Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: ATOD prevention, Chris Remele, Don Hooton, Eddie Slowikowski, IADDA, Illinois Teen Institute, ITI, Jim Dedera, Laura Kelly, leadership, Logan Wilde, MWAH!, Princeton High School, Tei Street, Tim White
On Sunday, July 17, over 300 youth participants, adult sponsors, and ITI volunteer staff joined together at Western Illinois University in Macomb, Illinois, to kick off the 38th annual Illinois Teen Institute (ITI). For five remarkable days youth and staff worked together to learn about Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drug (ATOD) prevention. ITI 2011 staff and presenters took the theme ‘WrITIng Our Future’ and wove it throughout a week of general sessions, workshops, and discussion groups. As Natasha Bedingfield so eloquently sings in her song “Unwritten”, the youth were reminded, “…today is where your book begins”!
Kicking off the week, The Amazing Tei Street, a national motivational speaker, took the youth on a journey to discover the “amazing” that is within them. Tei had the youth and adults singing, dancing, and laughing! Everyone left Tei’s session feeling inspired and motivated– a perfect start to a phenomenal week! A very special thank you goes out to Tei for her generosity and dedication to the ITI program.
Other presenters included Don Hooton from the Taylor Hooton foundation, MWAH! Performing Arts Group (which included two ITI participants as cast members), Eddie Slowikowski, Tim White, and Jim Dedera just to name a few! Workshops ranged from ATOD prevention and social norms marketing, to understanding dating violence, leadership development, and the healthy benefit of laughing!
A key component of ITI is for youth participants to take what they learn and put it into action. Throughout the week youth meet in Community Action Teams (C.A.T.). These teams, made up of youth from the same school or geographical location, work to create an action plan for positive change in the community! IADDA will keep in touch with the youth throughout the year to hear about their successes and provide support and resources!
In addition to work shops and general sessions participants are engaged during small group discussions and other planned social bonding activities. Through these experiences, the youth share their beliefs, thoughts and perceptions surrounding ATOD prevention and other teen issues. The discussion groups allowed them to process and reflect on the speakers and events at ITI. Planned evening social activities are a tradition. Sparking the creative side, youth participated in the annual ITI “Tuesday Night Live” talent show. The performances were breathtaking to say the least. Amazing talent was among us! Finally, Wednesday evening rounded out the week with the celebration dance!
As Thursday came around, the youth and staff were surprised how quickly the week went by! Closing ceremonies focused on celebrating the work accomplished throughout the week and recognizing a few special people. The 2011 Community Action Team award went to Princeton High School. As a new Operation Snowball Chapter, the Princeton group has been extremely successful, implementing several events throughout the 2010-2011 school year that emphasized living a drug and alcohol free life. The “Unsung Hero” award went to Chris Remele. Chris was a former participant that now serves as a volunteer staff member at ITI. His upbeat and positive energy were felt throughout the week! Logan Wilde received the Roy Rogers the III Legacy Award and Laura Kelly received the Youth Staff award.
Another amazing ITI year goes down in history! Thank you to the staff, presenters, and participants for making the magic of ITI continue! You are greatly appreciated, and we look forward to ITI 2012!
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: District 113 Operation Snowball, drug prevention, Great River Operation Snowball, Greater Fox River Valley Operation Snowball, Mary Jo Davies, Naperville Operation Snowball, operation snowball, underage drinking prevention
(Springfield, IL) April 20, 2010. High school students from Quincy, Naperville, Decatur, Elgin, and Highland Park in April walked away with top prizes in a statewide contest to produce youth anti-drinking, anti-drug YouTube videos.
Chapters from across Illinois submitted videos to the competition sponsored by Operation Snowball (OS), a statewide non-profit organization that encourages young people to avoid drugs and alcohol abuse.
Great River OS of Quincy won first place and received a $1,000 cash prize.
Naperville OS snagged second place and Greater Decatur Macon County OS took third. Both earned a $750 cash prize. Fourth and fifth place and the two $500 cash prizes were won by Greater Fox River Valley OS and District 113 Highland Park.
“This contest was designed to encourage youth to develop video messages that could deter their peers from drinking and abusing alcohol,” said Mary Jo Peavy Davies, the Illinois Operation Snowball program manager.
