Orange Partnership - Preventing Underage Alcohol & Drug Abuse

We care about the health, safety and well-being of Orange County youth.

Our mission is to prevent underage drinking and drug use through communication, collaboration, education, policy, advocacy and youth empowerment. Our vision is for a community in which all young people can live healthy and productive lives, free from the influence of alcohol and drugs.

National Drug & Alcohol Facts Week (NDAFW)

Help us shatter the myth that vaping is harmless for adolescents!

A vape pod has as much or more nicotine than a pack of cigarettes.

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How regular marijuana use impairs memory and learning in the brains of adolescents.

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Could your child be vaping?

Identify e-cigarette and vaping products and be aware of signs of use.

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Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month:

Practicing Self-Care in Your Relationships

Do you know what your personal boundaries are and how to define them in a relationship? Trust and respect are key to maintaining them in a relationship.

Boundaries help set limits around your body, physical places, emotions, financial information, and digital spaces. Setting boundaries in all aspects of our lives is important. They empower you to decide how you want to be treated, while honoring your partner’s boundaries.

Loveisrespect.org offers free access to trained advocates to offer support, education, and advocacy to teens and young adults (as well as friends and family). Have questions or concerns about dating and relationships? Text LOVEIS to 22522.

Youth Mental Health Closely Tied to Substance Use

Within a year of the pandemic, adolescents between the ages of 13 and 18 experienced a significant increase in symptoms of mental illness and a significant decrease in factors that promote well-being. These shifts in mental health often led to alcohol or other substance use, or even thoughts of suicide. In the U.S. nearly 1 out of every 5 high school students report serious thoughts of suicide.

The Sound It Out campaign uses the power of music to help parents and caregivers support their children’s emotional wellness. Watch their music sharing tool (Amazon/Alexa) - and how it opens the door to more meaningful conversations between adults and middle school aged kids.

PREVENTION CORNER

FREE PARENT TRAININGS:

Do you suspect your child is using substances or just want to open communication lines before they are tempted? Visit our Parent Resources for links to free, expert-led webinars.

WHAT'S NEW: on the Radio

National Drug & Alcohol Fact Awareness Week

Listen to an Orange County teen talk about what led him to experiment with vaping, and how he was able to quit. We observe NDAFW 3/18-3/24.

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National Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month

Raising awareness of healthy relationships and teen dating abuse.

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National Mentoring Month

If kids feel more connected through a mentor relationship, they are less likely to engage in substance use.

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National Impaired Driving Month

Celebrate safely this season and don't overconsume or overserve at your holiday gatherings.

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The Great American Smokeout

Coalition partners discuss nicotine addiction and provide quit resources.

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Red Ribbon Week

Coalition partners discuss preventing youth substance use and the community resources that are here to help.

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National Suicide Prevention Month

Mental health problems affect half of all adolescents in the US. Call or Text the 988Lifeline.

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In the Community

Responsible Alcohol Seller Award (RASA) Presentation

The votes are in! Hillsborough Mayor Mark Bell, county commissioners, school board and community members present Weaver Street Market, Hillsborough with the annual Responsible Alcohol Retailer Award (RASA).
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Committed to Staff Training

The community recognizes Weaver Street as demonstrating the most effort to reduce the sales of alcohol to underage persons.
Their commitment to training its staff in responsible alcohol sales, verifying the age of young consumers and adherence to state alcohol sales laws were noted as reasons why they were at the top.
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Mental Health Resources

· 988 Lifeline

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline - Call. Text. Chat. (988lifeline.org)

· Be the One To

Home - #BeThe1To

· National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Home | NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness

· Seize the Awkward

Seize the Awkward | Talk With A Friend About Mental Health

Quitting Smoking Isn't Easy.

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In 2022, more than 2.5 million middle and high school students currently used e-cigarettes.

55% of youth who vape use disposables.
85% of youth who vape use flavored devices.

E-cigarettes are addictive commercial tobacco products that contain nicotine. Dangers include harm to brain development, increase and/or worsening anxiety and depression, lung damage, and effects on attention, learning, memory and impulse control.

Orange County Residents: Free tobacco cessation resources available - patches, gum, and lozenges. All residents are encouraged to call the NC Quit Line @ 1-800-QUIT-NOW. Visit OC Health Department resources: Smoking Cessation | Orange County, NC (orangecountync.gov)

THIS IS QUITTING Resource:

The Truth Initiative's App/Texting quitting program is designed to help young people quit vaping. Young vapers - teens and young adults - can join for free by texting DITCHVAPE to 88709.

SMOKEfree.gov

Visit their website for tools to help you quit. Download the quitSTART app or try SmokefreeTXT by signing up online or texting QUIT to 47848.

Socialize Safely this Season!

The holidays are a popular time for getting together with friends and family to celebrate. Discussing the dangers of underage alcohol and substance use—especially when combined with driving—and setting expectations for your child’s behavior go a long way in the prevention of any unintended consequences.

Share resources designed for youth, such as Underage Drinking: Myths vs. Facts and the Tips for Teens series.

Go to SAMHSA’s “Talk. They Hear You.” campaign, to learn about tips parents and caregivers can use to start these conversations.