Winds Have Changed Campaign Takes Flight

on UT & USF Campuses 

Kicking off Tampa’s fun and rowdy parade season, DACCO held two highly successful on-campus “Winds Have Changed” alcohol prevention fairs at local universities in January – with over 750 students coming out to receive Gasparilla-themed incentives. Funded by a FL Department of Children & Families Prevention Partnership Grant, the events provided information about the new “Zero Tolerance” policies at the 2010 Gasparilla celebrations and collected baseline data about students’ knowledge of the health, safety and legal risks associated with underage drinking, binge drinking, and drinking and driving.  Many in the community, including City Council member, Linda Saul-Sena, were quoted as saying that this year’s Gasparilla day parade was “one of the most civilized” they had experienced – perhaps due in part to our on-campus efforts to educate and inform students regarding the new policies and dangers associated with drinking. 

In addition to the fairs, a 16-page insert with information about alcohol and blood alcohol levels - including common myths and facts about drinking and fun “mock” cocktail recipes - was recently published in the St. Petersburg Times and in the Minaret and the Oracle (the on-campus newspapers at UT and USF). 

Over the next year, a number of other grant-funded initiatives are planned, with the goals of:

  • Observing modifications in heavy and underage alcohol consumption through the use of “moderation techniques” (which students will learn through our on-campus campaign)
  • Increasing individual insight into the risks associated with alcohol abuse, and
  • Decreasing the social norm of acceptance and indifference related to these issues on campus and within the community.

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A series of campaign blitzes planned for February and March will provide UT and USF students with information related to bloodalcohol content, including check points, posters, and flyers.  Stay tuned as we continue to spotlight this very important community prevention program! 

  


 

JUNIOR LEAGUE SPONSORS “Mommy & Me” Valentine’s Day event at DACCO

The Junior League of Tampa – one of DACCO’s generous community partners and supporters - sponsored the annual “Mommy & Me” Valentine’s Day event at the DACCO campus.  Over 80 women and children took part in the opportunity to have their children, family and friends come and enjoy pizza and cookies while also participating in arts and crafts activities.

Two of the mothers in DACCO’s Women’s Residential Program shared how much they appreciated the opportunity to bond with children during the event.  Katherine attended with her three children and said, “My kids loved the event!  They especially like decorating the foam hearts in the craft area but decorating the chocolate chip cookies with pink icing was a close second!”  Julia, another Women’s Residential client, and her two older children attended the event and loved decorating cookies.  ”I really appreciate the Junior League helping us to have a moment to remember.”

All of the clients in DACCO’s Women’s Residential Program would like to give thanks to the Junior League for sponsoring such an extraordinary evening allowing so many moms and their children to spend time together.  “We don’t get to spend as much time together as we would like because we are making the changes necessary to keep drugs out of our lives – it was such an incredible experience!”

Please contact us at 813-384-4216 if you or your organization would like the opportunity to partner with us!

East Tampa Neighborhoods Awarded Grant

Mayor Pam Iorio, Tampa Police Chief Jane Castor and other dignitaries were on hand to accept the Weed & Seed grant award from U.S. Attorney A. Brian Albritton on January 13th at the Tampa Police District III in Ybor City.  This award will, over the next five years, address the high crime rate in the East Tampa neighborhoods of Grant Park, Highland Pines, Rainbow Heights & Northview Hills. 
The grant will fund enhanced policing activities, prevention; substance abuse  intervention, treatment  and prevention programming in surrounding community centers; offender reentry assistance; and neighborhood restoration.  These initiatives will be coordinated through a steering committee consisting of individuals in the community, local police and community service organizations including DACCO, Abe Brown Ministries and the CDC of Tampa.    DACCO will serve as both the Fiscal Agent and Safe Haven for this project.
Kim Miner, site coordinator for the East Tampa project, indicated “I am looking forward to working with the community in building it into a stronger, safer and healthier place to live for its residents”  

DACCO Named as WEDU
Be More Award Finalist

DACCO was selected as a finalist in the “Be More… Brilliant” category recently by WEDU, West Central Florida’s primary PBS station.
With more than 70 applications submitted in all categories, DACCO was one of 5 nonprofit agencies recognized as a finalist for the construction and opening of the DACCO Center for Behavioral Health in Fall 2008.  The new campus now provides a one stop shop for clients to receive substance use disorder services and the necessary support services to turn their lives around. The new campus also allowed for the introduction of new services such as a Family Residence which provides for family housing for women in treatment to live on campus with their children.