Operation Snowball, partners with the Illinois Alcoholism and Drug Dependence Association, has more than 130 chapters totaling 50,000 youth.
“Operation Snowball focuses on prevention messages that aim primarily at the high school students because at this age they understand the idea behind prevention,” said Davies.
“The video contest was an unique opportunity for these students to develop their own powerful video message on underage drinking prevention and have their creative talent displayed on YouTube before a national audience,” said Davies. “We are very proud of the winners.
The contest received funding from the Larry and Lillian Goodman Foundation.
The videos are at: http://www.youtube.com/user/OperationSnowball?feature=mhw4
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Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Mary Jo Davies, monitoring the future, operation snowball, prevention, substance abuse prevention
Marijuana Use Shows Signs of Increasing; Prescription Drug Abuse Continues Upward Trend
Washington, D.C. – The 2009 Monitoring the Future Survey, released Monday by the National Institute on Drug Abuse and the University of Michigan, showed that while there were slight decreases in the use of cocaine and methamphetamine among youth, marijuana and prescription drug abuse showed no signs of slowing down. In fact, marijuana use among adolescents increased gradually over the past two years after years of declining use; and past year rates of Vicodin and OxyContin abuse increased during the last 5 years among 10th graders and remained unchanged among 8th and 12th graders.
Several drugs showed signs of increasing with attitudes softening for drugs such as marijuana, ecstasy, inhalants and LSD. For example, the percentage of 8th graders who view occasional marijuana use as potentially harmful dropped to 44 percent, compared to 48 percent last year. In addition, the perception of “great risk” associated with marijuana use declined among 8th and 10th graders.
“The 2009 Monitoring the Future survey is a wake-up call to all of us. It shows that our teens still don’t understand the dangers of abusing prescription drugs, such as Vicodin and OxyContin; and they don’t realize the harm that marijuana use can cause,” said Mary Jo Davies, Program Manager, Operation Snowball, Inc. “Beliefs and attitudes about these drugs are going in the wrong direction. The decreases of perception of harm around marijuana and inhalants are especially concerning, as that often leads to an increase in use.
“Operation Snowball plays a critical role in addressing drug abuse in schools and communities throughout Illinois and the world and in implementing strategies to change attitudes and availability. But we need to increase our investment in substance abuse prevention in order to make a dent in these problems. More young people need to get the message that these drugs are harmful if we are to reverse these trends, but our chapters can’t do it alone. We need the help of everyone in the community.”
More information on the 2009 Monitoring the Future Survey is available at www.monitoringthefuture.org.
Operation Snowball is an alcohol and other drug use prevention program focusing on leadership development to empower youth to lead drug-free lives. Over 140 chapters provide opportunities for youth and adults to work together in a spirit of cooperation to plan, implement and evaluate a community-based alcohol and other drug prevention program. Snowball chapters act as change agents in their communities. They work on community campaigns such as Red Ribbon Week, and Alcohol Awareness Month. Chapters go beyond “just say no” to embrace a more complete and effective strategy to prevent harmful behavior and promote healthy communities. Learn more about Operation Snowball at www.os-iti.org.
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Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Governor Quinn, Operation Snowball Month, Red Ribbon, substance abuse prevention
Governor Pat Quinn Issues Proclamation to Boost Youth Group Efforts to Deter Youth Alcohol, Drug Abuse in October
Red Ribbon Week Salutes Federal Anti-Drug Agent Killed In Line of Duty
(Springfield, IL) September 24, 2009. As a means to boost awareness among Illinois youth around substance abuse prevention, Illinois Governor Pat Quinn has proclaimed October as Operation Snowball Month in Illinois.
Operation Snowball, partnered with the Illinois Alcoholism and Drug Dependence Association, has more than 130 chapters totaling 50,000 youth and encourages young people to stay drug-free by providing them with direct experience learning, according to Illinois chapter program manager, Mary Jo Peavy Davies.
“The program focuses on prevention messages that aim primarily at the high school students because at this age they understand the idea behind prevention,” said Davies.
“Group learning sessions present facts about drug and alcohol use and help students develop their own ideas before they are faced with situations in their future lives.”
Operation Snowball is expanding to include people of all ages into their program by creating “Snowflake” for junior high students, “Snowflurry” for elementary school pupils, and “Segue” for college students.
