Talking to your teen about alcohol

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.

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:

• 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.

Get help or report 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