TAG, the Teen Advisor Group, is comprised of high school students who travel to elementary schools several times a year to talk about the benefits of clean living, and the dangers of alcohol, tobacco and drugs.

"Not just anyone can be a member of TAG. Applicants must go through a strict screening process to ensure that those who are promoting a healthy lifestyle are truly living it."

Selected applicants go through a training process in the fall, and then begin traveling to schools. Most visit the same school - usually the same classroom - once a month. This year, TAG members will also give a presentation highlighting steps the community-at-large can take to help protect kids from the drug and alcohol-related danger. Read more at PortClintonNewsHerald.com.

Labels: healthy_alternatives, role_models, sobriety

Beginning in January of next year, the city of Waltham, Massachusetts will have a new outpatient substance abuse program. Started by the nonprofit organization Rediscovery, Inc, the program will seek to meet the needs of adolescents who have substance abuse issues and need help abstaining from their destructive behavior.

"Initially, the program will only be offered to a handful of teens. Yet, Ferrier said there is a chance of expanding the program. The patients will be given a specific substance abuse treatment to follow, she said."

The program will be run by a licensed clinician, and will treat substance abuse and trauma simultaneously through both outpatient and therapy services. Rediscovery, Inc. was started in 2001 as a nonprofit organization whose focus is helping foster care children transition into adulthood.

Labels: risky_behaviors, sobriety, treatment