Gaining ground in substance abuse prevention efforts  

In Tioga County, preventing substance abuse remains a top priority. Focused on the effort is the organization known as Tioga ASAP. A catchy acronym, it’s easy to remember, too.  

Allies in Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition (ASAP) was formed to educate the community in understanding, preventing and reducing substance abuse. ASAP also works to build a stronger community, with the goal of reducing the stigma and misconceptions about substance abuse, and in turn, encourage individuals to utilize resources and seek help.

CASA-Trinity, a prevention and treatment services agency, along with COTI (Center of Treatment Innovation), remain key players in ASAP’s work, too. The Tioga County Legislature, village and town government officials, law enforcement and other community leaders are also supportive of ASAP’s efforts.  

CASA-Trinity Prevention Specialists, Stephanie Ferraro and Jenna Layton explained that, via data collection, “Alcohol, marijuana and the misuse of over-the-counter meds have been found to be the three leading issues in Tioga County.”

ASAP’s work empowers youth and families in promoting healthy behaviors and choices and partners with businesses, organizations, schools and various other agencies. ASAP connects people to resources, encourages youth leadership, and provides up-to-date information on current topics.

A significant win for the group, a Drug Free Communities Grant provides funding for a five-year period. ASAP is finishing up their first year efforts, which included staffing a full-time coordinator.

Layton and Ferraro remarked, “The group has made significant strides.” 

The public will find ASAP members at many special events throughout the year in Tioga County, including the initiatives Do One Thing, Black Balloon Day and Drug Take-Back days. Upcoming events include school open houses and the second annual Overdose Awareness and Candlelight Vigil on Aug. 30 at the Courthouse Square Gazebo in Owego starting at 7 p.m.

As a partner with the Valley A.D.E. (Addiction and Drug Education), ASAP is joining in for September’s National Recovery Month at the Brad Bailey Memorial Kickball Tournament scheduled for Sept. 7 at the Waverly Little League Field. Valley A.D.E. educates the public about addiction, and offers solutions for help and recovery. Find the event page on Facebook for more information.  

Finding unique ways to educate the public is all part of ASAP’s mission. For example, Ferraro and Layton mentioned that a good percentage of grandparents are raising their grandchildren in Tioga County, so to help, ASAP delivered an informative presentation just for that group.

Regular surveys soliciting feedback from parents, students and teachers are yet another way ASAP reaches out to the public.

For example, Ferraro and Layton said that a recent Prevention Needs Assessment brought back results indicating that 73 percent of youth believe vaping is harmful. ASAP’s “Quit Talk,” or texting resource, helps teens through the steps of quitting smoking or vaping. 

ASAP keeps the public informed about current topics, too, such as CBD. ASAP has added the popular subject to their agenda and, along with information on the Tioga ASAP website are incorporating Cannabis 101 facts so that the community is educated about products containing cannabis and can understand better the effects of its use.

Tioga County ASAP welcomes the public to their monthly meetings held the third Tuesday of the month from 1 to 2 p.m. at the Health and Human Services Building’s second floor conference room in Owego.

For more information, find Tioga County ASAP on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, or visit tiogaasap.org. You can also call (607) 223-4066 or visit their offices at 72 North Ave. in Owego.