In addition to WVADS, Inc.’s core treatment and prevention/education programs, the agency is also well-known for its “Special Projects”. Some of these unique and highly creative programs are:
Greater Pittston Area Drug Task Force – A
proactive awareness group comprised of agency and community individuals.
ATOD (Alcohol, Tobacco & Other Drugs) – Groups
for schools and communities.
T-Shirt/Coloring Contest/Poster Contest/Essay Contest – these are all drug and alcohol theme-based contests designed to challenge young people to create prevention and education messages. Several thousand students participate annually in these programs.
Slow On the Bottle, Enjoy the Road (S.O.B.E.R.) – This is a drunk and drugged driving awareness program conducted annually from mid-November to mid-January during the holiday season. The S.O.B.E.R. program utilizes overturned vehicles placed at various high traffic locations in the community to vividly demonstrate the consequences of impaired driving.
Friends of Sharon – This is an anti-drunk and drugged driving campaign that was founded in memory of Sharon Yanulevius, who was killed by a drunk driver in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania on August 12, 1995. Her parents, Frank and Sharon Yanulevius, volunteer countless hours on this program spreading the message of prevention and education to school and community groups. A monument has been erected in Sharon’s honor on the site of the senseless tragedy on West End Road in Hanover Twp., Pennsylvania.
Perinatal Program – This unique prevention and education program has a mission of providing much-needed information to prevent alcohol and drug use during anytime of the pregnancy. The agency has created a comprehensive informational book outlining the consequences of use of specific drugs, medicines, chemicals, or substances during pregnancy. Additionally, a self-assessment questionnaire, website directory of perinatal sites, an informational brochure, and a school-based curriculum are also key components of this program. The Blue Ribbon Foundation of Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania funded the first two (2) years of this program through a grant.
Drug and Alcohol Community Awareness Festivals – WVADS, Inc. has conducted full scale, comprehensive, multi-day awareness festivals for Wilkes-Barre and Kingston, Pennsylvania. Bringing together thousands of citizens to celebrate being drug free is the mission of these events. From parades, fairs, food, entertainment, awareness programs, handout information, contests, art shows, concerts, etc., these fun-filled events teach the community, most especially our young, that good times can be enjoyed in a drug and alcohol free environment.
Community Awareness Programs – Our agency is very well-known for co-ordinating community drug and alcohol awareness programs featuring recovering addicts sharing stories, family members sharing stories regarding the loss of their loved ones to drugs and/or alcohol, panel discussions, and exhibits by all drug and alcohol providers of service.
