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PRESS RELEASE: Drug Take-Back Event

Skamania Residents Can Dispose of Prescription Drugs at Take-Back Event Stevenson, WA:  On Saturday, April 30, 2022, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Skamania County Sheriff’s Office, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and One Prevention Alliance will give the public another opportunity to prevent pill misuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs. Bring your medications for disposal to the Sheriff’s Office at 200 Vancouver Avenue, Stevenson, WA 98648. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.  It will also be very easy; you won’t even need to get out […]

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Prevention Effort of the Month

Reprinted with permission from Skamania County Pioneer (2.16.22) Prevention Effort of the Month CADCA National Leadership Forum Stevenson High School students Hunter Reichel and Ellie Lanz attended the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) National Leadership Forum, held in Maryland, from Jan 31 to Feb. 3. The forum focused on developing local youth leaders. CADCA’s mission is to build the capacity of community coalitions to create safe, healthy and drug-free communities. Youth are the heart of the coalition, as they can bring critical insight to what they are facing each day in their communities, when given a voice. Beyond attending […]

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Why small conversations make a big impression

Short, frequent discussions can have a real impact on your child’s decisions about alcohol. Talking to your child at an early age about drinking is the first step to- ward keeping them alcohol-free. But as they enter junior high and high school, the pressure to try alcohol increases.1 It’s important to continue the conversation throughout adolescence. Lots of little talks are more effective than one “big talk.” Sitting down for the “big talk” about alcohol can be intimidating for both you and your child. Try using everyday opportunities to talk— in the car, during dinner, or while you and your […]

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Where are we now? Staying healthy during Covid

We are over 18 months into the Covid-19 pandemic, and we are all ready for it to be over! Unfortunately, we may have many more months until the virus is managed or fades away like pandemics of the past. What does not mean for us? Well, it means more stress. In looking back over the last year and half, how did you do with staying mentally and physically healthy? Were you an A+ or more like a C-? How are you doing now? Do you find yourself easily irritated? Maybe a little more moody than usual? Maybe you are tempted […]

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Caring for yourself through the stressful holiday season

BY ELLIE MCDONALD MSW, SUDPT Ellie McDonald is a Behavioral Health Therapist at Skamania County Community Health For many, the holiday season can lead to increased stress. Some people experience stress due to the financial burden of buying gifts, traveling, or hosting gatherings. Others may struggle with managing their time with preparations, traveling, or multiple parties. There are many who feel intensified loneliness and grief due to loss of loved ones. You are not alone if you are struggling. As we move into the holiday season, here are some suggestions. Set Realistic Expectations The depiction of the perfect holiday gathering […]

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SHS Students, Healthy Activities Lead to Healthier Choices

BY STAND UP 4 TEENS STUDENTS Stand Up 4 Teens (SU4T) is a youth- led prevention club at Stevenson High School, focused on changing community norms regarding under- age drinking and marijuana use, and prescription drug abuse. SU4T consists of ten high school students who partner with One Prevention Alliance collaborating to implement and facilitate community prevention activities in Skamania County. Prevention is Stand Up 4 Teen’s over- arching goal as a group. We want our fellow students to feel empowered and supported to make smart choices and live happy, healthy lives. Our priority is, above all else, to help […]

Red Ribbon Week

HOW IT BEGAN: Enrique “Kiki” Camarena was a Drug Enforcement Administration Agent who was tortured and killed in Mexico in 1985. In honor of Kiki’s memory and his battle against illegal drugs, friends and neighbors began to wear red badges of satin. Parents then began to form coalitions using Camarena as their model while embracing his belief that one person can make a difference. These coalitions adopted the symbol of Camarena’s memory, the Red Ribbon. Today, the Red Ribbon serves as a catalyst to mobilize communities to educate youth and encourage participation in drug prevention activities.This is OPA’s first year […]

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October 23 Drug Take Back Event

On Saturday, October 23, 2021, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the Skamania County Sheriff’s Office, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and One Prevention Alliance will give the public another opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs. Bring your medications for disposal to the Sheriff’s Office at 200 Vancouver Avenue, Stevenson, WA 98648. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked. It will also be very easy; you won’t even need to get out of your car. With opioid overdose deaths increasing during the pandemic, it […]

Logtoberfest Fun

Saturday, October 2nd was the Wind River Business Association’s Bigfoot Bash Logtoberfest! OPA took family games because Chris Malone reached out and asked for our participation and we said “YES”! During the event, attendees who entered the beer garden or the restrooms saw our PLAN AHEAD, GET HOME SAFE information (see below) While at our booth, families played games and had a blast being entertained by Logger Karen Douglass, One Prevention Alliance Community Coordinator and OPA Chair, Somer Meade.  

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LifeSkills Training helps Skamania pre-teens navigate big changes

Middle school is a time of big change for youth: academically, socially, emotionally, and physically. These changes make adolescents in this age group particularly vulnerable to the kinds of social and psychological factors that can lead to the initiation of substance use and other risky behaviors. LifeSkills Training (LST) is a school-based program that aims to prevent alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana use and violence through a proactive approach that promotes open communication and awareness.  Over 135 students in two school districts participated in this evidence-based program in Skamania County during the 2020-21 school year, thanks to several community partners. Riley […]