Prevention News

Program at Torrington High School stresses the dangers associated with drinking

noreply@blogger.com (Governor's Prevention Partnership) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 14:19:00 +0000

Register Citizen (Torrington, CT) February 8, 2012

"In hopes of making high school students aware of the dangers of underage drinking, members of the Mayor’s Committee on Youth delivered a presentation Tuesday morning.
Maria Skinner and Kevin Petit, both of the McCall Foundation spoke to students in two different sessions about the dangers associated with drinking.
'We are trying to make students aware of the dangers, and if we can show them the harm that could happen if you drink and drive the level of awareness is increased,' Skinner said Tuesday following the presentation. 'There have been other campaigns that have worked using the same efforts, such as making students aware of the dangers of tobacco.'" Read More

Ridgefield Students Launch Anti-Bullying Organization, Website

noreply@blogger.com (Governor's Prevention Partnership) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:44:00 +0000

Ridgefield Patch (Ridgefield, CT) February 7, 2012

"After last week's cyber-bullying incident over Twitter and the subsequent stand taken by Ridgefield High School students on Facebook, several members of the Ridgefield community have decided to take bullying matters into their own hands.
With comparable quickness to the original stand that saw thousands of members flock to the 'Southern Connecticut High Schools: An End To High School Bullying' Facebook group last Tuesday, students, teachers and school officials have already learned their lesson and have launched a directive to raise awareness of cyberbullying in Ridgefield and beyond.
The organization, called SAID (Students Against Internet Discrimination), is a student-run group with a goal to become nationally recognized. And in just a week, SAID already has its own website." Read More

Survey tracks drug, alcohol abuse among Madison students

noreply@blogger.com (Governor's Prevention Partnership) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:39:00 +0000

Shoreline Times (Madison, CT) February 6, 2012

"A survey recently given to local seventh through 12th-graders showed an overall decrease in alcohol, tobacco and marijuana use, but it also resulted in some shocking statistics that the Madison Alcohol and Drug Education Coalition hopes to address.
MADE surveyed more than 1,600 youths last November about their habits regarding substance use so they can track trends, pinpoint problems and intervene as necessary. The results, released to town officials during a presentation Tuesday in Town Hall, showed that there was a decline in risky behavior among youth between 2009 and 2011. Overall underage drinking decreased 4.2 percent, tobacco use decreased 14.3 percent and marijuana use decreased 6.7 percent.
Coalition Coordinator Catherine LeVasseur said Tuesday that the average age youth are starting to use substances is 13.3 years old." Read More

2 Trumbull Residents Added to Mentor Program

noreply@blogger.com (Governor's Prevention Partnership) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 14:26:00 +0000

Trumbull Patch (Trumbull, CT) February 5, 2012

"Trumbull Residents Join United Way to help Expand Mentor Program: Trumbull Residents Jaimie DeSisto and Brianna Weller have joined United Way of Coastal Fairfield County to help with the expansion of its mentor program, Wi-mentor.
According to a United Way press release, the four-year-old program began in Bridgeport and Stratford and is an internet-based mentoring program. Mentors and Mentees are matched and communicate weekly through curriculum based emails, and meet several times throughout the year to build their relationships. It is being expanded this year into Brien McMahon High School in Norwalk." Read More

Groton Schools Proceed With Plan To Prevent Bullying

noreply@blogger.com (Governor's Prevention Partnership) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 14:25:00 +0000

Groton Patch (Groton, CT) February 6, 2012

"Groton is moving forward with a plan to monitor and prevent bullying in the public schools, and is compiling the results of a survey done last spring of more than 3,000 students.
Connecticut passed legislation last summer to strengthen laws against bullying, and required districts to submit a 'safe school climate plan' by Jan. 1 outlining how they would enforce the rules.
Groton’s plan was recently adopted and is posted on the district website." Read More

Newman Committed to Paying it Forward

noreply@blogger.com (Governor's Prevention Partnership) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 14:22:00 +0000

Windsor Patch (Windsor, CT) February 6, 2012

"A self described 'troubled teen,' Windsor resident Terese Newman grew up in Los Angeles. Although she was an honors student, Newman was facing some personally difficult times, and she was close to making a decision that would set her back for ever.
'I was upset, and, like teens tend to do, I rebelled in a way that affected my family life and school life,' she said. 'I was on the edge of making a bad decision: dropping out of school,' said Newman.
In retrospect, Newman says that her difficulties were certainly manageable, but to a teenager, they seemed impossible to overcome. However, things took a turn when one of her teachers reached out to her in a small, but significant way." Read More

SchoolsDrinking, Drug Use Down Among Some Madison Teens

noreply@blogger.com (Governor's Prevention Partnership) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 15:05:00 +0000

