Thank you to Westbrook Partners for Prevention coalition member, Gita Rao, M.D., clinical director of school-based health centers for Greater Portland Health, for this article published by the Portland Press Herald on 6/18/21.
Excerpt:
“Youth and the choices they make – both healthy and unhealthy – are tied directly to the interactions and support they receive from adults in our community. During the pandemic, early studies show higher rates of alcohol and substance misuse in adults and an increase in certain risk factors for youth use. As we transition out of the pandemic, I am concerned about the long-term impact on this generation and whether our society is ready to provide the support they need to become healthy, resilient, thriving adults.”
