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Events Media Prevention Resources

Celebrate Smart

Prom and graduation are a time to celebrate— you’ve earned it. As you close one chapter of your life and start the next, you deserve to mark your accomplishments by having fun. You should also treat yourself and your friends safely, and with respect.

1/3 of youth drunk driving fatalities happen this time of year. Those aren’t just statistics— they’re people who had bright futures ahead
of them. You can choose to celebrate without alcohol.

Our community is working to ensure that you have a safe celebration. There are also things that you can do to stay safe:

  1. Never drive drunk or get into a car when someone’s been drinking.
  2. Share your location with someone you trust.
  3. Think about your choices ahead of time, know the signs of too much alcohol use and how to help a friend in need. Call 911 in an emergency.
  4. Text for a ride if you don’t feel safe. Come up with a code phrase to signal you want to be picked up right away.

Here are six tips for parents and caring adults to help keep our teens safe during times of celebration — for all the right reasons.

Courtesy of Partnership to End Addiction

1. Set curfews. Teen car crashes and deaths increase exponentially late at night. If you decide to extend curfews, do not allow large blocks of time that are unaccounted for. Know where your teen is, how long they will be there, when they will be leaving, who is there and who is supervising the event. In 2008, half of teen deaths from motor vehicle crashes occurred between 3:00pm and midnight, and 56% occurred on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday.

2. Do not rent a hotel room. Is anyone really surprised when a tragedy happens after a parent rents a hotel room unsupervised? If a room is rented for teens, an appropriate adult should be there to ensure safety and manage risk.

3. Be up when they come home. My mom told me that her anti-drug plan was coffee and lights. She was wide awake, lights on and coffee in hand, when my siblings and I came through the door at night. A teen’s curfew should never exceed the parents’ ability to stay up. My dad’s favorite expression was, “Nothing ever good happens after midnight.” The older I get, the truer that statement feels to me.

4. Clearly communicate your expectations. Although you may feel you’ve talked many times to your child about your expectations for healthy choices and the consequences of breaking the rules, prom and graduation season is an important time to repeat this message. Talk to your child about the dangers of drinking and driving and getting in the car with a drunk driver. Consider role-playing a few scenarios. Research shows that discussing and planning for possible scenarios with teens increases the chances of their safe decision-making.

5. Keep the party local. Don’t be tempted to allow your children to celebrate at a faraway location, such as a beach or cabin. Allowing your teen to take off to a remote spot with no supervision creates unnecessary risk.

6. Talk with your teen.

  • Ask: How are you feeling about the prom? What are you most excited about? What are you most nervous about?
  • Find out who your teen is going to prom with. Do you know their date or group of friends? Does your teen know these kids well?
  • If you don’t know the parents of your teen’s date and prom group, be sure to get to know them before the big event.

Help your teen enjoy their prom and graduation without substance use. Lay down rules that will help them create everlasting memories. Prom is a rite of passage that your teen should enjoy and remember for a lifetime. Help them make it a safe one!

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Events Video

Retail Cannabis Conversations: A Public Health Perspective Event (Video)

Does your town have retail cannabis on the docket for town meeting? Do you want to know more before you vote on this important issue?

This presentation covers: General overview of the retail cannabis law, Act 164; Most up to date decisions coming out of the Cannabis Control Board (CCB); What a local Cannabis Control Commission (CCC) is and what it can do; Suggestions for towns should an opt-in vote pass; Public health insights related to retail cannabis, backed by data from other states; And questions submitted by the public.

Green Peak Alliance member, The Collaborative, hosted an online forum on Monday, February 21, 2022 from 6:30-7:30 PM on Zoom to provide information on retail cannabis and give community members an opportunity to get their questions answered. Before communities vote on Retail Opt-In, it’s important to be fully informed. All residents were welcome to attend, especially residents of Chester, Hartford, Springfield, and Woodstock (Town and Village). The Zoom event was recorded and posted below and available for all to watch.

Video Timestamp Information

0-4:30  Intro

4:30 – 19:30 Regional planning, local options

19:30 – 33:40 Public health information

33:40 – 55:00 Q&A, local options

55:00 Sharing of contact info

Categories
Events Media News

Drug Take-Back Day Slated for October 23, 2021 | Press Release

Press Release

Drop-off sites located throughout county

WINDSOR COUNTY— On Saturday, October 23rd, the Windsor County Sheriff’s Office, local and state law enforcement agencies, and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will give the public another opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous, expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs. The Take-Back Day event is free and anonymous, no questions asked, with drop-off sites located throughout Windsor County.

“Rates of prescription drug abuse in this country are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs,” said Sheriff Mike Chamberlain of Windsor County. “We look forward to participating in Take-Back Day again this fall as part of our continuing effort to protect the health and safety of Windsor County residents.”

Supported by public health coalitions, Take-Back Day aims to prevent prescription drug abuse, a growing problem in the U.S. that claims lives through overdoses and accidental poisonings. A majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends.

Since inception of the Take Back Days, towns across Windsor County and the State have worked diligently to expand access to permanent drug collection units. Windsor County’s efforts align with those of the state in encouraging Vermonters to drop off unused or expired medications. Green Peak Alliance coordinator, Courtney Hillhouse states, “To prevent misuse, we want everyone to know how to safely use and store medications and dispose of unused or expired medicine.”  

Residents participating in Drug Take back on October 23rd have the opportunity to learn more about permanent collection such as locations of drop boxes, hours of operation, and what medication types are accepted. 