Operation Snowball chapters will celebrate Red Ribbon Week to promote healthy, drug-free lifestyles during the last week in October, Davies noted.
The first Red Ribbon celebration was organized in 1986 by parents and the red ribbon was adopted in honor of U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena who was kidnapped and killed while investigating drug traffickers in Mexico in 1985.
The campaign has reached millions of children and has been recognized by the U.S. Congress.
“Red Ribbon Week is a chance to be visible and vocal in our desire for a drug-free community,” said Operation Snowball, Inc. Board Chair, Patrick Ferrell. “Research shows that children are less likely to use alcohol and drugs when parents are clear and consistent in their opposition to substance use and abuse.”
For more information about Red Ribbon Week, visit http://www.bestofidea.com/rrw.php and visit http://www.preventionpartners.org/os to order Red Ribbon campaign materials.
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Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Governor Pat Quinn, IADDA, Illinois Alcoholism and Drug Dependence Association, Illinois budget, Illinois Budget — Tags: Don Moss, Illinois Department Human Services, Illinois Doomsday Budget, Illinois Human Services Coalition, Illinois poltics, Sara Moscato Howe
(Springfield, IL) – Governor Pat Quinn joined more than 5,000 human service supporters, clients, and workers at a rally at the state capitol in Springfield today to protest the looming 50% funding cuts to human service providers under the Illinois General Assembly’s “doomsday” budget that begins on July 1.
Under the “doomsday” budget, Quinn’s administration is warning 65,000 people will lose drug
Doomsday rally in the state capitol today. (Photo posted originally at Capitol Fax Blog) treatment, 175,000 will lose mental health care, 40,000 seniors will no longer have home healthcare aides, 9,000 foster parents will have their expense reimbursement halved, and more.
“This budget will destroy Illinois’ addiction healthcare system,” said Sara Moscato Howe, CEO of the Illinois Alcoholism and Drug Dependence Association. “Little will remain standing on July 1.”
The fiscal year 2010 state budget is facing a $9.2 billion deficit. Of that amount, $5 billion will cut from community human service providers.
The legislature cut $2.24 billion from the Illinois Department of Human Services, reducing, for example, Division of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse contracts to community services providers by 75%.
Lawmakers are in the state capitol this week mulling over possible options to avoid the human service budget cuts that Quinn has warned are coming without an income tax increase.
“It is absolutely essential that the legislature pass an income tax increase,” said Don Moss, Coordinator of the Illinois Human Services Coalition.
“For the sake of the private nonprofit human service delivery system throughout our state, the alternative, as they say, is too horrible to contemplate.”
The Illinois Human Services Coalition and SEIU joined IADDA as the rally’s co-hosts.
The legislature is in special session this week to grapple with the budget crisis.
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Doomsday budget, Howe, human services, IADDA, Quinn
(Chicago, IL) – More than 5,000 human service supporters, clients, and workers will rally at the state capitol in Springfield on Tuesday, June 23 to protest the looming 50% funding cuts to human service providers under the Illinois General Assembly’s “doomsday” budget that begins on July 1.
Governor Pat Quinn will address rally participants.
Under the Illinois “doomsday” budget, Quinn’s administration is warning substance abuse prevention and treatment services will witness the elimination of 65,000 people from care, according to Sara Moscato Howe, CEO of the Illinois Alcoholism and Drug Dependence Association (IADDA).
IADDA, the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), and the Illinois Human Services Coalition are the rally’s co-hosts.
The rally begins at 11:30 a.m. in the capitol rotunda.
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: IADDA, Illinois Alcoholism and Drug Dependence Association, Illinois politics, nickel a drink tax increase, Sara Feigenholtz, Sara Moscato Howe
(Springfield, IL) – Illinois’ leading addiction prevention, treatment and mental health advocates today unveiled legislation at a Springfield press conference that increases the state’s alcohol tax by nickel a drink to help fund state human services and reduce drinking.
State Rep. Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago)
The bill, HB 4557, sponsored by State Representative Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago), would raise $254 million for cash-strapped Illinois and boost addiction healthcare services by $140 million and mental health care services by $92 million and the remaining $22 million would be deposited in the state’s general revenue fund—its daily checkbook.
