ECSAAG Holiday Newsletter
For Faith Communities
Open Your Doors and Hearts
What follows in this newsletter are ideas for how faith communities can help join in our efforts to reduce the stigma around substance use disorders so more individuals and families can find hope, healing and support, especially this time of year.
A Special Thanks!
ECSAAG will be holding a personal needs drive for SIREN shelter in Charlotte later in the year if you want to contribute to our spring efforts. We know many of you already have your own giving ministries and appreciate all you do to serve those in need.
End the Stigma: Language Matters
Words like abuser and abuse (not to mention more derogatory terms like junkie and addict) can evoke negative thoughts about individuals with substance-related problems and impact people's chances of recovery. With less stigma surrounding alcohol and other drug use disorders, individuals with these conditions may be more likely to seek help, stay in treatment, and achieve long-term recovery. To learn more about the science of affirmative language, read here.
Host a Recovery Group
Narcotics Anonymous: http://michigan-na.org/.
SMART Recovery: http://www.smartrecovery.org/
Families Against Narcotics Eaton County: https://www.familiesagainstnarcotics.org/eatoncounty
Celebrate Recovery (Christian based): https://www.celebraterecovery.com/resources/cr-tools/12steps
Advertise Free Support
SAMHSA’s National Helpline Free, confidential help in English/Spanish, 24/7: (800) 662- HELP (4357).
The Partnership for Drug Free Kids has trained and caring master’s-level counselors ready to help any
parent struggling with a child’s drug or alcohol use. All communications are free and confidential. Call 1-855-378-4373.
Community Mental Health Authority-Clinton-Eaton-Ingham: Provides a wide array of mental health and substance use disorder treatment and supports for families. Call 1-888-800-1559 or (517) 346-8318. http://www.ceicmh.org/services
Free Substance Use Intervention for Parents and Teens
CHOICES Early Intervention Program for Teens and Parents in Charlotte
The CHOICES program supports parents/caregivers of teens, ages 13 to 18 years old, in knowing they are not alone in the challenges of raising healthy teens in today's society. It offers a concurrent program for teens to help prevent substance use and other risk behaviors after the youth has exhibited some warning signs.
The five-week course equips parents to:
Understand why teens act the way they do
Learn skills to improve parent/teen communication
Strengthen bonds with teens Avoid power struggles
Prevent teen substance use and other risk behaviors
Learn how to be consistent with consequences
Manage the changing demands that come with parenting teens
The five-week course equips teens to:
Communicate more effectively
Practice refusal skills
Establish healthier relationships
Develop personal goals
Learn about the risks and consequences associated with substance use
Work on any self-defeating behaviors
Youth who are referred to the program receive an intake session to ensure the intervention is a good fit for their needs. To learn when the next 5-week cohort is starting, contact: Kristi Pretzer at Eaton RESA at (517) 541-8768, kpretzer@eatonresa.org.
Eaton County Substance Awareness Advisory Group
Our Coalition has a special focus on the prevention of drugs, tobacco and alcohol use by youth.
Email: Ecsaag@eatonresa.org
Website: http://www.eatondrugfree.org/
Location: 1790 Packard Highway, Charlotte, MI, USA
Phone: 517-541-8912
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ECSAAG/