#GivingTuesday and Preventing Substance Abuse

By Lisa Adler

Twice this fall, parents who had recently lost their child to a suspected heroin overdose visited the office of the Unified Prevention Coalition of Fairfax County in Oakton. They were there to offer their help so that other parents would not have to experience a loss such as theirs.

It was a vivid reminder to us that Fairfax County youth and young adults and their families are being impacted by substance abuse. And the work we do as a nonprofit coalition working with more than 60 community partners to keep youth and young adults safe and drug free is important.

The Unified Prevention Coalition of Fairfax County (UPC) is a partner in the third annual #GivingTuesday campaign on Dec. 2, a global day that encourages giving to support nonprofit organizations. This year we ask in our #GivingTuesday flyer: “Whose Life Has Not Been Touched by Substance Abuse?”

Substance abuse is a costly public health problem. Prevention is our best hope, our best tool, to reduce the terrible consequences associated with alcohol and drug use among young people. Evidence-based research shows us that prevention can help young people to live healthier and safer lives, and that money spent on prevention is money well spent.

This #GivingTuesday we encourage you in our community to think of ways -- both with your time and your tax-deductible contributions -- that you can help UPC raise community awareness about the dangers of youth and young adult marijuana use, prescription and over-the-counter medicine abuse, and the recent increase in heroin use in our neighborhoods.

Like other nonprofits, UPC depends on tax-deductible and in-kind support from individuals, businesses, and our community partners to sustain our organization and further our mission to work collaboratively to prevent and/or reduce substance abuse and related risk factors in Fairfax County in ways that are measurable and that improve the well-being of youth, their families, and our communities.

UPC is not funded by the county or school system, and one grant upon which it has relied is ending next spring.

We put on community education programs such as “PROTECT Against Substance Abuse,” “The Perils of the College Drinking Culture,” and “Saturday Night in the Suburbs.” Tonight at 7 p.m. as part of our Dec. 1 membership meeting we are hosting a “Marijuana Harmless? Think Again” presentation to educate the community about the dangers of marijuana use by teens and young adults. The meeting is at the FCPS Gatehouse Administration Center’s 1st Floor Café.

UPC is involved in countywide efforts to deal with the growing prescription drug and heroin abuse problem, and our “Don’t Drink and Drive” campaign aims to reduce the number of alcohol-related motor vehicle crashes involving 18- to 24-year-old drivers.

Our award-winning high school Youth Council is an active voice for youth that teens can have a healthy and full life without using alcohol and drugs. They are dedicated to being good role models and giving back to their community. Their slogan: “It Takes YOU to CREATE a Better Youth.”

It takes all of us to make a difference. Join us on #GivingTuesday in giving back and helping our county youth and young adults be safe, healthy and drug-free.

Lisa Adler is the president of the Unified Prevention Coalition of Fairfax County.

Kevin Briggs is shown in the photo above. As his parents Jack and Kathy Briggs write: “At the time of his death in September 2014, at the age of 21, Kevin was working six days a week, 12 hours a day, as a car salesman. His boss said of Kevin before his death, ‘He’s a great guy and good worker.’

“Kevin was a ‘normal’ healthy, happy young boy who was an altar server and youth usher at our church. Growing up he played every sport and was in Scouts. As a freshman he was first string in football and was on the wrestling team at Chantilly High School. And he was an avid weightlifter. To our neighbors and family, Kevin was an outgoing, friendly, industrious young man destined for good things. However, it was in his sophomore year that he first tried marijuana. He became addicted to it, and then eventually other drugs began.

“Kevin suffered from ADHD, OCD, anxiety and depression. The combination of those issues and the self-medication of them with drugs proved to be too much for him to handle. He worked hard at making a go of things but was not able to beat what became a drug addiction.

“Nobody chooses to get hooked on drugs, just like they don’t choose any other disease.

“And don’t let anybody fool you, no matter what you call it, pot, grass or weed, marijuana is a gateway to other stronger, deadly drugs.”

The Unified Prevention Coalition of Fairfax County is a nonprofit organization with more than 60 community partners working together to keep youth and young adults safe and drug-free. To donate online, visit www.unifiedpreventioncoalition/donate. Visit www.unifiedpreventioncoalition.org and www.facebook.com/unifiedpreventioncoalition. Follow the group on Twitter at www.twitter.com/keepyouthsafe.