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UNITE Activities
Three Johnson County schools have a registered UNITE Club in 2009-10 school year – Central Elementary, Paintsville Elementary and Paintsville High.
The Paintsville Drug-Free Swim Team had an outstanding 2009, with approximately 110 students and 90 adults participating throughout the summer months. This program, which provided a fun, healthy activity for youth of Johnson and surrounding counties, also included information about drug prevention. In August students participated in a state swim competition, with many winning awards.
Coalition members partnered with the Paintsville Elementary School, Paintsville Department of Recreation and Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources to provide a Hooked On Fishing-Not On Drugs (HOFNOD) program in June 2009. A total of about 200 youth were involved. An overnight camping event at the old Thelma Pay Lake kicked off the program June 5-6. This was followed by a week-long activity June 15-19 that included renting a pontoon for a day outing on Paintsville Lake. Poles, bait and food were provided for participants.
Johnson County hosted a Shoot Hoops Not Drugs basketball camp with Jeff Sheppard on June 12, 2008. To view photos Click here.
Operation UNITE coalition volunteers and students from across the Fifth Congressional District were honored Friday, November 9, 2007, for outstanding efforts during the previous year. More than 800 people attended the program, held at the East Kentucky Expo Center in Pikeville.
For photos click here.
For story click here.
The Floyd, Johnson and Pike UNITE coalitions held a bass fishing tournament on September 30, 2006, to raise funding for youth programs and promote awareness of their coalitions. For pictures click here.
During 2007-08 the coalition used the program “A Drug Free Community Begins With Me” targeted at eighth-grade students at Paintsville Middle, Johnson County Christian and Johnson County Middle schools. All eighth-grade students were divided into teams to compete in writing anti-drug public service announcements. These ads were played on Paintsville radio station WSIP.
Neighbors UNITED groups are currently operating in the West Van Lear, Thealka and Thelma communities, and several other areas have requested trainings. These groups currently involve approximately 100 citizens. West Van Lear meets 7 p.m. on the 4th Monday of each month at the West Van Lear Community Center.
Saturday, September 26 - The third annual Mini-Apple Run was held at Paintsville Elementary School. A total of 66 students from the school's UNITE Club and the Paintsville Anti-Drug Swim Team raised $1,300 for the UNITE Foundation.
To view photos click here.
To read story click here.
Monday, September 14 - DATA/UNITE meeting was held at the Paintsville Recreation Center to discuss new ideas for an anti-drug campaign in Johnson County. For information contact Coalition Coordinator Ashley Akers at 606-889-0422 or aakers@centertech.com.
Thursday, July 16 - A program on drug safety awareness in the home and community was given by Operation UNITE at the Ramada Inn in Paintsville. For details contact Becky Simpson at 606-789-3270.
Thursday, June 25 - Approximately 150 people benefited from a drug-free swim party. For information contact Michael Stafford at 606-789-264.
Sunday, May 10 - Approximately 170 students from Paintsville High participated in "Project Prom," a safe, drug-free environment on a very risky night.
Tuesday, May 5 - A presentation was given to seniors about drug safety and protecting their prescription medications at the Ramada Inn in Paintsville. For details contact Steve Jones at steve.jones@bigsandy.org.
Tuesday, March 10 - UNITE Education Director Debbie Trusty presented information on youth programming and the possible merger of the Johnson coalition with the KY-ASAP Board. Approximately 30 people representing many agencies were present.
2008 Activities
Wednesday, December 31 - The Martin/Johnson/Lawrence Adult Drug Court held a New Year's Eve graduation and celebration for 11 participants.
Tuesday, October 28 - A presentation on the effects of drugs, tobacco and alcohol was given to approximately 350 students in grades 7-12 in the Paintsville High School gym. Members of the Pike County Recovery Team shared their knowledge.
Saturday, October 4 - UNITE Bowl football games featuring youth in grades 5-8 from across Eastern Kentucky, including Johnson County were gekd at the Leslie County High School Eagle Field. For complete schedule and more information about the event click here.
Friday, August 8 - A free swim event for residents in Johnson County was held at the Paintsville Swimming Pool. Parents were encouraged to bring their children out for a fun, drug-free activity. For details contact Dip Stafford at 606-789-2564.
Tuesday, July 8 - A presentation on the Hooked On Fishing-Not On Drugs (HOFNOD) youth fishing/mentoring program was given to the junior firefighters of the River Volunteer Fire Department. For details contact Charolette at 606-297-2757.
Thursday, June 12 - UNITE Shoot Hoops Not Drugs basketball camp with Jeff Sheppard at Johnson Central High School. Camp was attended by 160 youth representing 8 counties (Floyd, Harlan, Harrison, Johnson, Lawrence, Martin, Morgan and Pike). Basketball goal winners were 4-year-old Alyssa Varney of Belfry and 15-year-old Nathan Akers of Johnson County.
For details click here.
Friday, April 18 - A “Bowl Over Drugs” night was held at the bowling alley in Paintsville.
Monday, March 24 - A special program to showcase accomplishments of the Johnson County UNITE Coalition was held at the Paintsville Recreation Center. All residents, community partners, law enforcement officers and public officials were encouraged to share in finger foods and refreshments as they learned what the coalition does and how they can become involved in fighting drugs within the community.
Saturday, March 1 - The coalition sponsored a youth dance at the Paintsville Recreation Center.
Operation UNITE coalition volunteers and students from across the Fifth Congressional District were honored Friday, November 9, 2007, for outstanding efforts during the previous year. More than 800 people attended the program, held at the East Kentucky Expo Center in Pikeville.