Six members of Alcona Schools 2026 graduating class will be moving on with the lessons learned from their time in Students Leading Students (SLS). Among the students, four of them have been active since the program’s inception in Alcona in fall of 2023. The SLS graduates even includes a one-year foreign exchange student from Spain, who originally joined to make friends at Alcona, where she started as a student this past fall. Alcona’s advisor, Les Thomas, is happy about th

Up North Prevention proudly collaborated with local Presque Isle County businesses during the 2026 Spring Sticker Shock Campaign. Project Sticker Shock is an awareness initiative designed to educate the public and shift community attitudes about providing alcohol, marijuana, or vape products to individuals under the age of 21. This campaign brings community members together with a shared goal: to reduce underage drinking, vaping, and marijuana use, while reinforcing the impor

On May 5, 2026, Up North Prevention had the opportunity to attend a powerful presentation of Painless at Kingsley High School. The musical delivered an emotional and thought-provoking message centered on mental health, substance use prevention, and the importance of connection, hope, and seeking support during difficult times. Through music, storytelling, and authentic performances, Painless explored the hidden struggles many young people face every day. Students were encoura

On May 13, 2026, Catholic Human Services’ Up North Prevention joined multiple community vendors at the Senior Expo held at the Traverse City Civic Center. The event welcomed a large crowd, primarily adults ages 60 and older, from throughout the community. The Up North Prevention booth was a popular stop for attendees, many of whom asked questions about the Deterra medication disposal bags. Staff provided brief demonstrations on how to properly use the bags and distributed sam

April’s Alcohol Awareness events wrapped up across Presque Isle County as students from schools in Posen and Rogers City participated in activities focused on education and prevention. Junior high and high school students took part in an alcohol myths and facts survey designed to raise awareness about the dangers of alcohol use and address common misconceptions. Students who completed the survey were entered into a prize drawing for a chance to win a beach tote filled with su

Students from Rogers City High School’s Students Leading Students group worked to help break the stigma surrounding mental health by hosting a Mental Health Awareness table during school hours. Throughout the day, students stopped by to receive awareness items, show support for one another, and learn more about the importance of mental health awareness. Mental Health Awareness is recognized each May and is represented by the color green. In support of the cause, students were

On April 25, 2026, deputies with the Grand Traverse County Sheriff’s Office collected approximately 50 pounds of controlled substances during National Prescription Drug Take Back Day at a location outside the Grand Traverse Mall. Up North Prevention partnered with the Sheriff’s Office by hosting a prevention resource table inside the mall, providing education and information on safe medication use and disposal. Between November 7, 2025, and November 28, 2026, the Grand Traver

Up North Prevention recently partnered with three Alpena-area provisioning centers to help promote safe storage practices within the community. Through this collaboration, a total of 35 lock bags were distributed to customers who may need a secure place to store their marijuana. Providing safe storage options is an important step in preventing accidental access, especially by children. By working together, Up North Prevention and local businesses are helping raise awareness a

At the end of April 2026, communities across the country participated in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, and here in Northeast Michigan, it was a great success. For the second year in a row, Up North Prevention partnered with the Alpena Senior Citizens Center and the Alpena County Sheriff’s Department to make a meaningful impact. Using a mobile unit, the team traveled to eight local law enforcement agencies over two days, making it convenient for residents to safely

The annual National Trout Festival has long been a cornerstone of the Kalkaska community. Dating back to 1935, this beloved tradition began as a way to celebrate the region’s rich fishing heritage and has since grown into a multi-day event filled with parades, entertainment, and the always-popular flea market. Over the decades, it has become more than just a festival, it’s a gathering place where local organizations join flea market vendors and make a difference. Once again,

Up North Prevention joined the community at the annual Otsego County Family Fun Fair on April 25, 2026, held at Gaylord Middle School. In collaboration with the Gaylord Police Department, the team hosted a prescription drug take-back event and shared important information on safe use and proper disposal. Young attendees had plenty to enjoy, from coloring pages with positive messages to an interactive Q&A game featuring a spinning wheel. The highlight for many was the crowd-pl

For the fourth year in a row, Up North Prevention proudly partnered with the Alpena Senior Center for National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. This year, community members turned in 20 pounds of unwanted and leftover prescription medications for safe disposal. Up North Prevention transported the medications to Gaylord, Michigan, where they were turned over to the DEA for final disposal. Through continued collaboration with the Alpena Senior Center, Up North Prevention remain

Training for Intervention Procedures (TiPS®) is the global leader in education and training for the responsible service, sale, and consumption of alcohol. Proven effective by third-party studies, TIPS® is a skills-based training program that is designed to prevent intoxication, underage drinking, and impaired driving. Over the past 35 years, TIPS® has certified over 4 million participants and trainers. TIPS® training is conducted in all 50 states and the District of Columb

On Friday, April 24, 2026, Up North Prevention once again teamed up with the amazing staff at Thunder Bay Junior High to help make the final dance of the year extra special. We brought our Selfie 360 machine, giving students a fun and healthy way to capture the moment with videos they could take home and share with their families. It was a great night filled with smiles, laughter, and lasting memories! Up North Prevention is already looking forward to partnering again with Th

Catholic Human Services and Up North Prevention staff attended the Caregiver Empowerment & Wellness Conference, hosted in Lincoln by the Region 9 Area Agency on Aging. The conference featured displays and information from area agencies, as well as speakers from My Michigan Medical Center, Hospice of Michigan and the Michigan Alzheimer’s Disease Center. Three CHS staff hosted an information table and provided naloxone, Deterra bags, as well as information catered to seniors a

We loved being part of the Oscoda Family Fun Fair—connecting with our community and promoting healthy, substance-free choices! Events like this provide a great opportunity to engage with families, share resources, and encourage positive decision-making in a fun and welcoming environment. It’s always rewarding to be alongside community members and partners who are committed to supporting youth and families. Thank you to everyone who stopped by and helped make the event such a

The Montmorency County Substance Free Coalition partnered with Up North Prevention to bring the “Celebrate Sober” initiative to the Hillman Jr./Sr. Prom. As part of the event, the coalition provided a 360° selfie photo booth for individuals and groups to enjoy, giving students a fun way to capture and download lasting video memories from the night.

Rogers City Middle and High School students had the opportunity to learn about alcohol myths and facts between classes through a fun and interactive activity. Students could spin a prize wheel for a chance to win candy or a notepad, adding excitement to the learning experience. By participating in the myth-versus-fact portion of the activity, students were also entered into a prize drawing for a chance to win a gift basket filled with goodies. This engaging approach helped re

At Alcona Schools, the PBIS (Positive Behavior Intervention & Supports) team is committed to supporting not only student success, but staff wellness as well. In March, the PBIS team partnered with Elementary Principal Tim Lee to surprise building staff with an impromptu snack delivery. The “Woot Woot Wagon” (featuring Cassie, Les, and Natalie) made its way through the building, bringing tasty treats along with upbeat music, dancing, and plenty of positive energy. The unexpect

Members of Alcona Students Leading Students (SLS) partnered with Jonny Zawaki of True North Radio to record radio commercials aimed at supporting individuals experiencing the “winter blues.” The messages focused on promoting mental health through intentional self-care and encouraging engagement in enjoyable winter activities that help boost dopamine levels—both of which can support individuals during the winter months. The students enjoyed the recording process and look forwa