Empowering Our Community! Protecting Our Future.
"ITAC CommUnity Chatter" is a platform dedicated to providing the latest information and updates on critical public health issues affecting our community. In today's rapidly evolving landscape, staying informed is crucial. Knowledge is power, and being aware empowers us to make informed choices for ourselves and our loved ones.
August Trends
All resources below were mentioned in our Chatter Newsletter. Click on any PDF's to enlarge. For mobile devices, click on the "here" located below the title to download the file for viewing.
- For Chrome & Edge users - right click on documents to print or save.
- For Firefox users - click the double arrow at the top, right, of each document to print or save.
What’s Trending
FDA Requires Opioid Labels to Stress Risk
On July 31, 2025, the FDA directed manufacturers of all opioid pain medications to overhaul their labels—emphasizing long-term use risks such as addiction, overdose, and drug interactions. Highlights include explicit dosing warnings, removal of ambiguous “extended treatment period” language, guidance on treatment alternatives, and overdose reversal information. Manufacturers have just 30 days to submit updates for review. You can read more: HERE.
Frequent Marijuana Use Linked to Tooth Loss
A new study in the Journal of the American Dental Association found that frequent marijuana users face significantly higher oral health risks. Compared to non-users, they had 41% higher odds of severe tooth loss, 17% higher odds of cavities, and 55% higher odds of root decay. Based on data from nearly 6,000 people, these findings add to the growing evidence that regular marijuana use can have serious long-term health consequences. You read more about this study, done by a professor at the University at Buffalo: HERE.
On July 31, 2025, the FDA directed manufacturers of all opioid pain medications to overhaul their labels—emphasizing long-term use risks such as addiction, overdose, and drug interactions. Highlights include explicit dosing warnings, removal of ambiguous “extended treatment period” language, guidance on treatment alternatives, and overdose reversal information. Manufacturers have just 30 days to submit updates for review. You can read more: HERE.
Frequent Marijuana Use Linked to Tooth Loss
A new study in the Journal of the American Dental Association found that frequent marijuana users face significantly higher oral health risks. Compared to non-users, they had 41% higher odds of severe tooth loss, 17% higher odds of cavities, and 55% higher odds of root decay. Based on data from nearly 6,000 people, these findings add to the growing evidence that regular marijuana use can have serious long-term health consequences. You read more about this study, done by a professor at the University at Buffalo: HERE.
Get Support
Supporting a Loved One on Their Quit Vaping Journey
Helping someone quit vaping can be challenging but incredibly rewarding. The Truth Initiative offers practical tips for providing meaningful support—whether it’s offering encouragement, understanding withdrawal symptoms, or connecting them to proven tools like the EX Program. With nearly 50% of young nicotine users considering quitting in 2025, your support can make a lasting difference. For more advice and tips, read more: HERE.
ITAC also offers resources on our website. For help with Substance Use & Addiction, check out the links offered: HERE or click the image below.
Helping someone quit vaping can be challenging but incredibly rewarding. The Truth Initiative offers practical tips for providing meaningful support—whether it’s offering encouragement, understanding withdrawal symptoms, or connecting them to proven tools like the EX Program. With nearly 50% of young nicotine users considering quitting in 2025, your support can make a lasting difference. For more advice and tips, read more: HERE.
ITAC also offers resources on our website. For help with Substance Use & Addiction, check out the links offered: HERE or click the image below.
2025 - 2026 ITAC General Coalition Meeting Dates
(Mark Your Calendars - Wednesdays)
September 17, 2025 – 9:30am
November 19, 2025 – 6:30pm
January 21, 2026 – 9:30am
March 18, 2026 – 6:30pm (Annual Meeting)
May 20, 2026 – 9:30am
We have some exciting presentations planned for our next year. Meeting location, zoom link, documents and other pertinent information will be posted to the ITAC meeting page on our website closer to scheduled dates.
November 19, 2025 – 6:30pm
January 21, 2026 – 9:30am
March 18, 2026 – 6:30pm (Annual Meeting)
May 20, 2026 – 9:30am
We have some exciting presentations planned for our next year. Meeting location, zoom link, documents and other pertinent information will be posted to the ITAC meeting page on our website closer to scheduled dates.
ITAC Coalition & Key Personnel Updates
This summer, Key Personnel, Board of Directors, and Youth Coalition members met multiple times with Buffalo Advertising Management to develop a new PSA on vaping. Together, we discussed target audiences, the best ways to reach them, and brainstormed script ideas. The next steps are to secure locations and film. We’re so excited about this project and can’t wait to share the final product with you!
Our AOR, Alli Pelletreau, attended the CADCA Mid-Year Conference from July 20–24, participating in a variety of trainings and sessions. One notable session was with Tallcop, a nationally recognized law enforcement officer and prevention expert, who discussed emerging trends such as 7-Hydroxy, drug potentiators, and shifts in verbiage when talking about substance use. He emphasized using inclusive language like “Are you using anything?” alongside specifying substances (alcohol, cannabis, etc.) and reminding people that “Legal does not mean unregulated.”
