The West Hartford Community of Concern will host an interactive event at Bristow Middle School on Thursday, March 30, from 7-8:30 p.m., focused on ‘Tips & Tools to Talk with Kids’ regarding substance abuse and prevention.

Submitted

Talking with kids early and often about substances can significantly reduce the impact of and risks associated with misusing drugs and developing substance abuse disorders. In fact, over 80% of youth ages 10-18 say their parents are the leading influence on their decision whether or not to try substances, according to the Substance Use and Mental Health Services Administration. Like many difficult parenting subjects, caregivers need tools for how to address this topic with kids.

Adults and youth are invited to this event to learn, discuss, and develop prevention and early intervention strategies for youth substance use.

Chris Dutton, Clinical Director of Community and School Services at the Bridge Family Center, will share tips for age-appropriate conversations, protective factors, and prevention tools. Following Dutton’s presentation, attendees will break into groups to discuss and develop effective and appealing ways to use these tools with young people. People from prevention and treatment agencies will join the discussions. Students are encouraged to attend to offer their insight and perspective.

The presentation part of the program will be live-streamed on West Hartford Community Interactive’s YouTube channel. West Hartford Community of Concern is grateful to West Hartford Prevention Partnership and WHCi for making this event possible. For more information, please contact [email protected].

West Hartford Community of Concern is a joint-PTO committee of the middle and high schools raising awareness about youth mental health and wellness with a focus on equity and social inclusion. For more information, visit our website: https://community of concern wh.wordpress.com.

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