Grant money alone isn't enough to combat issues of underage drinking and substance abuse. "We need to do this together," said Peabody (Mass.) Mayor Michael Bonfanti. The city has been awarded a $300,000 grant aimed at fighting teen drug and alcohol abuse.

"With the money, the city will study and develop strategies to address underage drinking and substance abuse. The project - dubbed the 'Health Peabody Collaborative' - will involve a multitude of stakeholders in the community, including teachers, parents, law enforcement and outreach groups."

The collaborative will start with focus groups, surveys and interviews - all conducted with the intention of getting a clear picture of the problems and their root causes. That information will be used to develop and implement specific strategic plans. Source: The Salem News

Labels: prevention, awareness, communities

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The Drug Prevention Strategy for Canada's Youth got a boost this week by a $10 million investment from the Canadian government. The strategy will be developed and implemented by the Canadian Center on Substance Abuse (CCSA).

"The goal of the CCSA's project is to reduce illicit drug use among Canadian youth between the ages of 10 and 24, including high-risk youth, focusing on risk and protective factors before drug use begins."

National drug prevention program standards will also be developed for use in schools and their surrounding communities. Read more at MediLexicon.com.

NorthStar Center is a American substance abuse recovery center where older teens and young adults can focus on their sobriety while they earn high school and college credits.

Labels: prevention, treatment, communities

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The damage caused by methamphetamine use is no secret. But how it affects on a community is not as well known. So professors from Arkansas Tech University set about conducting research and gathering information that proves that methamphetamine touches more than the lives of its users.

"'High degrees of alienation and low efficacy in individuals increases the likelihood of using drugs,' [Sean Huss, Ph.D] said, noting communities with residents who have low social capital and high alienation are more susceptible to additional problems, which in turn leads to lower support for program spending and a weakened community."

In addition, the American public will pay $1.7 million for every adolescent who becomes a drug addict and an average of $277 in state taxes to deal with the burden of substance abuse.

ByParents-ForParents offers help for parents of troubled teens. Visit www.byparents-forparents.com for articles and advice for parents of teenagers.

Labels: support, research, communities

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