Prevention Council

Providing Substance Abuse Education, Information and Referral Services

Oct. 16 forum to raise awareness about heroin addiction

October 13, 2014

Story by: Jennie Grey

Featured in: Saratogian

Link to article can be found here: http://www.saratogian.com/general-news/20141013/oct-16-forum-to-raise-awareness-about-heroin-addiction

SARATOGA SPRINGS >> In response to the growing problem of heroin use by local teens and adults, the Prevention Council of Saratoga County is offering a community forum about heroin addiction in partnership with Saratoga Springs Public Library and Recovery Advocacy in Saratoga, a recently formed community organization.

The forum will take place from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 16, in the H. Dutcher Community Room at Saratoga Springs Public Library at 49 Henry St.

The forum will assemble a panel of people from Saratoga, including individuals in addiction recovery, law enforcement, physicians, prevention professionals and concerned families, to raise awareness of the rise in heroin use in the community.

Prevention Council Media and Marketing Specialist LeeAnn Mandrillo explained that heroin is a multifaceted problem.

“Heroin is like a hydra, the mythological beast with the many heads,” she said. “You cut one head off, and two grow back. The toll it takes is frightening.”

According to New York’s Combat Heroin campaign, heroin and opioid abuse have become a serious problem in communities across New York state and the nation. In 2013, there were 89,269 admissions for heroin and prescription opioid abuse treatment in New York state alone, an increase from 63,793 in 2004.

During this same time period, New Yorkers ages 18 to 24 had the largest increase in such admissions. Nationally, nearly a half-million people were reportedly abusing heroin or suffering from heroin dependence in 2012.

In December 2013, 17-year-old Daniel Lewis of Clifton Park was charged with injecting a 15-year-old with heroin at Shenendehowa High School. The incident was the first reported case of heroin use in any Saratoga County school district.

“Heroin is a growing problem that knows no demographic and does not discriminate,” Prevention Council Executive Director Janine Stuchin said. “We know it is related to the abuse of prescription opioid pain medication, where users are switching to heroin because it is cheaper and often more available. We also know the best solutions for prevention in our community are developed from the grass roots up.”

Mandrillo said one key solution to the problem was education. She encouraged people to become knowledgeable about the signs of heroin use and to communicate to others, especially adolescents, the dangers of addiction.

“We should lock our medicine cabinets and dispose of unwanted medications on Drug Take Back Day,” she said. “Parents should speak with their children about alcohol and drug use as early as middle school. Those conversations are really important. We need to talk with rather than at our kids.”

The panel will discuss the heroin crisis, including information about addiction as a disease that requires medical intervention, long-term recovery, the scope of the problem in Saratoga County, available local resources and what the community can do to reduce and prevent substance abuse.

“Tools like this forum open up critical conversations,” Mandrillo said. “We may feel sheltered here upstate, thinking we don’t have the drug issues of the large metropolitan areas — and these programs help us really educate ourselves. We can change public health by how we talk to one another.”

More information about the Combat Heroin campaign can be found at combatheroin.ny.gov/prevention.

 

National Prescription Drug Take Back

FOR RELEASE: SEPTEMBER 27 NATIONAL TAKE-BACK DAY. THE PREVENTION COUNCIL ALONG WITH LOCAL, STATE AND FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT TO “TAKE BACK” UNWANTED PRESCRIPTION DRUGS ACROSS SARATOGA COUNTY

On Saturday, September 27th from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, several locations in Saratoga County will be taking back unwanted prescription drugs. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet.

Participants may dispose of solid, non-liquid medication(s) by removing the medication from its container and disposing of it directly into a disposal box. This includes prescription and non- prescription, over-the-counter medications. Blister packages are acceptable without the medications being removed. Prescription cough syrups will be accepted, however, the liquids must be in their original packaging. It is important to note that needles, sharps, syringes with needles, aerosols, or pressurized containers, thermometers, bloody or infectious waste or hydrogen peroxide will not be accepted.

 

Saratoga Based Take-Back Locations:

 


Ballston Spa Police Department                                       NY State Police

30 Bath Street                                                                       Clifton Park Public Safety Building

Ballston Spa, NY 12020                                                       5 Municipal Plaza, State Route 146

                                                                                                 Clifton Park, NY 12065

 

Malta – Stillwater EMS                                                         Clifton Park-Halfmoon Emergency Corps.

