The Coalition Herald - Coalition for a Better Wallingford

The Coalition Herald
Volume 1.3
[email protected]
Bringing You the Latest in Coalition News
Cbwlfd.org
June 2016
Do You Know a “Champion for Youth”
2015 “Champions For Youth” Recognized By the Town Council
On May 24th at 6:30 pm the Wallingford Town Council recognized the 2015 Champions for Youth recipients during their
televised town council meeting. The 8 mentors and 8 youths being recognized were nominated by youth serving agencies
through out Wallingford. Each agency was permitted to nominate one youth and one adult whom they felt exemplified what
it means to be a champion for youth and describe why they felt that their nominees personified these traits. These 16 individuals represent the best of Wallingford’s citizenry. They are dedicated individuals who strive for excellence in all aspects of
their lives leading others not by words but by example.
2015 Nominees
Nominating Organization
Adult Nominee
Youth Nominee
Yalesville Little League
Bill Donegan
Joey Mirra
Spanish Coalition Of Wallingford
Laura Juarez
Wallingford Girls Softball
Richard Miller
Katelyn Miller
Wallingford Little League
Josh Carroll
Jake Seichter
Ulbrich Boys and Girls Club
Robert Woytowich
Jiesha Alvarado
Wallingford Parks and Rec.
Dominc Colavito
Wallingford Hawks Hockey
Pat Hackett
Wallingford Vikings Football
Tim Penton
Jordan Davis
Wallingford Youth Lacrosse
Neal Robison
Marena DeSimone
Wallingford Public Schools
Gabriella Matteis
Wallingford “Champions for Youth” Award Now Accepting Nominees
Using the Partnership for Drug Free
Kids and Major League Baseball Charities 2015 Play Healthy Awards as a template, we are challenging every
youth-serving
organization in
Wallingford to
nominate a mentor and child for
our annual
Champions for
Youth Award. Each nominee will be
honored at the “Walk of Hope”, where
the winners will be chosen. Every participant will receive a plaque. The winners
(One mentor and one youth) will be
proudly displayed on an eternity plaque
at the Wallingford Park and Rec Building, Youth and Social Services Office, at
the Wallingford Town Hall, and on the
Coalition for a Better Wallingford web-
site. Winners will also be nominated for
the National Healthy Play Award.
We are looking for extraordinary
mentors and youth who have inspired
others both on and off their ‘field of
endeavor’. Maybe it was special character in the face of adversity, an unending
drive to help others, or a display of integrity that moves those around them.
Our judges are looking for nominees
who value and are committed to a drug
free lifestyle and overall healthy outlook.

Strive for personal excellence, regardless of natural ability or experience.
Nominations should be submitted by
Wallingford Youth Organizations. The
nominee does not have to reside in
Wallingford however they must be a
participating member of your organization, either a youth participant or an
adult member such as a coach, teacher
or program participant. Each organization should submit one Adult and one
Youth for nomination. Nominations
Nominees should possess the following must be submitted by October 1st. To
trait :
submit an application, go to http://
cbwlfd.org/champions-for-youth.html
 Understand the importance of
teamwork.
and fill out our online form. Paper appli Demonstrate excellent leadership by cations are available upon request . You
empowering, encouraging, and help- can request a paper nomination form by
calling 203.928.7320 or emailing proing others.
[email protected]
 Display integrity and maintain a
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positive attitude at all times.
In the Community
The last day of school is fast approaching. On June 17th students will leave their school buildings for the last time for
the 2015- 2016 school year. For some students this will be
the last time they will ever exit a Wallingford public school
as a student. These nearly 500 individuals will walk from
these buildings as our towns newest graduates. To celebrate
this momentous occasion Project Graduation will be holding
their annual safe graduation party at the parks and recreations building.
For 22 years Wallingford’s Project Graduation has been
providing Wallingford graduates with a safe substance free
graduation party. The celebration runs from 10pm to 2am
on June 17th. There will be a DJ, prizes and many more fun
activities. If you are or know a student who is a member of
the 2016 graduating class and is looking for a place to celebrate then this is the place for you.
Hope and Support Group
For people who are affected by their loved one’s
substance abuse
Where: Yalesville United Methodist Church, 8
New Place Street, Wallingford, CT
When: Every Monday night
Time: 7pm to 8:30pm
The Wallingford Public Library Presents
An Author Event
Wednesday, June 29
6:30 p.m. Community Room
Meet author and educator Randall Horton as he shares
the story of his down-ward spiral from unassuming Howard University undergraduate to homeless drug addict,
international cocaine smuggler, and incarcerated felon—
before showing us the redemptive role that writing and literature played in
helping him reclaim his life. Limited copies of his book will be available for purchase and signing. Advance registration is appreciated.
“Think long and careful about each decision you make. Do not succumb to peer
pressure, social status and material things. Do not be afraid to be an individual.
Make your own cool.” Randall Horton
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In The News
Wallingford Police Department Working Hard to Take Drugs Off Our
Streets
During the month of May Wallingford Police Officers
arrested 24 separate individuals for various drug related charges. These charges may or may not be in addition to other non-drug related charges.
·
Example: a subject is arrested for a shoplifting
(larceny) and during his arrest is found to be in possession of controlled substance
Additionally, the Wallingford Police sited 16 individuals for infractions for various drug related
charges. The charges may or may not be in addition to other non-drug related charges.
·
Example: a subject is cited for motor vehicle
violations (stop sign) that don’t rise to the status of
an arrest, or they would have been listed.
