https://outreach.ou.edu/community-services/health-human-services/southwest-prevention-center/

Community Based Prevention Services-Cleveland County, 1700 Asp Avenue, Norman, OK (2026)

09/24/2026

💜 SEPTEMBER IS NATIONAL RECOVERY MONTH: HONORING RECOVERY IN OUR VETERAN COMMUNITY 💜

Recovery is possible. Hope is powerful. Support can change lives.

During National Recovery Month, the University of Oklahoma Southwest Prevention Center (OUSWPC) recognizes veterans throughout Cleveland County who are pursuing recovery, the families and friends who stand beside them, and the professionals and community organizations working to make recovery possible.

Recovery is transforming lives in communities across America. Through the Great American Recovery, SAMHSA is working alongside states, tribes, territories, local governments, faith organizations, employers, families, recovery community organizations, treatment providers, and people with lived experience to strengthen the systems that make recovery possible for everyone.

🇺🇸 FOR OUR VETERANS, RECOVERY DESERVES SUPPORT

The transition from military service to civilian life can bring new experiences, responsibilities, and challenges. Some veterans may also face concerns related to substance use, mental health, stress, relationships, employment, housing, or reconnecting with family and community.

Seeking support is an important step toward health and recovery.

Recovery can look different for every veteran. It may mean addressing substance use, strengthening mental and emotional wellness, rebuilding relationships, developing healthier coping strategies, reconnecting with family and community, or establishing new goals and a renewed sense of purpose.

Whatever the path looks like, veterans should not have to travel it alone.

💜 HOW CAN CLEVELAND COUNTY BECOME MORE RECOVERY-READY?

We can build a community where veterans feel comfortable asking for help and know where to find support.

We can:

🔹 Reduce stigma. Substance use and recovery should be met with compassion, dignity, and opportunities for support.

🔹 Listen without judgment. Sometimes one of the most meaningful things we can do is give someone a safe place to talk.

🔹 Encourage connection. Family members, fellow veterans, healthcare professionals, treatment and recovery providers, faith communities, and community organizations can all play important roles in a veteran's support network.

🔹 Promote prevention and early support. We don't have to wait until someone reaches a crisis before offering assistance.

🔹 Support families and caregivers. Recovery can affect the entire family. Families also need information, encouragement, resources, and support.

🔹 Recognize the value of lived experience. Veterans in recovery can provide hope, understanding, and encouragement to others who may be beginning their own recovery journey.

🌱 RECOVERY IS ABOUT MORE THAN OVERCOMING A CHALLENGE.

It can also be about building a life filled with health, connection, stability, purpose, and hope.

This National Recovery Month, OUSWPC celebrates veterans in recovery and recognizes the families, peers, treatment and recovery professionals, healthcare providers, community organizations, and others who help make recovery possible.

To our veterans throughout Cleveland County:

Your health matters.
Your future matters.
Your recovery matters.
Asking for support matters.
And you do not have to navigate recovery alone.

🇺🇸💜 Let's honor service by supporting recovery.

Together, we can help make Cleveland County a community where veterans and their families are supported, stigma is reduced, prevention is strengthened, connections to help are encouraged, and recovery is recognized and celebrated.

Celebrate Recovery. Support Veterans. Strengthen Families. Reduce Stigma. Build Hope.

09/23/2026

💜 SEPTEMBER IS NATIONAL RECOVERY MONTH 💜

Recovery is possible. Hope is powerful. Families and communities can make a difference.

This National Recovery Month, the University of Oklahoma Southwest Prevention Center (OUSWPC) joins communities across the country in celebrating individuals in recovery, recognizing the families and professionals who support them, and strengthening our commitment to creating healthier, safer, and more supportive communities.

Through the Great American Recovery, SAMHSA is working alongside states, tribes, territories, local governments, faith organizations, employers, families, recovery community organizations, treatment providers, and people with lived experience to strengthen the systems that make recovery possible for everyone.

Here in Cleveland and McClain Counties, we can be part of that effort.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS HAVE AN IMPORTANT ROLE

Recovery Month isn't only about responding after substance use becomes a problem. It is also an opportunity to strengthen prevention, early intervention, family communication, and community support.

Children and teenagers need trusted adults who are willing to have open, honest, and age-appropriate conversations about alcohol, prescription medications, ma*****na, ni****ne, and other substances.

Parents and caregivers can make a difference by:

🔹 Starting conversations early. Don't wait until there is a problem. Make conversations about substance use, mental health, peer pressure, stress, and healthy decision-making a regular part of family life.