2449 State Route 9                                                             15 Crossing Boulevard

Ballston Spa, 12020                                                            Clifton Park, NY 12065

 

CVS Parking Lot                                                                   Saratoga Hospital

12 South Central Avenue                                                   211 Church St.

Mechanicville, NY 12118                                                   Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

                                           Saratoga Springs Police Dept.

                                           Behind City Hall—Maple Ave.

                                           Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

 

 

 

Sponsored by The Prevention Council, Ballston Spa Police Department, Mechanicville Police Department, Saratoga County District Attorney’s Office, Saratoga County Sheriff’s Department and Saratoga Springs Police Department.

 

The Anonymous People – Screening in the Greater Capital Region

FOR RELEASE: “THE ANONYMOUS PEOPLE” GROUNDBREAKING FILM IS BACK FOR A SECOND SCREENING IN THE GREATER CAPITAL REGION ADDRESSES ADDICTION & RISE OF BOLD NEW SOCIAL JUSTICE MOVEMENT IN RECOVERY COMMUNITY.

Film Premiere Followed by Special Q&A with Greg William (Albany and Saratoga), Producer and Director about America’s Addiction Epidemic – Public Health Crisis Directly Impacting over 46 Million Americans, Costing Over $350 Billion Annually.

 

Saratoga, N.Y.—September 12, 2014:  The award-winning film about America’s addiction epidemic is being screened again in the capital region, exploring the rise of a controversial new movement following in the footsteps of the HIV/AIDS and breast cancer survivor movements. “The Anonymous People,” by takes an unparalleled look at the public health crisis of addiction to alcohol and other drugs and the meteoric rise of the New Addiction Recovery Advocacy Movement.  The Anonymous People features prominent people who are living publicly in long-term recovery, like former NBA star Chris Herren, award-winning actress Kristen Johnston (3rd Rock From the Sun, The Exes), Miss USA 2006 Tara Conner, best-selling author William Cope Moyers, former congressmen Patrick Kennedy and Jim Ramstad – and many others. Their brave testimonies dispel long-standing clichés about addiction and recovery.

September is National Recovery Month- In recognition three screenings are being offered for FREE on: September 17th:

 

  • Saratoga Springs: Dee Sarno Theater at the Saratoga Arts Council, 320 Broadway at 7:00pm
  • Albany: Empire State Plaza, Meeting Room 6 Madison Ave at 5:00 pm.
  • Glens Falls: Crandall Library, 251 Glen Street at 6:00pm

 

“Prevention efforts are successful when communities come together and support each other. These screenings of Anonymous Voices is an example of how the greater capital district is working as one to bring awareness and change in New York’s recovery effort,” said Janine Stuchin, Executive Director of The Alcohol and Substance Abuse Prevention Council.

About “The Anonymous People”

“The Anonymous People” is an independent film written and produced by Greg Williams, owner of 4th Dimension Productions. The film is a documentary about the 23.5 million Americans living in long-term recovery from addiction to alcohol and other drugs. Although social stigma and discrimination have kept recovery voices silent in the past, “The Anonymous People” breaks this silence as leaders, volunteers, corporate executives, and celebrities share their courageous stories of addiction and long-term recovery. To view “The Anonymous People” film trailer, visit: manyfaces1voice.org/#the-film. Portions of the trailer may be used for news broadcast with prior approval. To learn more, please visit: http://manyfaces1voice.org/#top

July 15 is a special day for Ballston Spa resident Sean Kelleher

By Lauren Mineau for The Saratogian>>

July 15 is a special day for Ballston Spa resident Sean Kelleher. He’ll be three years sober and attending a film screening at Bow Tie Cinemas that he brought to life.

“The Anonymous People,” a film on the reality of addiction is being brought to the Spa City at 7 tonight through a combination of crowd-sourcing, The Alcohol and Substance Abuse Prevention Council of Saratoga County and Kelleher’s efforts. He saw the film and said it opened his eyes to the world of advocacy and he thought he’d give it a try.

“This is a way for me to give back. This film approaches recovery in a new way. A lot of people see the fun, dramatic and ridiculous side of addiction, that’s not the reality,” he said.

The film features interviews with some of the 23.5 million Americans facing long-term recovery from drug and alcohol addiction and appearances from actress Kristen Johnston, former NBA star Chris Herren, Miss USA 2006 Tara Conner and former Congressman Patrick Kennedy, who are all in recovery themselves.

