public Health in Lincoln and at the Mt. Pulaski library.

Recovery Oriented Systems of Care. The ROSC-sponsored Recovery Walk on September 7 at Scully Park was a success. Estimated attendance was 50 participants with presentations from three people with lived experience of recovery.

August 31 was Overdose Awareness Day. There was a panel discussion from three people about how naloxone saved their lives. A recording of this enlightening discussion is available on the ROSC Facebook page.

The results of the Logan County Environmental Scan have been compiled. SUP Coalition members visited businesses in Lincoln, Atlanta, Middletown, and Mt. Pulaski. Establishments were surveyed about alcohol sales and marketing.

The establishments were surveyed for pricing changes throughout the day, specials such as Two-for-One deals, and with a number of other questions regarding alcohol. Questions included: Is alcohol cheaper than water or soda (particularly true at gas stations), the average price of both, and was alcohol cheaper in larger sizes? What types of alcohol were being sold? Were brand names sold that were popular to youth with eye-catching posters or logos? Are caffeinated alcoholic beverages sold? Are alcohol pops or ready-to-drink beverages sold?

A tally of the most frequently found brands was taken and advertised drink specials, such as Happy Hour, were noted.

About 50 percent of the surveyed businesses had alcohol-related displays in non-alcohol areas. Most did not have dedicated table displays for alcohol. All but one did not have staff wearing alcohol-related logos or advertising. Of the businesses surveyed, 60% kept alcohol next to water or soda in the cooler section, 80% did not have alcohol by an entrance or exit, and 27% had alcohol displayed next to candy.

As far as alcohol displays, 60% had alcohol displayed at the check-out counter, 33% had alcohol displayed on end caps and some had alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages featured in the same display. Surveyors tallied the brands being sold and noted that 40% of businesses sell alcoholic beverages next to water, fruit juices, or snacks with cartoon or youth-oriented imagery.

Regarding advertising for alcohol, 33% had alcoholic advertising visible from outside the store, 60% had window or door advertising for alcoholic beverage companies, all of them domestic beers, and 80% had advertising or merchandise of some kind. Of the surveyed businesses, 67% had a surgeon general’s warning on display, 60% had signs indicating that they check identification for alcohol sales, and 67% had signs warning about alcohol consumption during pregnancy.

Prevention specialists are working on a data sheet to more easily assess the collected data. Discussion about how to best utilize the gathered information will take place at upcoming meetings.

Hope on Fifth is still hosting recovery meetings and veterans’ support groups and continues to develop partnerships and services.

The next SUPC meeting is October 10 at Lincoln Memorial Hospital, and the next Community Health Collaborative meeting is December 4.

[Stephanie Hall]