🔹 Listening and creating a safe space to talk. Let young people know they can come to you with difficult questions or situations without immediately being judged.

🔹 Paying attention to significant changes. Changes in behavior, friendships, school performance, mood, routines, or activities can be opportunities to check in and find out what your child may be experiencing.

🔹 Promoting healthy coping skills. Help young people learn positive ways to handle stress, disappointment, anxiety, conflict, and peer pressure.

🔹 Reducing access to medications. Safely store prescription and over-the-counter medications, regularly check medications in your home, and properly dispose of medications that are expired or no longer needed.

🔹 Seeking support early. Families don't have to wait for a crisis. Schools, healthcare professionals, behavioral health providers, prevention organizations, treatment providers, and other community resources can provide assistance.

🌱 WHAT DOES A RECOVERY-READY COMMUNITY LOOK LIKE?

It is a community where people aren't defined by their past.

It is a community where asking for help is encouraged rather than stigmatized.

It is a community where prevention begins early, families have access to information and resources, treatment and recovery supports are valued, and people in recovery have opportunities to thrive.

It is also a community where we recognize that prevention, treatment, and recovery are connected parts of building healthier families and healthier communities.

💜 THIS MONTH, WE CELEBRATE HOPE.

OUSWPC recognizes individuals in recovery, families supporting loved ones, people with lived experience, prevention professionals, treatment and recovery providers, healthcare professionals, educators, first responders, community organizations, and the many partners working every day to strengthen our communities.

For parents, one of the most important things we can do is remind our children:

You can talk to me.
You can ask for help.
Your choices matter.
Your health matters.
Your future matters.
And recovery is possible.

Throughout Cleveland and McClain Counties, let's continue working together to reduce stigma, strengthen prevention, support recovery, empower families, and build communities where everyone has an opportunity to live a healthy and fulfilling life.

💜 Celebrate Recovery. Support Families. Strengthen Prevention. Reduce Stigma. Build Hope.

08/31/2026

💜 August 31: International Overdose Awareness Day 💜

International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) is a global, annual campaign to end overdose, remember the lives lost, support people who are struggling, and stand with the families and friends whose lives have been forever changed.

Today, we mourn with every parent who has lost a child, every child who has lost a parent, and every family carrying the pain of losing someone they love. We honor their memories by renewing our commitment to preventing overdose, reducing stigma, and ensuring that families have the information and resources needed to save lives.

Parents and caregivers have an important role in overdose prevention. You do not need to have all the answers—but your willingness to talk, listen, learn, and respond can make a meaningful difference.

Parents can help prevent overdose by:

💜 Starting honest, age-appropriate conversations about alcohol, opioids, counterfeit pills, fentanyl, prescription medications, and other substances.

💜 Listening calmly and without judgment so children and young adults feel safe asking questions or requesting help.

💜 Reminding young people never to take medication that was not prescribed to them or obtained from a licensed pharmacy.

💜 Safely storing prescription medications, monitoring their use, and properly disposing of medications that are expired or no longer needed.

💜 Learning the warning signs of substance use and seeking help early when changes in behavior, mood, friendships, school performance, or daily routines create concern.

💜 Keeping naloxone available and ensuring family members know where it is and how to use it.

💜 Recognizing possible overdose signs, including being unable to wake the person, slow or stopped breathing, choking or gurgling sounds, pinpoint pupils, or blue, purple, or gray lips and fingernails.

🚨 If you suspect an overdose, call 911 immediately, administer naloxone if available, follow the dispatcher’s instructions, and remain with the person until help arrives. An overdose is a medical emergency—never assume someone will simply “sleep it off.”

Stigma can prevent individuals and families from asking for help. Substance use disorder is not a moral failure, and seeking support is not a sign of weakness. Compassionate conversations can open the door to prevention, treatment, recovery, and hope.

On International Overdose Awareness Day, let us remember without judgment, support without shame, and act with compassion. Together, parents, families, professionals, and community members can help prevent overdose and create a future in which fewer families experience this devastating loss.

💜 Remember those we have lost.
💜 Support those who are struggling.
💜 Talk openly with the people you love.
💜 Learn how to recognize and respond to an overdose.
💜 Carry naloxone and be prepared to save a life.
💜 Help end overdose and end stigma.

For confidential treatment information and referrals, contact SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). If an overdose may be occurring, call 911 immediately.