Madison Patch (Madison, CT) February 1, 2012

A Madison Alcohol and Drug Education Coalition survey of more than 1,600 youths in town reports that, overall, drinking is down, tobacco use is down, and marijuana use is down. Also, students are reporting that they are delaying the initiation of drug and alcohol use, according to the survey.
'We're turning the tide,' said Lori Lodge, chairman of the board of the coalition, also know as M.A.D.E. in Madison. Still, she said, there are many areas where the town can continue to improve." Read More

Students present ad on underage drinking to peers at University of New Haven

noreply@blogger.com (Governor's Prevention Partnership) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 15:03:00 +0000

New Haven Register (West Haven, CT) February 1, 2012

"The commercial begins with an empty beer bottle rolling down the street until it reaches its final resting place at someone’s front stoop.
The message is as simple as it is powerful: No one thinks underage drinking will have an impact on their life until it hits home.
The video, created by a team at Western Connecticut State University, won last year’s Wine and Spirit Wholesalers of Connecticut Inc. public service announcement contest on prevention of teen drinking." Read More

Bullying: 'Power of Words and Your Actions'

noreply@blogger.com (Governor's Prevention Partnership) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 15:00:00 +0000

East Haven Patch (East Haven, CT) February 2, 2012

"East Haven High School will host a presentation given by Wayne Soares on the 'Power of Words and Your Actions' to middle and high school students on Feb. 7.
Mr. Soares’ scheduled presentations are at 8 a.m., 9 a.m., and 10 a.m., and also at 12:15 p.m.
Mr. Soares will speak on the topics of cultural sensitivity, bullying, cyber-bullying, texting, Facebook and other social media.
Wayne Soares is a national inspirational speaker, actor and author. He is currently on an Anti-Bullying Tour and has presented at hundreds of schools throughout the country. Wayne recently taped a bullying segment on 'The Dr. Oz Show,' which will air this spring." Read More

Mentors honored at banquet

noreply@blogger.com (Governor's Prevention Partnership) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:31:00 +0000

Stratford Star (Stratford, CT) January 31, 2012

"More than 200 mentors, mentoring program staff, and community supporters attended the Mentoring Institute of Coastal Fairfield County’s second annual Regional Mentor Recognition Banquet, held at Testo’s Ristorante on Jan. 18.
The Mentoring Institute is an initiative by the United Way of Coastal Fairfield County that brings together a network of mentor programs across the region to share best practices and improve quality standards.
The banquet is an evening of appreciation to the mentors who give of their time to help children and youth in need of a special person in their lives, and is celebrated in January, National Mentoring Month. Mentors representing 18 independent mentoring programs received recognition." Read More

Kid bullied to leave school because he wasn't 'black enough'

noreply@blogger.com (Governor's Prevention Partnership) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:19:00 +0000

Ct Post (Ansonia, CT) January 31, 2012

"The student stabbed Ryan in the back with a mechanical pencil and walked away. There was no explanation, no words exchanged at all. But Ryan knew why it happened. Scared to tell the teacher, all Ryan could do was to go to the bathroom to wash off the blood.
It was all because of the color of his skin, his mom, Gail Rodriguez said. He was often the only light-skinned student in his classes, which were predominantly black. Ryan, who is half white and half Puerto Rican, was called names like 'stupid white cracker.'
Minority students around the region told Hearst Connecticut Newspapers they have been called n-----, or terrorist, or told to go back to the other side of the border." Read More

Read more: http://www.ctpost.com/local/article/Kid-bullied-to-leave-school-because-he-wasn-t-2866806.php#ixzz1l90nNP95

Ridgefield High students fight bullying tweets

noreply@blogger.com (Governor's Prevention Partnership) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:15:00 +0000

CT Post (Ridgefield, CT) January 31, 2012

"In the space of a few hours, some Ridgefield High School students saw the worst and the best aspects of technology and are now on a mission to end cyberbullying.
Senior Sophie Needleman, 18, horrified by a Monday afternoon tweet on Twitter by a high school student that included a slur about homosexuals, called on her friends to take a stand on her Facebook page.
'When I saw it, I was shocked and upset and knew something had to be done,' Needleman said about the tweet, that used the term 'RHSfagoftheday.'" Read More

Volunteers help Putnam school mentoring program

noreply@blogger.com (Governor's Prevention Partnership) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 15:43:00 +0000

Record Journal (Meriden, CT) January 29, 2012

"Shanaya Gonzalez's lunch and recess period on Friday's is different than most students at Israel Putnam School. She is not with her peers and Shanaya is not in the cafeteria.
Instead, she spends time with Stacey Lee, somebody Shanaya views as a friend. Lee, who works for USI Insurance, and Shanaya play games, read, eat and participate in other one-on-one activities.
Shanaya and Lee's relationship is part of Israel Putnam's mentoring program, consisting of 22 pairs of mentors and students. The school has partnered with USI, Webster Bank and PMA Insurance Group." Read More

