A local coalition is working with Cape Girardeau County residents to encourage healthier lifestyle decisions.

Early Prevention Impacts Communities [EPIC] was created in 2000 after a community needs assessment determined substance abuse among youth ages 12 to 20 was a growing problem within the community.

"Our main goal is to build a healthy, safe community and reduce the risks of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs while promoting safety and healthy behaviors," said Jessica Buettner, an intern and coalition member with EPIC.

Buettner is a student at Southeast Missouri State University majoring in social work and was in charge of the coalition's second annual poster contest. The contest took place among children between the ages of 9 and 12 in Cape Girardeau County from February through March.

More than 70 children entered the contest. Their posters were put on display by LeBounce Too inside West Park Mall on William Street in Cape Girardeau.

The theme for this year was "How Do You Rise Above Prescription Drug Misuse?" Buettner said the theme was chosen to make children more aware of the existence of this form of drug abuse.

"Prescription drugs is kind of a newer topic," she said. "Kids always hear ‘don't do drugs,' but I think it's important to be more specific than that. I got to actually visit some of the kids and help them understand exactly what misuse is and that it is a problem."

Parents play a large role in teaching children the correct way to handle prescription drugs, Buettner said. If children see their parents taking drugs they were prescribed for a specific illness or condition, and then see them handing the drugs to others, it may confuse them or make them think it's OK to take drugs prescribed to others, she explained.

While youth awareness and prevention have been EPIC's main goals, the group also works to assist the adults in the community. A prescription drug take-back will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the West Park Mall and the Jackson Police Department.

"We've partnered with Cape and Jackson police to host this drug take-back event so people can bring old medications and have them disposed of properly," Buettner said.

The poster contest and prescription drug take-backs are events EPIC plans to conduct annually, Buettner said. Although the theme of the poster contest may vary as the coalition focuses on changing community needs, she said it's important to understand the importance of advocacy and awareness.

"I remember one parent came by to drop off her child's poster for the contest and she told me that her son actually did research to understand exactly what prescription misuse was," Buettner said. "That's great. That's what we want kids to do is be more aware of these issues."

Buettner said other EPIC projects in the works include a public service announcement and a family day in Washington Park in June.

srinehart@semissourian.com

388-3641

Pertinent address:

3049 William St., Cape Girardeau, MO

525 S. Hope St., Jackson, MO