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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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Prevention Resources

How do you have substance-free fun?

We’re exploring the abundance of possibilities for how people can engage in activities that are healthy, constructive, and substance-free. We want to hear your ideas! Follow the link below and tell us about how you can achieve a natural high:

Let’s Talk Cannabis!

Green Peak Alliance is working within our communities to provide information about cannabis misuse. We’re helping retailers prevent access to people under 21, and encouraging adults to have open conversations with the kids in their lives about cannabis and healthy choices. Get answers to frequently asked questions and access fact sheets at www.healthvermont.gov/alcohol-drugs/lets-talk-cannabis. Find more information and cannabis-related resources at www.greenpeakalliance.org

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Media Prevention Resources Video

Cannabis Caution Project Video

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Media Prevention Resources

Developmental Assets Media Toolkit & Campaign Launched

Kids today experience more stress and face more struggles than previous generations! Now more than ever, is the time to rise up to the challenge of supporting our youth. Green Peak Alliance has launched a media toolkit focused on supporting youth using Developmental Assets. The Developmental Assets were created by the Minnesota-based Search Institute. What are Developmental Assets? They are positive experiences and qualities that help kids develop a sense of confidence, passion, and purpose.

We know from research that when kids feel supported, respected, and valued by their community, they are more resilient. It is also clear that kids who are encouraged will live better lives. Practicing these assets empower us to meet today’s challenges and help our kids develop strong inner resources. Whether you’re a parent, caregiver, coach, teacher, or local business owner, learning about Developmental Assets can help you make a difference in the lives of our communities’ children.

Together we can create a community where kids are able to overcome challenges, and thrive!

During the month of April – the Month of the Young Child – Green Peak Alliance will begin a media campaign posting on our social media accounts ideas and tips on using developmental assets with your kids every day! We are encouraging everyone to share these posts, using hashtags #developmentalassets and #greenpeakalliance.

Here are some additional ways to engage: 

  1. Like Green Peak Alliance on Facebook and follow Green Peak Alliance on Instagram for the latest asset messages and tips!
  2. Connect with your local prevention coalition to find out fun things to do and how to help kids and families in your community.
  3. Find opportunities to practice Developmental Assets with your kids every day!
  4. Access, download and use our Developmental Assets Media Toolkit and graphics via our publicly accessible Google Drive folder.

We want to share these tools with you and encourage everyone to use these positive messages in support of our youth!

Visit our Developmental Assets Media Toolkit project page to learn more and get access to the toolkit and graphics.

Categories
Prevention Resources Video

Vermont Health & Prevention Map Tutorial

The purpose of this map is to show how much of the State of VT is covered by coalitions, organizations, and regional initiatives to prevent substance misuse and promote health. To use a live version of this map, visit: www.trorc.org/healthpolicyclearinghouse and click on map link in upper right side bar.

Categories
Prevention Resources

Act 164: Law Relating to the Regulation of Cannabis