Keep Your Kids Drug & Alcohol Free this Summer

ANSONIA -  The Greater Valley Substance Abuse Action Council  (VSAAC) is urging parents to spend time talking to their teens about personal responsibility, social host laws, and enjoying graduation and summertime activities without alcohol or drugs.

“Youth enjoy celebrating this season with friends, however, it is also one of the most likely times for them to experiment with alcohol or other substances”, said Pamela Mautte, Director of VSAAC. 

Student survey trend data consistently shows that drug and alcohol use among students increases over the summer. While alcohol remains the substance of choice for students in the Valley, marijuana and prescription medication are also substances of concern. The survey also highlighted that students who reported recent use (past 30 days) of alcohol reported about the location of their use:

• 80% of recent drinkers report having consumed alcohol at the homes of others in the past 30 days.
• 64% of recent drinkers report having consumed alcohol at their home in the past 30 days.
• 65% of recent drinkers report having consumed alcohol at a party without an adult present in the past 30 days.
• Approximately 10% report having ridden as a passenger with a driver under the influence of drugs or alcohol while 2% report having driven while under the influence of drugs or alcohol themselves.

“We want young people and their parents to have wonderful memories of their special occasions and enjoy the summertime and not have memories of tragedy,” said Mautte.

What can you do?

Reinforce Expectations: Have clear rules and establish consequences for breaking them. Be clear that drinking and drug use is unacceptable.

Encourage teens to make each moment count: Reinforce that one bad decision can change their life forever.

Provide safe alternatives: Encourage teens to volunteer, work part time jobs, or find activities that keep them engaged with safe and productive free time.

Set a good example: Secure alcohol, lock up medications and dispose of unused medications.

Provide a safety plan: Discuss ways in which your teen can leave a party or situation they are not comfortable with no questions asked. Utilize a code in which they can call or text you and safely leave a situation.

Understand the CT Social Host Law: Connecticut’s “social hosting” law prohibits anyone from permitting people under 21 to possess alcohol in any residence or other private property. A first violation of this prohibition constitutes an infraction resulting in a $146 fine, and each subsequent offense mandates a fine of up to $500 and/or imprisonment up to one year.

To learn more visit www.vsaac.org, like us on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/vsaac or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/vsaac.

VSAAC, a program of BHcare, is a public/private partnership comprised of community leaders and citizens who develop and carry out strategies to reduce alcohol, tobacco, drug use, suicide, risky behaviors, and promote good mental health among youth and, over time, among adults through community education, community mobilization, public awareness, and advocacy in the Lower Naugatuck Valley, Greater New Haven and surrounding communities. For more information, visit www.VSAAC.org.

(This is a press release from BHCare)

Valley council promotes talk about suicide risks

National Suicide Prevention Awareness Week starts Sunday

Approximately 922,725 Americans attempt suicide each year. 

The state of Connecticut ranks 47th in the nation in suicide deaths, however, in 2011 there were 371 suicides, more than one per day, making it the highest rate in 10 years. 

Suicide has been one of the top five leading causes of death for 10-54 year olds in Connecticut, and second for young adults in college.

Suicide is preventable. Most suicidal individuals desperately want to live; they are just unable to see alternatives to their problems.

Most people give definite warnings of their suicidal intentions, but others are either unaware of the significance of these warnings or do not know how to respond to them. Talking about suicide does not cause someone to be suicidal.

Sept. 8-14 is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Week,  and it’s a perfect time to educate yourself on suicide prevention. 

Here are some action steps you can take:

·        Know the warning signs: They can include; talking about suicide, seeking out lethal means, preoccupation with death, feelings of hopelessness and helplessness, self-loathing, self-hatred, getting affairs in order, saying goodbye, withdrawing from others, self-destructive behavior or a  sudden sense of calm.  The more warning signs observed the greater the risk.  Take all signs seriously.

·        Ask the question: Talking to a friend or family member about their suicidal thoughts and feelings can be extremely difficult for anyone.  You can't make a person suicidal by showing that you care.

      In fact, giving a suicidal person the opportunity to express his or her feelings can provide relief from the hopelessness or helplessness they suffer and may prevent a suicide attempt or death.  If you find it hard to ask the question, find someone who can.

·        Refer them for help:  Suicidal people often believe they cannot be helped, so you may have to do more.  Listen to the problems leading them to consider suicide and give them your full attention.  Do not rush to judgment.  Offer hope in any form.  Work to get them to accept your help.  The best referral involves taking the person directly to someone who can help.  The next best referral is getting a commitment from them to accept help, and then making the arrangements to get that help.  The third best referral is to provide referral information and try to get a good faith commitment from them to get help and not attempt suicide.  Any willingness to accept help at some time, even if in the future, is a good outcome.

·        Resources: If you feel that someone’s in imminent danger, always call 911.  In Connecticut, you can call 211 for assistance 24/7.

The National Suicide Prevention help line is 800-273-TALK

As uncomfortable as this subject might be, VSAAC is available to discuss these and other facts surrounding suicide, provide informational materials, or training utilizing evidence based suicide prevention models (QPR or Connect) by certified instructors.

These informational materials and trainings are available to any interested school, group, or agency by contacting VSAAC at 203-736-8566 or via e-mail at pmautte@bhcare.org. 

In addition you can learn more by visiting   www.preventsuicidect.org .

Be the one to start the conversation.

VSAAC, a program of BHcare, is a public/private partnership comprised of community leaders and citizens who develop and carry out strategies to reduce alcohol, tobacco, drug use, suicide, risky behaviors, and promote good mental health among youth and, over time, among adults through community education, community mobilization, public awareness, and advocacy in the Lower Naugatuck Valley, Greater New Haven and surrounding communities.

For more information, visit www.vsaac.com.

BHcare is a regional community provider of behavioral health, addiction prevention, and domestic violence services for the Lower Naugatuck Valley, Greater New Haven and Shoreline communities. For more information, visit www.bhcare.org.

This is a press release from Valley Substance Abuse Action Council.