Kelleher never expected the film to gain so much momentum, but the screening sold out within six weeks. In fact, Bow Tie Cinemas upgraded the screening to a larger theater as of Monday afternoon to accommodate the crowd.

“When I set up the page, I thought ,‘This will never happen.’ I never expected to be watching ticket sales go up every day,” he said, “I’m really excited about the way this turned out. Addiction is here and it affects everyone in one way or another.”

He immediately felt connection to the film when he learned the director shared the same connection with July 15 — director and film producer Greg Williams also marks each year of his sobriety that day.

“I kind of thought it was meant to be,” Kelleher said.

Janine Stuchin, executive director at The Prevention Council, said this screening is part of a dialogue they hope to start in Saratoga Springs.

“Addiction is a chronic illness, and those suffering are the same as HIV or breast cancer survivors, we need to get around the shame of addiction and spark some discussion,” she said.

The film features interviews with those struggling with addiction and questions the stigma surrounding it, especially in American society. The film’s stay in Saratoga was brought together by Gathr, a service that works by giving people the chance to unite and rally for a certain film to be brought to their town. Once a certain amount of tickets are reserved, Gathr works to bring the screening to life, as requested.

“This film is not your tired old addiction story often seen on reality television or in the news,” Williams said in a press release. “There are no needles hanging out of people’s arms, pictures of the brain, or fried eggs in a pan. We set out to find the answer to one very fundamental question: Why don’t we treat addiction in this country like any other health issue?”

On July 22, the group will host a follow-up discussion at 7 p.m. at the Saratoga County Arts Council.

“A lot of people have a hard time asking for help, and I’d like to do my part to change that,” Kelleher said.

Prevention Council receives grant from NY Center for Problem Gambling

The marketing is prominent.

And so are the gambling options.

You can’t go far around here without coming across a chance to wager some money.

All the options tend to force the hand of parents to talk about gambling with their children.

Nick Parslow of Saratoga Springs, says honesty has been the best approach with his 15-year-old twins, Noah and Miles.

“We’ve been very upfront with them that there is a lot of interest and excitement around it but it can be a risky behavior,” said Parslow about what he tells his children.

He says his kids are smart and won’t buy into the “just say no” mentality when they see how the community thrives, in part because of gambling.

“It’s very hard to tell them all these things are bad when they look around at what a wonderful town we have based on some of those things,” Parslow said.

And soon there could be more gaming options in Saratoga Springs. The Casino and Raceway hopes to be the winning bidder for full-table games.

Here or elsewhere in the region, now’s a good time to step up prevention.

“It certainly makes it that much more important that we’re out there with the message and raising awareness among parents of the risks of you gambling,” said Robin Lyle of The Prevention Council. “Regardless of where gambling expands in the state there’s going to have to be heightened prevention efforts.”

The Prevention Council plans an outreach to 90,000 parents, beginning next month. They hope parents will share the message with children that gambling now can lead to gambling addicts later. Something Nick Parlsow’s boys already know.

“Try to be realistic with them and kind of show them real examples.”

The Prevention Council plans meetings and presentations to parent groups, and a web site that will launch next month.

Janine Stuchin named Prevention Council’s permanent executive director

The Saratogian
By Jennie Grey

SARATOGA SPRINGS – The Alcohol and Substance Abuse Prevention Council of Saratoga County announced Dec. 4 the unanimous appointment of Janine Stuchin of Saratoga Springs as permanent executive director after an extensive community-wide search.

Stuchin had served as interim director of the council for the past six months since former executive director Heather Kisselback resigned.

The Prevention Council is a nonprofit, community-based organization that provides education, information and referral services on alcohol, tobacco, other drugs and violence prevention to individuals and local communities.

“The board of directors has confirmed the recommendation of the search committee and appointed Janine Stuchin as executive director of the Prevention Council of Saratoga County,” board of directors President Richard Ferguson said. “Janine has guided the organization admirably on an interim basis and rose to the top through the long, involved selection and interview process. We are excited to have someone as the executive director who has dedicated her life to prevention, and we wish her all success.”

Stuchin has been a practicing health educator for more than 20 years and has a Master of Science degree in health education from Penn State University. Prior to her selection as executive director, she served as coalition manager with the Prevention Council for 14 years under a program funded by the New York State Department of Health Bureau of Tobacco Control. She has been a certified health education specialist since 1990. Previously, Stuchin was a campus health educator at Skidmore College and Penn State University.

