Facilitator spotlight on anastasia
Anastasia, a dedicated facilitator with CDFY, draws her inspiration from a deeply personal journey of overcoming adversity. Raised in a home where her father battled alcoholism, Anastasia experienced the consequences of not having adequate coping mechanisms. This lack led her down a challenging path, resulting in early struggles with addiction to drugs and alcohol. Anastasia’s turning point came when she found herself in a rehabilitation program in mid Missouri. There, she began the process of learning how to confront and cope with life’s daily challenges, ultimately rebuilding her life from the ground up. Now, as a facilitator with CDFY, Anastasia is passionate about sharing her story to offer guidance and support to young individuals facing similar challenges. Her firsthand experience serves as a beacon of hope, demonstrating that transformation and recovery are possible with resilience and the right resources.
She firmly believe that individuals can transform their lives at any point, altering the trajectory towards a brighter future. With 10.5 years of sobriety from all mind and mood-altering substances, her life today surpasses any expectations she had for herself. Recognizing that youth will inevitably encounter substances, she emphasizes that it’s not a question of “if” but “when.” No one intentionally becomes an addict or alcoholic, and honest, informed conversations about addiction and its dangers are paramount. By fostering such dialogues, we contribute to building a society that equips the younger generation with the knowledge to make healthier choices and forge a better path forward.
Thank you Anastasia for sharing your story and light with the youth of Cole County!
Join us and other Missouri Prevention Advocates
at Prevention Day at the Missouri State Capitol on
Wednesday, February 28th! Let your voice be heard
on the importance of substance-use prevention!
Our annual Coaltion Meeting on January 11th was a huge success! Sgt. Kyle Green with MSHP shared valuable insights on the current substance-use climate in Mid-Missouri. Thank you to all the stakeholders who attended as well as a heartfelt thanks to The Studio at Dunklin for donating the perfect space, and a shoutout to our amazing sponsors for providing delicious food: Schulte’s Foods, Gerbes West, WalMart East & West, Sugar Britches, and Amazing Graze.
Together, we are making strides toward a healthier, drug-free community for our youth!
Our amazing Show-Me Players have been performing in January (when our Missouri weather cooperates) and they are sharing their important message with area students!
Looking ahead to what’s in store this month…
Join us in performing “Random Acts of Kindness” duirng RAK Week, February 11th – February 17th!
“In a world where you can be anyhthing, BE KIND!”
Tag us on Facebook or Instagram with #CDFYRAK2024 to show us how you’re sprinkling kindness like confetti in our communities!
Checkout more activities at www.randomactsofkindness.org
PARENT INSIGHT HUB:
Providing love and support to parents with real world information, connection, and hope.
Know the signs of marijuana Use:
PHYSICAL CHANGES:
- Bloodshot eyes
- Increased appetite
- Slowed reaction time
- Dry mouth
- Impaired coordination
- Sleepiness
- Odor of marijuana
PRODUCTIVITY CHANGES:
- Decline in school performance
- Dropping activities
- Less motivation
- Memory impairment
BEHAVIORAL CHANGES:
- Withdrawing from family
- Secretiveness and lying
- Abrupt changes in friends
- Apathetic
- Needing more money
- Defensive
- Nervous or paranoid
WHAT TO DO IF YOU SUSPECT USE
- Wait until you are calm and have a plan.
- Don’t talk to your child about their drug use while they’re under the influence.
- Ask your child if they are using and why.
- Investigate further.
- Enforce consequences for negative behavior.
- Follow through on the established plan.
- Seek a professional behavioral health assessment.
- Get help from a treatment or counseling organization or support group for yourself.