Where to go

The following locations in Windsor County will serve as drop-off sites on Take-Back Day, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, October 23rd: Chester Police Department; Windsor Police Department; Weathersfield Transfer Station (operated by the Weathersfield Police Department); Springfield Police Department; Ludlow Police Department; Hartford Police Department; Woodstock Police Department; Royalton Police Department; and Norwich Police Department. 

The Take Back Day and Permanent Collection services are free. Powders and patches are accepted in addition to pills and capsules. Medication return venues are supported in part by the Green Peak Alliance, a regional network that promotes healthy communities in East Central Vermont.

In April 2021, Windsor County Deputies emptied drop boxes at local police stations and took for incineration 604 pounds of medications collected. At any time throughout the year, households in Windsor County may take advantage of the permanent drop-boxes in the lobbies of the following Police Departments: Chester, Hartford, Ludlow, Royalton, Springfield, Windsor, and Woodstock. For a complete listing of locations and hours of operation, visit: www.twinstatesafemeds.org

For more information about Take-Back Day, visit dea.gov or call the Windsor County Sheriff’s Department at (802) 457-5211.

Categories
Events Media News

Drug Take-Back Day Slated for April 24, 2021

Press Release

Drop-off sites located throughout county

WINDSOR COUNTY— On Saturday, April 24th, the Windsor County Sheriff’s Office, local and state law enforcement agencies, and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will give the public another opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous, expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs. The Take-Back Day event is free and anonymous, no questions asked, with drop-off sites located throughout Windsor County.

“Rates of prescription drug abuse in this country are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs,” said Sheriff Mike Chamberlain of Windsor County. “We look forward to participating in Take-Back Day again this spring as part of our continuing effort to protect the health and safety of Windsor County residents.”

Supported by public health coalitions, Take-Back Day aims to prevent prescription drug abuse, a growing problem in the U.S. that claims lives through overdoses and accidental poisonings. A majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends.

Since inception of the Take Back Days, towns across Windsor County and the State have worked diligently to expand access to permanent drug collection units. Windsor County’s efforts align with those of the state in encouraging Vermonters to drop off unused or expired medications. Green Peak Alliance coordinator, Courtney Hillhouse states that, “To prevent misuse, we want everyone to know how to safely use, store, and dispose of unused or expired medicine.”  

Residents participating in Drug Take back on April 24th have the opportunity to learn more about permanent collection such as locations of drop boxes, hours of operation, and what medication types are accepted. 

Where to go

The following locations in Windsor County will serve as drop-off sites on Take-Back Day, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 24th: Chester Police Department; Windsor Police Department; Weathersfield Transfer Station (operated by the Weathersfield Police Department); Springfield Police Department; Ludlow Police Department; Hartford Police Department; Woodstock Police Department; Royalton State Police Barracks; Royalton Police Department; and Norwich Police Department. 

The Take Back Day and Permanent Collection services are free. Powders and patches are accepted in addition to pills and capsules. Medication return venues are supported in part by the Green Peak Alliance, a regional network that promotes healthy communities in East Central Vermont.

In October2020, Windsor County Deputies emptied drop boxes at local police stations and took for incineration 439 pounds of medications collected. At any time throughout the year, households in Windsor County may take advantage of the permanent drop-boxes in the lobbies of the following Police Departments: Chester, Hartford, Ludlow, Royalton, Springfield, Windsor, and Woodstock. For a complete listing of locations and hours of operation, visit: www.twinstatesafemeds.org

For more information about Take-Back Day, visit dea.gov or call the Windsor County Sheriff’s Department at (802) 457-5211.

Categories
Events Media News

Drug Take-Back Day Canceled for April 25, 2020 | Press Release

Press Release

WINDSOR COUNTY— Due to the COVID-19 health emergency, the Spring 2020 Prescription Drug Take Back Day, originally scheduled for Saturday, April 25th, has been canceled. However, there are still opportunities to return unwanted or expired medications.  Medication return boxes are available for drop-off throughout Windsor and Orange Counties. Mail back envelopes for medications are also available. 

Supported by public health coalitions, drop off boxes and medication return envelopes aim to prevent prescription drug abuse, a growing problem in the U.S. that claims lives through overdoses and accidental poisonings. A majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends.

Where to go

The following locations serve as drop-off sites: Green Mountain Pharmacy, Greater Falls Pharmacy, Ludlow Pharmacy, Springfield Pharmacy, Gifford Health Care, Chester Police, Hartford Police, Ludlow Police, Royalton Police, Springfield Police, Windsor Police, Woodstock Police.

Mail back envelope displays at: Chester Food Pantry, Black River Good Neighbors, Neighborhood Connections, Springfield Medical Care System clinics, Senior Solutions,

Town Halls – Baltimore, Cavendish, Chester, Grafton, Londonderry, Ludlow, Plymouth, Springfield, Weston. Libraries – Chester, Ludlow, Springfield, Hartland, Windsor, Norwich. Mt. Ascutney Hospital and Health Center: Outpatient Clinic Waiting Room, Specialty Clinic Waiting Room (Prof. Building upstairs), MAHHC inpatient Pharmacy. Also available at, Ottauquechee Health Center clinic waiting room, and the Teago store in Pomfret.

The permanent collection and mail back envelope services are free. Powders and patches are accepted in addition to pills and capsules. Anonymous pre-paid envelopes go directly to the DEA for incineration. Medication return venues are supported in part by the Green Peak Alliance, a regional network that promotes healthy communities in East Central Vermont. 

For more information, visit dea.gov or call the Windsor County Sheriff’s Department at (802) 457-5211.