Substance Use Prevention Coalition Hosts
Virtual Meeting for September
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[September 16, 2024]
 The
Substance Use Prevention Coalition met virtually to share updates and to
learn the results of this summer’s environmental scan. Prevention
Coordinator Grace Irvin of Chestnut Health Systems led the online
meeting. Irvin oversees four different grants for substance use
prevention.
Prevention Updates
Prevention Specialist Dominic Valenti provided information about this
month’s prevention endeavors. Education initiatives will begin next week
at three Logan County schools. Prevention banners and postcards have
been mailed to schools. The Logan County Resource Directory is
continually updated and also in process of a facelift
Harm Reduction Updates
Free naloxone distribution continues at Family Custom Cleaners and the
Lincoln Department of Public Health in Lincoln and at the Mt. Pulaski
library.
Recovery Oriented Systems of Care. The ROSC-sponsored Recovery Walk on
September 7 at Scully Park was a success. Estimated attendance was 50
participants with presentations from three people with lived experience
of recovery.
August 31 was Overdose Awareness Day. There was a panel discussion from
three people about how naloxone saved their lives. A recording of this
enlightening discussion is available on the ROSC Facebook page.
The results of the Logan County Environmental Scan have been compiled.
SUP Coalition members visited businesses in Lincoln, Atlanta,
Middletown, and Mt. Pulaski. Establishments were surveyed about alcohol
sales and marketing.
The establishments were surveyed for pricing changes throughout the day,
specials such as Two-for-One deals, and with a number of other questions
regarding alcohol. Questions included: Is alcohol cheaper than water or
soda (particularly true at gas stations), the average price of both, and
was alcohol cheaper in larger sizes? What types of alcohol were being
sold? Were brand names sold that were popular to youth with eye-catching
posters or logos? Are caffeinated alcoholic beverages sold? Are alcohol
pops or ready-to-drink beverages sold?
A tally of the most frequently found brands was taken and advertised
drink specials, such as Happy Hour, were noted.
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About 50 percent of the surveyed businesses had
alcohol-related displays in non-alcohol areas. Most did not have
dedicated table displays for alcohol. All but one did not have staff
wearing alcohol-related logos or advertising. Of the businesses
surveyed, 60% kept alcohol next to water or soda in the cooler
section, 80% did not have alcohol by an entrance or exit, and 27%
had alcohol displayed next to candy.
As far as alcohol displays, 60% had alcohol displayed at the
check-out counter, 33% had alcohol displayed on end caps and some
had alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages featured in the same
display. Surveyors tallied the brands being sold and noted that 40%
of businesses sell alcoholic beverages next to water, fruit juices,
or snacks with cartoon or youth-oriented imagery.
Regarding advertising for alcohol,
33% had alcoholic advertising visible from outside the store, 60%
had window or door advertising for alcoholic beverage companies, all
of them domestic beers, and 80% had advertising or merchandise of
some kind. Of the surveyed businesses, 67% had a surgeon general’s
warning on display, 60% had signs indicating that they check
identification for alcohol sales, and 67% had signs warning about
alcohol consumption during pregnancy.
Prevention specialists are working on a data sheet to more easily
assess the collected data. Discussion about how to best utilize the
gathered information will take place at upcoming meetings.
Hope on Fifth is still hosting recovery meetings and veterans’
support groups and continues to develop partnerships and services.
The next SUPC meeting is October 10 at Lincoln Memorial Hospital,
and the next Community Health Collaborative meeting is December 4.
[Stephanie Hall]
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