Substance Use Prevention Coalition meets to discuss youth prevention
[August 14, 2026]
The Substance Use Prevention Coalition convened to discuss
prevention and educational opportunities related to the resumption of
school as well as future opportunities. The mission of the SUPC is to
promote awareness of substance use disorder, prevent youth substance
use, and improve access to resources.
Prevention specialists and Coach Dawson attended Lincoln Community High
School freshman orientation on August 4 to hand out information packets.
LMH Community Coordinator Molly McCain got approximately 100 new
subscriptions for the Railer Reach-Out text campaign at freshman
orientation. Prevention specialists and Coach Dawson also attended Mt.
Pulaski elementary school and LJHS orientation to distribute packets.
The contents of the packets contained information regarding cannabis,
vaping, and tobacco, as well a page of resources for parents from
Stanford Medicine.
Prevention specialists are working on a distribution plan of free
trainings, education and webinars particularly geared toward teachers,
such as Youth Mental Health First Aid. They have compiled lists and
handouts with brief descriptions of these free resources and are now
editing and formatting prior to distribution.
Specialists are pursuing use of a Hidden Threats trailer and a Hidden in
Plain Sight trailer. Members discussed potential sites or events to
supply trailers such as state track meets and fall festivals. Logan
County Fair did not return messages about a prevention table until
Thursday night of the fair, so that did not work out for this year.
Tall Cop has been booked for a community presentation at LCHS on July
30, 2027. Funding and CE credit is still being organized. The Logan
County Department of Public Health has provided the down payment to
secure the date. Plans are to provide lunch, so attendees do not have to
leave campus.
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Mascots were revealed for the new text campaigns in Logan County high
schools, Hartem Heard and Topper Talk. Both have 25 or 26 students
already subscribed. Youth Mental Health First Aid for teachers is
scheduled for Hartsburg-Emden High School and hopes for a presentation
at Mt. Pulaski High School.
Hope on 5th has served about 60 people since beginning operation. They
are getting staff certified for CPR. Staff are already certified food
handlers. Staff have been communicating with the Salvation Army to set
up a community meal.
The Show Bus is starting to run at 8 a.m., an earlier time, as of
Monday, August 10.
Prevention education curriculum will be presented at six schools this
year including Havana, LJHS, Illini Central, and with hopes to add Mt.
Pulaski elementary, as well. Communication campaigns beginning with
banners and posters for schools are being completed. Logan County
results of the Illinois Youth Survey will be available in September.
The next SUPC meeting will be at Lincoln Memorial Hospital and via Zoom
on September 10 from 9 to 10 a.m. The next LMH Community Health
Collaborative meeting will be at Lincoln Memorial Hospital on September
3 from 8:30 to 10 a.m.
[Stephanie Hall]
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