Communi-Key
Cumberland, North Smithfield & Lincoln Prevention Coalitions
November 2017
And just like "THAT"...the holidays are upon us! We hope everyone had a safe and happy Thanksgiving! The holidays can certainly be stressful (not only for adults, but for children, as well)....We urge you to take some time from the "hustle and bustle" and enjoy the beauty of the holiday season.
“Don't wait until the fourth Thursday in November, to sit with family and friends to give thanks. Make every day a day of Thanksgiving!” -Charmaine J. Forde
"It's the most wonderful time of year....."
The Town of North Smithfield & the North Smithfield Prevention Coalition are proudly sponsoring the annual "Holiday on the Common" on Sunday, December 3rd, 2017, from 4:30-6:30pm, at the Slatersville Congregational Church.
Please join us for this FREE, fun-filled family event! Enjoy festive music by the North Smithfield Jazz Band, Caroling by the NS Girl Scouts, the lighting of the Town Holiday Tree, visit from Santa (great photo opportunity!), light refreshments and crafts for the kids!
This is annual evening is always a wonderful community event.....we hope you can join us!
Lincoln ATI Crew!
Our amazing Lincoln Ati Crew proudly represented Lincoln at the at the MADDRI bowl-a-thon on November 18th, 2017! It was a perfect afternoon "networking" with other teens involved with various SADD and ATI groups, throughout the state.
With so many people in need, our generous "ATI CREWS" in both Cumberland and Lincoln will be lending a hand (or several!) to the Rhode Island Food Bank in the upcoming weeks before Christmas. Way to go, everyone!
"The Silence of Suffering Ends with the Gift of AWARENESS"
An amazing & inspiring event at Woonsocket High School was held on November 17th. Special thanks to Guest speakers Kevin Hines, Dr. Barbara Van Dahlen, Lisa Carcifero of the Blackstone Valley Prevention Coalition & Woonsocket Prevention Coalition and Carolyn Kyle from Landmark for this memorable evening! Kevin Hines, a survivor in every sense of the word, jumped from the Golden Gate Bridge and lived to share his inspirational story. For more information on the evening, click HERE!
Stay Connected!
Stay on top of all the latest news, trends and events by "Liking" & "Following us! Our Facebook page is, Blackstone Valley Prevention Coalition! Follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/bvprevention/
And last, but not least, we are on Twitter at https://twitter.com/BVPrevention. Be sure to "Like" and "Share" us with your friends and family!
Have questions? Any suggestions? Please email Pam Shayer, at pshayer@lincolnri.org.
We want to hear from you!
In the News......
Holidays have YOU STRESSED OUT?!?!?!
During the holidays, a lot of families get together for food, fun, reminiscing — and maybe a touch (or more) of drama. Holiday gatherings can be stressful as old memories — good and bad — rise to the surface.
We’re typically busier during the holidays than we are at any other time of the year. This means stress levels are higher and we’re more likely to be upset by smart remarks, teasing, and negativity. In the midst of kids fighting, siblings sharing stories you wish everyone had forgotten, or family members engaging in behavior that drives you up the wall, you might ask yourself "Why is my family so ‘out there?’"
Here are some tips to survive the holiday season with your family:
- Don’t sweat the small stuff. Don't give any more mileage to bad feelings. If you have some bad feelings about others, acknowledge those feelings are there, and maybe for a good reason, but decide not to let them grow.
- Set healthy boundaries. If there are things you’d set limits on with others at any other time of the year, set them during the holidays. Healthy boundaries will help reduce stress and give you a sense of control over your environment.
- Be sensitive to those around you. Statistically speaking, one in five people will suffer from a mental health condition this year in the U.S. In fact, Utah has the nation’s highest rate of mental illness. A lot of people struggle with the holidays — and they might be family members who don't want to talk about the extra stress or sadness they’re feeling. But be aware that the holidays can be especially stressful for some people, and be on the lookout to help someone around you.
