Oak Ridge Today

ASAP recognizes those who help prevent substance abuse

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ASAP of Anderson has recognized people who have supported the mission to prevent and reduce substance use among youth and adults in Anderson County.

In December, Anna Hurt of Anderson County Schools, Matt Reedy of City of Oak Ridge, Teresa Seals of Oak Ridge High School, Lisa Steffensen of Roane State Community College, and the City of Rocky Top staff were recognized at a special Community Coalition meeting, a press release said.

“The COVID-19 pandemic brought a special set of challenges, and these amazing community partners continued to go above and beyond to support the work of ASAP during overwhelming times,” the press release said. “The staff at ASAP extends a sincere thank you to their 2021 Partners in Prevention and looks forward to advancing community efforts to prevent substance misuse in 2022.”

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ASAP, which works to prevent substance abuse, moves into new office

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ASAP of Anderson, a nonprofit organization that works to prevent substance abuse in Anderson County, has moved into a new office in Clinton that was provided by county school officials. ASAP dedicated the new space with a ribbon-cutting and open house on Oct. 24, 2019. (Photo courtesy ASAP of Anderson)

ASAP of Anderson, a nonprofit organization that works to prevent substance abuse in Anderson County, has moved into a new office in Clinton that was provided by county school officials.

ASAP dedicated the new space with a ribbon-cutting and open house on October 24.

ASAP, which celebrated 10 years of prevention last year, started out in a small space at the Child Advocacy Center of Anderson County, but its operations quickly grew. The organization next occupied space within District Attorney General Dave Clark’s office in Clinton, and the ASAP staff eventually landed, in 2011, on the fourth floor of the Robert Jolley Building on Main Street in Clinton. That space was provided by the Anderson County schools director at the time, Larry Foster.

In August, ASAP moved into a building not far from their original offices. The big difference? A space all their own, a press release said. A space where they can host their own coalition meetings, community trainings such as responsible alcohol sales classes and opioid overdose trainings, and host meetings for other community agencies.

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Y-12 employees support East Tennessee through grants program

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Consolidated Nuclear Security LLC presented grants totaling $125,000 to 22 nonprofits in eight East Tennessee counties on Thursday evening, Nov. 15, 2018, at New Hope Center. The focus areas for the grants this year were historical and cultural preservation and mental health and substance abuse. (Photo courtesy CNS Y-12)

Consolidated Nuclear Security LLC presented grants totaling $125,000 to 22 nonprofits in eight East Tennessee counties on Thursday evening, Nov. 15, 2018, at New Hope Center. The focus areas for the grants this year were historical and cultural preservation and mental health and substance abuse. (Photo courtesy CNS Y-12)

 

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Grants totaling $125,000 focus on mental health and substance abuse, and on historic and cultural preservation

There is no better time to lend a helping hand than now as the holidays approach.

Local residents needing help with mental health and substance abuse and organizations focused on historic and cultural preservation will soon get more assistance thanks to the employees of Consolidated Nuclear Security LLC.

CNS manages and operates the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Y-12 has three missions: maintaining the U.S nuclear deterrent, reducing global nuclear threats, and fueling the nuclear U.S. Navy. [Read more…]

Community listening event in Rocky Top to focus on painkillers, substance abuse, addiction

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Terry-Frank-Aug-15-2016

Terry Frank

A community listening event in Rocky Top in April will focus on painkillers, substance abuse, addiction, and overdoses.

The listening event will be at the Rocky Top Community Center on Monday, April 3, from 6-7:15 p.m. It will be hosted by Anderson County Mayor Terry Frank and concerned citizen Patricia Adkins, a press release said.

“The open invitation event will focus on receiving community comments about opiate abuse, addiction issues, and/or treatment, and any concern surrounding substance abuse issues in the community,” the press release said.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drug overdoses now account for more deaths in the U.S. than motor vehicle accidents, with 52 percent attributed to prescription medications. [Read more…]

ORHS Youth Ambassadors travel to Capitol for substance abuse prevention day

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Eleven Allies for Substance Abuse Prevention (ASAP) Youth Ambassadors from Anderson County, Clinton, and Oak Ridge high schools traveled to the State Capitol to take part in Prevention Alliance of Tennessee’s Day on the Hill. On this day, coalitions from all across the state come together to advocate for substance abuse prevention in Tennessee. By joining forces with The Prevention Alliance of Tennessee (PAT), the ASAP Youth Ambassadors are able to further the mission to prevent and reduce substance abuse in Anderson County, a press release said.

During the visit, these students had the opportunity to have private meetings with Lieutenant Governor Randy McNally, Representative John Ragan, and Representative Dennis Powers to educate them about the issues that are important to them. Currently, these issues include the desire to have tobacco-free parks in Anderson County, the risks involved with legalizing medical or other uses of marijuana, and support for opioid abuse reduction. [Read more…]

Borchers wins Anderson County Ally of the Year Award

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DrB2Allies for Substance Abuse Prevention, or ASAP, of Anderson County hosted a contest for selecting an “Ally of the Year.” Candidates for the award were nominated by community members for their passion for creating a healthy and productive Anderson County. They are united by one goal: to use their leadership, influence, and communication skills to raise funds to help prevent and reduce substance abuse in Anderson County. Each dollar raised by the candidates counted as one vote.