08/17/2026

🌟 Substance Use Primary Prevention Month: Telling the Prevention Story 🌟

This month, we recognize the people, partnerships, and everyday actions that help young people make healthy, informed choices and build brighter futures.

Primary prevention begins before substance use starts. It means strengthening the protective factors that support youth—caring families, trusted adults, positive friendships, safe schools, supportive communities, healthy coping skills, and meaningful opportunities to learn, lead, and belong.

Every prevention story matters.

It may be the story of:

💙 A parent starting an honest, judgment-free conversation with their child
💙 A young person choosing a healthy way to manage stress
💙 A teacher or coach becoming a trusted source of support
💙 A family safely storing and disposing of medications
💙 A community creating substance-free activities for youth
💙 A prevention professional sharing education, resources, and hope
💙 A young person using their voice to encourage and inspire others

Families can support prevention by talking early and often about alcohol, ma*****na, va**ng, prescription medications, and other substances. Listen without judgment, establish clear expectations, model healthy choices, recognize changes in behavior, and remind young people that asking for help is a sign of strength.

Young people are not simply the audience for prevention—they are essential partners in it. Their experiences, ideas, creativity, and leadership can help shape prevention efforts that are relevant, respectful, and effective.

📣 Help us tell the prevention story! Share a positive choice, caring adult, family practice, school activity, community program, or personal experience that has helped protect and empower young people. Your story may encourage another family to begin an important conversation or inspire someone to become part of prevention efforts in their community.

Together, we can create communities where every young person feels supported, valued, connected, and prepared to make healthy decisions.

Prevention works. Families matter. Youth voices are powerful. And every prevention story deserves to be told.

08/01/2026

⚖️ KNOW THE LAW. PROTECT YOUR HOME. PROTECT CLEVELAND COUNTY.

Oklahoma law—63 O.S. § 2-402(A)(1)—generally makes it illegal to knowingly or intentionally possess a controlled dangerous substance unless it was obtained through a valid prescription, a practitioner’s order, or another form of legal authorization.

What does that mean in everyday language?

A prescription medication belongs only to the person for whom it was prescribed. Taking medication from a friend or relative, keeping controlled medication that was not prescribed to you, or accepting pills from someone else can create serious health and legal consequences.

🏠 HOME SAFETY STARTS WITH THESE STEPS:

✅ Take medication only as prescribed. Never use another person’s prescription—even if you have similar symptoms.

🚫 Never share your medication. Giving a controlled medication to a friend or family member can place both people at risk.

🔒 Lock up controlled medications. Store opioids, sedatives, stimulants, and other controlled substances in a locked medication box or cabinet, out of children’s, teens’, visitors’, and pets’ sight and reach.

🏷️ Keep medications in their original containers. The pharmacy label identifies the patient, medication, dosage, prescriber, and instructions. Never place prescription pills in an unlabeled bottle, plastic bag, or common household container.

🔢 Monitor your medication. Know how many pills or doses you have so you can recognize missing medication or possible unauthorized access.

👜 Secure visitors’ belongings. Purses, backpacks, coats, and overnight bags may contain medications that children and teens can access.

🗑️ Dispose of medication safely. Do not keep controlled medications that are expired or no longer needed. Use a permanent medication drop box or an authorized take-back program in Cleveland County.

👨‍👩‍👧 Talk with children and teens. Explain that prescription medication can be dangerous and should only be taken by the person named on the label.

⚠️ SUSPECT AN ACCIDENTAL POISONING?

☎️ Call Poison Help immediately at 1-800-222-1222. Do not wait for symptoms and do not induce vomiting unless a poison specialist instructs you to do so.

🚑 Call 911 if the person has trouble breathing, experiences a seizure, collapses, or cannot be awakened.

Safe medication practices help prevent accidental poisonings, prescription-drug misuse, theft, and legal consequences.

Remember:

🔒 Lock it.
🏷️ Keep it labeled.
🚫 Never share it.
🗑️ Dispose of it safely.

Together, we can make homes throughout Cleveland County safer for children, teens, families, and the entire community.

07/31/2026

💊 SAFE MEDICATION DISPOSAL PROTECTS OUR FAMILIES AND COMMUNITY

Do you have expired, unused, or unwanted medications in your medicine cabinet? Proper disposal helps prevent medications from being accidentally taken by children, misused by others, stolen, or involved in an accidental poisoning or overdose.

The FDA recommends using a medication take-back location as the best disposal option for most prescription and over-the-counter medicines.

