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collaborated with four Northeast Michigan law enforcement agencies to facilitate the safe disposal of unwanted or outdated prescription medications.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

Prevention Specialist Les Thomas, who doubles as the Alcona athletic department announcer, never misses a chance to talk about work after hours.  Prevention messages are incorporated at all Alcona Tiger home games throughout the school year using the Substance Free Athletics curriculum.  Substance Free Athletics connects to athletes with information from the potential consequences of substance use on athletic performance.  On average, each event is attended by 100+ youth and

Students Leading Students bought the fun with an awesome tailgating party before the big game! There were hot dogs, pop, candy, and...

Presque Isle County Project Connect hosted by the Presque Isle County Coalition is an event that provides free direct access to a wide...

Up North Prevention teamed up with Alcona Health Center to bring smiles, snacks, and school spirit to the pre-homecoming powder puff...

Crawford Partnership to End Substance Misuse provided free Narcan to community members. The Grayling Pharmacy hosted the event during the...

The Live Well Kalkaska Coalition recently hosted its 2nd Annual recovery event, The Talents of Recovery Up North . Despite a chilly, wet...

At the Freshman Bash at Alpena High School, the Alpena Students Leading Students (SLS) coalition helped create a warm and welcoming...

The Montmorency Substance Free Coalition (MSFC) proudly showed its support for Recovery Month by publishing an informational insert...

A safeTalk presentation was given September 15 th  at the TADL Library in Grand Traverse County by Kiersten's Ride. How to connect...

The Ogemaw Drug Free Coalition joined the 7th grader Wellness Fair  at MyMichigan Outdoor Health Track to reach over 180 students with...

We had an amazing turnout at the Commission on Aging on August 21st ! 🎉  Over 170 community members  stopped by to explore resources,...

The Students Leading Students (SLS) summer camp was a great success, with strong attendance and enthusiastic participation throughout....

On August 31, the Live Well Kalkaska Coalition attended the 7th Annual International Overdose Awareness Day event hosted by Mom’s on a...