Editor’s note: This is the second of a two-part series focusing on efforts to fight what’s been called “risky behavior,” particularly among the county’s youth. This article focuses on the Botetourt Prevention Coalition and its efforts to promote making healthy choices among county youth and the community.

“The Botetourt Prevention Coalition (BPC) is a group of community members committed to the prevention of youth substance abuse and promotion of healthy choices.”

That’s all it says under “About” on the BPC’s Facebook page— a simple explanation concerning a complex mission in today’s society. The coalition, through its varied members, is perhaps one of the most diligent organizations in Botetourt, yet a group that seems to fly under the radar at times.

Still, the coalition has been persistent for nearly a generation, even though getting the messages out and having youth— and very often parents— take those messages to heart has its ups and downs. The strongest theme BPC members echoed when asked how the BPC has benefitted the community, and particularly its youth, is education. That component is done “by constantly raising public awareness of the serious problems our children’s substance use/abuse and other destructive behaviors, and educating our community about where resources are available to help these same youth and families,” Judge Paul Tucker explained.

Recognizing that Botetourt youth have the same challenges as others across the country is important, too, Shelia Lythgoe said. “…we all have these problems and our children don’t always make the right choices. Our children struggle with substance abuse, mental health issues, and learning healthy coping skills and it takes a caring and supportive community to help them,” she continued. Lythgoe is with Blue Ridge Behavior Healthcare and is current chair of the BPC. Tucker represents the judiciary on the BPC.

The judiciary is one of a dozen community and government organizations involved in the coalition. As Judge of Botetourt’s Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court, he often sees the consequences when youth and families do not make “healthy choices.” He cites the BPC’s involvement in the biannual Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) as a key to providing guidance to the BPC and the rest of the community on where to focus attention in helping young people in the areas of substance abuse, mental health, suicide prevention, physical health and other aspects of their lives. The risk survey evolved after a series of teenage suicide attempts sent an alarm through the community in the mid- 1990s. Lynn McDowell was one of the advocates for reaching out to high school-age students to get a picture of what might be behind the suicide attempts.

At the same time, there was an interest in seeing if the community could get a picture of how many students were smoking tobacco and how often, using marijuana and/or other drugs, how prevalent risky sexual behavior was and what role alcohol played in their lives. The first YRBS was done in 1998 with the help of the school division. Since then, the survey has been administered every two years, now to sixth and eighth graders at the middle schools and to sophomores and seniors at the high schools. The last was in 2017. The survey has grown to include questions about other issues since it was first initiated. Now mental health, dietary and bullying questions are on the survey along with questions about tobacco use, alcohol use, different drug uses, sexual behavior, depression and suicide and exercise. The data from the students’ answers provides what the BPC considers a “snapshot of youth perception” while also highlighting issues that affect the entire community. That data helps the BPC and the coalition organizations develop initiatives and programs to try to address those “risky behaviors.”

The latest program is “safeTALK,” a training sessions to help people become suicide-alert. The first session was last week. Another is scheduled Tuesday, Sept. 11 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at the Fincastle Library in Fincastle. The “safe- TALK” training is a three-hour alertness workshop that is designed to prepare anyone over the age of 15— regardless of prior experience or training— to become a suicide-alert helper. Other programs the BPC sponsors and supports are familiar, at least in the schools. Red Ribbon Week is a longstanding, annual program that focuses on encouraging youth to live drug free lives. The national program has been a mainstay in county elementary, middle and high schools for a number of years. Tucker notes that other programs have also had a positive impact on youth. The BPC supports the two youth clubs in the middle and high schools— Youth Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Project (YADAPP) and Youth of Virginia Speak Out About Traffic Safety (YOVASO).

The BPC also helps with Rachel’s Challenge in the schools. The BPC combines its efforts with the school club programs, too, such as Sticker Shock. The BPC implemented Project Sticker Shock with Lord Botetourt High School students and the Kiwanis Club of Botetourt. It is a Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) prevention program aimed at raising awareness about the dangers of purchasing or providing alcohol for a minor and using a fake ID.

Last fall, the BPC held “a community conversation” about legal prescription abuse and opioids. Other programs have provided guidance about safety awareness for young women. The BPC supported a 2016 program that brought in an All-American Paralympian wrestler to talk to middle and high school students about tobacco, alcohol and drugs. That program was made possible through a Virginia Alcohol and Beverage Control (ABC) grant. ABC is also a partner in BPC.

The Roanoke Area Youth Substance Abuse Coalition (RAYSAC) is also a partner with the BPC, as in the Botetourt County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s office, the Botetourt Sheriff ’s Office, Social Services, the Health Department, the county’s school administration, principals from both high schools, Botetourt Parks and Recreation, faith community representatives, Kiwanis, Children’s Services, the Student Assistance Program (SAP) coordinators at the high schools, a parent and civic volunteer.

The BPC is also a partner in the annual “Drug Take Back Days” that encourages households to dispose of old and unused prescription drugs in a safe manner at collection sites around the Roanoke Valley. The coalition also supports Character Counts! “I am confident that BPC has been responsible for bringing various community members and organizations to the table to focus on promoting healthy behaviors in youth,” McDowell said of the coalition.

“The team has had access to youth risk behavior data and has been able to make informed decisions regarding how to best use limited resources to strengthen our community. The team promotes collaboration across multiple sectors (schools, faith, business, parents, etc) and strives to include and listen to youth as decisions are made.” James River High School Principal Jamie Talbott agrees. “Botetourt Prevention Coalition has benefited our school and community members by providing ongoing facts about current drug trends. This information is addressed further through community forums or informational sessions held throughout the Roanoke Valley and Botetourt County to target appropriate preventative measures.” “I think it has brought awareness to the problems of drugs and underage drinking in our community,” Lythgoe said of the BPC. “We have a strong partnership with the schools and always support their prevention efforts. We have hosted community awareness events about good choices; drug trends; positive parenting; etc. We want to support our youth in our community to help them make healthy choices.” Tucker credits the Youth Risk Behavior Survey with helping BPC and its partners recognize the challenges. “This survey provides a wealth of information regarding so many issues directly affecting our young people…. The results drive many policy discussions and decisions about where to focus our community’s resources and which topics or issues merit targeted community action. Without this, I would feel like we are almost ‘flying blind.’ It is key.” That doesn’t mean it’s an end all.

“I believe there is a lack of awareness of some of the issues regarding substance abuse,” Ashley Hatcher added. She’s SAP Coordinator at Lord Botetourt and works daily with students. “I also think there is a significant lack in accessibility to services and opportunities for help for both people with addictions and their families.” “Our greatest challenge: Maintaining the highest vigilance as parents and adults in protecting the mental and physical health of our young people,” Tucker said.

“We are so lucky to have wonderful youth in Botetourt. They are smart, caring, hardworking and tech-savvy. As a county native, I was so grateful to raise my family here and send my children to local public schools. Our young people are not a resource. They are ends in themselves, our children and our blessing. We owe them.” McDowell is cautionary, too. She said the challenge remains: “Parents getting over the ‘not in my backyard— my kids would never do that’ mentality. “Parents need to be aware of signs of risky behavior (‘what is the difference between ‘normal’ teen behavior and when should I be concerned?’), be willing to confront it, and actively engage in healthy activities with their children— supervise and not be afraid to be the bad guy,” she said.

“The ‘we did it and are OK’ thoughts also put kids at risk. Substances, stress, depression, isolation, lack of engagement with pro-social activities are concerns parents face for their children. If we can be a supportive community, our kids will want to live here when they are adults,” she added.