- Have realistic expectations. Here’s the thing about families: You know a lot about each other — the good and the bad. Avoid the temptation to make a case against those who bother you and make an effort to see their strengths in addition to their weaknesses in order to keep a balanced view. Remember this: Everyone has something they’re battling.
- There’s some very real pain out there. If you find yourself in an emotionally abusive situation, you need to look for a healthier place to be. Families can come in all forms, so if relatives are distanced from one because of abuse or trauma, find your "family" with people who enhance your health and well-being.
Holiday Drinking: Keep It Safe
As you might suspect, the holiday season then becomes one of the most dangerous times of the year for alcohol-related accidents and death. There are several reasons for this:
- Many holiday drinkers don’t drink often, so they have a lower alcohol tolerance.
- Problem drinkers and alcoholics love the holidays because there are more social occasions to drink.
- The holidays are busy and stressful. People are hurrying more than normal and winter road conditions make driving more dangerous.
Avoiding Alcohol-Related Problems
You can make your holidays happier and safer by following these five simple tips throughout the season:
- Just say no.
Resist the pressure to drink or serve alcohol at every social event. Don’t feel like you have to drink just because your host offers — it’s not rude to choose a non-alcoholic beverage instead. - Offer nonalcoholic beverages.
If you want to serve alcohol to your guests, offer nonalcoholic beverages as well. - Designate a driver before the party begins.
If you or your friends are going to a party and plan to use alcohol, decide in advance who will be the designated driver. Decide that drinking and driving is not an option. - Choose your number ahead of time.
If you are going to drink, do what responsible drinkers do. Decide ahead of time how many drinks you will have and stick to it. Drinking is as much as a choice as it is a responsibility.
Don’t become another drunk driving statistic, and try to remember the reasons people celebrate at this time of the year!!!!
VAPING 101:
Vaping: Get Up to Speed with a Growing Teen Trend
RI had the lowest rate of cigarette use in the nation in 2015 for both middle school and high school students, but the soaring popularity of e-cigarettes in those age groups is offsetting that progress.
E-cigarette use and "vaping" among young adults has increased considerably in recent years. In 2015, more than a quarter of students in grades 6 through 12 and more than a third of young adults had ever tried e-cigarettes.
E-cigarette use poses a significant – and avoidable – health risk to young people. Besides increasing the possibility of addiction and long-term harm to brain development and respiratory health, e-cigarette use is associated with the use of other tobacco products that can do even more damage to the body.
Learn the risks about Vaping and here's a great fact sheet to help you start the conversation with your teen.
Teens are also vaping marijuana oils and concentrates. Learn the lingo!
Fortunately, RI recently passed legislation that requires child resistant packaging for e-liquid used in electronic nicotine-delivery systems such as e-cigarettes. In addition, the legislation prohibits use of electronic nicotine delivery systems on school property, the same way cigarettes are banned
This is the PUFFiT vaporizer, a portable unit that resembles an inhaler.
JUUL Vaporizers are becoming extremely prevelent with teens.
With its unique design profile, resembling a USB stick, it appeals to teens because of the flavor variety and lack of lingering smell, portable and easy to use and they consider it a satisfying alternative to cigarettes.
The replaceable "pods" are also being filled with marijuana concentrate oil. With a magnetic charger that can be plugged into a computer, teens are able to disguise this mechanism with ease.
Herbal Vaporizer and Wax Vaporizer
Interested in becoming a member of the Lincoln or Cumberland Prevention Coalition?
Interested in finding out or becoming a member of the Blackstone Valley Prevention Coalition? Please join us for our monthly meeting!
Tuesday, January 16th, 2018
(For Lincoln Residents) at 3:30pm, Lincoln Town Hall
(For Cumberland Residents) at 5:00pm, Cumberland Public Library
Please join us & learn how YOU can be a part of prevention for the community!
Please watch our Facebook page, Blackstone Valley Prevention Coalition, for more exciting news!