Meet SERAC’s Local Partners in Youth Substance Use Prevention
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Time after time, studies show that stopping youth substance use before it ever starts is the most effective and most cost-efficient way to combat the use of alcohol, cannabis, nicotine, and other drugs. By increasing the age at which young people first try these substances—or by preventing it altogether—we can also avert lifelong addictions, which most often begin during the teen and adolescent years. Because prevention is so critical, SERAC partners with many organizations at the state and local levels to strengthen our efforts and amplify our impact.
By working together, we can share needs assessments and best practices, make the most of substance use prevention funding and resources, and ultimately address the root causes and impacts of substance misuse. Today, to highlight the power of collaboration, we’re putting some of our partners in the spotlight.
Connecticut’s Regional Behavioral Health Action Organizations
As one of the state’s five Regional Behavioral Health Action Organizations (RBHAOs), SERAC provides services to Eastern Connecticut (Region 3). The RBHAOs are strategic community partners that work to improve mental health and substance use program planning, training, resource development, and advocacy through the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS).
Connecticut’s other regions are served by the following RBHAOs:
The Hub: Behavioral Health Action Organization for Southwestern CT A Division of the Regional Youth Adult Social Action Partnership (RYASAP)Region 1
Amplify, Inc. Region 4
Western CT Coalition Region 5Within each region, the RBHAO is responsible for assessing behavioral health needs, developing priority recommendations for services, and raising awareness about prevention, treatment, and recovery. We also provide grants to councils and communities within our regions to help develop and implement prevention activities.
Although each RBHAO is focused on a distinct region, we also work collaboratively to create public awareness campaigns, such as You Think You Know, an educational website and campaign on counterfeit drugs.
A Selection of Our Partners in Prevention
SERAC works with 41 towns in eastern Connecticut, each of which has community coalitions and non-profit organizations dedicated to preventing and addressing youth substance use. Outreach initiatives and programs vary among each partner. We highly encourage you to learn more about the organization(s) in your town, and to join them in their prevention efforts!
Community Speaks Out
A 501(c)3 nonprofit in Groton, CT providing education, prevention and resources to individuals and families affected by drug/alcohol addiction.
Website | Facebook
Griswold PRIDE (Partnership to Reduce the Influence of Drugs for Everyone) Coalition
A community coalition created to work collaboratively to reduce and prevent underage drinking and substance use and their impact on the community. Projects include alcohol compliance checks, prescription medication collection events, data collection and community assessment, TIPS trainings, Naloxone trainings, and other trainings and events.
Website | Facebook | Instagram
Groton Alliance for Substance use Prevention (GASP)
A collaboration of local agencies, parents, teens, and community members working to address youth substance abuse and promote community wellness. Projects include conducting community surveys and sponsoring youth-led PSAs and other events.
Website | Facebook | Instagram
Killingly Youth Substance Prevention Coalition
Working to prevent vaping and marijuana use among youth in the community.
Website | Instagram
Ledyard Prevents
Helping to reduce and stop the use of alcohol, marijuana, and prescription drug use among adolescents through education, enforcement, and other strategies. Projects include youth engagement, liquor store compliance checks, maintaining a prescription medication drop-off box, Narcan trainings, mental health first aid trainings, leadership trainings for LMS students, creating educational campaigns, and collecting data.
Website
Lyme Old Lyme Prevention Coalition
Working to prevent and reduce alcohol and other drug use among youth by collaborating with the community to raise awareness, modify social norms, educate youth and adults, initiate policy change, and promote healthy activities.
Website | Facebook
New London Community Campus Coalition (NLCCC)
A community coalition promoting a healthy and productive lifestyle for teens.
Facebook
Norwich Prevention Council
A coalition of community members and organization leaders from Norwich, CT working to implement programs and strategies to address drug use and other harmful behaviors.
Website | Instagram
Windham PRIDE (Partnership to Reduce the Influence of Drugs for Everyone) Coalition
A collaboration of community, school, youth, and parent leaders focused on preventing underage drinking, tobacco/vaping, marijuana, and prescription drug misuse.
Website | Facebook
To learn more about SERAC’s local prevention efforts and initiatives, visit seracct.org.