Substance Use Prevention Coalition meets to discuss potential prevention
events
[October 10, 2025]
The Substance Use Prevention Coalition (SUPC) held its monthly
meeting at Lincoln Memorial Hospital (LMH) on Thursday, October 9. The
SUPC exists to promote awareness of substance use disorders, prevent
youth substance use, and provide resources to Logan County.
Molly McCain, Community Health Coordinator at LMH, announced that she
had discovered that there are additional grants that supply naloxone
administered through organizations in Sangamon County.
The first discussion of the meeting was about assessing the needs of
area schools with key informant interviews with administration and
teachers to see what kinds of training would be helpful in the school
environment. The goal is to see if the SUPC perceived needs align with
the true needs of schools. A SUPC member recommended approaching the
Regional Office of Education to ensure that teachers could get personal
development hours. Members will compile a list of schools and school
staff to contact.
The next item on the agenda was a discussion about bringing back various
prevention events in Logan County. The next Drug Take Back Day is April
25, 2026, and SUPC would like to coordinate with the Lincoln Police to
offer this service to the community again. This day could also be an
opportunity to talk about naloxone and harm reduction with the
community.
SUPC brought Hidden in Plain Sight to Logan County during the covid-19
pandemic, so this year or next is a good time to bring back this event.
The goal of this event is to educate parents about the ways the kids and
teenagers hide substances in personal belongings and spaces. Potentially
this could also be a means of promoting the Drug Take Back Day in April.
Grace Irvin, Prevention Specialist with Chestnut Health Systems,
suggested scheduling Hidden in Plain Sight prior to a school sporting
event and providing concessions coupons for those who participate.
SUPC is still recruiting new members to the coalition. Current members
will follow-up with previous contacts.
[to top of second column]
|
Banners are going out to schools this week for alcohol use
prevention at high schools. The banners are to encourage parents to
discuss underage drinking with their kids. School administrators may
register for the Illinois Youth Survey now. Prevention specialists
are planning for Red Ribbon Week the last week of October. Ten of 13
Logan County schools are participating in some capacity this year.
Anti-vaping campaign posters are being sent to schools next week.
Substance use prevention classes continue in public schools. LJHS is
scheduled for spring.
The Logan County Health Department still has free
naloxone and fentanyl testing strips. The health department director
of nursing has trained the staff of Lincoln Public Library on
administering naloxone.
ROSC just hosted a Walk for Recovery in both Havana and Lincoln.
Havana had 6 speakers and over 60 people in attendance. Lincoln had
around 20 people in attendance as well as speakers and food provided
by The Buttery, which is currently using the Hope on Fifth
commercial kitchen.
The Railer Reach Out text campaign continues and will be
coordinating with Red Ribbon Week this month. A focus group with
high school students for feedback about the campaign is scheduled
for the end of October. There will be lunch tables set up with
prevention specialists at LCHS during November with a chance for
students to win gift cards.
McCain announced that 554 people have signed up for the LMH October
Walking Challenge to walk 100 miles during the month.
The Center for Community and Creativity is doing a fundraiser for
Hope on Fifth currently by painting doors. A church is bringing
meals once a month to Hope on Fifth. There is planning underway for
a men's only Celebrate Recovery meeting potentially meeting at noon.
The next ROSC meeting is October 16 at 2 p.m. at Hope on Fifth and
via Zoom. The next SUPC meeting is November 13 at 9 a.m. at LMH and
via Zoom. The next Community Health Collaborative is December 4 at
8:30 a.m. also at LMH.
Stephanie Hall
All contents © copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved |
