The Press-Dispatch
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/961332
B-8 Wednesday, April 4, 2018 The Press-Dispatch EAST GIBSON NEWS Submit school news: Email: egnews@ pressdispatch.net Deadline: Noon on Friday Bill McCoy, right, pictured with the full staff of the Patoka Wildlife Refuge. Extension does: Awareness of the opioid epidemic The United States consumes more opioids than any other nation in the world. Indiana's 2015 over- doses totaled 1,245 and 2016 overdos- es totaled 1,526. This is an epidemic and Gibson County is not alone, with 10 overdoses in 2016. Opioid use disorder is a disease, there is treatment, and recovery is possible. Physical signs of dependence in- clude noticeable elation, drowsiness, confusion, constricted pupils, slowed breathing, intermittent loss of con- sciousness, and constipation. Other signs may include doctor shopping for multiple prescriptions, dramatically changing moods, social withdrawal, sudden financial problems and crim- inal activity to obtain drugs. Treatment may include medication as a tool to help with withdrawal ef- fects, counseling, or support groups and may be through inpatient or out- patient care. In Gibson County, a cou- ple of options to support treatment and recovery include Groups-Recover To- gether and Southwestern Behavioral Healthcare, Inc., both in Princeton. You can help support those living in recovery by supporting the four dimen- sions of recovery. Health—supporting the physical and mental wellbeing of in- dividuals. Home—support or help pro- vide a stable living environment. Pur- pose—help with goal setting and help obtain a job or education. Communi- ty—help those in recovery find positive social networks, family, involvement in community events. Though drug abuse hits home in every type of home and every type of family in all social classes, parents can do their part to lead youth to postpone or prevent the use of drugs and alcohol. Research shows the longer an individ- ual postpones the use of drugs and al- cohol, the less likely they are to devel- op and addiction or substance abuse problem. Parents are the most power- ful influence on the choices their chil- dren make. Two out of three youth ag- es 13-17 say that losing their parents' respect is one of the main reasons they do not use drugs and alcohol. Here are 10 tips for parents 1. Don't be afraid to be the "bad" parent. 2. Connect with your child's friends. 3. Make connections with other par- ents too. 4. Promote healthy activities. 5. Establish clear family rules about alcohol and drugs and be consistent. 6. Get Educated about alcohol and drugs. 7. Keep track of your child's activ- ities. 8. Keep track of alcohol and pre- scription drugs at home. 9. Get help! If you suspect a prob- lem, don't hide it. Get help from a pro- fessional. This information and more can be found at Know the O Facts http://in- .gov/recovery/know-the-o/ or The Na- tional Council of Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc. www.ncadd.org. Submitted by Lisa Wilson- Health and Human Sciences Purdue Extension Edu- cator, Gibson County, lisawilson1@pur- due.edu. Farm honored at Statehouse with Hoosier Homestead Award Area legislators today an- nounced the latest recipients of the Hoosier Homestead Award, which recognizes farms that have been owned and maintained by the same family for 100 years or more. The Hoosier Homestead Award Program recognizes families that have made significant contribu- tions to Indiana agriculture. The program, instituted in 1976, rec- ognizes the impact these family farms have made to the economic, cultural and social advancements of Indiana. In the past 30 years, more than 5,000 farms have re- ceived the honor. Represented by State Sen. Jim Tomes (R-Wadesville) and State Rep. Thomas Washburne (R- Darmstadt), the Kennedy Hill Farm in Gibson County was hon- ored with a Centennial and Ses- quicentennial Award. "It's a remarkable accomplish- ment to keep and operate a farm for as long as the Kennedys have and serves as a vital link to our state's rich history," Tomes said. "I would like to congratulate them, and all of the other family farms across the state, because they have such an impact on In- diana's history, economy and cul- ture." "It amazes me this family has maintained their farm for so many years," Washburne said. "They are demonstrating every day the values that moved our ancestors across a continent and built a nation that is the envy of the world." To be named a Hoosier Home- stead, farms must be owned by the same family for at least 100 consecutive years and consist of more than 20 acres or produce more than $1,000 of agricultur- al products per year. The award distinctions are Centennial, Ses- quicentennial and Bicentennial – for 100, 150 and 200 years re- spectively. CREATIVITY. OUR SPECIALTY. When you place an ad in The Press-Dispatch, your ad is designed by Indiana's top designers. Eric and Matt have nearly 20 years of combined experience and a long list of awards including the HSPA's Indiana's Top Ad Designer, Think Outside The Box and Innovation Award. ADDITIONAL PERKS INCLUDE: Art Services: Our designers have access to millions of images to help attract the reader's eye to your products and services. Quality Proofreading: Your ad is proofread for spelling and grammar so you get your message across in a clear, concise manner. Run Here, Post Anywhere: Once you place an ad with us, you're free to send it to other publications or post it to social media.* Ready to Start? Call Today! 812-354-8500 OR EMAIL ADS@PRESSDISPATCH.NET *Additional conversion fees may apply. Ask your sales representative for details The Press Dispatch PIKE COUNTY'S NEWS NETWORK McCoy retires from Patoka River National Wildlife Refuge Bill McCoy retired on March 31 after a 48 -year career with the US Fish and Wild- life Service. He has spent the last 28 years at Patoka River National Wildlife Refuge and Management Area, where he has served as the Refuge's first and only Ref- uge Manager. There will be a reception for McCoy from 2 to 5 p.m. EDT at the Wirth Park Community Center in Oakland City to cel- ebrate his career. There will be a presenta- tion highlighting his career beginning at 2:30 p.m. Light refreshments will be pro- vided by the Friends of Patoka River Na- tional Wildlife Refuge and Management Area. RSVPs are requested at Rosalie Mosley@ fws.gov. McCoy started his career as a Public Use Specialist with the Fish and Wildlife Ser- vice at Crab Orchard NWR on July 7, 1970. From there, his career path took him to Sherburne NWR, Prime Hook NWR, Erie NWR, and Wichita Mountains NWR. Mc- Coy said he has fond memories (and plen- ty of stories) about these refuges where he and his family enjoyed living and exploring these natural gems. He served as collater- al duty law enforcement from 1973 to 2002. McCoy and his family moved to South- western Indiana in 1990 to establish a new refuge along the hills and floodplains of the Patoka River. He helped write the EIS to formally establish the Patoka River NWR and MA in 1994. McCoy spearheaded the protection and restoration of an additional 9,000 acres of land now managed as two of the pre- mier wetland complexes in the Midwest by the Indiana DNR. He is also the brain- child of the Lower Wabash Conservation Corridor in Southwest Indiana, which is a multi-state, multi-partner conservation effort along the Lower Wabash River and its tributaries. Additionally, Bill has been a part of numerous private citizen groups working to raise awareness and undertake cleanup efforts on issues ranging from ac- id mine drainage to improving air quality. In retirement, McCoy said he will have time to manage his own sanctuary at home, where he loves planting trees, working in his yard and garden, and taking care of his "pet" beaver family.