



Sharing information about youth substance abuse prevention so that, together, we can create safe and healthy communities.
self-control;
emotional awareness;
communication;
social problem-solving; and
academic support, especially in reading.
What can parents do?
The Too Smart to Start website contains information for parents about media literacy and helping teenagers decipher what they see and hear so that they can resist pressures from advertising.
As a coalition, Prevention WINS members understand that each and every one of us has a role to play when it comes to creating a safe and healthy community which includes preventing youth substance abuse. To put that idea into practice, each individual and organization can do one or more of the strategies listed above.
CADCA's Handbook for Community Coalitions goes into more detail about how individuals and organizations can incorporate these strategies into what they already do.
Do you talk to your children, family, or friends about how to prevent youth substance abuse? If your organization works with children and/or families, do you share with them information about prevention or programs that will help them avoid drugs?
Do you provide opportunities for youth involvement in pro-social activities? Do you provide them with the skills needed to be successful in those activities? Do you recognize them for their involvement in activities that reduce risk and enhance protection?
What consequences do youth in our community face if they use drugs and alcohol? What recognition do they receive for leading healthy lives? What do we do to reduce the likelihood that youth can buy alcohol?
As you can see, there are many opportunities to do things to prevent youth substance abuse. Some can be done individually, in the home, some can be done within your organization, and others need the full coalition and community behind them. What is clear is that each and every community member can play a role in prevention.
He talked about prevention as an act of leadership and presented seven core actions of positive leadership:
Be positive
Be present
Be perceptive
Be purposeful
Be perfected (learn from mistakes and share what was learned)
Be proactive
Be passionate.
Dr. Linkenbach is well-known for the Most of Us campaigns using the Positive Community Norms Model. A message that these campaigns promote is: most kids make healthy choices but exceptions do exist.
He also spoke about bringing together spirit, science, and action when communities work to reduce youth substance abuse. Together, they create synergy that can lead to community transformation.
Where is Matt? (as an example that good already exists in all of our communities)
Substance abuse prevention ads using positive social norms may be viewed on the Most of Us website.
Copies of this presentation and others from the New Grantee Training are available on the coalition's website.
-- Coalitions across the nation have been successful in reducing youth substance abuse. Coalitions that include all community sectors are the most successful. Everyone has a role to play. Help individuals and organizations recognize their role.
-- Infuse prevention into all conversations about public health and safety.
1. Light refreshments followed by program to begin promptly at 7 p.m.
2. Keynote from King County Executive Dow Constantine (Invited)
3. Presentations by Consumers and Family Members
4. Legislative Priorities for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Prevention, Community Organizing, Treatment and Recovery
5. Legislative Roundtable with King County Legislators and United States Congress Representatives (Invited)