OCTOBER AWARENESS MONTH: Safe Sleep; Drug Abuse Prevention; Domestic Violence

·        Safe Sleep Month: Learning about safe sleep isn’t just important for parents, but for all caregivers, including grandparents, childcare workers and other family members. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) website has fantastic resources to share with parents and caregivers about safe sleep practices, as well as, ways that you can help promote safe sleep practices in your communities.  For more information and free resources to share with your community, visit: https://safetosleep.nichd.nih.gov/resources/sids-awareness-toolkit

·        Drug Abuse Prevention Month: In California, over 3 million people abuse illegal drugs. This takes a huge toll on our healthcare, justice and education systems. Drug addiction is a complicated disease and during Drug Abuse Prevention Month, the OCAP wants to help raise awareness and provide resources to help combat this devastating issue. Currently, 85% of drug users are not receiving the help they need. Let’s change that statistic! For more information and resources, visit: https://www.drugabuse.gov/drug-topics/prevention.

·        Domestic Violence Awareness Month: Domestic Violence was already an epidemic before COVID-19, but due to this new pandemic we are seeing an increase in domestic violence cases.  Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that during disasters not only does the rate of abuse increase, the severity of abuse can increase as well.  Many women and men are isolated at home with their abusers due to shelter-in-place orders, and the problem is more easily hidden behind closed doors. As restrictions for shelter-in-place begin to lift, there is hope that women and men will find the support they need to end the abuse and find a sense of security.  If you suspect that someone that you know is a victim of domestic violence, let them know that you are there to support them in any way they need. Knowing that they have someone on their side could be the difference between staying or leaving their abuser.  It is up to everyone to help put a stop to domestic violence by #ListeningFromHome.  If you  know or suspect that a friend, family member or neighbor is a victim of domestic violence, support them in finding help and a way out. Domestic violence affects so many and this month is a good reminder to take a stand and show support for victims and survivors. For more information and to learn ways to help raise awareness, visit:https://nomore.org/campaigns/dvam/