Mary Lynn Ulrey, DACCO’s CEO stated:  “We are pleased and honored to be recognized by WEDU in this category and want to thank the community for its continued support”

DACCO Opens Duplex Doors

On October 26th the doors to the DACCO Family Residence were opened to two women and their children.  This first of its kind residence, onsite at the DACCO Center for Behavioral Health, provides women in treatment the opportunity to live with their children on campus.  Prior to opening of this residence, women would have to be separated from their newborns and children while  they completed their treatment.

Many dignitaries were on hand for the ribbon cutting ceremony including Bob Holm, Director of the SubstanceAbuse and Mental Health Program for the Department of Children and Families Suncoast Region and Don Dixon, Assistant Executive Director of Operations for the Children’s Board of Hillsborough County whose agencies provide funding for this innovative new facility.  Mr. Dixon stated:  “The Children’s Board is dedicated to providing children and families the stability and means to become self sufficient and with the opening of this duplex today another brick is added to an already firm community services foundation here in Hillsborough County.” 

 

DACCO Hosts United Way Executives

DACCO was honored to have 12 executives from the greater Tampa Bay area come tour the new Center for Behavioral Health on
November 9th.    Funding provided by the United Way allows DACCO clients the opportunity to attend classes onsite as well as obtain their GED while they complete their treatment.  Other supportive programs funded by United Way include onsite access to computers which allow clients the opportunity to search and apply online for jobs as well as assistance in building a resume.  Clients also receive coaching & mentoring which prepares them for a positive job interviewing experience as well as greater potential for success as they re-enter the workforce and the community.
We are very appreciative of the United Way as well as our other funding partners, sponsors and donors!  To schedule a tour for your group please contact 813-384-4216.

  

BUTTERFLY GARDEN TAKES FLIGHT ON THE DACCO CAMPUS

October 15th marked a special day on the DACCO campus as over 25 volunteers from Ferman Automotive Group along with DACCO employees and client created a butterfly garden. This garden will provide a therapeutic area for clients and their families to come and meditate.

Natalia Bair, a disease intervention specialist with DACCO’s Project Care program, spearheaded the design and coordination of the activities throughout the day. The day started at 9:00 with excavation of the site and continued with placement of stepping stones, plants, trellis, benches and a bird bath. In addition the volunteers displayed their artistic talents by painting numerous signs highlighting the plantings.

In addition to the volunteers donating their time and energy local businesses also donated plants, mulch and decorative items for the event. We would like to acknowledge the Ferman Motor Care Company, Prodigy Environmental Care and Treemart for their generosity. DACCO appreciates it’s many community partners and sponsors which make projects such as the butterfly garden possible!

 
 



Personal Stories Shared at Recovery Month Celebration

In celebration of the 20th anniversary of the National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month, "Join the Voices for Recovery: Together We Learn, Together We Heal" DACCO was honored to have a number of dignitaries on hand to share their personal stories and support of substance use disorder programming in our community.

Mary Lynn Ulrey, CEO opened the event by welcoming Representative Darryl Rouson - District 55. Representative Rouson shared his personal story of addiction as he celebrates his 11 years of successful recovery. Also on hand were Representatives Rachel Burgin - District 56 and Betty Reid- District 59 who both shared their commitment to helping families and friends avoid the effects of substance abuse as well as ensuring the availability and affordability of community based treatment programs such as DACCO. David P. Myers, MD, CAP, FASAM, and DACCO's new Medical Director also shared his personal story of joy and triumph having made the personal journey into recovery himself over 25 years ago.