Oak Ridge Schools Superintendent Bruce Borchers was the top fundraiser, bringing in more than $1,850. Oliver Springs Police Chief Kenny Morgan was the first runner-up, raising more than $1,200. Anderson County School Superintendent Tim Parrott was the second runner-up, adding $1,100. [Read more…]

ASAP: Students get the facts on drugs, win free chicken

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Victoria Seiber, the Chick-fil-A Cow, and Alexis Roy at Clinton High School for the ASAP Ambassador’s National Drug and Alcohol IQ Challenge. (Photo by Allies for Substance Abuse Prevention of Anderson County)

Victoria Seiber, the Chick-fil-A Cow, and Alexis Roy at Clinton High School for the ASAP Ambassador’s National Drug and Alcohol IQ Challenge. (Photo by Allies for Substance Abuse Prevention of Anderson County)

 

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The ASAP Ambassadors Youth Coalition from Anderson County, Clinton, and Oak Ridge high schools celebrated National Drug and Alcohol Facts week last week. Aiming to increase their peers’ awareness of the dangers of drugs and alcohol, the student-led group organized the event.

Students from the three high schools tested their knowledge on drugs and drug abuse by taking the 2017 National Drug and Alcohol IQ Challenge during their school’s lunch periods. Student contestants answered questions in a buzzer style trivia game related to mental health, marijuana, and other drugs.

With the support of Project AWARE and Chick-fil-A, the event was a crowd-pleasing success, but most importantly, students gained valuable knowledge. [Read more…]

Borchers nominated as Anderson County Substance Abuse Prevention Ally of Year

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Bruce Borchers

Bruce Borchers

Oak Ridge Schools Superintendent Bruce Borchers has been nominated by Anderson County Allies for Substance Abuse Prevention as a candidate for the 2017 Anderson County Ally of the Year Award.

Candidates were nominated by community members based on their passion for creating a healthier and more productive Anderson County. These candidates are united by one goal: to use their leadership, influence, and communication skills to raise funds to help prevent and reduce substance abuse in Anderson County, a press release said. Each dollar raised by the candidates will count as one vote. The person with the most votes will be named ASAP’s Anderson County Ally of the Year and be recognized at a luncheon on February 3. [Read more…]

Children’s mental health advocate to discuss AWARE program in AC Schools on Monday

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Kim Guinn

Kim Guinn

Kim Guinn, an advocate for children’s mental health, will discuss the Advancing Wellness and Resilience in Education, or AWARE, program in Anderson County Schools during a meeting on Monday.

Guinn is director of the Project AWARE initiative for Anderson County Schools.

The Monday program is at 11:30 a.m. October 24 in Room 102 of the Activities Building of First Presbyterian Church. It’s presented by the AAUW, Oak Ridge Branch.

The AWARE program is supported by a federal five-year-grant to help students with mental health or substance abuse issues, a press release said. In this program, teachers and other adults who interact with young people are taught “mental health first aid.” [Read more…]

Nominations being accepted for Anderson County Ally of the Year

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Do you know someone who lives, works, does business, or worships in Anderson County who cares for its citizens and is passionate about creating a healthy and productive Anderson County? Then consider nominating them for Anderson County Ally of the Year.

ASAP’s Anderson County Ally of the Year campaign is a fundraising competition during January, coinciding with the Red Ribbon Rivalry among a select group of individuals in the community. While each candidate conducts their own campaign, all candidates are united by one goal: to use their leadership, influence, and communication skills to raise funds to help prevent and reduce substance abuse in Anderson County.

ASAP (Allies for Substance Abuse Prevention) of Anderson County has made significant reductions in the number of Anderson County students who have used alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana. However, ASAP relies on the generosity of individuals and business to continue these efforts. By accepting the nomination, candidates will have from December 14, 2015, to January 28, 2016, to accumulate the most “votes.” Every dollar raised counts as one vote. The individual who raises the most votes during the campaign will be named the Anderson County Ally of the Year at the Awards Luncheon on January 29, 2016. [Read more…]

Ridgeview rep to discuss youth substance abuse on July 18

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Michael Yates

Michael Yates

Michael Yates, development director for Ridgeview Behavioral Services, will discuss youth substance abuse on Saturday, July 18, at Grace Lutheran Church in Oak Ridge.

The presentation is titled “Youth Substance Abuse—the Complex and Courageous Conversation.” It’s free and scheduled for Saturday, July 18, at Grace Lutheran Church in Oak Ridge. It starts at 10:30 a.m. in the fellowship hall, and it is hosted by the church’s Mental Health Ministry. Child care will be available, a press release said.

Yates will discuss risk factors that drive the misuse and use of substances, and offer information on how parents and communities might best respond to strengthen protective factors for youth and families, the press release said.

“Youth and adolescents turn to substance abuse for a number of reasons,” he said. “Some want to experiment with boundaries, some do so because of peer pressure, and others are trying to cope with unmanageable pain, suffering, or anxiety.” [Read more…]

Substance abuse the topic of Tuesday health lecture

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Melody Morris

Melody Morris

Substance abuse comes in many forms. It can be the abuse of legal substances, such as alcohol or prescription drugs, or it can be illegal, such as the abuse of marijuana, cocaine, or methamphetamine. And it affects more than just the person using the drugs. Substance abuse can break apart families, ruin personal relationships, and make it difficult to keep a job.

Learn more about substance abuse when Methodist Medical Center partners with Ridgeview Behavioral Health to discuss this important topic during Health Night on the Town on Tuesday, March 31, at 7 p.m. in the Ridge Conference Room of Methodist Medical Center, located at 990 Oak Ridge Turnpike.

Staff from Ridgeview will discuss substance abuse and its co-occurring mental health issues as well as an innovative treatment for expectant mother’s who have used or are at risk of using drugs. [Read more…]