Internet Safety and Media Literacy The internet is used in nearly every part of our lives, and that is especially true for today’s youth. Everything including schoolwork, social media, college applications, and many hobbies require an internet connection. Our constantly connected world brings a messy mixture of both good and bad. Staying connected to friends,…

Social Determinants of Health Our health and wellbeing are generally considered to be a result of our diet, exercise, and genetics. However, they are also influenced by other factors like our access to health care, economic situations, and the communities we live in. These other factors are known as social determinants of health (SDOH). The World…

Substance Use & Misuse Prevention Month The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) celebrates Substance Use & Misuse Prevention Month every October. Their goal is to showcase the positive impact prevention is having in communities across the country by inviting everyone to share their prevention story. Prevention work is a growing field that…

The Hidden Costs of Substance Use: A Call for Awareness and Prevention Substance use affects individuals and society in profound and far-reaching ways. On a personal level, individuals may face physical and psychological health challenges, strained relationships, and disruptions in their education or careers. At the societal level, substance use contributes to increased crime rates,…

Join Wayne County Coalitions and OneEighty in remembering those who have lost their lives to addiction.  Overdose is one of the leading causes of death for people ages 18 to 45 in the United States, with 80,391 overdose deaths in 2024. Overdose Awareness Day is observed annually on August 31 to create a better understanding…

Peer and Social Media Influence on Youth Substance Use A recent study found that e-cigarette TikToks made adolescent viewers 74% more likely to initiate cannabis use. This study also found that exposure to cannabis posts from friends made teens 235% more likely to initiate cannabis use within the year. These findings are significant because they show how…

Why Scare Tactics Don’t Work “Don’t swallow your gum. It will take 7 years to digest.”“You better behave, or the bogeyman will get you.”“If you don’t brush your teeth tonight, all of your teeth will fall out.”“Santa won’t bring you any gifts if you don’t listen.” Scare tactics are not a new concept. They have…

Understanding Healthy and Unhealthy Relationships Intimate partner violence is experienced by millions of people in the United States. Dating violence is one type of intimate partner violence, and it includes physical violence, sexual violence, psychological aggression, and stalking. Many victims first experience dating violence as teenagers and it can impact lifelong health, opportunity, and wellbeing.…

Working through Test Stress Tests are an important part of education, but they can be a source of stress and anxiety for some students. These feelings can be attributed to their concerns over how the test will impact their future, expectations from parents and teachers, lack of a study plan, and self-imposed pressure to be…

CIRCLE Coalition reminds you that providing alcohol to minors is illegal. While most parents and teens do not engage in underage drinking, this campaign encourages open communication about its dangers. Join us in promoting safe, sober celebrations. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) states that giving teens alcohol increases their likelihood and…

Different Types of Stress Stress is a word we typically associate with negative events or feelings. This association has taught many of us that all stress is bad, but some stress can have a positive impact on our lives. Eustress is a positive form of stress that can motivate us and enhance our performance. It…

The Positive Impact of Resiliency Training Developing resilience is an important part of adolescent development. Society tends to think that kids are naturally resilient because they do not always respond to trauma or other negative experiences the same way adults do. Resilience skills include expressing emotions in a healthy way, developing coping strategies and problem-solving skills,…

Alcohol’s Impact on Your Health The U.S. Surgeon General released a new advisory report in January focused on the relationship between alcohol and cancer. This report shared that alcohol is the third leading preventable cause of cancer in the U.S., and contributes to nearly 100,000 cancer cases and 20,000 cancer deaths each year. These cancers…

WOOSTER, Ohio— February 4, 2025 — Turning Point Coalition, in partnership with Wayne County Coalitions, is hosting TIPS (Training for Intervention Procedures) Onsite Alcohol Vendor Training at NO charge. The purpose of TIPS is to help prevent the sale of alcohol to youth and intoxicated individuals. Attendees will also learn how to detect fake identification,…

Why the Age Limit on Alcohol and Nicotine is 21+ The National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984 raised the minimum legal drinking age to 21. Motor vehicle crashes and underage drinking saw immediate decreases in the years following the passage of this bill. The Further Consolidated Appropriations Act followed suit 35 years later when…

