Difference 180, an Onslow County based outreach group, held their 2nd annual 5k race for Drug Awareness on Saturday, April 14, 2018 at Jacksonville Commons Park. Over 150 people registered to participate in the event, organized by Jimmy Platingos, founder of Difference 180. Kelli Knapp, CCSAP Board Chair, and Jeff Sieber, Onslow County Task Force Co-Chair were on hand to help award medals to the race winners.
CCSAP partnered with Community Prevention Services Inc in Onslow County to help with their annual Red Ribbon Banner Contest judging with Onslow County Schools. This annual event, which occurs every October 23-31, helps local school children learn about Red Ribbon Week and it’s importance in relation to staying drug free. Local students in grades K-12 design banners with an anti-drug message. The banners are then displayed in their schools during red ribbon week for all students to see. Community Prevention Services uses local individuals and CCSAP members to assist with the judging of the entries, which takes place over a two day period. The winners then receive trophies at the December Board of Education meeting and the trophy presentation is broadcast on the local G-10 television channel. This is a very popular event in the Onslow County area and the local students take great pride in submitting their work. The winning categories include Best Overall, Most Creative, Most Original and there is even a category for Most Red Ribbon School Spirited, which recognizes the school that demonstrates the most Red Ribbon Campaign awareness through events held at their school. Kelli Knapp, CCSAP Board Chair, recognizes the significance of the event and stated she would like to see other counties adopt this contest. “It is a great way to get our youth involved in substance abuse prevention, by letting them participate in something fun, but with a positive message”, stated Knapp.
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CCSAP staff, board members and task force members attended a presentation and panel discussion on substance abuse, suicide awareness and mental health recently at Pamlico County High School. The program was called Start the Conversation: Crisis in our Community. Nicole Cox, a certified youth mental health trainer, spoke about her brother’s suicide and her family’s struggles with mental health. Henry Rice with Pamlico County Schools was the panel moderator, and the panel included Pamlico County Sheriff Chris Davis, Nicole Cox, parent Roxanne Watts and Chris Meadows, principal of Pamlico County High School. Adam Caldwell from the office of U.S. Senator Thom Tillis attended the event.
CCSAP staff was honored to participate in the Rethink that Drink event on base. It was a privilege to speak with these young adults.
CCSAP staff and Jeff Sieber from the Onslow County Task Force spent the day at Richlands High School asking students to sign the I PROMise pledge. Students from the SADD club (Students Against Destructive Decisions) volunteered to gather kids around our table to talk about the important decisions they will be making this weekend. CCSAP also took the message to West Craven High School this week. Have a SAFE, fun weekend!