Youth Substance Misuse Prevention
We believe every young person deserves the chance to grow up healthy, strong, and free from the harms of substance use. Our prevention efforts focus on education, community collaboration, and giving youth the tools they need to make positive choices.
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Educating youth and families about substance use and helping them build the skills to make healthy choices.
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Promoting evidence-based programs in schools and the community that are proven to reduce youth substance use.
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Engaging a coalition of partners—including parents, educators, law enforcement, healthcare providers, and youth-serving organizations—to work together on prevention strategies.
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Raising awareness through community events, campaigns, and outreach that highlight the importance of prevention.
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Supporting youth leadership by giving young people a voice in shaping solutions and creating positive change in their communities.
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Strengthening community connections so families have the support and resources they need to prevent substance use.
Join Our Project Alliance Meetings
Project Alliance is a Coalition of community members throughout northern York County who work together to create a more healthy and thriving community. We are currently seeking more individuals to get involved and seeking the voices of teachers, parents, and other community leaders.
If you would like to join or get more information, contact
Project Alliance Coordinator Ethan Pollard at projectalliance@une.edu.
Parents: Talk Early, Talk Often
Parents are the #1 influence in a child's life.
Youth who learn the risks of drugs and alcohol from their parents are up to 50% less likely to use. – Partnership for Drug-Free Kids.
Even if it seems like teens are not listening, research shows that children of all ages are deeply influenced by their parents’ opinions and values. Use everyday moments throughout your child’s life to talk to them and teach them about the risks of substance use.
Consider talking to your children at informal times, such as during family meals or while riding in the car. Clearly state your expectations and tell them you are always there for them.
Project Sticker Shock
Project Sticker Shock warns would-be furnishers (people who buy and give alcohol to underage drinkers) that someone is watching. It represents a partnership between youth, retailers, concerned parents and community members, prevention professionals, and law enforcement with the goal of educating potential furnishers, raising public awareness about underage drinking, and strengthening the deterrent effect of the law against providing alcohol to minors.
Sticker Shock is an evidence-based prevention strategy created by teens.
Interested in holding a Stick Shock event in your community?
Contact: prevention@une.edu or call (207) 602-3551.
T.I.P.S (Training for Intervention ProcedureS)
T.I.P.S is a dynamic, skills-based training program designed to prevent intoxication, drunk driving, and underage drinking by enhancing the fundamental "people skills" of servers, sellers, and consumers of alcohol. T.I.P.S gives individuals the knowledge and confidence they need to prevent alcohol-related tragedies with its evidence-based curriculum that has trained over 5.5 million people in the safe, responsible, and legal sale of alcohol.
Interested in free T.I.P.S training? Contact: prevention@une.edu or call (207)-602-3551.
Social Media, Drugs, & Youth: What Parents Need to Know
According to Children and Screens, social media has not only accelerated adolescents’ exposure to adult content but also increased access to recreational, illicit, and potentially deadly drugs. Communities are experiencing overdose deaths from drugs acquired with ease online, with 25% of teen drug deaths since 2019 attributed to fake pills (Tanz et al., 2022). How are youth finding information and purchasing drugs via social media, and what are the impacts? What can parents and policymakers do to protect children from harm?
Children and Screens brought clinicians, public health experts, drug intelligence officers, and child safety advocates together to provide guidance for parents about the extent of youth drug access and trafficking to minors online. Click on the link below to learn more.