The Current State of Youth Mental Health The increased focus on mental health in recent years has helped us realize the importance of mental wellbeing. This development has improved education on mental health challenges, led to the creation of resources to support those who need help, and helped reduce the stigmas about mental health. Youth…

Focus on the Positives: Using Social Norms in Prevention All of us are strongly influenced by group norms, and that is especially true for adolescents. Young people are strongly influenced by the behaviors and attitudes they perceive their peers to have. This works well when it comes to youth learning how to interact with and…

The History of Substance Use & Substance Use Prevention October is Substance Use Prevention Month, and this year’s focus is on telling the prevention story. Understanding the history of substances and addiction can help us improve how we treat addiction and can help preventionists have more success in preventing substance use.  Substance use for medicinal…

Supporting Those in Recovery It does not matter how slowly you go, as long as you do not stop. – Confucius  The American Psychiatric Association (APA) defines substance use disorder (SUD) as “a complex condition in which there is uncontrolled use of a substance despite harmful consequences.” The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) recently…

Why Harm Reduction Matters An estimated 107,543 Americans lost their lives to a drug overdose in 2023 according to data from the CDC (Centers for Disease Control). This is a decrease from the 111,029 overdose deaths in 2022, but any life lost is a tragedy. Public health officials, government leaders, and communities are struggling with…

Social Media’s Role in Youth Substance Use It is no secret that youth love using social media. According to Clearfork Academy, 95% of youth are active on social media, with the top platforms being Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube, and Twitter (X). These platforms provide youth with entertainment and a chance to stay connected with friends. Unfortunately,…

Using Vape Detectors for Prevention 2.13 million youth reported using e-cigarette products in the 2023 National Youth Tobacco Survey. Educating students on the risks of vaping is helping to reduce the number of youth who vape, but school officials are struggling with how to stop vaping on campus. One thing they are trying is vape…

#NationalPreventionWeek24 is a health education platform that promotes new ideas and initiatives to help keep communities healthy & safe. Join us as we celebrate the #substanceuse prevention and #mentalhealth efforts happening nationwide! Learn more: samhsa.gov/prevention-week National Prevention Week is almost here! This annual event is a great opportunity to learn more about prevention science, and how…

CIRCLE Coalition would like to remind you that it is illegal to provide alcohol to minors, and hopes their message resonates with the minority of parents who furnish alcohol for underage drinkers. The majority of parents do not provide alcohol to minors, and the majority of teens do not drink underage. This campaign is a…

Helping Students Prepare for the End of the School Year The end of the school year can be a source of stress for many students. End of year exams, moving up a grade, getting ready to go to a new building, and worrying about friendships are common stressors. Preparing your child for the end of…

How Alcohol and Marijuana are Marketed to Youth Youth are exposed to alcohol and marijuana advertisements on a regular basis. One RAND study looked at the impact of alcohol advertising on youth ages 11-14 and found that they see an average of three alcohol ads per day. This study also found that this exposure leads to youth…

Why Marijuana is Harmful Ohio became the 24th state to legalize the recreational use of marijuana when voters passed Issue 2 in November 2023. Some people will be trying marijuana for the first time as a result of this new law, and they may not be aware of the risks that marijuana poses to their…

The Parental Notification by Social Media Operators Act is scheduled to take effect in Ohio on January 15th. This law has been championed by Lt. Gov. Jon Husted since early 2023, and has been fully backed by Governor DeWine and other lawmakers. Here are the key takeaways from this new law: Ohio will be joining…

Coping with Holiday Stress The holiday season is a great opportunity to take a break and spend time with family and friends, but it can be a very stressful time of year for many people. This stress is a result of many things including lack of time, financial pressure, family gatherings, social isolation, and Seasonal…

Youth Internet Safety The internet continues to be utilized more and more in our lives, and our reliance upon it has a major impact on youth. Internet usage is not a bad thing, and there are many positive aspects to it for youth including homework assistance, social connection with friends, and providing entertainment. However, there are…