Programs & Initiatives
Plant the Promise
Red Ribbon Week is a national campaign whose goal is to provide awareness about the dangers of drugs and alcohol, while also promoting the advantages to living a drug-free, healthy lifestyle. The Coalition’s signature program is “Plant the Promise”. This program began back in 2007 as a way to make Red Ribbon Week a more encompassing, year-long event. Schools throughout the community celebrate Red Ribbon Week at the end of October – a week devoted to talking about the dangers of substance abuse and the advantages to living a drug free life. Our community has taken this concept and expanded it to include a healthy lifestyle in general and recognizes that it takes more than one week to make a difference.
Youth Action Team
The Youth Action Team is made up of middle and high school students who are committed to building leadership skills, positive character traits, and empowering their peers to take an active role in their school and the greater community to reduce substance use/abuse.
These student leaders help to plan alternative activities, share prevention messages, and work to address community-level concerns.
- Brave Initiative Team – Talawanda Middle School
- Youth Initiative Team – Talawanda High School
Amplifying Brave Voices Mental Health Campaign
The Youth Initiative Team (YIT) and the Brave Initiative Team (BIT) at Talawanda High and Middle School created these powerful posters to highlight the daily challenges students face and the different ways they manage stress.
The first set of posters highlights the emotional and social pressures students experience, showing the importance of supportive adults who can help ease those burdens. The second set focuses on ways students can manage stress, encouraging families to help their students explore strategies that work best for them.
This project was funded by Interact for Health.
Medication Disposal & Take Back Events
Every April and October, the Coalition participates in the DEA National Prescription Take Back program. This is done in partnership with McCullough-Hyde Memorial Hospital|TriHealth, the Oxford Police Department, and the Oxford Township Police Department. Residents can drop off unused or expired prescriptions and over-the-counter medications. The medications are disposed of in an environmentally friendly way by law enforcement officials.
Medications can be dropped off year-round at the Oxford, Oxford Township, and Miami Police Departments, as well as McCullough-Hyde Memorial Hospital.
Rox the Fox
Rox was developed by a Talawanda Middle School student and has “come to life” as our mascot. Whenever you see Rox you can be assured that healthy activities, messaging, and choices are being shared. Rox has most recently appeared in a series of comic books that highlight five healthy habits, including eating fruits and vegetables, drinking plenty of water, laughing to promote mental health, reducing screen time, and engaging in physical activity.
Rox the Fox Comic Book Series
Rox loves it when residents make healthy choices! Thanks to our partnership with Miami University, we have produced a series of comic books that share healthy habits with residents of all ages. Check them all out here!
The Importance of Mask Wearing
The Curse of the Solar Eclipse
The Amazing Power of Superfoods
The Attack of the Screen Zombies
Frozen in Time: The Game of Tag
F.R.E.S.H Air Fair – (Family Resources and Education on Safety and Health)
In the spring, this fair provides families with young children the opportunity to have fun and learn about resources that are available to help promote safe, healthy homes, neighborhoods, and communities.
