The Middletown Prevention Coalition understands how difficult parenting can be these days especially in the areas of mental health, alcohol, and other drugs. It's not easy raising healthy teens and we want to help.

Whether driving the kids to soccer practice, enjoying family dinner, or tucking little ones into bed, it’s important to remember that those everyday activities have a lasting effect on your children. Each of these moments offers an opportunity to connect, share and really listen to what’s on their mind. As children age, it is vital to keep those lines of communication open, especially as they start feeling increased pressure to start engaging in risky behavior including smoking, drinking or using other drugs. Adolescence is the critical period for the initiation of risky drug use and its consequences. Nine out of 10 Americans who meet the medical criteria for addiction started smoking, drinking, or using other drugs before age 18. Preventing or delaying teens from using nicotine, alcohol, or other drugs for as long as possible is crucial to their health and safety. Founded in 2001 by Center on Addiction, Family Day works with organizations across the country to educate parents about how everyday activities, like sharing a meal, playing a game, or asking about their day, can make a difference in the life of a child. To learn more about the importance of Family Day or to get more ideas on preventing substance use in youth, log on to www.CASAFamilyDay.org.

Use this Relationship Check-In tool from the Search Institute to gain insight into your relationships with the young people you care about. This tool can be used by parents, family members, coaches, mentors, and educators. Developmental relationships are the roots of thriving and resilience for young people. Through these relationships, young people discover who they are, cultivate abilities to shape their own lives, and learn how to engage with and contribute to the world around them. Just as trees rely on a system of roots to support and nourish them, young people need to experience developmental relationships in their families, schools, programs, and communities.

www.search-institute.org

The National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is October 23, 2021 from 10:00am to 2:00pm and will take place at the Middletown Police Station, 123 Valley Rd. This is an opportunity to rid your medicine cabinets of unwanted, unused and expired medications. Thanks for partnering with the Middletown Prevention Coalition and the Middletown Police Dept in reducing access to medications for our Middletown youth.