Flor also provides bilingual prevention programs throughout the county and runs a lunch group at Hunterdon Central with ELL students. Partnering with the Latino Access Coalition (LAC) and Harvest Family Success Center (HFSC), Positive YOUth assists in closing the gap for many of Hunterdon County’s Latino families.
Take Back Your Vape Day brought in 59 vape devices, 15 vape juices, 4 chargers, and 82 pods.
Anyone in the community can turn vape devices into our office Mondays-Thursdays from 12-4 pm. Prevention Resources, Inc. 4 Walter Foran Blvd., Suite 410 Flemington, NJ 08829
For more information, contact Erin Cohen ecohen@njprevent.com
Contact Erin Cohen at ecohen@njprevent.com to schedule an SBIRT training.
The Help App
The Help App was developed by Prevention Resources and the Hunterdon Central Code Club. This application provides resources and hotlines for teens and families.
No phone? No problem! Access the resources on the web- https://njprevent.com/help-app/
Conversation Starters
Excessive drinking is responsible for more than 3,500 deaths and 210,000 years of potential life lost among people under age 21 each year.
Youth who drink alcohol are more likely to engage in risky sexual activity – 97,000 students between the ages of 18 and 24 report experiencing alcohol-related sexual assault or date rape every year.
Drinking lowers inhibitions and increases the chances that children will engage in risky behavior or do something that they will regret when they are sober.
Young people who drink are more likely to have health issues such as depression and anxiety disorders.
In the 1990’s, the average THC (the active ingredient which makes the user get high) level was 3.8% and the marijuana available now in retail dispensaries has the average THC level between 17.7% and 23.2%. Marijuana concentrates such as dabs, waxes, vaping oils, and edibles can contain more than 90% THC.
1 in 10 marijuana adult users will develop an addiction to the substance. For those who begin using in adolescence, the rate of addiction rises to 1 in 6.
Marijuana significantly impairs judgment, motor coordination, and reaction time. Studies have found a direct relationship between the concentration of marijuana (THC) in the blood and driving ability. The risk of being involved in an accident doubles after marijuana use.
Regular marijuana use during adolescence can lead to reduced IQ scores, poorer school performance and higher school dropout rates.
Unlike smoked marijuana, edibles can take from 30 minutes to 2 hours to take effect. So, some people eat too much, which can lead to poisoning and/or serious injury.
If you have vaped within the past 30 days you are 7x more likely to be diagnosed with COVID-19.
65% of youth who had used an e-cigarette in the last 30 days also reported using another tobacco product in the same time frame.
Vaping produces aerosol not “water vapor” including: nicotine, ultrafine particles, heavy metals (Nickel, Tin, Lead, etc.), cancer-causing chemicals, volatile organic compounds and flavoring such as Diacetyl, a chemical linked to popcorn lung/serious lung disease.
About 99% of ALL vapes sold contain nicotine.
Even if you don’t vape every day, you can still get addicted. How quickly someone gets addicted varies. Some people get addicted even if they don’t vape every day.
NJ’s 911 Lifeline Legislation
Purchasing, possessing or consuming alcohol is illegal for those under the Minimum Legal Drinking Age of 21. This legislation provides immunity from prosecution when the steps below are followed. If a young person is suspected of alcohol poisoning and their friend(s) want to help them, they must:
1. Call for Help: One of the underage persons call 9-1-1 and reports that another underage person was in need of medical assistance due to alcohol consumption. The underage person is the first person to make the 9-1-1 report;
2. Stay with your Friend: The underage person (and, if applicable, one or two others acting in concert with the underage person who made the 9-1-1 call) remains on the scene with the underage person in need of medical assistance;
AND 3. Talk with Authorities: The underage person who called 9-1-1 (and, if applicable, one or two others who were acting in concert with the caller) provide each of their names to the 9-1-1 operator and cooperates with medical assistance and law enforcement personnel on the scene.
The underage person who is receiving medical assistance is also immune from prosecution. This immunity applies on public and private property.
5 Goals for Parents:
For more information visit: www.samhsa.gov/underage-drinking
- Connector.
Show you disapprove of underage drinking and other drug misuse.
Over 80 percent of young people ages 10–18 say their parents are the leading influence on their decision whether to drink. Send a clear and strong message that you disapprove of underage drinking and misuse of other drugs.
- Connector.
Show you care about your child’s health, wellness, and success.
Young people are more likely to listen when they know you’re on their side. Reinforce why you don’t want your child to drink or use other drugs—because you want your child to be happy and safe. The conversation will go a lot better if you’re open and you show concern.
- Connector.
Show you’re a good source of information about alcohol and other drugs.
You want your child to make informed decisions about alcohol and other drugs with reliable information about their dangers. You don’t want your child to learn about alcohol and other drugs from unreliable sources. Establish yourself as a trustworthy source of information.
- Connector.
Show you’re paying attention and you’ll discourage risky behaviors.
Show you’re aware of what your child is up to, as young people are more likely to drink or use other drugs if they think no one will notice. Do this in a subtle way, without prying.
- Connector.
Build your child’s strategies for avoiding underage drinking and drug use.
Even if you don’t think your child wants to drink or try other drugs, peer pressure is a powerful thing. Having a plan to avoid alcohol and drug use can help children make better choices. Talk with your child about what they would do if faced with a decision about alcohol and drugs, such as texting a code word to a family member or practicing how they’ll say “no thanks.”
Youth Positively Speaking Podcast
Resources and more information
Contact the Team
lgabel@njprevent.com
ecohen@njprevent.com
fsanchez@njprevent.com
pewing@njprevent.com