Southington school district tackles bullying issue

noreply@blogger.com (Governor's Prevention Partnership) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 15:38:00 +0000

Record Journal (Southington, CT) January 29, 2012

"The school district is concentrating on bullying reforms, hoping programs and other initiatives will limit the problem.
A safety tip hotline was started earlier this month and schools are working to include anti-bullying literature in the curriculum. They also continue to have guest speakers address bullying.
For the third straight year, Deacon Arthur Miller visited Southington High School. Students sat around desks and on couches in the school library recently, taking in Miller's lively, emotion-filled lecture on civil rights and bullying." Read More

Simsbury Police to dispose of drugs

noreply@blogger.com (Governor's Prevention Partnership) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 15:36:00 +0000

The Simsbury News (Simsbury, CT) January 27, 2012

"To assist citizens and discourage theft, Simsbury has become of one of just eight towns in Connecticut to offer police disposal of unwanted prescription drugs. Flushing unwanted drugs at home is ill-advised, in that they can eventually pollute the water stream.
Under constant camera surveillance and bolted to the floor in the police station lobby, the drug lock box will be accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week, according to Simsbury Police Chief Peter N. Ingvertsen.
'There will be no request for names or addresses,' Ingversten said after the Jan. 23 board of selectmen meeting, where he made a presentation about the drug lock box." Read More

School mentoring program expands

noreply@blogger.com (Governor's Prevention Partnership) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 15:24:00 +0000

Reminder News (Windsor, CT) January 27, 2012

"The most precious gift anyone can give to another person is their attention. Today’s Smartphones, tablets and electronic social networking run serious interference with face-to-face communication, which most of us need and some need more than others. So when Mike Greenwood, the coordinator of Windsor Public Schools’ mentoring program, says there are no special characteristics needed to be a mentor – other than a willingness to share your time with a child – he says it all.
'All you have to be is willing to participate, show up every week and sit with a child, listen and engage in conversation about things you have in common – like sports, arts and crafts, movies or TV – just to demonstrate that you care,' said Greenwood." Read More

Middlesex County Steps Up Efforts To Stem Underage Drinking

noreply@blogger.com (Governor's Prevention Partnership) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 15:21:00 +0000

Hartford Courant (Middletown, CT) January 27, 2012

"Youth organizations and liquor store owners in Middlesex County want adults to know that it's illegal to provide alcohol to minors, and those who do so will be arrested.
Jay Polke, who owns the Willowbrook Spirit Shoppe in Cromwell, says he won't sell to adults if he suspects they're buying alcohol for someone underage
'There have been incidents in our town where the police have been called and with the parents' permission, the kids are drinking alcohol,' Polke said. 'It's not good for my business and it's not good for the liquor business. All the bad lessons have already been learned. We should take action to prevent the bad things from happening in the future.'" Read More

National Mentoring Month

noreply@blogger.com (Governor's Prevention Partnership) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 15:18:00 +0000

WTNH News-8 (New Haven, CT) January 27, 2012

"Mentoring is important because every child needs a caring adult to do well in school and in life. Children with a mentor feel a sense of connection and have better outcomes at school and with their peers and family. Mentoring also helps them to make better decisions and to avoid risky behavior First Niagara empowers communities to thrive through our Mentoring Matters program." Read More

Family History of Alcoholism May Affect Adolescents’ Brains

noreply@blogger.com (Governor's Prevention Partnership) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 15:28:00 +0000

Psych Central, January 18, 2012

"A new study has found that the brains of adolescents with a family history of alcoholism respond differently while making risky decisions than the brains of other teens.
Researchers at the Oregon Health & Science University discovered that two areas of the brain — the prefrontal cortex and cerebellum — demonstrated atypical activity while completing the same task than their peers with no family history of alcoholism.
'We know that a familial history of alcoholism is a significant risk factor for future alcohol abuse,' said Bonnie J. Nagel, assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral neuroscience at Oregon Health & Science University. 'We were interested in determining whether adolescents at heightened risk for alcohol use made more risky decisions during a laboratory task compared to their lower-risk peers.'" Read More

Nation’s Leaders to Attend National Mentoring Summit

noreply@blogger.com (Governor's Prevention Partnership) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 15:19:00 +0000

