Churchill Community Coalition

06/16/2026

How to be a good mentor against bullying:

🔹Model the behavior you expect: show respect, listen actively, and treat everyone with dignity.
🔹Be deliberate about inclusivity: invite quieter participants into activities and praise cooperative teamwork.
🔹Create a safe space: create an environment where kids feel comfortable sharing concerns without fear of retaliation.
🔹Address issues promptly: intervene early, separate those involved if needed, and follow the established conflict-resolution process.
🔹Teach empathy: use activities that help youth see things from others’ perspectives and reflect on their actions.
🔹Involve families: keep open lines of communication with participants and families about expectations and progress.
🔹Reflect and improve: regularly review how bullying issues were handled and seek feedback from participants and peers.
🔹Recognize and reinforce positive behavior: celebrate acts of kindness, inclusion, and cooperation publicly.
🔹Receive feedback and learn: be willing to adjust approaches based on what works best for the group.

Learn more at: stopbullying.gov

06/16/2026

Be aware❗

Hashish and Hash Oil are concentrated cannabis. Even a tiny amount can have as much or more THC than a full joint, which can mean stronger effects and a higher chance of anxiety, paranoia, dizziness, and changes in heart rate. Smoking concentrates can irritate the throat and lungs, and unknown solvent residues add another layer of risk. Legality varies a lot depending on where you are - they’re often illegal.

Learn more at: DEA.gov/marijuana/cannabis

06/15/2026

🗣️ Parents, your voice matters! Use "Talk. They Hear You." resources to start meaningful conversations with your kids about the dangers of underage drinking and drug use.

💬 Let's help our youth reach their full potential.

https://www.samhsa.gov/talk-t

06/12/2026

06/11/2026

E-cigarettes come in all shapes and sizes, but they all run on a simple idea:

🔸A battery powers a tiny heater that turns liquid into aerosol you v**e. You’ll see three main types:

🔸Disposable ones that you use once and toss (some can be charged, but they aren’t meant to be refilled)

🔸Refillable models with a tank you top up with e-liquid

And devices that use pre-filled cartridges or pods and are rechargeable. Some look like USB drives, pens, or even toys, while others go full “smart v**e” with screens, games, and rewards - the kind that might grab a kid’s attention.

People call them lots of names: E-cigs, v**es, v**e pens, ENDS, and the liquid inside has a few different nicknames too: e-liquid, e-juice, v**e juice, or v**e liquid. If you want, I can tweak this for a specific platform or add a quick note on health and safety to go with it.

06/11/2026

🚨Attention Community!

Got unused or expired prescriptions? Dispose of them safely and responsibly at our 24-hour local drop box located at:

180 West A Street. 🏥💊

Help keep our neighborhood safe and environmentally friendly by disposing of unused medications at home. No questions asked - just drop and go!

Let’s work together to keep our community healthy. 💙

06/11/2026

💊National DEA Rx Take Back Day - Here's Why It Matters!

Did you know that unused or expired medications sitting in your medicine cabinet could be doing more harm than good?

National DEA Rx Take Back Day is your chance to make a difference - for your family, your community, and our environment!

Keep Your Family Safe:
Unused medications in the home are a leading source of misuse and accidental poisoning - especially for children and teens. Removing them = protecting the ones you love most.

Fight the Opioid Crisis:
Nearly 50% of people who misuse prescription drugs get them from a friend or family member's medicine cabinet. Proper disposal can help save lives.

Protect Our Environment:
Flushing or throwing away medications pollutes our waterways and soil. Take Back Day offers a safe & responsible way to dispose of them.

Prevent Theft & Misuse:
Old prescriptions you no longer need can end up in the wrong hands. Don't let that happen.

It's FREE & Easy!

No questions asked. Just bring your unused or expired medications to a local collection site and drop them off. That's it!

🗓️ Mark your calendar & find a location near you at DEA.gov

Together we can build safer homes and healthier communities!

06/11/2026

❗Opioids vs. Non-Prescription Pain Medications (OTCs)

Prescription opioids are strong pain medicines prescribed by a doctor, while over-the-counter (OTC) meds are drugs you can buy without a prescription for milder, everyday symptoms. Opioids are tightly regulated with limits on dosage and duration, whereas OTCs come with standard labeling for self-use and are generally safer when used as directed.

But opioids carry higher risks, including dependence and overdose, so they require careful oversight. OTCs are safer for routine issues when used as directed, but can still cause side effects or interactions if you don’t follow the label. Use opioids only for significant pain under a clinician’s supervision, and turn to OTCs for mild, short-lived symptoms.

06/09/2026

Mindfulness: Rest & Relaxation Exercise

1. Find a comfortable posture of your choice. This could be a sitting posture, standing, or lying down.

2. If you choose to keep your eyes open, let your gaze rest, lowered on a point in front of you. If you choose to keep your eyes closed, rest your eyelids comfortably.

3. Set your intention toward relaxing and effortlessness.

4. Whenever you notice yourself shifting into “doing” or “thinking,” simply return back to your original intention, and begin again.

5. Relax your attention. Release any fixation that you might have on any object. Be as ordinary and natural as possible. If you notice that your attention becomes fixated or distracted, simply relax.

6. Exhale all striving. Empty yourself of any effort toward achieving a particular outcome or result. Remain open and accepting to the present moment. Let your experience be as it is.

7. Sense the silence. Surrender all attachment to what you notice, and feel the intuitive sense of silence within you. Be aware of the silence and feel the vastness of the silence.

8. Tune in to awareness. Recognize that you are naturally aware, and you are conscious of this awareness. Trust this effortless knowing and the silence. There’s nothing to do, and nowhere to go. Just rest.

9. When you are ready to end the practice, gently bring your attention to your surroundings and invite simple movements to your body.

Learn more at: mindful.org

06/08/2026

Parental Influence on Alcohol: What the Research Says

Did you know that parental drinking can shape a child’s relationship with alcohol in both direct and indirect ways? Here are some important insights:

Seeing a parent drink, beliefs about alcohol, and how confident a teen feels about refusing drinks can influence how young people view and use alcohol.

Parental alcohol abuse can disrupt family dynamics and affect the psychological well-being of children.

Children of alcoholics (COAs) may be at higher risk for alcohol problems, sometimes using alcohol to cope with a difficult home environment or via associations with peers when parental monitoring is low.

A family history of psychopathology can also be linked to greater alcohol use among college students, as family stress and interaction patterns influence coping and behavior.

Interestingly, not all findings point in the same direction. Some studies show a negative link, such as fathers’ problematic drinking leading to lower drinking levels in children in certain contexts, an effect described as “aversive transmission.”

Overall, parental influence and family environment appear to contribute to the intergenerational transfer of alcohol problems, though the strength of direct vs. indirect effects varies and more research is needed.

Learn more at: ScienceDirect.com/parent-influence