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Engaging Communities In Prevention
Youth Prevention Programming - ADAPT
The Need
The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Team (ADAPT) of CCNTR formed as professionals from schools, health organizations, social services, the legal profession, and individuals recognized that youth in the Twin Rivers were engaging in high-risk behaviors, including alcohol and drug use. Substance abuse by adolescents has been shown to lead to social and developmental difficulties, and is linked to other risky behaviors like reckless driving and truancy. The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Team made its primary goal the reduction of substance use and abuse among youth, by developing programming to support healthy choices.
Actions
A thorough review to identify prevention efforts already in place for youth was completed. Prevention Team members talked to law enforcement officials, school personnel, business people, citizens, and youth to identify the greatest needs and likely solutions for Twin Rivers communities. A community-wide planning process defined three areas for program development efforts:
- In-school curricular prevention program.
- Positive, supervised, after-school activities for teens.
- Engaging adults in the community-wide activities that target youth substance use and abuse prevention.
ADAPT has formed a community team that meets quarterly and rotates between the three school districts for meeting sites. Current initiatives include: Support for the Winnisquam High School Chem-Free Graduation Party; the First Annual Franklin High School Chem-Free After-Prom Party; a prevention newsletter, and a community education series. In-school programming in the middle and high school, after-school activities and programming in six communities within the region are all part of the community-wide effort to support prevention for youth. A resource center is under development.
Involvement
ADAPT is a coalition of community non profits, police departments, school districts, parents, business people, youth and other community members. It is staffed by a full time Community Organizer, working in the CCNTR service area and with all three school districts. Any interested community member is welcome to participate in the quarterly ADAPT meeting. After school programming partners include: the Danbury Community Center, the Hill After School Program, the Tapley Thompson Community Center in Bristol and Youth Opportunities in Tilton.
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