June 24, 2023 Issue, Page 8 of 8

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Community 8 - The Elk City News June 24, 2023 County-Wide Drug Prevention Effort Beckham County has been im- Health Services Administra- forts. Improper storage of edible have resulted in THC content If you or a family member pacted by Marijuana and the tion, and the Center for Sub- Some examples of Marijuana THC products has resulted in that puts ‘Woodstock Weed; have been impacted by Mari- problems it can create, As a stance Abuse Prevention. misuse are apparent, like us- unintentional ingestions by to shame. Research on Mari- juana misuse, we hope you response to this information, Carol Binghom, the Project ing Marijuana in dangerous children or non-patients. Oth- juana’s benefits and effects will take part in these efforts. the Oklahoma Department of Manager for SWODA, says she situations. Driving a vehicle er behaviors can be criminal, have historically used 10% However, anyone who lives Mental Health and Substance is seeking community mem- or operating heavy equipment including sharing legally pur- THC content as the definition and/or works in Beckham Abuse Services has partnered bers to work toward reducing while under the influence of chased and possessed Medical ‘high dose’ Concentration lev- County can join the Coalition with South Western Oklahoma the impact of Marijuana mis- Marijuana can put yourself Marijuana with another who els of illicit Marijuana flower and participate in the strat- Development Authority to ini- use by joining in an informal and others at risk. Other be- doesn’t have a Patient License. products confiscated by law egy creation and prevention tiate Community-Based Pre- haviors may be deemed ir- coalition. Coalition members Public perception of Mari- enforcement is in the 14-18% efforts. SWODA is asking for have developed a list of pri- responsible, like using flower vention efforts. The program juana’s risks has been rapidly range. We don’t have the data help in getting the word out is funded by the Oklahoma orities to work on and, with products (smoking) and vap- decreasing, although research on long-term effects of Mari- about the Coalition and would Department of Mental Health SWODA’s help and funding, ing THC around others, ex- doesn’t support the percep- juana at these levels of con- like to invite everyone to share and Substance Abuse Services, will conduct a work plan of posing them to unwanted tions. Frequently, Marijuana centration. this opportunity with family Substance Abuse and Mental evidence-based prevention ef- second-hand smoke or vapors. is compared to illicit drugs Cannabis oils, waxes, and and friends. (Methamphetamine, Heroin, other concentrates can exceed To get more information Local Resources For Preventing Cocaine, Fentanyl) or pre- 50% THC, Higher content about the Coalition and the scription medications that generally means higher cost to work plan of prevention, were falsely marketed (Oxy- purchase these products, pric- please attend a Coalition Accidental Poisonings And Overdoses contin, etc.) and found to be ing many youths out of these meeting. SWODA will be ‘less harmful.’ It’s also often options. Youth are resource- hosting the monthly meeting pointed out that legal sub- ful unfortunately and are at- in Sayre on Monday, January The Beckham County Drug from Coalition members and contact the Beckham County stances (Tobacco and Alcohol) tempting to make these con- 9th, 11:30am. We will meet at Prevention Coalition reminds partners. Coalition to learn more about cause enormous harms in our centrates at home. Guided by the SWOSU-Sayre Campus, in readers that there are three The Beckham County Health efforts happening locally to society as well. All of those social media videos, they use the Alexander Building, room easy things you can do to pre- Department's locations in prevent and decrease Opioid may be true but Marijuana is household chemicals, some 119. Meetings are open to the vent accidental poisonings and Sayre and Elk City, the Office use, To learn more about the still a habit-forming drug and flammable to turn inexpen- public. overdose deaths. First, only of Juvenile Affairs in Elk City, Coalition, please search for us far from ‘a harmless weed.’ sive flower into concentrates. For any questions about the take medications that are pre- the Senior Nutrition Center in on Facebook @drugpreven- Marijuana present today is ‘There isn’t enough research on Coalition or Community- scribed for you and at the rec- Sayre, and the Department of tionbeckham, or call 580-562- more concentrated than at these processes to know the Based Prevention efforts for ommended times and dosages. Human Services office in Sayre 5043 and ask for Steve. any time in history. Breeding long-term impacts to health Beckham County, please con- Second, keep medications all have lock boxes and disposal The Beckham County Drug for THC content, extraction from exposure to, or ingestion tact Steve Berry at 580-562- stored securely, and lastly, kits available. Please visit one Prevention Coalition is funded and concentration methods of these chemicals. 