Local agencies mark National Prevention Week

Posted on May 18, 2017
The Institute for Human Resources in Pontiac is one of several local agencies marking National Prevention Week. (Photo Cynthia Grau/WJBC-WJEZ)

By Cynthia Grau

PONTIAC – This week is National Prevention Week, and the Institute for Human Resources in Pontiac is taking steps to continue prevention efforts.

Prevention topics range from the prevention of underage drinking or tobacco use and alcohol misuse to suicide prevention and promotion of mental health and wellness.

IHR prevention specialist Tiffany Yoder explained the week is observed to identify how it works and how it benefits the community.

“Prevention saves the state so much money every year. When we’re putting money into prevention, we’re not having to put all that money into treatment later,” Yoder said. “Treatment can work, but it’s not always successful once people have made those choices and it’s obviously going to be very hard. We want to really focus our efforts on preventing kids from making the choices that are going to impact their lives.”

To learn more about IHR and its prevention programs, call 844-6109.

Cynthia Grau can be reached at [email protected].

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…