National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day: This Saturday 4/30/16!

by Jacqueline Longo, April 28, 2016

Program Coordinator, Youth Leadership
The Governor's Prevention Partnership

"Unsure of what to do with those unused or expired prescription medications? Deposit them this weekend at a collection site near you! Although prescription medications can be an important part of treatment, when misused, these medications can be harmful and can possibility lead to addiction and other illegal drug use. Using prescription medications when they are not prescribed to you is just as dangerous as using an illegal drug and in Connecticut, 11% of high school youth report to misusing prescription medications at least once in their life.

The DEA is determined to provide safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing unwanted prescription drugs and invites everyone to prepare now by looking through their medicine cabinets to see if there is unneeded or expired medications that can be disposed of at a safe deposit site. The service is FREE of charge with no questions asked.

Can’t make it this Saturday? That’s OK! Many local police departments have medication drop boxes in their lobby so residents can drop off unused prescription medication any time with no questions asked. There are currently 60 collection box locations in Connecticut. View here to find a local collection box near you!"


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

Get Ready and Get Set: National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day is this weekend!

by Jacqueline Longo, April 26, 2016

Program Coordinator, Youth Leadership
The Governor's Prevention Partnership

"On April 30, 2016 collection sites across Connecticut will provide safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing unwanted prescription drugs. You can prepare now by looking through your medicine cabinets to see if there is unneeded or expired medications that can be disposed of at a deposit safe deposit site.

View here to find a collection site near you!

“While medications can be an important part of treatment for psychiatric and health disorders, their misuse can become an addiction, and possibly lead to illegal drug use or overdose. It is critical for everyone to safely store and dispose of medications,” DMHAS Commissioner Dr. Miriam Delphin-Rittmon said. “Parents need to speak to their children openly about medication abuse so they understand the dangers. Children also need to resist peer pressure to use medications belonging to other people.”

If you cannot visit any of the safe deposit sites on April 30th, many local police departments have medication drop boxes in their lobby so residents can drop off unused prescription medication any time anonymously. There are currently 60 collection box locations in Connecticut.

View here to find a local collection box near you!

“While we continue our focus on addressing the heroin epidemic in the state, it is also important to raise awareness about how access to opioids and other prescription pain medication can lead some youth to addiction,” Lt. Governor Wyman said. “Our goal is to get this information out as widely as possible so that every parent and grandparent knows that securing their medication is critical.”

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

Partnership for Drug Free Kids, April 21, 2016

"The Parent Support Network at Partnership for Drug-Free Kids is a system of care for parents whose teen and young adult children are struggling with drugs and alcohol.

Grounded in the evidence-based principles of motivational interviewing and Community Reinforcement and Family Training (CRAFT), the Parent Support Network helps parents and other caregivers keep open the lines of communication and caring with their child, and reduce the damage that is being done to the child and to the family by substance abuse and related behaviors.

The Parent Support Network is made up of:" Read more

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

4/20 – An Opportunity to Challenge the Myths Around Marijuana

by Jacqueline Longo, April 19, 2016

Program Coordinator, Youth Leadership
The Governor's Prevention Partnership

"Wednesday is April 20, or 4/20, for some a counter culture holiday dedicated to marijuana use. Advocates of marijuana use and legalization will bombard our young people on social media with misinformation and imagery glorifying its use, furthering the misconception that marijuana is harmless and widely used. We suggest you use it as an opportunity to combat those myths. The reality is that most high schoolers do not use marijuana: the 2013 CT Youth Risk Behavior Survey data shows us that 74% of high school aged youth have NOT smoked marijuana in the last 30 days and 58% of those surveyed have NEVER tried it. Marijuana is very harmful to the developing brain, with a tremendous body of research to back that up. There are many myths surrounding marijuana use by youth that can be shattered if we work together and spread the truth.

The National Institute of Drug Abuse has worked to combat the myths surrounding alcohol and marijuana use. Click here for a list of myths and facts about marijuana use and use this information to change the perception in our society: not everyone uses marijuana. Spread your own positive message across social media, provide tools for parents, and suggest healthy alternatives to using marijuana. Let’s take back 4/20!

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

"Celebrate April as Alcohol Awareness Month by starting the conversation. Even though it may look like your child isn’t listening, when you talk, they hear you. Parents are the top reason youth will decide not to drink alcohol. Start the conversation and keep it going!

View SAMHSA’s 'Five Conversation Goals' to help start the dialog

Create your own Action Plan today with SAMHSA’s easy to use guide

Keep up on new research: 'Teen Girls Start Drinking Before Their Male Peers'"

View additional tips and resources to speak with youth about the dangers of underage drinking.

The Opioid Epidemic Continues to Spread In Connecticut

by Jacqueline Longo, April 12, 2016

Program Coordinator, Youth Leadership
The Governor's Prevention Partnership

"The opioid epidemic is continuing to spread in Connecticut as more overdoses were reported over the weekend in the southeast corner of the state. Earlier this year, New London had a string of 15 heroin overdoses leading police and public officials to fight this increasing drug problem in our state. Norwich Police Department reported two overdoses this weekend, leaving one person hospitalized and another dead.

The growing opioid epidemic is having an effect on Connecticut’s youth. According to the Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 11% of high schoolers report to misusing prescription medications. This is a concerning number because according to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, those addicted to prescription medications are 40 times more likely to become addicted to heroin.

View a closer look at the prescription drug abuse issue facing our youth and some tools for prevention.

For more information and tips on prevention visit our website:
www.preventionworksct.org

Join us on June 8, 2016 from 12pm-1pm for a webinar on how to prevention prescription drug abuse.
Parenting for Prevention: A Parent’s Guide to Preventing Prescription Drug Abuse

Alcohol Awareness Month: Parenting for Prevention: Prevent Underage Drinking

by Jacqueline Longo, April 7, 2016

Program Coordinator, Youth Leadership
The Governor's Prevention Partnership

"#WeTalked

April is Alcohol Awareness Month. Celebrate this month by talking to your kids about the risks of underage drinking. The conversations you have with your child are important and can prevent them from engaging in risky behaviors like underage drinking and substance use. Remember to keep the conversation going!"

Read more for tips on how to prevent underage drinking.

Lacking substance: Forum exposes teens to the risks of drug abuse

Bristol Press, March 31, 2016

"Many of the teens said at the substance abuse forum Thursday evening, they’d heard it all before: Don’t do drugs. Drugs and alcohol can kill. Tobacco is bad for you.

'I’m just here,' shrugged Nicholas Dumond, 15, of Bristol. 'I guess it’s the experience. They’re saying not to do drugs or alcohol.'

Although many of the kids said no new information was being presented, they stayed. At times, they clearly listened to the stories. They sometimes responded." Read more

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