Tekoans attend convention in Wash., D.C.

Members of Healthy Tekoa Coalition attended the national three-day Community Anti-drug Coalitions of America convention Jan. 31-Feb. 2 in Washington, D.C. Those who attended were student assistance specialist Jimmy Schofield, Tekoa Medical Clinic receptionist Angelica Schneider, Tekoa High School senior Ta’Shanna Schneider and coordinator Diane Harp.

Ta’Shanna reported to Washington senators Patti Murray and Maria Cantwell about how prevention is making powerful change in the community and asked both senators to continue funding prevention in our state. She reported on how the excess prescription drop box installed at Tekoa Pharmacy was emptied 12 times in the last year with about 21 pounds of medications with each emptying.

The drop box is emptied by the Whitman County Sheriff’s Department. She also spoke about the coalition's free lock boxes to keep medications locked up at home so young people cannot access them. RX lock box giveaways were partially funded by health partners Molina Healthcare and Whitman County Hospital District 4.

After Ta’Shanna’s speech, Sen. Cantwell was especially receptive to Ta’Shanna’s point on the connection between mental health and marijuana and prescription misuse and abuse problems communities around the state are seeing.