In the Community: Towns advance tobacco free policies; FOLA Follies of 2016 announce theme; and drug Take-Back Day collects 325 pounds

The towns of Winhall and Dorset have partnered with the Collaborative of Londonderry to support tobacco and smoking prevention policies by ordering and displaying signs designating town properties as smoke and tobacco free. Both towns recognized the need to communicate their smoking and tobacco use policies respectively adopted in 2008 and 2011. These tobacco policies align with the town’s promotion of health and wellness and also the environment.

The Collaborative works with area towns, businesses and organizations to develop policy language supporting tobacco and smoke-free areas. In addition, it provides supporting tools and resources including signage, tobacco cessation access and a workplace tobacco free toolkit taking groups step by step through the process of going tobacco and smoke free.

Victoria Silsby, tobacco prevention coordinator at the Collaborative, says, “Working with these two towns to support their decision to create a healthy environment for youth, residents and visitors by reducing tobacco use and exposure is a rewarding experience.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control, limiting areas where smoking can occur is an effective tobacco control tool. The less exposure youth have to tobacco use and smoking, the less likely youth will use tobacco products.

To learn more about creating and designating tobacco and smoke free areas, call Silsby at the Collaborative 802-824-4200.

Planning for 2016 FOLA Follies getting under way

Friends of Ludlow Auditorium will have its kick-off meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 17 at 7 p.m. at the Ludlow Town Hall Auditorium: 37 S. Depot St., in Ludlow.

The theme of the 2016 FOLA Follies will be Comedy Tonight, which is scheduled for  Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016.  Currently a list of appropriate numbers for this musical extravaganza are being prepared.

Area performers interested in participating in the third follies production are invited to contact FOLA at info@fola.us or 802-228-7239 for information about the follies and the kick-off meeting on Nov. 17.

 

325 pounds of prescription drugs collected for burning

On Saturday, Sept. 26, Windsor County residents again participated in the DEA-led National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day, resulting in 325 pounds of drugs collected for incineration, the second largest volume yet to be tallied in Windsor County and 36 pounds greater than the fall 2014 collection.

Unwanted or expired prescription drugs were collected at police departments, transfer stations and other community centers throughout the county to ensure safe and proper disposal.

Springfield Police Department topped the charts with 90 pounds collected. Springfield is one of seven locations in Windsor County with a permanent medication return drop box.

Despite DEA program cut backs, Windsor County Sheriff’s continued the effort this past April to collect and incinerate 402 pounds, the largest volume to date in Windsor County.

For more information on substance abuse prevention efforts, visit www.facebook.com/windsorcountypreventionpartners

Drug Take Back Totals for Windsor County, September 2015
Weathersfield Transfer Station	5.8 lbs.
Hartford Police Department	57.4 lbs.
Chester Police Department	13.6 lbs.
Rochester Constable's Office	9 lbs.
VSP Royalton Barracks	16 lbs.
Ludlow Police Department	26.8 lbs.
Woodstock Police Department	27.4 lbs.
Windsor Police Department	47.4 lbs.
Springfield Police Department	90.8 lbs.
Norwich Police Department	14.4 lbs.
Royalton Police Department	16 lbs.

–Compiled by Leah M. Cunningham