Vance recognized for substance abuse prevention efforts

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Justin Nichols
  • 71st Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  Vance Air Force Base received the Collaboration Award during the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Conference banquet held Dec. 4 in Norman, Okla.

Accepting the award for Vance AFB was Yvonne Lewis-Odom, the 71st Medical Operations Squadron Drug Demand Reduction Program manager.

The award recognized the efforts of Team Vance members that worked with local substance abuse prevention efforts.

Lewis-Odom, Terri Presa, the 71st Flying Training Wing Sexual Assault Response Coordinator, and Lt. Col. Royce Terry, 71st Medical Support Squadron Diagnostics and Therapeutics Flight commander, have provided many hours of labor and resources surrounding substance abuse prevention through PreventionWorkz and the Youth Opportunity Task Force.

Vance AFB works extensively with Garfield County and the Enid community regarding these programs and substance abuse prevention for more than five years.

"Substance abuse affects a vast number of people through so many venues," said Lewis-Odom. "This is why it is important that we approach the subject matter with a 'full force' of experts with a diverse knowledge base. Our collaborative efforts allow us the ability to reach different areas and tackle the problem from many different angles."

The Mission of the Garfield County Drug and Alcohol Coalition is to provide the youth and their families in Garfield County with the tools needed to make good choices regarding drugs, alcohol, and other substances.

Vance AFB has made contributions to the fight against drug abuse and misuse through the coordination of the Prescription Drug Take Back events, working to get permanent medication collection boxes in Enid, and is close to having a permanent collection box in the pharmacy on base.

The dissemination of information in the community to increase awareness surrounding underage drinking and prescription drug awareness is an ongoing mission.

"We do what we do because we care and want to do what we can to make our community a safer place for all," said Lewis-Odom.

For more information on alcohol and drug abuse prevention, contact Drug Demand & Reduction at 580-213-5056.