MENTOR (Washington D.C.) January 17, 2012

"National youth mentoring organizations, administration officials, civic leaders, corporate executives and the country’s foremost mentoring researchers will join together in Washington, D.C., next week at the second annual National Mentoring Summit to promote a pathway for ensuring our nation’s youth receive quality mentoring and guidance that will enable them to have a promising future.
The theme for this year’s Summit is 'Invest in the Future: Mentor a Child.' The Summit will include a Corporate Leadership Session where many of the nation’s corporate leaders will discuss examples and strategies for deepening private sector investment and volunteerism directed toward expanding quality youth mentoring. The session is a follow-up to First Lady Michelle Obama’s original 'Corporate Mentoring Challenge' call to action at the inaugural 2011 Summit." Read More

Eastern Connecticut stores cater to drug users

noreply@blogger.com (Governor's Prevention Partnership) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 15:17:00 +0000

Norwich Bulletin (Norwich, CT) January 21, 2012

"The message was brief but stark.
In dozens of convenience stores and gas stations across the region, purchasing drug paraphernalia is as simple as buying a candy bar or gallon of milk, a substance abuse prevention councilor told the Southeastern Connecticut Council of Governments last week.
Often, the products — which include glass pipes, bowls, rolling papers and, in some cases, scales — are displayed in glass cases near cash registers and feature elaborate decorations or colorful patterns." Read More

Drunkorexia Combines the Worst of Teen Alcohol Abuse with Body Image Problems, and Sunset Bay Academy Explains This Growing Trend and Its Causes

noreply@blogger.com (Governor's Prevention Partnership) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 15:09:00 +0000

PR Web (San Diego, CA) January 18, 2012

"As many parents may know, high school can be a frightening and exhilarating time. Teens get their first taste of freedom as parents get to watch their sons and daughters go off to prove themselves in a demanding social environment. Responsible parents will warn about the dangers of drinking and exercising self-control, but that control can take a dangerous form in the shape of what is being called 'drunkorexia.'
On one hand, some high school teens are forgoing food in order to stretch their alcohol budget. These teens want to drink because they feel compelled or may actually have a problem of some sort. Recent studies from the American Collage Health Association found that '31 percent of students met the criteria for a diagnosis of alcohol abuse and 6 percent for a diagnosis of alcohol dependence in the past 12 months.' Not eating allows students to get drunk faster, further increasing the buzz they get from their budgets.
On the other hand, other high school teens are drinking and forgoing food for more physiological reasons." Read More

National Online Directory of Permanent Prescription Drug Collection Boxes Launched

noreply@blogger.com (Governor's Prevention Partnership) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 15:07:00 +0000

Market Watch (Washington D.C.) January 18, 2012

"The American Medicine Chest Challenge (AMCC), the nation's largest privately funded public health campaign preventing prescription drug abuse, announced today, the creation of a national online directory of permanent prescription drug collection boxes for the collection of unused, unwanted, and expired medicine.
The directory created in cooperation with local, county and state law enforcement is available on americanmedicinechest.com. Currently, the directory includes collection sites in 11 states and will be updated daily. The directory will contain an interactive map of each state's permanent collection sites." Read More

Mentors play vital roles, get honored

noreply@blogger.com (Governor's Prevention Partnership) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 15:05:00 +0000

Bristol Press (Bristol, CT) January 17, 2012

"Jaime is an 18-year-old looking forward to graduating from high school in Bristol and becoming a police officer, thanks to the guidance his mentor has provided since he was 12.
Behind Jaime and many others like him are those who have served as anchor and compass. In honor of National Mentoring Month, Gov. Dannel Malloy is recognizing their contributions by declaring January Connecticut Mentoring Month.
To increase the ranks of mentors, Malloy is supporting a series of televised public service announcements by the National Mentoring Partnership. The PSAs are airing on television and radio stations throughout the month." Read More

Tri-Town Youth Services Hires New Prevention Coordinator

noreply@blogger.com (Governor's Prevention Partnership) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 15:01:00 +0000

Valley News Now ( Chester, CT) January 16, 2012

"Tri-Town Youth Services Bureau, Inc. has recently welcomed Cate Bourke to their staff. Hired as the new Prevention Coordinator, Cate will be working under the Drug Free Communities Grant to strengthen the Tri-Town Substance Abuse Prevention Council’s efforts to prevent youth substance abuse.
The Drug Free Communities Program (DFC), directed by the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy in partnership with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA), provides grants of up to $125,000 to community coalitions that encourage citizens to prevent youth substance abuse. Entering year two of a five year award, the Tri Town Substance Abuse Prevention Council involves representatives from 12 community sectors (including youth, parents, business, media, schools, health care, civic clubs, law enforcement, religious organizations and organizations serving youth and families) working collaboratively to develop and implement a long-term plan to reduce and prevent substance abuse in our communities." Read More