“A nickel-a-drink increase will raise $254 million to help offset the state budget deficit and provide critical investments to addiction healthcare services,” said Sara Moscato Howe, CEO of the Illinois Alcoholism and Drug Dependence Association (IADDA).
Watch news video report from WAND-TV Ch. 17 (NBC) of Springfield. WLS-TV Ch. 7 (ABC) of Chicago has a brief story. And WTVW-Fox 7 of Evansville, Indiana carries a piece. And from the Chicagoist.
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Community Behavioral Healthcare Association, community mental health, Dave Winters, Deborah Mell, Esther Golar, Frank Anselmo, Governor Pat Quinn, Greg Harris, Illinois alcohol tax increase, Illinois Alcoholism and Drug Dependence Association, Illinois politics, Kathy Ryg, Naomi Jakobbson, Sara Feigenholtz, Sara Moscato Howe
(Springfield, IL) – Illinois’ leading addiction prevention, treatment and mental health advocates today unveiled legislation at a Springfield press conference that increases the state’s alcohol tax by 5¢ a drink to help fund state human services and reduce drinking.
State Rep. Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago)
The bill, HB 4557, sponsored by State Representative Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago), would raise $254 million for cash-strapped Illinois and boost addiction healthcare services by $140 million and mental health care services by $92 million and the remaining $22 million would be deposited in the state’s general revenue fund—its daily checkbook.
“A nickel-a-drink increase will raise $254 million to help offset the state budget deficit and provide critical investments to addiction healthcare services,” said Sara Moscato Howe, CEO of the Illinois Alcoholism and Drug Dependence Association (IADDA).
Sara Moscato Howe, CEO, IADDA
“Without a financial rescue, without $92 million invested in community mental health care, more than 45,000 will lose mental health services by June 30, 2010 according to our new survey,” said Frank Anselmo, CEO of the Community Behavioral Healthcare Association.
“Illinois’ chronically under funded addiction and mental health care services need dedicated money from an alcohol tax to maintain care and taxpayers need to know their money is being wisely spent,” said Feigenholtz, Chair of the House Human Services Appropriations Committee and a state budget negotiator, who noted Governor Pat Quinn’s budget cuts the programs further.
“Instead of throwing these services a lifeline, Governor Quinn’s budget throws then an anchor,” said Feigenholtz.
State Rep. Dave Winters (R-Shirland)
The nickel-a-drink tax would be applied on wholesale alcohol by the gallon that is distributed as packaged beer, wine, or distilled spirits to stores or as beverages purchased at bars, restaurants, and hotels.
A “drink” is 12 oz of beer (bottle), 5 oz of wine (glass), and 1.5 oz of liquor (1.5 shots). Using this definition, a nickel-a-drink tax would add 30 cents per six-pack of beer, 25 cents per bottle of wine, and 85 cents per 750 ml bottle of liquor.
In addition to funding state addiction prevention, treatment and mental health services, the nickel-a-drink would reduce drinking consumption by five million gallons or 2 percent annually. The estimated drop in consumption would be up to 3.94% for beer and cider, 2.5% for wine, and 6.76% for spirits
State Rep. Naomi Jakobbson (D-Champaign)
“We will reduce the probability of accidents among adults and youth alike,” said Howe.
Howe noted alcohol abuse and drunk driving continue to exact a terrible, deadly toll on youth and children in communities throughout Illinois.
She pointed to the most recent media reports of drug and alcohol-related driving tragedies which reinforce the need for adequate addiction healthcare funding.
- February 5 Edwardsville, IL – “A wrong-way driver whose license was yanked several times for alcohol-related offenses caused the crash early today that killed two adults and a boy and left an 11-year-old girl hospitalized.
- February 17 Johnsburg, IL –“Police are investigating who provided alcohol to a 17-year-old Johnsburg High School student who froze to death after a minor car accident last month.
- February 18 Elgin, IL – “The blood-alcohol level of an Elgin teen who crashed into a house last fall, killing his passenger, was nearly three times the legal limit for driving, police said…
Howe also noted an Illinois Department of Human Services study revealed that in 2006 nearly 40 percent of Illinois 12th graders had ridden in a car with a drunk or high teenager in the last year and 30 percent had the same experience with a drunk or high adult.
