The Pledge for Life Partnership is proud to announce that we were selected as a finalist for CADCA’s Dose of Prevention Award 2024. This year, we were honored to secure the second-place position. In 2017, we achieved first place in this prestigious competition, highlighting our ongoing commitment to raising awareness about medicine misuse and empowering our community with the tools to prevent it.

Every October, communities across the country come together to raise awareness about the dangers of medicine abuse. This year, the Pledge for Life Partnership took a leading role in Kankakee County, Illinois, with a comprehensive strategy targeting over-the-counter (OTC) cough medicine and prescription drug abuse. During National Medicine Abuse Awareness Month, we empowered families through events, education, and outreach to take proactive steps toward healthier, drug-free lives.

“From interactive exhibits to student programs and public awareness campaigns, we are engaging people of all ages in meaningful conversations about safe medication practices and the risks of both prescription drug misuse and OTC medicine abuse.”

— Brenda Wetzel, Director of Life Education Center Programming.

One of our standout initiatives was the Red Ribbon Week coloring contest, featured in the Kankakee Daily Journal. Open to all area youth, the contest inspires kids to express their commitment to living drug-free lives through creative artwork. The coloring page focused on themes of positive decision-making and “Wise Highs!…Choices You Can Live With.” Winning entries were showcased on our Facebook page, serving as a reminder to peers and families that living substance-free is both rewarding and achievable. It’s a fun and powerful way to reinforce our mission of empowering youth to make healthy, responsible choices.

Throughout October, our Hidden in Plain Sight (HIPS) trailer was on display at various community events. By simulating a teenager’s bedroom, complete with common household items that may serve as hiding places for drugs and paraphernalia, this initiative aims to empower parents with the knowledge and tools they need to recognize potential substance abuse warning signs and initiate conversations with their children about the dangers of OTC medicine misuse.

“One of the most remarkable aspects of the HIPS trailer project was the collaboration between our community partners and students from the Kankakee Area Career Center (KACC). Through this partnership, students from KACC’s design and construction programs played a pivotal role in building and designing the trailer. We couldn’t have done it without their help.”

— James Schreiner, DFC Coordinator.

Our team also participated in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on October 26th, a crucial event for preventing prescription drug misuse. This bi-annual effort helps community members safely dispose of unused, unwanted, or expired medications. This year, we collected over 2,000 pounds of medication! To help spread awareness for this event, our coalition launched a bilingual billboard campaign, in English and Spanish, reaching thousands of people throughout the region. Meanwhile, our Pledge for Life Partnership Youth Advisory Council (PFLYAC) has stepped up by producing public service announcements (PSAs) for local radio, encouraging families to clean out their medicine cabinets and prioritize safe medication disposal.

Education remains a key part of our strategy. In October, we participated in a Teen Conference at a local college, where we spoke to 160 eighth-grade students from 10 area schools about the risks of OTC medicine misuse, particularly products containing dextromethorphan (DXM), a commonly abused ingredient in cough medicine. The PFLYAC also helped spread the message with PSAs focused on the dangers of DXM abuse. We extended this conversation to the airwaves with radio interviews that reached thousands of listeners and raised awareness about the importance of safe medication practices. Additionally, at community outreach events, we distributed information on safe medication practices and educational brochures from StopMedicineAbuse.org.

Our Life Education Center program continues to play a major role in prevention reaching over 9,500 students in grades K-8 across more than 50 schools. The Life Education Center’s unique substance misuse and prevention programs teach kids the skills they need to choose healthy lifestyles and avoid the dangers caused by using alcohol and other dangerous substances. Beginning in kindergarten and continuing throughout middle school, our educators travel to local schools delivering age-appropriate prevention curriculum. To support families, parent guides are distributed to parents and guardians to reinforce our lessons and messaging at home. “When we teach kids early to choose Wise Highs, we help them find healthy, positive ways to feel good and make smart choices—setting them up for a happy, drug-free future.” said Wetzel.

Our social media platforms have been instrumental in spreading the word, with updates on the HIPS trailer, prevention tips, and event highlights. Using hashtags like #DoseOfPrevention, #StopMedicineAbuse, and #HiddenInPlainSight, we’re engaging an even wider audience and encouraging community members to join us in making a difference.

During National Medicine Abuse Awareness Month, we empowered families through events, education, and outreach to take proactive steps toward healthier, drug-free lives. Whether through our educational programs, community events, or awareness campaigns, the Pledge for Life Partnership remains committed to “piecing together a safer and healthier community.”

Want to learn more about the Pledge for Life Partnership and their initiatives? Visit their website, PledgeforLife.org or follow them on social media: https://www.facebook.com/pflpartnership.

James Schreiner is a National Board-Certified educator with 33 years of experience in science education. After retiring from the classroom, he began working in prevention in 2020 with the Pledge for Life Partnership, Kankakee, IL., where he now serves as the Drug-Free Communities Grant Project Coordinator. James brings his passion for education, youth development, and community outreach to his role, helping lead local efforts to prevent youth substance misuse and promote healthy lifestyles.