5043. dispose of unused or expired of these locations during their by a grant from the Substance medications safely. regular business hours and ask To help readers store their how you can get these free re- Abuse, Mental Health Services medication securely, the Beck- sources. Administration, the Center for ham County Coalition offers For information on signs and Substance Abuse Prevention, FREE MEDICATION LOCK symptoms of Opioid overdose, and the Oklahoma Depart- BOXES. And to help dispose how to safeguard yourself and ment of Mental Health and of unused or expired medica- your family, and where to find Substance Abuse Services. The tions safely, we offer FREE AT- help and treatment for Opioid grant is administered by South HOME DISPOSAL KITS. These Use Disorder, please visit www. Western Oklahoma Develop- items can be picked up locally okimready.org You can also ment Authority in Burns Flat. June 30 Deadline Fast Approaching For Oklahoma’s Promise Scholarship Program The deadline for a popular today,” said Chancellor Allison Students must also meet cer- state scholarship program is D. Garrett. “Since 1992, more tain income, academic, and quickly approaching for Okla- than 100,000 Oklahomans conduct requirements while homa students who just com- have earned the Oklahoma's in college or attending a pub- RS h 49 pleted eighth, ninth, tenth or Promise scholarship, _help- lic career technology center to “ilest Mnsurance accepted including medicare and sbener care 11th grade. ‘This is the final ing them achieve the dream receive and retain the scholar- | opportunity for students who of higher education at a time ship. were 11th-graders in the 2022- when a college degree and an ‘The Oklahoma Legislature cre- 23 school year to apply for the educated workforce have never ated Oklahoma’s Promise in program been more valuable.” 1992 as an incentive for mid- June 30 is the last day for those ‘The Oklahoma's Promise schol- New Patient dle and high school students students to enroll in Okla- arship covers tuition at any homa’s Promise, a nationally public college or university in to commit to academic suc- recognized college access pro- the state for up to five years cess and prepare for college. gram that allows high school until the completion of a bach- In 2007, the Oklahoma Legis- students the opportunity to elor’s degree or a maximum of lature established a dedicated earn a tuition scholarship that 129 semester credit hours. It funding source for the program can be used at an Oklahoma will also pay a portion of the that has helped ensure schol- Special college, university or public arships earned by Oklahoma's tuition at an accredited Okla- Includes Exam & Adjustment career technology center. Fam- homa private college or at pub- Promise students are fully paid ily income may not exceed the lic career technology centers each year. An estimated 15,000 following levels at the time for certain programs that are students will earn the scholar- Offer Good Thru June 30th of application: $60,000 for eligible for federal financial ship in 2023-24. families with one-two depen- aid. The scholarship amount Oklahoma’s Promise is recog- dent children; $70,000, three- does not include fees, books, nized by many as one of the four dependent children; or supplies, or room and board. nation’s best college access $80,000, five or more depen- Students enrolled in Okla- dent children. Special income homa’s Promise must attend programs and is considered a No Appointment Necessary provisions apply to children class regularly, take a 17-unit model that emphasizes both adopted from certain court-or- college preparatory curricu- academic preparation and fi- Your Welceme Te Glep Gy dered custody and children in lum, pass those courses with nancial support for college. For the custody of court-appointed at least a 2.50 GPA and earn an more information about Okla- legal guardians. overall GPA of at least 2.50 to homa’s Promise or to apply on- “We encourage eligible stu- be eligible for the scholarship. line, visit www.okpromise.org. 980.366.3996 dents who just completed Students must also agree to Information is also available 810 W. 3rd., Elk City, Oklahoma eighth through 11th grade to stay out of serious trouble and by emailing okpromise@osrhe. apply for Oklahoma's Promise avoid drugs and alcohol. edu or calling 800-858-1840. WWW.americanfamilywellness.com Lights, Have an awesome shot to share? cohera’ Email the photo to [email protected] with a description and it could be featured in an upcoming edition!