Westbrook Partners for Prevention unites community partners across sectors to ensure Westbrook youth stay on track and have the support they need to graduate from high school and reach their full potential. An important part of these efforts is implementing youth substance use prevention strategies that include the entire community, including Westbrook businesses and residents.

While the youth substance use prevention efforts are year-round, there is one time of year that exemplifies the breadth of the community support and partnerships: Prevention Week. 

For one week in May leading to prom, Westbrook Partners for Prevention unites the community around programs and activities designed to help keep teens safe during this high-risk time of the school year. 

While prevention efforts are year-round, during high-risk times, like prom and graduation, the Westbrook Police Department, Westbrook High School students, and local retailers work together to help prevent adults from selling and serving alcohol to minors. The students help place bright orange “Sticker Shock” messages in stores to remind adults about the legal consequences of providing alcohol to minors. Large stores like Hannaford, as well as smaller local stores, participate to get the word out about Sticker Shock.

During prom season, various businesses participate in prevention activities by displaying and distributing prom safety messages. Florists, restaurants, tuxedo rental shops, hair dressers, and other local businesses distribute materials to teens designed to remind them to make safe decisions and stay substance-free.

However, these programs do more than remind people how they can help prevent underage drinking, it actually helps make the community stronger and more connected.

Resources