Attending CADCA training is valuable because it equips Key Personnel or coalition members with the latest prevention strategies, evidence-based practices, and networking opportunities to strengthen local substance use prevention efforts. Throughout this next year, Alli will share her key takeaways with the General Coalition and ITAC Board of Directors, providing actionable insights from the sessions and trainings. She also wishes to thank the Board of Directors and ITAC Coalition for supporting her attendance.
August 5th – ITAC tabled at the Elma Senior Center on Bowen Road for Elma Night Out, an event sponsored by Elma Emergency Manager, Elma CERT and the 4 fire companies of Elma. Elma Night Out is part of a nationwide event that strengthens community ties and promotes public safety. It’s a great way to connect with your community and show support for those who keep us safe. We look forward to participating again next year!
August 6th – As part of the Elma Concert Series, ITAC’s Pizza, Prevention, & Presley event was a fun evening out and a successful fundraiser for our coalition. Guests enjoyed pizza, chips, and drinks while learning about ITAC, sharing their thoughts on our community word wall activity, and exploring our data signs. The night ended on a high note with a lively performance by Terry Buchwald as Elvis!
A huge thank you to all our volunteers and supporters—whether you attended, purchased food, or donated, we couldn’t do this without you. And congratulations again to our 50/50 winner, Kerry G!
Our AOR, Alli Pelletreau, attended the CADCA Mid-Year Conference from July 20–24, participating in a variety of trainings and sessions. One notable session was with Tallcop, a nationally recognized law enforcement officer and prevention expert, who discussed emerging trends such as 7-Hydroxy, drug potentiators, and shifts in verbiage when talking about substance use. He emphasized using inclusive language like “Are you using anything?” alongside specifying substances (alcohol, cannabis, etc.) and reminding people that “Legal does not mean unregulated.”
Attending CADCA training is valuable because it equips Key Personnel or coalition members with the latest prevention strategies, evidence-based practices, and networking opportunities to strengthen local substance use prevention efforts. Throughout this next year, Alli will share her key takeaways with the General Coalition and ITAC Board of Directors, providing actionable insights from the sessions and trainings. She also wishes to thank the Board of Directors and ITAC Coalition for supporting her attendance.
August 5th – ITAC tabled at the Elma Senior Center on Bowen Road for Elma Night Out, an event sponsored by Elma Emergency Manager, Elma CERT and the 4 fire companies of Elma. Elma Night Out is part of a nationwide event that strengthens community ties and promotes public safety. It’s a great way to connect with your community and show support for those who keep us safe. We look forward to participating again next year!
August 6th – As part of the Elma Concert Series, ITAC’s Pizza, Prevention, & Presley event was a fun evening out and a successful fundraiser for our coalition. Guests enjoyed pizza, chips, and drinks while learning about ITAC, sharing their thoughts on our community word wall activity, and exploring our data signs. The night ended on a high note with a lively performance by Terry Buchwald as Elvis!
A huge thank you to all our volunteers and supporters—whether you attended, purchased food, or donated, we couldn’t do this without you. And congratulations again to our 50/50 winner, Kerry G!
|
If you’ve visited Wales Primary this summer, you may have noticed a brand-new bench on the playground! This colorful, red bench is a Buddy Bench. Buddy benches are a special spot where a child can sit if they’re feeling lonely or need someone to play with. By encouraging other students to reach out, buddy benches promote friendship, inclusion, and a sense of community, while supporting positive mental health and helping reduce isolation—a key factor in preventing early use of drugs and alcohol.
Each of the Iroquois Primary Schools, as well as Iroquois Intermediate, will have its own buddy bench, from ITAC, made possible by a generous grant from Erie County through the office of Legislator James Malczewski. We greatly appreciate his support of our mission and the youth in our community while he was in service. A lasting reminder to be a friend and show kindness—watch for our other three benches to be installed soon! Aside from meetings and events, Key Personnel have been working to plan Red Ribbon Week, updated our Sustainability Plan, are preparing for the fall, 2025 CLYDE survey administration, trying to facilitate focus groups, wrote a data management plan, and submitted Progress Reports which were due on August 15th. We are also working with the Iroquois Family Support Center to bring valuable programming pertaining to Mental Health to our community. Stay tuned!
|
Looking Ahead
09/03/25: Iroquois Central Back to School
09/17/25: ITAC General Coalition Meeting @ 9:30am
10/23/25 - 10/31/25: Red Ribbon Week. This year’s theme is Life is a Puzzle, Solve It Drug Free.
09/03/25: Iroquois Central Back to School
09/17/25: ITAC General Coalition Meeting @ 9:30am
10/23/25 - 10/31/25: Red Ribbon Week. This year’s theme is Life is a Puzzle, Solve It Drug Free.