The fourth community coalition meeting of the year is set for November 4th at The Wood County Educational Service Center, Bowling Green, OH 43402. Our featured speaker will be Ellen Augspurger, Director of the Ohio SBIRT Project.

This session provides an overview of the evidence-based Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT). Participants will be able to describe the public health approach to substance use services and distinguish between models historically used in substance use services. Participants will be able to describe substance use as a public health problem problem, outline education, screening, and identification steps associated with public health practices. Participants will also receive continuing education hour for attending.

We would like to thank Biggby Coffee BG for generously donating coffee during our next coalition meeting! Also, broadcasting live from the Wood County Educational Service Center, The Morning Show with Clint Corpe 88.1 FM WBGU, so be sure to listen on your radio dial or stream from Tune-In Radio or other similar streaming apps.

To view or print this agenda pictured above, please open this newsletter in a browser or email mkarna@wcesc.org for a pdf copy.

For expedited sign-in, RSVP by November 3rd on the meeting reminder below, if you haven't already done soon.

For questions about the meeting please contact Milan Karna at (419) 354-9010 ext 174 or email mkarna@wcesc.org. To learn more about the Wood County Prevention Coalition please visit: wcprevention.org

On October 26th and 27th, as a part of the week long Red Ribbon festivities, approximately 1800 students witnessed youth motivational and prevention speaker, Cara Filler, deliver The Drive to Save Lives Tour in Wood County. The Wood County Prevention Coalition in partnership with the Wood County Educational Service Center and Safe Communities of Wood County, were able to bring Filler to four school assemblies in North Baltimore, Penta Career Center, Rossford, and Eastwood and one community night at Bowling Green High School.

"She made it entirely about the kids and how to help our kids make good decisions while using humor and real life examples," Said Sandy Wiechman, Coordinator, at Safe Communities of Wood County Coordinator. "Cara was an absolutely dynamic speaker!"

"In my 40 years of education, I may not have seen another assembly that was as captivating and empowering as the one that was delivered by Cara Filler," said Prevention Education Director, Kyle Clark, at the Wood County Educational Service Center. "For those who were able to see the presentation, I hope the message given is one that resonates each time our youth are confronted in a difficult situation."

To read the Wednesday night recap written in the Sentinel-Tribune click here: Making The Right Choice Saves Lives

To view several of the assembly photos on Instagram, click here: WCPCOhio

By Marvin Harris 10/29/16

(RNN) - More than four times as many people drink and drive the Saturday before Halloween as compared to a typical weekend day, figures show.

On the holiday, nearly 19 percent more drivers commit drinking violations compared to an average Monday.

That information was gathered from 500,000 drinking under the influence offenders by Denver-based Alcohol Monitoring Systems. Around the clock, the high-risk, repeat drunk-driving defenders wore ankle bracelets that provided data every 30 minutes.

"The people we monitor have been court-ordered not to drink, know they'll get caught and know there will be consequences, including jail time," Kathleeen Brown, an AMS spokesperson, said in a news release. "So you can imagine the rate of drinking for those who aren't being monitored."

On Halloween night in 2015, 55 of the 106 people who died nationwide were involved in a crash with a drunk driver, compared to one-third on an average day, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The federal agency said that more than one-quarter of the people who died in crashes on Halloween were pedestrians. On an average day, that number is 15 percent.

"Parents and caregivers should also review basic safety precautions with their kids, including taking it slow and looking both ways before crossing the street," the NHTSA said. "Crossing at the street corner and decorating costumes with reflective tape, having kids carry glow sticks or flashlights are good tips to ensure kids are seen by motorists too."