Keep the Holidays Bright by Staying Safe Behind the Wheel
December is observed as National Impaired Driving Prevention Month because it can be the deadliest when it comes to drunk driving. As part of the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has created resources designed to be used during the holidays to educate your community members about the risks of substance use and prevent tragedies. The holiday campaign runs from December 15, 2021, through January 1, 2022.
The Essential Link to Prevention: Parent/Caregiver and Child Communication
When parents and caregivers communicate with their children about the harmful effects and negative consequences of alcohol and other substances, they can make a real difference. The holidays, especially New Year’s Eve, are a critical time for community-based prevention practitioners to encourage and enable parents and caregivers to talk with their children about the dangers of alcohol and other substance use. However, adults may need some help to know how to discuss these sensitive topics with their children.
Date:
12/02/2021
NEW! Featured Success Stories
How do Communities Talk hosts put their events and activities together—and what do they achieve? Three new success stories describe Communities Talk activities in Maryland, rural Montana, and on a college campus in Florida. Lean what they were up against and how they worked within their communities to get a conversation going about preventing underage drinking.
Evaluating Communities Talk Activities
If you have held a Communities Talk activity or event this year, it’s time to review and evaluate its impact; this is the best way to plan strategically for future activities and put you in the best possible position to respond to the underage drinking and substance misuse prevention needs of your community. Here are some tips and tools to help you evaluate your event.
Date:
11/04/2021
NEW! “Talk. They Hear You.” Campaign Posters
SAMHSA’s “Talk. They Hear You.” substance use prevention campaign has released three new posters. These posters encourage parents and educators concerned about their child’s or student’s health and wellbeing to work with student assistance professionals. The vibrant posters are available in three sizes (11x17, 18x24, 24x36) and designed to grab attention and inspire action.
National Teen Driver Safety Week Is October 17–23, 2021
During National Teen Driver Safety Week this October, encourage parents to have conversations with their teens about important rules for staying safe behind the wheel. Use the NHTSA’s Rules for the Road campaign materials to inspire parents to discuss the importance of driving safety with their young drivers. Read how other communities incorporated teen driving safety into their Communities Talk activity.
Red Ribbon Week Is October 23–31, 2021
The DEA’s Red Ribbon Week, America’s oldest and largest drug prevention awareness program, takes place this year October 23–31. Celebrate Red Ribbon Week in your community by raising awareness about the value of living a drug-free
life!
Date:
10/07/2021
SAVE THE DATE: The annual Red Ribbon Week Campus Video PSA Contest starts September 13!
As part of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA)
Red Ribbon Week campaign, the DEA and SAMHSA’s Center for Substance Abuse Prevention are co-sponsoring the annual Campus Video PSA Contest for colleges and universities. Join SAMHSA, the DEA’s Campus Drug Prevention initiative, and the larger prevention community for a Twitter chat to learn more.
SAMHSA Expands its Talk. They Hear You. PSA Series
SAMHSA expands its
Talk. They Hear You. substance use prevention campaign resources with the release of 15 new
print PSAs. Tips include topics to discuss with teens and young adults before dropping them off at a party or before they get behind the wheel, and how to keep the dialogue about substances going as they get older.
NEW! Turning Data Into Action: A User’s Guide to the Report to Congress on the Prevention and Reduction of Underage Drinking
The
Turning Data Into Action guide provides a digestible overview of the Report to Congress, State Performance and Best Practices report and state-specific reports. You’ll find tips for using the reports specifically for communities, coalitions, parents, local government agencies and law enforcement.
Date:
09/14/2021
Download the new “Talk. They Hear You.” mobile app.
Help parents and caregivers prepare for one of the most important conversations they may have with their kids by using SAMHSA’s new “Talk. They Hear You.” campaign mobile app. Watch a quick video to learn more about the app and see how it works.
Do you know how your state prevents underage drinking? Learn the laws with SAMHSA’s new series.
This new series in the SAMHSA Store summarizes the 24 legal policies that allow you to track how your state regulates underage drinking compared to other states. Using these summaries will help inform your prevention work.
Back to campus!
In the coming weeks, many students will be physically returning to college and university campuses and engaging in the social activities they have been missing during the pandemic. Luckily SAMHSA has many resources you can use with students, parents, and the campus community to aid your on-campus prevention efforts.
Date:
08/06/2021
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