“I am thankful for the trust and unanimous vote of confidence the board of trustees has placed in me to rise up and meet today’s challenges on behalf of the Prevention Council,” Stuchin said. “Looking ahead to 2014, I am excited by the opportunities for this agency to not only maintain its positive growth but continue the important work reducing the impact of substance abuse, alcohol abuse, violence and other destructive behavior among our young people and within the community where we live.”

Former executive director Kisselback first offered to resign after being arrested in March for driving while intoxicated. The board chose then to keep her on, place her on a six-month probation and instruct her to get counseling. However, when Kisselback again tendered her resignation in mid-June, the board’s executive committee accepted it.

“Ms. Kisselback felt it would be in the best interest of the council for her to step down, and we agreed,” Vice President Molly Scala said.

Prevention Council committee continues search for executive director

The Saratogian>>

SARATOGA SPRINGS — A search committee has been formed and has begun looking at candidates for a new executive director of The Prevention Council of Saratoga County.

Early in July, The Prevention Council appointed Janine Stuchin as its interim executive director while it searches for a permanent replacement for Heather Kisselback, who resigned last month after details of her driving while intoxicated arrest came to light.

The Executive Committee of the Board of Directors appointed the committee.

“At The Prevention Council, we know that the most effective prevention involves the entire community. By incorporating parents, school, government and community leaders into our selection process, we continue in our task of bringing the community together to ensure that we make our choice for executive director the right choice for the families of Saratoga County,” Search Committee co-chairman Michael Harman said.

The executive director of The Prevention Council is responsible for the continuing development of the council’s mission and ensuring it is carried out professionally and compassionately through comprehensive programming that prevents risky and problem behaviors in children and teens. They are also expected to represent the agency publicly and within the office environment as a leader in prevention health.

“To that end, we are looking for leaders in our community who have experience in prevention or related fields to apply for the position … ,” Harman said.

Qualified individuals interested in applying have until close of business Sept. 15 to submit a résumé and letter of intent to Executive Director Search Committee co-chairman Michael Harman at michaelmharman@yahoo.com.

To view the executive director job description and requirements, go to www.preventioncouncil.org/about/careers.

The Executive Director Search Committee includes:

Community members:

• Brian Farr, First Step Consultation

• Suzanne Hackert, LCSW-RHudson Headwaters Health Network

• John Kelly, coordinator of the Saratoga Office of the Center for Missing and Exploited Children, retired from the Saratoga Springs Police Department

• James Murphy III, Saratoga County District Attorney

Prevention Council staff members:

• Matthew Andrus, media and communications coordinator at Southern Adirondack Tobacco-Free Coalition, a program of The Prevention Council

• Dawn Howk, Homeless Education Services

• Jenn Wood, coordinator, Shenendehowa Community Coalition

Prevention Council board members:

• Michael M. Harman, Prevention Council treasurer, certified public accountant at Marvin and Co.

• Chris Scanlan, Prevention Council board member, principal at Waterford Junior-Senior High School Public Relations

• Richard Ferguson, Prevention Council board president, senior vice-president and corporate Secretary at Saratoga National Bank

• Molly McBride-Scala, Prevention Council board president-elect, administrative law judge for the DEC

Prevention Council of Saratoga County names interim executive director

The Saratogian>>

janine stuchin hed shot

The Prevention Council has appointed Janine Stuchin as its interim executive director while it searches for a permanent replacement for Heather Kisselback, who resigned last month after details of her driving while intoxicated arrest came to light.

Stuchin’s appointment by the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors was effective Monday.

Financial Manager David Garmley had been serving as the Prevention Council’s temporary head administrator since Kisselback resigned.

According to a press release from the Prevention Council, Stuchin is a longtime resident of Saratoga Springs, has a Master of Science degree in health education from Penn State University and has been a practicing health educator for more than 20 years. She served for 14 years as coalition manager with the Prevention Council for the state Department of Health’s Tobacco Control Program.

A certified health education specialist since 1990, Stuchin has worked as a campus health educator at Skidmore College and Penn State University. According to the press release, she is an expert at relating health prevention and tobacco control information in language suitable for a broad audience.

“Janine has a longstanding personal and professional commitment to the health and well-being of our community,” Board President Richard Ferguson said, adding that Stuchin’s appointment was vetted and approved by the state Office of Alcoholism & Substance Abuse Services.”