In closing Mary Lynn Ulrey stated "The significance of this event is important in that it allows us all to share information regarding the awareness and advances that have been made while also allowing us to identify the barriers that still remain in successfully combating the disorder. Some of these barriers, as you know, include making treatment affordable and without stigma. Events such as today allow this communication to occur and allow us all to work together toward solutions."

DACCO Hosts Drug Czar

Mary Lynn Ulrey and Gil Kerlikowske
On August 12th Director Gil Kerlikowske, newly-appointed director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, visited the Drug Abuse Comprehensive Coordinating Office, Inc.'s (DACCO) new Center for Behavioral Health in Tampa. The visit, which in addition to the tour included a briefing and press conference, focused on the dramatic increase in prescription and opiate drug use and current treatment programs available at the DACCO campus. Locally, based on Hillsborough County data from 2002 - 2005, there has been a steady increase in the number of deaths due to oxycodone/roxycodone, highly addictive opiate- based prescripition pain medications. Based on recent autopsy records 772 deaths were caused by prescription drugs in 2005 and 2006 in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco and Hernando counties.

Also on hand for the event was Representative Kurt Kelly R- Ocala a cowriter and sponsor of Florida's recently passed passed Prescription Drug Monitoring Law, which will put prescriptions into digital database, making it possible for doctors to identify doctor shoppers and spot doctors who overprescribe narcotics.

DACCO's Chief Executive Office, Mary Lynn Ulrey provided data detailing that 60 to 66 percent of DACCO's methadone clinic patients state that prescription drugs are their drug of choice. "We see a lot of abuse of the opiates, oxycontin and roxycontin," Ulrey said. "And the benzodiazepines that are being prescribed in pain clinics that are not necessary."

Expansion of Healthcorps Program to Freedom High School

DACCO is pleased to announce the expansion of the highly successful Healthcorps program to Freedom High School. Since 2008 this program has been operating on the campus of Tampa Bay Technical High School educating youth on healthy decision-making in regards to diet, mental resilience, and exercise. Empowering students to take responsibility for their own physical health results in: healthy behaviors for life, the prevention of obesity and related health issues, and the reduction of risk factors for other issues such as substance abuse and teen suicide.

This continued local implementation of the HealthCorps program developed by renowned surgeon Dr. Mehmet Oz, "Educating the Student Body" is presented to high school students by DACCO and HealthCorps, in cooperation with the Hillsborough County School District. The program uses various strategies that combine hands-on educational experiences, in and outside the classroom, while also encouraging teacher and parent participation. If you are interested in receiving more information or would like to volunteer your time at the Spring community "Highway to Health Fair & Festival." please contact us at 813.384.4216 to discuss individual or group volunteer opportunities.

DACCO Receives Additional Prevention Partnership Funding and Award for New Vans

Bob Holm, Director of SAMH, Suncoast Region, announced at the Prevention Partnership Celebration on August 6th that DACCO had been awarded an additional $120,000 to provide additional prevention programming in Hillsborough County. This grant award will allow DACCO, in cooperation with Phoenix House, the Anti Drug Alliance and Channel 10, to educate college students and the community regarding Blood Alcohol Concentration and the health, safety, and legal risks of underage drinking, binge drinking, and drinking & driving. This program will also provide information and referral services for students, parents, and community members requiring prevention or treatment services. This program will target adults, ages 18-49 with an emphasis on students at the University of Tampa and University of South Florida.

Also DACCO received notification of an award from the Florida Department of Transportation which will allow 4 aging vans from its fleet to be replaced. One of the vans will be handicapped equipped allowing additional support for clients requiring special assistance. These vans will be used to transport clients and family members in treatment to needed services and recovery support programming. Last year DACCO provided over 18,000 trips through its fleet.

 

 

 

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