Cleveland County residents can use these permanent medication disposal locations:

📍 Norman Police Department
201 B West Gray, Norman, OK 73069

📍 Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office
128 S. Peters Ave., Norman, OK 73069

📍 Moore Police Department
117 E. Main Street, Moore, OK 73160

📍 Noble Police Department
115 N. 2nd Street, Noble, OK 73068

📍 University of Oklahoma Police Department
2775 Monitor Avenue, Norman, OK 73072

📍 Lexington Police Department
121 East Broadway, Lexington, OK 73051

📍 Goddard Health Center
620 Elm Ave., Norman, OK 73019

📍 Absentee Shawnee Tribe Little Axe Health Center
15951 Little Axe Dr., Norman, OK 73026

Before visiting, contact the location to confirm its hours and the types of medication it accepts. Keep medications secured and out of reach of children until they can be properly disposed of. Remove or mark out personal information on prescription labels when appropriate.

Please do not share unused medication with anyone. Do not flush medication unless the medication label or FDA guidance specifically directs you to do so.

Cleaning out your medicine cabinet is a simple action that can help prevent medication misuse and protect your family, neighbors, and community.

Learn more about safe medication disposal from the FDA:
https://www.fda.gov/drugs/safe-disposal-medicines/disposal-unused-medicines-what-you-should-know

05/12/2026

🚨 National Prevention Week Pop Quiz 🚨

How much do you know about the warning signs of substance use disorders?

❓ Symptoms of substance use disorders can include:

🅰️ Behavioral Changes
🅱️ Physical Changes
🅲️ Social Changes
🅳️ All of the Above

💬 Comment your answer below!

Parents and youth — this conversation matters. Changes in behavior, appearance, emotions, friendships, or daily habits can sometimes be signs that someone is struggling and may need support.

Prevention starts with awareness, open conversations, and checking in with the people we care about. A simple conversation today could make a big difference tomorrow. 💙

05/12/2026

🌟 National Prevention Week | May 10–16, 2026 🌟

Being young today comes with real pressure — stress, anxiety, social media, fitting in, and trying to figure out who you are. National Prevention Week is a reminder that your choices, your mental health, and your future matter.

Prevention is about helping young people build confidence, healthy relationships, positive coping skills, and support systems before challenges become crises.

You are not alone.
It’s okay to ask for help.
It’s okay to speak up.
And it’s okay to choose a different path.

This week, let’s encourage each other to make healthy choices, support our friends, and create spaces where youth feel heard, respected, and valued.

Your story matters. Your future matters. 💙

05/12/2026

🌟 National Prevention Week | May 10–16, 2026 🌟
A Celebration of Possibility
Every young person deserves the opportunity to grow up healthy, supported, confident, and hopeful about their future. During National Prevention Week, we come together to raise awareness about the power of prevention in strengthening families, schools, and communities.
Prevention starts with connection.
It starts with conversations at the dinner table, trusted adults who listen without judgment, positive friendships, healthy coping skills, and communities that create safe spaces for youth to thrive.
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 To Parents & Caregivers:
Your voice matters more than you think. Young people who feel supported and connected at home are more likely to make healthy choices. Talk openly with your children about mental health, peer pressure, substance use, stress, social media, and self-worth. You do not have to have every answer — being present, listening, and showing consistent support can make a life-changing difference.
💬 Some ways parents can support prevention:
• Create regular time to talk and check in
• Encourage healthy friendships and activities
• Model healthy coping and communication
• Learn the warning signs of substance misuse or emotional distress
• Celebrate effort, growth, and resilience
• Remind youth they are valued and never alone
🌱 To Youth & Young Adults:
Your future is bigger than any challenge you may face today. Asking for help is strength, not weakness. Your mental health matters. Your voice matters. Your goals, talents, creativity, and dreams matter. Surround yourself with people who support your growth and never be afraid to reach out when life feels overwhelming.
✨ Prevention is about empowering people before problems become crises.
Together, we can build communities where:
✔ Youth feel safe and supported
✔ Families feel connected
✔ Mental health is prioritized
✔ Healthy choices are encouraged
✔ Hope and opportunity are accessible to all
This week, let’s commit to prevention through education, compassion, awareness, and action. Small conversations today can lead to stronger futures tomorrow.

Community Based Prevention Services-Cleveland County

09/24/2026

09/23/2026

08/31/2026

08/17/2026

08/01/2026

07/31/2026

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