Kalamazoo County Substance Abuse Task Force

The Prevention Works Youth Leaders invest time, passion and creativity in their roles, they are the experts when it comes to youth voice!

Our Youth Leaders go above and beyond in their roles and we value their commitment to this work.

Thank you to our Youth Leaders and all that you do for our community!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pj1mEP6ki4Q

Helping them understand underage drinking, can help them to help others.

SAMHSA’s “Talk. They Hear You.” Helping a Friend PSA—60 Seconds Keeping kids safe from underage use of alcohol and misuse of prescription pain medications is a concern for parents. Parents and children are encouraged to c...

Check out this billboard designed by our amazing team of Youth Leaders! Keep an eye out for the design, as you're driving in the Kalamazoo area.

We encourage parents to talk to youth about the impact of underage drinking.

For tips on how to talk to teens about underage drinking, visit: https://www.responsibility.org/prevent-underage-drinking/talking-to-kids-about-alcohol?gclid=CjwKCAiAjPyfBhBMEiwAB2CCIuyhMybFlXMTMZ3Yykwupxhq2KEAibewYMbF52mfdHrGAzLLbUm3oBoC6iwQAvD_BwE

Kalamazoo County Substance Abuse Task Force A dedicated group of community members that develop strategies, programs, and practices to address alcohol and substance abuse issues in our community.

Some youth may think that taking a sip of alcohol is harmless. The truth is that one sip can turn into much more, and alcohol use can have a negative impact on their developing brain. Check out this video for more details:

What does alcohol abuse do to a teenager's brain? Teen drug and alcohol abuse can be especially unhealthy. During your teen years, your brain is still developing, which means you are extra vulnerable to the ...

Drinking underage comes with an increased risk of addiction, and being drunk can lead to negative physical outcomes (e.g., alcohol poison). Talk to your child about how alcohol use can impact them. Learn more here: https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/fact-sheets/underage-drinking.htm

It’s important to know the signs of underage alcohol use. If you suspect your teen may be using substances, SAMSHA offers resources and information to help- https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline

Keep talking, they listen! Almost 80% of teens reported that they've had conversations about alcohol and drug use with adults.

Did you know that children experiencing one or more of these factors are at an increased risk of using alcohol? Talk to your child if you have concerns about alcohol use.

Talk to your child about your expectations of underage drinking. https://www.samhsa.gov/talk-they-hear-you/parent-resources/what-you-can-do-prevent-your-child-drinking

SAMSHA provides a guide on how to talk to teens about underage alcohol and drug use. For more conversation goals, visithttps://www.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/TTHY-Mini-Broch-Bleed-2020.pdf

Here are a few reasons why teens may drink alcohol. Talk to your child about the impact alcohol can have on them. Learn more about the dangers of underage drinking: https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/fact-sheets/underage-drinking.htm #:~:text=Disruption%20of%20normal%20growth%20or,burns%2C%20falls%2C%20or%20drowning.

Kalamazoo County Substance Abuse Task Force A dedicated group of community members that develop strategies, programs, and practices to address alcohol and substance abuse issues in our community.