“I’m proud of the work the Prevention Council staff does every day to transform the lives of children and families for the better,” Stuchin said in the Prevention Council’s release. “There is no one in this community who has not been affected by our work in one way or another. Through collaboration with many agencies, we have been and always will be a resource for reducing the impact of substance abuse, alcohol abuse, violence and other destructive behaviors on young people and the communities where we live.”

A search for a permanent executive director is in its initial stages. Kisselback resigned in mid-June, months after her arrest and only after it became public in news reports. She informed the board of her arrest immediately after it happened in early spring and offered her resignation then, but the board allowed her to stay on provided she receive counseling.

Board Treasurer Michael Harman is heading up the search for a new executive director. Interested candidates should send a resumé and a letter of intent to Michael Harman at michaelmharman@yahoo.com.

Harman said he and the board also are seeking input from the public on the type of candidate that should fill the position.

The 31-year-old Prevention Council is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to prevent the abuse of drugs and alcohol. The group administers a variety of programs, many that focus on youth and emphasize good decision-making.

PHOTOS, VIDEO of Prevention Council’s 2nd annual Tuff eNuff 5K Challenge

The Saratogian (Photo credits:  Ed Burke)

Prevention Council supporters trudged through mud pits, hopped through tires and climbed dirt hills Saturday morning during the second annual Tuff eNuff 5K challenge held on the BOCES campus in Saratoga Springs. TUFF eNUFF is a mud-filled course with obstacles for participants to crawl under, hurdle over, wade through, and work together toward success!

View Photos and Videos at The Saratogian

Jeff Yalden Speaks at 31st Safe Spring Student Leadership Conference

By Chelsea DiSchiano for Saratoga Today>>

Jeff Yalden at Safe Spring
(Photo by Mark Bolles/Saratoga Today)

The Palamountain Hall at the Skidmore campus was filled with over 200 high school students from all around Saratoga County on March 12 as they excitedly anticipated a lecture by life coach Jeff Yalden, famous for his appearances as a life coach on MTV’s popular reality program, “MADE.”

Yalden made the appearance for the 31st Annual Safe Spring Student Leadership Conference put on by The Prevention Council of Saratoga County in its effort to encourage students to be sober while celebrating upcoming spring activities, such as the prom and graduation.

Students from 12 school districts in Saratoga County brought in their own “Pride Boards”—decorative poster boards with ideas on how to promote positive prevention methods in their schools—which were then displayed throughout Palamountain Hall for all to see and discuss. The conference started off with a screening of anti-bullying videos created by WSWHE-BOCES students for their “Be an Ally” campaign before the lecture by Jeff Yalden began.

A variety of topics were covered during his almost two-hour long lecture, making the students cheer and clap with loud laughter at certain parts, but wiping away tears at others as he spoke of some of his more morose life experiences and lessons learned.

Yalden gave several personal anecdotes to reveal many of the life lessons he has learned, from growing up in an abusive household and dealing with his grandfather’s death, to his current issues with anxiety and depression.

The lecture had various themes and advice throughout, such as to seek approval only from yourself instead of from others; never change your character for other people and remain true to yourself; making sure to have a positive attitude no matter what and to live life like no one else is watching.

He also spoke frequently about his dog Chase, who passed away two years ago. Many students in the crowd were spotted wiping tears from their eyes as Yalden described his little best friend and how Yalden had taken him for granted his whole life.

“If I stuck one of my daughters and my dog in the trunk of my car for 30 days and then came back to let them out, my dog would be the only one happy to see me,” Yalden said to laughing teenagers. “I took him for granted all 12 years of his life.”

He used his experiences with Chase to compare the way his dog lived to the way humans should live—by accepting others for who they are and never judging anyone.

The final message Yalden emphasized to students was to avoid disappointment by lowering any unrealistic expectations they might have.

“Don’t focus on your expectations,” Yalden said. “Focus on the objective—the present moment—which gives you control. If you do that, you won’t face disappointment.”

“You need to ask yourself three things every day,” Yalden said. “Is my life meaningful? Is it fulfilling? Is it rewarding? If the answer to any of those questions is no, then your purpose isn’t great enough.”

The Wilton Barnes & Noble location will host a bookfair from Saturday, March 16 to Thursday, March 21 to benefit The Prevention Council. The Prevention Council will be in attendance for arts and crafts, face-painting and story time. A percentage of any books purchased at the book fair with a voucher will be donated to the Council.

To learn more about The Prevention Council or for more details on the Bookfair, visit www.preventioncouncil.org.