Churchill Community Coalition

05/30/2026

05/29/2026

In 2024, 1.63 million U.S. middle and high school students were currently using e-cigarettes. That is 5.9% of all students, including 3.5% of middle schoolers and 7.8% of high schoolers.

Of those who currently v**e, 87.6% used flavored products, and more than 1 in 4 used an e-cigarette every day.

More than 1 in 3 students who used any to***co product also used more than one type, meaning va**ng often does not happen alone.

The good news is that most students who v**e want to quit. In 2020, 63.9% reported wanting to quit and 67.4% said they had already tried to quit in the past year.

Youth va**ng remains a serious issue. Knowing the numbers is the first step in addressing it.

Learn more at: cdc.gov/tobacoo/e-cigarettes

05/29/2026

🚨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. 💙

We also want to thank everyone who came out for Saturday's Rx Round Up!

05/29/2026

💊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!

05/24/2026

⚠️The Truth About Opioids - What You Need to Know!
Opioids are one of the most dangerous and misused substances in the world today, and even prescribed use can carry serious risks. Here's what everyone should know:

🔴They're Highly Addictive
People can quickly lose control over their opioid use, needing more and more just to feel "normal." What starts as a prescription can spiral fast.

💀Overdose is Real & Deadly
High doses can slow your breathing to life-threatening levels, cutting off oxygen to your brain — leading to severe brain damage or even death.

Even Short-Term Use Has Consequences

Even when taken as prescribed, opioids can cause:
🔹Nausea, vomiting & constipation
🔹Dizziness & sleep problems
🔹Heart failure or cardiac arrest
🔹A weakened immune system
🔹Increased sensitivity to pain over time
🔹Depression & other mental health disorders

The Bottom Line:
Opioids should never be taken lightly. If you or someone you know is struggling with opioid use, please reach out for help.

Want to learn more? Visit: https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/opioids -risks

📞 SAMHSA Helpline: 1-800-662-4357 (Free, confidential, 24/7)
💬 Share this post - it could save a life.

05/23/2026

🌿 Mindfulness isn't just about meditation - it's about how we communicate.

Ever catch yourself saying "You always do this" or "You never listen"?

Those "You-statements" put people on the defensive instantly.

Try switching to I-Messages instead:

"I feel frustrated when..."
"I need more support with..."
"I feel hurt when..."

The difference?

I-Messages help you:
✅ Express emotions without blame
✅ Take ownership of your feelings
✅ Create safer, deeper conversations
✅ Reduce conflict & defensiveness
✅ Build genuine connection

Mindful communication starts with you - your words, your awareness, your intention.

05/23/2026

🧠Did you know there's a SCIENCE behind how we shape our kids' behavior?

As parents, we're constantly influencing our children - whether we realize it or not. Understanding Positive vs. Negative Reinforcement can be a total game-changer!

✅POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT
Adding something rewarding to encourage a behavior.

"You finished your homework, let's pick a movie tonight!"
The reward motivates them to repeat the behavior.

❗NEGATIVE REINFORCEMENT
Removing something unpleasant to encourage a behavior.

"Since you cleaned your room, you don't have to do extra chores this week!"

Taking away the burden motivates them to keep it up.

Here's the BIG misconception:

Negative reinforcement is NOT punishment! Both types are about increasing good behavior, just in different ways.

The goal? Raise confident, motivated kids who understand that their actions have meaningful outcomes.

05/22/2026

🛑Know the Difference: Bystander vs. Upstander

A bystander is someone who witnesses bullying but does nothing to stop it. Even if you're not the one doing the bullying, staying silent can make the victim feel even more alone - and it can make the bully feel like what they're doing is okay.

But YOU have the power to change that.

Here's how to be an UPSTANDER instead:

✅ Speak up: Calmly tell the bully that their behavior is not okay
✅ Support the victim: Check in on them and let them know they're not alone
✅ Get help: Tell a trusted adult, teacher, or authority figure
✅ Don't engage or escalate: Stay calm and don't make the situation worse
✅ Use your voice online too: Cyberbullying is still bullying

It only takes ONE person to make a difference.

Don't just watch - stand up, speak out, and be the change!

05/21/2026

🌿Think ma*****na is completely harmless? Think again.

Before you use it, there are some serious risks you need to know about. Your health is worth doing the research first.

Brain Development
Studies show ma*****na can permanently affect brain development in people under 25 - impacting memory, learning & decision making

Mental Health Risks

🔹Increased anxiety & depression

🔹Higher risk of psychosis

🔹Triggering schizophrenia in those predisposed

Lung Damage
Smoking ma*****na can cause:

🔹Chronic bronchitis

🔹Respiratory inflammation

🔹Long term breathing problems

Addiction is real:
Approximately 1 in 10 users develop a dependency - that number jumps to 1 in 6 if you start as a teenager

Sleep Disruption:
While it may help short term, long term use actually disrupts your natural sleep cycle

Impaired Judgment:
Ma*****na significantly impairs reaction time & coordination - making driving extremely dangerous

The risks are REAL and backed by science

Talk to your doctor
Know your personal health history
Research BEFORE you decide
Your future self will thank you