Governor Kasich recently honored Healthy Choices Caring Communities with a resolution extending their gratitude for our partnership in the fight against substance-use. This resolution recognizes that “drug addiction and abuse is one of the most challenging problems facing our state, and no community is immune from this threat. Under Governor Kasich’s leadership, Ohio has made attacking the drug problem a priority. To that end, Ohio spends nearly $1 billion a year in a multi-prong approach to fighting this scourge with efforts focusing on prevention, education, treatment and law enforcement interdiction… This is a fight that cannot be won without strong partners like Healthy Choices Caring Communities.”

HC3 Partnership has been working with the local community for over ten years, focusing on youth substance-use prevention and developing the strong coalition partnerships that exist today. During the decade that HC3 has been active in Fulton County, there has been significant progress in our local communities, including a 20% decrease in current alcohol use rates (grades 6th – 12th), a 50% decrease in current alcohol use rates (ages 17 and older), and a 13% decrease in current cigarette use rates (grades 6th – 12th). They have also implemented a targeted task force for each identified substance issue recognized for local youth, one of which is focused specifically on the prevention of opiate and prescription drug misuse.

“Educating our youth and the community about the dangers of substance-use is critically important in this fight as research shows that children are up to 50% less likely to use if a trusted adult talks to them about the dangers of drug abuse.” The Governor and Lieutenant Governor recognize Healthy Choices Caring Communities for the innovative approach they are taking to address these issues, including the #Talk2Me media campaign, which encourages parents, coaches, teachers, religious leaders, law enforcement, siblings, peers and community members to USE THEIR IMPACT and talk to the youth in their lives about the dangers of substance-use. This campaign has many facets, including a partnership with the Fulton County Prosecutors Office creating school spirit shirts with the #Talk2Me logo on the back, a video PSA created by our Youth Advisory Council, local billboards, flyers, blog posts, social media messages (#WeTalked) and an online video contest (#Talk2Me Challenge).

HC3 is making a difference and YOU can help!

Visit our Get Involved page and see how.