The ABCs of BAC

by Jacqueline Longo, July 21, 2016

Program Coordinator, Youth Leadership

The Governor's Prevention Partnership

Ever hear the acronym BAC? Do you know what it means? Take a look at the following infographic and learn all about the meaning of BAC and how it can impact you.  

 View additional resources for parents to speak with youth about the dangers of underage drinking.

Alcohol and Your Developing Brain

by Jacqueline Longo, July 19, 2016

Program Coordinator, Youth Leadership

The Governor's Prevention Partnership

Know the facts before you act! The human brain isn’t fully developed until a person’s mid 20s and alcohol can have severe effects on its development. Learn more about how alcohol impacts the brain and its functions in the infographic below.

View additional resources for parents to speak with youth about the dangers of underage drinking.

Prescription Drug Abuse: The New Epidemic

by Jacqueline Longo, July 14, 2016

Program Coordinator, Youth Leadership

The Governor's Prevention Partnership

Using a prescription medication when it is not prescribed to you is just as dangerous as using an illegal drug. Yet, in 2015, 12% of high school teens report to abusing a prescription drug to get high. The perception of harm of prescription drug abuse continues to decrease in the state of Connecticut with the number of youth who use, continuing to increase. Start talking to the teen in your life and learn more about prescription drug abuse and the impact it can have on young people with the following infographic.

View additional resources for parents to speak with youth about the dangers of substance abuse.

Marijuana: The Reality

by Jacqueline Longo, July 12, 2016

Program Coordinator, Youth Leadership

The Governor's Prevention Partnership

Marijuana use continues as the number 2 substance abused by Connecticut teens with 20% in 2015 reporting to smoking marijuana in the last 30 days. Marijuana can have a significant impact on the health of a young person and reports show that it is addictive!

Learn the truth about the physical, mental, and social consequences of smoking marijuana in the following infographic. Remember: Not everyone is doing it!

View additional resources for parents to speak with youth about the dangers of substance abuse.

Marijuana and Addiction

by Jacqueline Longo, July 7, 2016

Program Coordinator, Youth Leadership
The Governor's Prevention Partnership

We hear quite often from youth and parents that they believe marijuana is not addictive. This is a misconception as research has proven that marijuana is a highly addictive drug with the chances of addiction increasing with earlier use.  The National Institute of Drug Abuse states that individuals who use marijuana before the age of 18 are 4-7 times more likely to become addicted as they enter adulthood. “It is estimated that about 1 in 6 people who start using as a teen…become addicted to marijuana.” Since the brain is not fully developed until the mid-20s, teens have a higher risk of addiction with marijuana affecting memory, emotion control, coordination, and other necessary brain functions. With marijuana being the most commonly abused illicit drug in the United States and with the high possibility of addiction, it is important to educate our young people on the risks of marijuana use.

View additional resources for parents to speak with youth about the dangers of substance abuse.

Learn more about Marijuana: what it is, how it affects the brain, and new trends

Parenting for Prevention Tips:

• Start talking: Kids who learn about the risks of drugs at home are up to 50% less likely to use.
• Keep the conversation going: You may think your child isn’t listening, but they hear you!
• Set firm limits and have a clear no use policy: Let your child know that you disapprove of any drug or alcohol use.

The Truth behind the New Haven Public Health Emergency issued on June 24, 2016

by Jacqueline Longo, July 6, 2016

Program Coordinator, Youth Leadership
The Governor's Prevention Partnership

On June 24, 2016, New Haven declared a public health emergency after a tainted batch of drugs caused two deaths and 20 drug overdoses. Officials released that the victims thought they were buying cocaine, when instead officials believe they bought a synthetic opiate called Fentanyl. The drug in question is still being investigated but a warning has been issued in the New Haven community as fentanyl is an extremely potent opioid that is up to a 100 times stronger than heroin. Officer David Hartman, public information officer for New Haven Police, warns all heroin users as Fentanyl is the cause of many overdoses across the state.

Connecticut youth continue to be impacted by the level of drug use in the state. According to news reports, five of the overdose victims were found in the parking lot next to Hillhouse High School in New Haven. In the most recent Connecticut Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 12% of high school students report to misusing prescription drugs and 2.2% report to using heroin. The perception of harm of misusing prescription drugs continues to decrease as many youth believe they are safer and will not cause harm. The Center for Disease Control states that abusing prescription opioids is the strongest risk factor for a heroin addiction. With the increase in high school aged youth abusing prescription medications, the number of older heroin users will increase. It is important to remind our youth that using a prescription medication when it is not prescribed to you is just as dangerous as using an illegal drug.

View the full story to learn more

View additional resources for parents to speak with youth about the dangers of substance abuse and to learn more about the opioid epidemic that is hitting the United States.