Local Prevention Efforts Continue to Prevail Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

(New Philadelphia, Ohio) – While outreach efforts have changed, the Tuscarawas County Anti-Drug Coalition remains committed to continuing work locally to promote youth substance use prevention.

“As 2020 took the world by storm the ADC, like agencies across the country, was challenged to develop innovative ways to continue to connect with the communities we serve,” explained Coalition Coordinator Jodi Salvo. “Through the dedication of our coalition members and community partners, prevention efforts locally prevailed despite those challenges.”

In 2020, ADC implemented several new outreach initiatives including mailing nearly 200 drug deactivation bags to residents and disseminating roughly 600 through community partnerships, partnering with local media to publish the COVID Connections series, and the startup of weekly video podcasts.  The Youth Led Prevention Snail Mail Project was launched in an effort to keep youth engaged and connected amid school closures and stay at home orders.

Project Hope was launched in 2020. The collaborative community initiative featured participation from nine communities in Tuscarawas County where leaders displayed silhouettes representing local overdose deaths, overdoses, and families offering hope. The ADC also participated in the first ever virtual Tuscarawas County Fair.

Traditional programs and initiatives continued last year as well such as Hope Sunday, participation in nationally recognized awareness campaigns such as Talk They Hear You, supporting Drug Take Back Day, and securing funding for RX prevention efforts and Stigma reduction. 

ADC leaders maintained an advocacy presence where Jodi Salvo presented at the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America conference. She and other committee leaders also testified on House Bill 669 and House Bill 674 regarding alcohol expansions where they achieved victories on some legislative amendments. The coalition also published a position paper regarding youth marijuana use. 

ADC Secretary, Connie Limbacher was also recognized by the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Association of Ohio where she received the Community Champion Award for going above and beyond expectations to advance prevention within her community. 

For more information on local prevention efforts and resources visit adctusc.org.