Public Act 16-43 Signed Into Law
27th,
On May
2016
Public Act 16-43 was
signed into law by
Governor Dannel P.
Malloy. This law will
expand the state's
effort to combat the
opioid epidemic currently plaguing Connecticut. The law
limits the prescription of opioid drugs by: prohibiting, for adult patients, an initial prescription of opioid drugs for
longer than seven days prohibiting, for minor
patients, any prescriptions of opioid drugs for
longer than seven days and requiring the prescriber to discuss the risks associated with the drug
with the patient and, if present, the custodial parent, guardian, or other person having legal custody of the patient. It allows for, a prescriber to give
more than a seven-day supply of opioid drugs if,
in the prescriber's professional medical judge-
ment, the acute or chronic pain condition requires it and requires the prescriber to note such
condition in the medical record. It also requires
municipalities to update their existing emergency
medical services plans to ensure that the emergency responders likely to be the first person on
the scene of an emergency call is equipped with
and prepared to administer the overdose reversal
drug naloxone and has been appropriately trained
to do so. It goes further in the effort to close the
gap in current liability language for health care
professionals who administer an opioid antagonist, prohibiting commercial health carriers from
requiring prior authorization for coverage of Naloxone and makes necessary changes to the states
electronic prescription monitoring program to
help facilitate prescriber and pharmacist compliance. The law is also requiring that the Alcohol
and Drug Policy Council’s state plane include a
goal of reducing the number of opioid-induced
deaths in the state by January 1, 2017.
135 North Main Street
(203) 294-2800
Fax: (203) 294-2865
Administration: (203) 294-2828
Youth Division: (203) 294-2825
Central Fire Headquarters
75 Masonic Ave
Wallingford, CT 06492
Phone: (203)294-2730
Group Formed to Develop a Strategic Plan to Combat States Opioid Epidemic
On May 27th, Governor Malloy announced
the creation of a partnership between his
office, the Yale School of Medicine, and
Connecticut's insurance carriers to develop
a strategic plan to guide the state's response
to the opioid epidemic in Connecticut. The
group, lead by Dr. David Fiellin of Yale,
will be responsible for developing a threeyear strategy for combating the states opi-
oid addiction and overdose issues.
The effort is to include input from
local and national experts, as well as
the general public and ideally be
shaped by addiction experts and state
agency leaders so as to create a comprehensive road map to the reduction
of the opioid epidemic.
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Coalition Corner
Hello, I’m Ana M.
Gopoian, and I
thought it would be
a good thing to put a
face to the name for
the “Ask Ana” section for The Coalition
Herald. My hope is
that you find comfort in this new resource so you can ask some of the tough
questions about the vulnerable realities
that might come up for you or someone
you care about. I am committed to bringing light to the subject of addiction and cooccurring disorders that are plaguing our
societies. I am confident in saying that the
isolation and stigmas caused by the disease of addiction or the co-occurring dis-
orders are just as detrimental as the disease and disorders themselves. As stated
in the last edition I openly identify myself
as a woman in long term recovery, est.
July 13th, 1995. I am one of millions of
people that have stayed in the process of
long term recovery over the last 20 years.
The key for me is that I stay engaged, I
don’t settle, I ask questions, I’ve learned
how to respond verses react to life on
life’s terms, and I no longer see things as
happening to me, but for me. I made it
onto my path of recovery at the age of 31
after countless times, and many years repeatedly saying, “I would never do that
again.” I remain teachable, I’ve learned to
read better and started college at the age
of 42 and haven’t stopped since. The disease of addiction does not discriminate,
no matter age, race, sexual identity, creed,
religion or lack of religion, it has no mercy
or boundaries on who it will affect. There
have been many senseless tragedies I
have been powerless to stop over the
years. The only thing I feel a sense of control over is where I put my energies toward change. Staying in the process of
educating myself, sharing solutions, and
sharing the message that there is help and
there is hope is what gives me a great
sense of purpose and fuels my passion.
Feel free to “Ask Ana” at [email protected]
or mail your questions to “Ask Ana” 21
Pleasant St. Wallingford, CT 06492 and I’ll
do my best to supply an answer.
Be well, Ana
Coalition Meetings
Volunteer Of the Month
Coalition Meetings are open to the public and held on the last
Thursday of every month at 7pm at the Hubcap in Wallingford
In recognition of their outstanding contributions to
the mission of the Coalition for a Better Wallingford
We present to you our volunteers of the Month
Our next meeting is on June 30th, 2016
Coalition T-Shirts
Coalition for a Better Wallingford
T-Shirts
Carol Renna
Volunteer of the
Month
April
Now available for sale. Proceeds to help
our mission. Shirts are available for purchase at We Are Micro located at 216
Center St, Wallingford or on our website
at www.cbwlfd.org/donate.html
Jen Short
Volunteer of the
Month
May
Only $15.00 Get Yours Today
Our Board
Bereavement Group
For people who have suffered the loss of a loved
one due to substance abuse.
Where:187 North Main Street, Wallingford, CT
When: The first Monday of the Month
Time: 7pm to 8:30
Next Meeting: August 1st, 2016
*Meetings are not open for walk ins. If you are
interested in participating, please contact Phyllis
Gordon*
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 203-606-3611
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President: Ken Welch,
Vice President: Marion Gracey (Former Moran Middle School
Guidance Counselor),
Secretary: Carol Renna,
Treasurer: Jim McLaughlin (Controller, TILCON),
Agent of Record: Lars Edeen, Esq.
Town Councilor: John Letourneau,
Pharmacist : Ernie Mrazik, (Wallingford Elks Drug Education Coordinator)
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