Mark Luetke

This month Sylvania celebrates the success of one of our most durable and impactful non-profit institutions. It also recognizes that the issue the organization works to combat is still very much a problem. The focus? Addressing the issues among youth of use/misuse of substances, underage drinking and mental health wellness, while helping them build strong life skills.

The year 2025 marked the 40th anniversary of the Sylvania Prevention Alliance—formerly known as SCAT (Sylvania Community Action Team). Parents may remember attending informational programs and supporting anti-drug activities at their kids’ school. But SCAT’s goal has evolved under the Prevention Alliance from navigating substance use to empowering youth and families with the skills and knowledge to make safe and healthy choices.

Last weekend more than 100 people attended the “Prom for Prevention,” an adult gala created to “look back and celebrate what the program has accomplished and what we are doing now,” explained Deb Chany, SCAT’s former executive director for 21 years and chairman of the event. Sylvania Rotary was the major sponsor, with additional support from Erin Ann’s ice Cream, Sylvania Lions Club, and ACE Hardware.

John Marquardt, SCAT’s first executive director, received formal recognition. Honorary co-chairs were Brad Rieger, former Superintendent of Schools, and Dave Spiess, former school board member and community volunteer extraordinaire.

But despite the revelry at its 40th birthday party, the work is far from over for the Prevention Alliance. Ms. Chany recalls that during her tenure as executive director, the primary concerns were the appearance of marijuana on the scene and underage drinking. Today, the issues seem more complex and threatening.

Sgt. Justin Bell, Community Affairs Sergeant for the Sylvania Police Department, continues to see underage drinking as a problem. But he describes the biggest challenge now as vaping (especially in schools) and prescription drug abuse—oxy, Vicodin, and other pain killers. He’s already had more than 60 Vape investigations at our two Sylvania high schools since January 1.

(For those of us over 60: Vaping is an electronic cigarette that contains nicotine and other chemicals or flavorings like cannabis. Vaping typically involves nicotine, which itself is highly addictive. Many young users become dependent on vaping products.)

Sgt. Bell underscores that most of his department’s work with young people is often proactive. This includes assigning full-time “resource officers” to each high school and sponsoring a Public Safety Cadet Program.
The community affairs officer for the Sylvania Township Police, Officer Matt Miller, fills a similar role in the six public schools in his jurisdiction. His assignment includes a ten-week drug and alcohol prevention curriculum for fifth-grade students, and he also heads the ongoing Law Enforcement Against Drugs (LEAD) program for all students in each of his schools.

However, both officers agree with the current executive director of the Sylvania Prevention Alliance, Torri Daggett, that demographics about substance misuse extend beyond teens and vaping. “Our goal has evolved from navigating substance abuse to empowering youth and families with skills and knowledge to make safe and healthy choices,” Ms. Daggett says.

“We know medication found in the home is a common starting point for drug misuse among youth, making proper disposal a simple but powerful tool. These efforts not only reduce the risk of misuse but also help protect young children from accidental poisoning and support older citizens by minimizing confusion or medication errors,” Ms. Daggett adds.

“Authorities see cases of young children getting into both legal and illegal substances in their parents’ medicine cabinet, and seniors who overdose because they get mixed up and take the wrong medications. The simple solution is to reduce access to all types of drugs—both legal and illegal—starting in the home.”

With that in mind, the city and township police have partnered with the Prevention Alliance and Kroger on two “Drug Take Back Days” each year since 2010. The next one is coming up on Saturday, April 25 from 10 am to 2 pm in the Kroger parking lot at Sylvania Avenue at King Road.

Anyone is welcome to dispose of their drugs on the 25th, but officers recommend that before citizens arrive, they empty all pills from their bottles into plastic zip-top sandwich or storage bags (in order to preserve individual confidentiality). Then, they can simply drive through the line and hand their bags to a police officer who will deposit them into a collection bin. Citizens do not even have to leave their vehicle.

Both Sgt. Bell and Officer Miller point out that in addition to drop-off day, permanent and confidential drop boxes for disposal of old medications are always available in the lobbies of both police stations—the Township on King Road and the City on Maplewood near Main Street in downtown. Bagging the meds is advised there, too.

Ms. Dagget of the Prevention Alliance points out that the take-back program not only offers Sylvania a safe and convenient way to dispose of unused or expired medications, it also keeps the substances out of the environment—and the wrong hands (particularly children and pets who might find them in the garbage can).

“No questions are asked,” she says. “The take-back event is a quick, safe, and hassle -free way to help protect your family and the community.” Not a bad legacy after 40 years.

Longtime Sylvania resident Mark Luetke has served on city council, the board of education, and numerous foundation and community boards.