ACHC & OCCMHA Launch 2016/17 Campaign to Promote Do Your Part: Be the Solution

The Alliance of Coalitions for Healthy Communities (ACHC) and Oakland County Community Mental Health Authority (OCCMHA) are once again teaming up to promote and create awareness for the State’s Do Your Part: Be the Solution initiative to prevent the misuse of prescription drugs and alcohol.

Do Your Part was created by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) to educate Michigan residents about the dangers and the extent of substance use in Michigan, especially the misuse of prescription drugs and alcohol.

The 2016/17 awareness campaign, which again includes the use of billboard and bus ads, 30 second PSAs, and cable television spots, begins in September. Changes to this year’s awareness strategy are the addition of electronic message boards at Emagine Theatres throughout Oakland County, and a plan to introduce new communications every quarter for 12 months.

“We feel very strongly that in order to make a true impact and influence on youth about the dangers of misusing prescription drugs, our efforts must be ongoing,” explains OCCMHA Administrator of Substance Use and Prevention, Christina Nicholas. “We know that more than 2,000 teenagers are using prescription drugs to get high everyday, making it necessary for us to expand our awareness efforts so that we can reach as many youth as possible before they begin using these dangerous substances.”

The television spots include appearances by teachers, local law enforcement, students, community partners, and Oakland County Sheriff, Michael Bouchard. The videos can be viewed and downloaded from OCCMHA’s website under the Substance Use Disorders link.

The campaign coincides with September being National Recovery Month. More information about Do Your Part: Be the Solution, including a substance use prevention toolkit for parents, grandparents, and caregivers is available at DoYourPart.info. or achcmi.org.

About OCCMHA

Oakland County Community Mental Health Authority is the public mental health system responsible for identifying, influencing, and delivering services and supports to approximately 25,000 Oakland County residents, including adults and children with developmental disabilities or substance use disorders; adults with serious mental illness; and children with serious emotional disturbance.

OCCMHA’s current network of service providers include: Common Ground, Community Living Services, Community Network Services, Easter Seals Michigan, Macomb-Oakland Regional Center, Oakland Family Services, Inc., and Training and Treatment Innovations. A complete list of substance use service providers is available on OCCMHA’s website. For more information about OCCMHA call (800) 341-2003 or visit www.occmha.org.

About ACHC

Alliance of Coalitions for Healthy Communities, founded in 2004, is a 17 coalition prevention partnership based in Oakland County and funded in part by OCCMHA. ACHC also represents the Oakland County chapter of Families Against Narcotics (FAN). Together, the members mobilize a diverse group of persons and organizations from all community sectors to take coordinated action in building healthier communities. For more information call (248) 221-7101 or visit www.achcmi.org.