Pickaway Addiction Action Coalition

12/21/2025

Roots of Change🌳
In 2025, PAAC proudly relaunched our youth leadership initiative as Roots of Change, a name that reflects the strength, hope, and growth our young leaders bring to their schools and community.

Our Roots of Change Youth Ambassadors are the heart of PAAC's mission-empowering their peers, lifting up their schools, and showing our community just how powerful young voices can be. Bringing together students from all four Pickaway County high schools, these leaders model healthy choices, spark conversations, and take meaningful action
—whether they're representing PAAC at community events, speaking with local leaders, or leading prevention efforts in their own classrooms.

This year, they also traveled to a national prevention conference, where they were inspired by successful, school-based prevention practices and returned determined to bring those ideas home.

Together, they remind us that real change doesn't wait for the future — it begins with them, right now.💪

12/17/2025

Big moments. Big voices. Real change. Fall 2025 highlights⬇️

This fall, PAAC proudly hosted our annual Be the Change Youth Rally, featuring Harry Miller — former Ohio State football player — who shared his powerful story of mental health, recovery, and resilience.

Harry’s message sparked meaningful conversations and inspired our youth to speak up, seek help, and support one another. Events like this remind us that change starts with courage and community.💚

12/17/2025

Our youth are the backbone and the future of this community. Through PAAC’s Roots of Change Youth Ambassador Program, young leaders are stepping up, learning to advocate, and creating real change from the ground up.

If you’re passionate about your community, your voice matters here. Join us, grow your leadership skills, and help shape a stronger future—together.

Learn more & get involved: https://drugfreepickaway.com/youth-coalition/

12/16/2025

Take care of yourself this holiday season.

For some, the holiday season and celebrations can trigger unwanted emotions or behaviors. Help is available, if you or someone in your life is struggling with the use of substances, including alcohol, and would like support with recovery: samhsa.gov/find-help

12/14/2025

Year in Review⬇️
This summer, PAAC connected with families across Pickaway County through prevention-focused events, partnerships, and conversations. We launched the Summer Bingo Challenge with local health partners and shared resources at community events including the County Fair, Movies in the Park, Touch A Truck, Overdose Awareness Day, and more.

We also supported back-to-school efforts, hosted Hidden in Plain Sight sessions, and led parent focus groups to better understand how families talk about substance use—insights that are helping shape PAAC’s upcoming prevention strategies.

Thank you for being part of a summer focused on awareness, connection, and prevention.💚

12/13/2025

Recognizing the signs of su***de risk in young people can save lives.
Learn the warning signs and if you notice any in yourself or others, it's important to take them seriously.

Text, call, or chat 988 988lifeline.org

12/12/2025

This spring, PAAC showed up—for families, for youth, and for our community.💚

Campaigns that sparked conversations, youth voices at the table, and partnerships that expanded impact across our region.

Grateful for everyone who played a role in making Q2 a success. Looking forward to sharing highlights from Q3 & Q4!

12/10/2025

PAAC is in the room and ready to learn!💡

Today we’re joining partners and prevention leaders at the Ohio Prevention Conference—listening, learning, and strengthening our commitment to advancing prevention through integrated approaches. Grateful for the opportunity to connect, grow, and bring new ideas back to our work in communities across Ohio.

Always learning. Always collaborating. Always moving prevention forward.💚

12/08/2025

A lot to celebrate already in 2025 🎉

As we look back on the first quarter of the year, PAAC hit the ground running with meaningful action and impact across our community.

January–March highlights include:
✅ Recognizing Substance Use Disorder Treatment Month and elevating awareness
✅ Launching SAMHSA’s “Talk. They Hear You.” campaign to support prevention conversations
✅ Conducting to***co compliance checks to protect youth and promote public health

This is just the beginning. We’re proud of the momentum built in Q1 and excited for what’s ahead as we continue working toward a healthier, stronger community.💚 Stay tuned for our Q2 recap!

12/07/2025

🚨 KRATOM: Why It’s a Concern in Our Community
While Kratom is often marketed as “natural,” that doesn’t mean it’s safe. Its effects can be unpredictable and, in some cases, dangerous — especially for youth.

Here’s why Kratom use is raising concern:
⚠️ Addictive potential – Regular use can cause dependence and withdrawal
⚠️ Health risks – Nausea, vomiting, constipation, drowsiness, seizures, liver injury, and in severe cases, death
⚠️ Unregulated products – Many Kratom products are contaminated or mixed with other substances
⚠️ Youth impact – Can affect judgment, school performance, and increase risk of other substance use

Knowledge keeps families and communities safer.
💬 Share this post to help raise awareness.

12/07/2025

In Ross County, we believe in second chances—and third, and fourth. Stigma around substance use disorder can isolate people who need connection most. At Hope Partnership Project, we choose language that heals, not harms. Say “person in recovery.” Say “hope.” Say “you’re not alone.” Together, we build a community where recovery is respected.