VSAAC: Parents urged to help teens stay substance free

Data finds drug, alcohol abuse increases over summer

ANSONIA - The Greater Valley Substance Abuse Action Council is urging parents to spend time talking to their teens about personal responsibility, social host laws, and enjoying graduation and summertime activities without alcohol or drugs. 

“Youth enjoy celebrating this season with friends, however, it is also one of the most likely times for them to experiment with alcohol or other substances”, said Pamela Mautte, Director of VSAAC.  

Student survey trend data consistently shows that drug and alcohol use among students increases over the summer. 

While alcohol remains the substance of choice for students in the Valley, marijuana and prescription medication are also substances of concern. The survey also highlighted that students who reported recent use (past 30 days) of alcohol reported about the location of their use:

• 80% of recent drinkers report having consumed alcohol at the homes of others in the past 30 days. 
• 64% of recent drinkers report having consumed alcohol at their home in the past 30 days. 
• 65% of recent drinkers report having consumed alcohol at a party without an adult present in the past 30 days. 
• Approximately 10% report having ridden as a passenger with a driver under the influence of drugs or alcohol while 2% report having driven while under the influence of drugs or alcohol themselves.

“We want young people and their parents to have wonderful memories of their special occasions and enjoy the summertime and not have memories of tragedy,” Mautte said.

What can you do?

Reinforce Expectations: Have clear rules and establish consequences for breaking them. Be clear that drinking and drug use is unacceptable.

Encourage teens to make each moment count: Reinforce that one bad decision can change their life forever.

Provide safe alternatives: Encourage teens to volunteer, work part time jobs, or find activities that keep them engaged with safe and productive free time.

Set a good example: Secure alcohol, lock up medications and dispose of unused medications.

Provide a safety plan: Discuss ways in which your teen can leave a party or situation they are not comfortable with no questions asked. Utilize a code in which they can call or text you and safely leave a situation. 

Understand the CT Social Host Law: Connecticut’s “social hosting” law prohibits anyone from permitting people under 21 to possess alcohol in any residence or other private property. 

A first violation of this prohibition constitutes an infraction resulting in a $146 fine, and each subsequent offense mandates a fine of up to $500 and/or imprisonment up to one year.

To learn more visit www.vsaac.org, like us on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/vsaac or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/vsaac.

VSAAC, a program of BHcare, is a public/private partnership comprised of community leaders and citizens who develop and carry out strategies to reduce alcohol, tobacco, drug use, suicide, risky behaviors, and promote good mental health among youth and, over time, among adults through community education, community mobilization, public awareness, and advocacy in the Lower Naugatuck Valley, Greater New Haven and surrounding communities. 

For more information, visit www.VSAAC.org. 

This is a press release from BHcare.   

Opioids 101 presentation slated May 9 at Shelton Intermediate School

This release was provided by the Shelton Police Department.  



Below is a graphic shared from the VSAAC website that demonstrates the impact that opioid abuse has had on our community. 

Conroy recognized for substance abuse prevention work

State Rep. Theresa Conroy, left, and Pamela A. Mautte, Director, Greater Valley Substance Abuse Action Council./Contributed photo

NEW HAVEN - State Rep. Theresa Conroy (D-Seymour, Beacon Falls, Derby) was recognized recently by the Greater Valley Substance Abuse Action Council at its 2015 Community Champion Awards ceremony.

Pamela A. Mautte, Director, Greater Valley Substance Abuse Action Council, said, “Theresa has worked on several substance abuse prevention and intervention initiatives over the past several years. It was my pleasure working side by side with Theresa this past year on opiate issues, banning powdered alcohol and other prevention issues.”

Conroy has been a strong advocate for many prevention issues. She was instrumental in the passage of legislation that improves the monitoring and reporting of narcotic prescriptions and increases access to life-saving opioid antagonists. 

Naloxone, or Narcan, is an opioid antagonist that works to reverse the effects of opioids.

Between 2009-2014, there were more than 2,000 accidental and unintentional opioid involved deaths that occurred in 150 of Connecticut’s 169 cities and towns. 

“I want to thank the Valley Substance Abuse Action Council for their incredible work and advocacy,” Conroy said. “They are true champions of prevention.”

This is a press release from Conroy's office. 

VSAAC to present community awards at conference in New Haven

NEW HAVEN - The Greater Valley Substance Abuse Action Council will host its 25^th Anniversary A Piece of the Prevention Puzzle Conference from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 24 at Anthony’s Ocean View, 450 Lighthouse Road.

This year’s conference focuses on Internet safety, emotional intelligence, and prescription pill and heroin use. 

Participants will learn practical tools and skills from nationally recognized experts. 
The cost of the workshop is $75. Continental breakfast and deli lunch are included and continuing education and training credits are available.

Theresa Conroy

Carol Cruz

The conference will also feature VSAAC’s 2015 Community Champion Awards. 

The awards are given to those in the community who take action and effect change in the field of substance abuse prevention and/or intervention activities.

The awards spotlight and applaud the work that is being done to help prevent substance abuse on the grass-roots, community level. 
It is work that is absolutely critical to VSAAC’s efforts to keep our kids safe from alcohol, tobacco, drug use, suicide, risky behaviors, and promote good mental health in the Lower Naugatuck Valley, Greater New Haven and surrounding communities.

This year’s Community Champions include Carol Cruz, CCAR Project Manager for the Young Adult and Families Program; Jeffrey Nielsen, Sergeant, Milford Police Department; Theresa Conroy, State Representative, APRN for Minute Clinic and Pina Violano, Injury Prevention Coordinator, Yale-New Haven Hospital.

Jeffrey Nielsen

Pina Violano

For more information or to register, visit www.vsaac.org

This is a press release from VSAAC, a program of BHcare. 

VSAAC is a public/private partnership comprised of community leaders and citizens who develop and carry out strategies to reduce alcohol, tobacco, drug use, suicide, risky behaviors, and promote good mental health among youth and, over time, among adults through community education, community mobilization, public awareness, and advocacy in the Lower Naugatuck Valley, Greater New Haven and surrounding communities.