News 8, April 8, 2017
NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) – April is National Alcohol Awareness Month and with events like spring break and prom happening this time of year Monique Price-Taylor from the Governor’s Prevention Partnership stopped by our studio to remind all Connecticut parents that teens and alcohol don’t mix.
What is the Governor’s Prevention Partnership?
The Governor’s Prevention Partnership is a statewide prevention agency that works with organizations throughout Connecticut to educate youth on substance abuse and underage drinking prevention, mentoring and anti-bullying initiatives
What is the Peer-to-Peer Prevention Initiatives Program?
This is a program that strives to teach young people how to make healthy decisions around alcohol and substance abuse through what is called the E3 program…Encourage, Empower, Engage. See the video and read more.
View additional resources for parents to speak with youth about the dangers of underage drinking.
Monday, April 10, 2017
Tuesday, April 4, 2017
April 3rd – April 7th is National Youth Violence Prevention Week
According to the Juvenile Offenders and Victims: 2014 National Report, 61% of youth under the age of 17 were exposed to violence in the past year, either as a witness or a victim. Nearly 50% were victims of assault in the past year, more than 20% reported being bullied at school within their lifetime, and 12% of girls reported sexual victimization at some point in their lifetime.
Given these staggering statistics, National Youth Violence Prevention Week calls on parents, teachers, counselors, and teens to work together and help youth thrive without the threat or fear of violence. Remember, no effort is too small for making a positive change. Start today:
Given these staggering statistics, National Youth Violence Prevention Week calls on parents, teachers, counselors, and teens to work together and help youth thrive without the threat or fear of violence. Remember, no effort is too small for making a positive change. Start today:
- Bystanders, speak up. Learn the signs of bullying, and talk to a principal, teacher or school counselor if someone you know is being bullied at school. They can best handle the situation and report incidents to the proper authorities.
- If you’ve been a victim of physical or sexual violence, talk to an adult or call one of the toll-free numbers listed below. Often, you can make these reports anonymously, without having to identify yourself.
- Engage with your community by downloading the Strategic Plan Development Toolkit, or use the Map My Community tool to find local violence prevention organizations that you can support.
- Use the National Youth Violence Prevention Week resources to help prevent crime, manage conflicts, and enhance service projects in your community.
- Talk to teens about healthy and unhealthy relationships with friends, family members, and romantic partners to help them identify signs of abuse.
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255) [24/7 hotline] or 1-888-628-9454 (Spanish)
- National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233
- National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline: 1-866-331-9474
- National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)
- National Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-4-A-CHILD (22-4453)
- National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs: 1-212-714-1141
Thursday, July 21, 2016
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.
Tuesday, July 19, 2016
Alcohol and Your Developing Brain
by Jacqueline Longo, July 19, 2016
Program Coordinator, Youth Leadership
The Governor's Prevention Partnership
View additional resources for parents to speak with youth about the dangers of underage drinking.
Thursday, July 14, 2016
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.
Tuesday, July 12, 2016
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.
Thursday, July 7, 2016
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.
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.
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.
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