When kids enter high school they have more freedom coupled with increased academic demands and social stress. This can lead to an increased risk of unhealthy behaviors. Plus, they often have the false perception that “everyone is doing it” – particularly around substance use. However, studies show that when youth have regular conversations about substance use with a trusted parent, caregiver, coach, or other adults they are less likely to drink alcohol and use drugs compared to other students. In fact, these conversations are one of the most effective prevention methods against the use of alcohol and other substances.
High-School Transition: The Importance of Talking to Your Kids About Substance Use
Westbrook’s ONEbox Program in the News
Thank you to NewsCenter Maine for coming to Westbrook to share our story about the life-saving ONEbox Program. We are proud to be the first community in Maine to distribute ONEboxes – now in 10 locations throughout the City, including the High School and Middle School. Watch it here: https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/health/mental-health/westrbook-maine-distributes-opioid-overdose-kits-throughout-community-buildings/97-77684eee-cdfe-4474-ba22-8167c1af6d38
In the news: Westbrook featured on WGME TV13 for distribution of ONEboxes
We were proud to be featured in a story on WGME TV13 for our coalition’s distribution of ONEboxes in 10 locations throughout the city. We are the first community and school district in Maine to do so! See the story here: https://wgme.com/news/local/westbrook-distributes-opioid-overdose-emergency-toolkits-throughout-city-oneboxes-naloxone-partners-prevention#
News: Westbrook Distributes ONEboxes™ To Prevent Overdose Deaths
City of Westbrook and Westbrook Partners for Prevention Collaborate to Make Naloxone More Accessible in Schools and Public Spaces Westbrook, ME (January 30, 2024) – If you look in places around Westbrook, you may notice some new purple-labeled boxes around the city. These are ONEboxes™ and they are designed to save lives. ONEbox™ is an […]
Xylazine: What It Is and Why It Is So Dangerous
Last year at this time, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) put out a Public Safety Alert about xylanzine and its widespread use: “Xylazine is making the deadliest drug threat our country has ever faced, fentanyl, even deadlier,” said DEA Administrator Milgram. “DEA has seized xylazine and fentanyl mixtures in 48 of 50 States. The DEA […]
Journey Magazine: Interview with Janet Dosseva
Janet Dosseva, Director of Westbrook Partners for Prevention, sat down with Jaqueline Brown of Journey Magazine to discuss overdose prevention. In the interview, Janet says, “You never know when you will have an opportunity to safe a life.” The article addresses breaking down stigmas, increasing distribution of Narcan, and putting the focus on educating people […]
We Are Not Alone: Community Connectedness and Resilience
by Hawa Shir, Program Coordinator, Westbrook Partners for Prevention During the past few years, people have been facing a variety of adverse challenges in their individual lives. Collectively, those individual challenges have impacted communities as a whole. Communities experience adverse situations together. However, connectedness can be lost when bombarded with various disasters and tragedies. Having […]
From Our Youth Leadership Coalition: A Video About Vaping
The Youth Leadership Coalition has been busy! They’ve created this informative video about vaping and its adverse effects. Check it out!
The “F” Word Everyone Is Talking About
By Janet Dosseva, MPH, PS-C A few years ago, our coalition was doing outreach and educating folks to keep their prescription medications up and away to reduce the risk of medications, particularly opioids, from being diverted into the community. However, nowadays, raising awareness to prevent opioid misuse has shifted. The US Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) […]
‘Like.Like’ screening on April 6
Join Partners for Prevention and the Westbrook School Department on April 6th from 6 to 8 pm at the Westbrook Performing Arts Center. We will be screening the film, Like. Like is a documentary which explores screen time/social media and their impacts on our brain development and mental health.