Illinois last raised the alcohol tax in 1999 and before that in 1969.
State Rep. Greg Harris (D-Chicago)
Joining Feigenholtz as co-sponsors of the legislation are State Representatives: Dave Winters (R-Shirland) Deborah Mell (D-Chicago), Greg Harris (D-Chicago), Kathy Ryg (D-Vernon Hills), Esther Golar (D-Chicago), Naomi Jakobbson (D-Champaign).
Advocates are also looking to gain Governor Quinn’s support for the nickel-a-drink tax increase to reverse his initial budget cuts.
Lawmakers are expected to vote on the final state budget by their scheduled May 31 adjournment.
A simple majority of lawmakers is required to pass a budget if voted on or before May 31. If after May 31, a 3/5th super-majority would be needed to approve the annual state spending plan.
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: operaton snowball, sticker shock, underage drinking
Sticky Situation Kicks Off
Alcohol Awareness Month
Statewide “Sticker Shock Day” to Target Adults who Provide Alcohol to Youth
(Springfield, IL) – Operation Snowball members kicked off “Project Sticker Shock,” a youth-led initiative to change adult attitudes about selling and providing alcohol to minors at over 50 locations throughout Illinois on April 2, 2009. This public awareness campaign will take place in stores statewide this month. The project is sponsored by Operation Snowball, Inc. and the Don’t Be Sorry public education campaign to bring attention to the issue during Alcohol Awareness Month.
Local youth from individual Operation Snowball chapters are part of a movement of youth statewide working with participating stores to spread “Sticker Shock” waves across Illinois in an effort to reach adults who might be tempted to buy alcohol for youth under 21 who can’t buy it legally themselves. The florescent orange-and-black stickers and decals stand out on multi-packs of alcohol and glass refrigerator doors for all to see, and provide a strong reminder: Providing Alcohol to Minors is Illegal, Unhealthy & Unacceptable!
“This activity sends an important message we can all learn from,” says Mary Jo Peavy Davies, Operation Snowball’s program manager. “One of the unique aspects of this program is the fact that our teens are teaching the adults how to act responsibly.”
Parent Sharon Brown echoes this sentiment. “As a parent, it is comforting to know we have teens who can educate those parents who tolerate underage drinking in their home,” says Brown, the mother of a teenager. “Too often, parents condone their child’s alcohol use by saying ‘at least they weren’t doing illegal drugs,’ even though underage drinking is illegal.”
This attitude is all too common in today’s society, according to teen Sticker Shock Day participants. “One of the biggest problems I see is older people buying for younger people,” says Kaila Errett, a sophomore at Springfield Southeast High School. “This is one of the main reasons why I think Sticker Shock is such a great program!”
Adds fellow Southeast High student, junior Melissa Randolph: “Prevention is a powerful tool at our school. Anything that keeps teens away from alcohol, and stops people from buying for minors is a good idea.”
Youth leaders statewide and participating retail stores are working together to create a safer, healthier lifestyle by combating the problem of underage drinking. Alcohol has been identified as the number one drug of choice among Illinois youth, and according to local youth, one of the easiest substances to obtain. The Sticker Shock campaign hopes to cause adults to think twice before making it any easier for youth to access alcohol.
Materials for Sticker Shock Day were created through the ILCC’s public education arm—the Don’t Be Sorry program—which is partially funded through a grant from the Illinois Department of Transportation’s Division of Traffic Safety. For more information about this public awareness campaign and to order the FREE Project Sticker Shock materials, please visit www.DontBeSorry.org.
Project Sticker Shock is sponsored by Operation Snowball, Inc. and the Illinois Liquor Control Commission. Operation Snowball, Inc. is a program of the Illinois Alcoholism and Drug Dependence Association and is funded in part by the Illinois Department of Human Services Division of Community Health and Prevention.
Morris and Minooka High School Youth give the thumbs up for a Sticker Shock project well done on April 2, 2009 at U.S.A. Liquors in Channahon. Channahon Community Service Officer Dan McDonald (back) is shown, left to right, with Nicole Ellison and Victoria Regalato of Minooka High School, and Katie Yard, Doug Schluntz Ashleigh Lopez, and Jeremy Murphy of Morris High School.
