Up North Prevention is excited to continue our partnership with Alpena Public Schools and the Alpena Police Department to support students and promote healthy, substance-free lifestyles. Through this collaboration, we work together to provide prevention education, positive engagement opportunities, and consistent messaging that encourages students to make healthy choices free from alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs. By partnering with schools and law enforcement, we are able t

The Alcona Electric Tigers e-sports team learns more than how to win at video games. They leave each night equipped with skills to win at life. Coach Les Thomas, a Prevention Specialist in Alcona County, is part of the team coaching the Tigers in one of the fastest growing sports sectors in the world, competitive video gaming. Thomas incorporates Botvin LifeSkills lessons into each meeting to help build skills that apply not only to athletics, but also to everyday life. These

The Alcona chapter of Students Leading Students (SLS) has been steadily growing thanks to extensive outreach over the past year, including events during high school athletics, school assemblies, and community activities. This school year, membership has grown from 13 to 27 students, including 12 new freshmen. In addition to these events, Alcona SLS hosted Dawn Flood from Student Leadership Services to facilitate two trainings, one for their chapter and one for regional chapte

The Alcona Chapter of the Students Leading Students (SLS) program welcomed Alcona Elementary students to school with positive affirmations and energy to close out the calendar year. Students gave high fives and fist bumps while celebrating students, teachers, and staff. At Alcona, athletic teams and student groups like SLS can sign up for a “High Five Friday” shift to help boost morale for everyone involved.

Rogers City Students Leading Students (SLS) had a few extra surprises for fellow students under their Giving Tree this holiday season.  Colorful backpacks were placed beneath the tree for students to take as needed. Each backpack was filled with engaging and comforting items such as fidget toys, doodle journals, decks of cards, colored pencils, stress toys, card games, and mini toys. These thoughtful items were intended to help keep minds busy and provide positive outlets dur

Presque Isle County Up North Prevention brought plenty of holiday spirit to the community over the past two weekends as their float proudly participated in two Christmas parades across the county which covered Rogers City and Posen communities.  Adding a playful twist to their message, the Christmas Grinch waved along the parade route with an important reminder for all: “Don’t let the Substance Grinch steal your Christmas spirit—stay substance free!” Children and adults lined

The Students Leading Students (SLS) chapters at Rogers City High School and Posen High School have been selected to participate in the statewide Strive For A Safer Drive (S4SD) campaign. S4SD is a teen driving initiative focused on reducing serious traffic crashes, injuries, and fatalities among Michigan’s most inexperienced drivers. The program is presented by Ford Philanthropy in partnership with the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning (OHSP). Both schools will recei

In October and November, the Live Well Kalkaska Coalition partnered with the Michigan State Police to engage with families during Parent–Teacher Conferences at Forest Area High School and Middle School, as well as Kalkaska High School and Middle School. The team set up an information table inside the schools, offering parents a variety of valuable resources aimed at keeping kids safe and supporting healthy choices. Materials included Narcan, Deterra drug deactivation bags, an

On a crisp evening last month, the Live Well Kalkaska Coalition welcomed over 30 community members to the  annual Serenity Vigil , a moving event dedicated to remembering those affected by substance use and offering hope and support to those on the journey toward recovery. Families, friends, and neighbors gathered together, sharing a moment of reflection, compassion, and connection that highlighted the strength of our community. The vigil was bathed in the soft glow of candle

A naloxone training will be held for the public at the Alcona Commission On Aging on Wednesday, December 10, from 4 – 5 Pm.  The program, sponsored by the Alcona Opioid Settlement Committee, will feature Up North Prevention’s Donna Hardies as the afternoon’s facilitator and instructor.  The focus will be about how to safely and correctly reverse an opioid overdose, and the steps to take to ensure an effective recovery.  The program will also feature the science of naloxone, a

Kevin Szawala, known as, “Mr Peace” came to Alcona Schools in November to talk to students about bullying, the importance of taking care of your mental health, and being the best possible version of yourself.  The program was catered to three groups, 3 rd - 5 th graders, middle school, and high schoolers.  Each program was filled with heartfelt stories, life lessons, and Mr. Peace’s signature hip-hop.  Each show was interactive, engaging and addressed key issues for student

Last week, the Students Leading Students (SLS) chapters from both Atlanta and Hillman participated in a full-day leadership training at Alcona High School. They joined fellow chapters from Alcona, Tawas, Rogers City, and Oscoda. Throughout the day, students engaged in a variety of sessions designed to strengthen their chapters and enhance their ability to make a positive impact within their schools.

The members of the Alcona Chapter of Students Leading Students hosted a food drive at the end of October to address food insecurities among students and their families.  The drive was set up as a classroom challenge, with all proceeds going to the Alcona School’s student locker.  The “locker” serves both the high school and elementary and is a place where students can go and pick up free items, from food, to personal care, clothing and winter boots.  With the prospect of SNAP

Up North Prevention partnered with the Alcona Commission on Aging and the Alcona Sherriff’s Office to facilitate a prescription medicine take back day in October.  In addition to the takeback portion of the event, prevention staff also gave away Naloxone, cannabis and nicotine test kits, as well as t-shirts and zipper lock bags.  Almost 4 pounds of medicine was collected and turned over to the Alcona Sherriff’s Office and staff interacted with more than 20 individuals.  Anoth

Alpena High School’s Students Leading Students (SLS) members enthusiastically embraced Red Ribbon Week by actively engaging their peers in meaningful conversations about the importance of living a healthy lifestyle. Through creative messaging and peer-led initiatives, they promoted awareness around making positive choices that steer clear of drugs, alcohol, and other self-destructive behaviors. Their efforts not only highlighted the value of personal well-being but also foste

National Drug take back day, October 27,2025, Up North Prevention collaborated with four Northeast Michigan law enforcement agencies to facilitate the safe disposal of unwanted or outdated prescription medications. Through this partnership, a total of 649.5 pounds of medications were collected from the participating agencies and transported to Flint, Michigan, where it was turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) for proper disposal. This coordinated effort pl

Red Ribbon Week, observed annually from October 23 to October 31 , is the nation’s largest and longest-running drug-use prevention campaign. Posen High School’s Students Leading Students (SLS) group kicked off their celebration with themed sunglasses reading “Life is a Puzzle, Solve It Drug Free”  this year’s official slogan. The sunglasses were a hit among students, helping to spark conversations about living drug-free and making healthy choices. The campaign’s origins trace

Event Summary from Arrive Alive website: "Participants get into an actual vehicle (with battery disabled and car immobilized) and put on a virtual reality headset. Sensors are connected to the vehicle’s gas/brake pedals and steering wheel, enabling the participant to experience drugged driving without the real-life consequences. Upon exiting the vehicle, each participant is handed a mock citation detailing the ramifications of their simulation, as explained by a facilitator.

Alcona schools played host to Executive Director for Student Leadership Services, Dawn Flood who held a training exclusive to Alcona members.  The event, attended by 12 Alcona students, featured warm ups, and other engaging activities for Alcona students to use when speaking to youth in other schools.  The training stemmed from the group’s presentation at the 2025 SLS Statewide Conference- one that featured the idea of travelling to other schools to spread the prevention mess

The Alcona chapter of Students Leading Students hosted the 2 nd  annual Red Ribbon Week event during the JV/Varsity volleyball matches between the Alcona Tigers and the Atlanta Huskies.  The Red Ribbon week event is held across the nation each year at the end of October to promote substance abuse awareness and to help end violent acts, like the one that took the life of DEA Agent Enrique Camarena in 1985, the year that the event started.  Alcona members gave t-shirts to each