March 17 to 23 is National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week organized by the National Institute on Drug Abuse and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.
Every year in March, National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week occurs to educate youth, parents and communities about the realities of substance use. Substance use prevention agencies play a vital role in this yearly event and all year round. Cortland Prevention Resources, a Division of Family and Children’s Counseling Services, a Cortland County substance use prevention agency, shares that goal. Its mission is to educate, engage, and empower youth, families and communities to prevent and reduce substance use, promoting positive choices and healthy communities.
National Drug and Alcohol Facts Wee serves as a platform for prevention agencies to amplify their efforts by providing science-based information, evidence-informed education and resources to counteract the myths to help people make informed decisions about substance use and live a healthy life.
How they do it:
1. Educating youth with science-based facts
The week focuses on providing facts about drugs and alcohol, debunking the myths and misinformation youth may see on social media or hear from peers. Cortland Prevention Resources offers a free evidenced-based intervention, Teen Intervene, that can help youth by providing personalized education to teens that may be at risk of experimenting with substances.
2. Reducing substance use and addiction risks
Research shows early prevention efforts significantly decrease the likelihood of future substance misuse. Cortland Prevention Resources provides free evidenced-based programs, Too Good for Drugs and Too Good for Violence, to Cortland County schools that teach coping skills, decision-making, the science of brain development, resistance to peer pressure, facts about substances and reducing the risk of addiction.
3. Supporting parents, schools, and communities
Cortland Prevention Resources offers free tailored presentations, resources and workshops to help parents, teachers, and community leaders stay up to date on current drug trends, tips to effectively talk to youth about drugs and alcohol and anything related to reducing and preventing unhealthy substance use.
4. Promoting mental health and well-being
Substance use is often linked to mental health challenges such as anxiety and depression. Cortland Prevention resources offers two services that address and support youth mental health. One is called Gizmo’s Pawesome Guide to Mental Health. This program is for third-grade students that introduces the concept of mental health, how to take care of one’s mental health daily, and identifying healthy coping strategies. Second is the Youth Mental Health First Aid Training. This training is designed to teach parents, family members, caregivers, school staff and other people how to help an adolescent experiencing a mental health or addictions challenge or is in crisis.
While National Alcohol and Drug Facts Week is a one-week observance, Cortland Prevention Resources uses it as a springboard for long-term prevention efforts. To learn more or if you want to hear more about our programming and services, go to www.cortlandprevention.org, or visit our Facebook at Cortland Prevention Resources: A Division of Family Counseling Services, or contact msimmons@familycs.org.
Ashley Parker is a prevention specialist with prevention specialist with Family and Children’s Counseling Services.
