April 17, 2013 – Lexington, KY — The Fayette County Mayor’s Alliance took part today in a press conference hosted by LFUCG.   The event highlighted the upcoming Med Toss drug take-back day where citizens can safely dispose of their unused, expired and unwanted medications.  The Mayor’s Alliance has been a community partner in this bi-annual event since its inception in 2010.  More details about the April 27^th Med Toss http://www.lexingtonky.gov/index.aspx?page=2629

Today’s press event also served as the official launch of two permanent drug take-back boxes. A box provided by Kentucky American Water is now located at Lexington Division of Police headquarters (15o E. Main St.).  A second box, donated by the Mayor’s Alliance, will soon be permanently housed in the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office.

This ongoing drug take-back effort is made possible by many dedicated community stakeholders and is a shining example of how collaborative partnerships can achieve much to reduce substance abuse at the local level.

The Mayor’s Alliance is proud to provide one of these permanent collection boxes where citizens can bring their unwanted medications for safe and responsible disposal, and we commend Sheriff Kathy Witt for her dedication to the health and safety of Fayette County residents.

Tates Creek High School TATU (Teens Against Tobacco Use), led by sponsor Jo Geddes, created an outstanding online video to mark this year’s Kick Butts Day, March 20, 2013. Congratulations and Great Job Tates Creek Youth!

Click Here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZiWmorxvok&feature=share

Governor Steve Beshear today signed into law House Bill 217, which makes some practical improvements to last year’s landmark prescription drug abuse legislation. The new law clarifies some protocols without diluting the original bill’s intent to attack the abuse of prescriptions in the Commonwealth.

To read the full report click here: http://migration.kentucky.gov/newsroom/governor/20130305hb217.htm

On March 5, 2013 Gov. Steve Beshear signed into law House Bill 217, which makes some practical improvements to last year’s landmark prescription drug abuse legislation. The new law clarifies some protocols without diluting the original bill’s intent to attack the abuse of prescriptions in Kentucky.

To read the full report click here: http://www.kyforward.com/2013/03/beshear-signs-hb-217-into-law-makes-changes-to-pill-mill-bill-passed-last-year/

The Keep It Real campaign was a youth-driven community effort to educate young people concerning the risks of underage drinking.  The guiding premise behind this campaign has been that youth are more likely to understand the message when they help design the message.

Youth participants submitted original video psa messages online at http://www.keep-it-real.us/ where the public could “View and Vote” prior to the final judging.   Contestants attended a “Night at the Oscars” awards event last month at the Kentucky Theater in Lexington, where winning entries in a number of categories were honored.

Congratulations to Darius Sessions for winning “Best Picture” with his entry “Who Am I?” Mr. Sessions’ video message will air on WKYT-TV during the weeks of Feb 18-Mar 3 and April 1-15 according to the following showtimes:

This TV program, which highlights teens who have made the choice not to drink underage or do drugs, will be shown numerous times for the next few weeks.  For the complete schedule, please check http://webapps.fcps.net/edtv/

It can also be viewed on demand at http://fcpstv.pegcentral.com/

Thanks to Dick Simpson for his help editing the show and to Tates Creek Principal Sam Meaux for his support.  Congratulations to all the Tates Creek students who participated in the project, especially those who coordinated this effort: Sydney Meaux, Nakia Ridgeway, Vontella Thomas, Shiza Arshad and Lynsey Crumbie.

The next Behind the Scenes will feature Henry Clay High School and will air later this month.

Smokers would have fewer places to light up under legislation that was approved by the House Health and Welfare Committee on Thursday.

The measure, supported by Gov. Steve Beshear, bans smoking in public places statewide.

Click Here to read more: http://www.lex18.com/news/house-panel-passes-bill-to-ban-smoking-in-public-places-statewide/