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Contacting your Legislators
Knowing who your legislators are and how to contact them is vital to advocacy efforts or even just making sure they are familiar with you and your coalition. Reach out to your legislator and get to know them! Invite them to get coffee and have a conversation with them.
Not sure who your state level legislators are? No problem! Click here or on the map below to find out!
Your legislator will have a profile page like the one pictured here. This will have their contact information, where their office is located, and often will have the contact information to their staff.
Don’t be afraid to reach out!
When scheduling for Day on the Hill or any other time you are planning to talk to your legislators, reaching out to the staff is the best place to start!
The ONDCP Steps Up!
The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) announced 150 new grants for its Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Support Program. The DFC Program provides grants to community coalitions to strengthen the infrastructure among local partners to create and sustain a reduction in local youth substance use. Recognizing that local problems need local solutions, DFC-funded coalitions engage multiple sectors of the community and employ a variety of environmental strategies to address local substance use problems.
CLICK THE FILES BELOW TO DOWNLOAD OUR 2023 UPDATES
PREVENTION ALLIANCE OF TENNESSEE ISSUES ALERT ON MARIJUANA AND VAPE PRODUCTS
The Prevention Alliance of Tennessee issues an alert after several instances of marijuana and vape products have led to illness, hospitalization, and in some cases, death.
6 deaths and nearly 500 cases of vaping-related lung illnesses in 33 states are suspected to be related to the practice of vaping marijuana oil rather than nicotine. Some state health department and news reports suggest many of the cases of lung problems have involved tetrahydrocannabinol, known as THC, the chemical in marijuana that causes psychological effects.
If you are legally prescribed a substance, you are requested to purchase it from your pharmacy and use only as directed. If you know someone who may be exhibiting overdose symptoms, please call 911 immediately. If you or someone you love needs education on prevention, you can contact the Prevention Alliance of Tennessee to locate a coalition in your area. If you suspect that someone you love may be suffering from substance use disorder, please call the Tennessee REDLINE at 1.800.889.9789.
Building Relationships with Local Alcohol and Tobacco Retailers
There are many ways you can build the ever-so-important relationship between your coalition and your local retailers. Here are some tips:
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This can be helpful not only to build your relationship with the retailers but also with the beer board. When a new establishment applies for a permit, speak with the owner and manager after the board vote. Introduce yourself and explain the coalition and how it can support them. Provide them with a new permit packet (see item 3) and provide your contact information for any questions that may come up or any support they may need. And don’t forget to speak with the board before and after the meeting so they get to know you and the coalition’s involvement in the community. Let them know that you are a resource for them as well.
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Let outlets who were not in compliance know the coalition is there to support them in becoming compliant and has resources to help them do so. Offer to review their policies and make suggestions, provide them with a list of nearby Responsible Alcohol Sales classes, let them know what age verification materials are available to them and why compliance with these laws is so important to your community.
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Maintaining positive relationships with your local alcohol and tobacco retailers can take prevention in your community to the next level. Take time to build capacity: in the end, you may find your goals align more than you once thought.