Orange Partnership - Prevent Underage Alcohol & Drug Abuse

Support Orange Partnership's Youth Empowerment Program

Known as ADAPT, our youth-led, adult supported internship program develops future leaders in Orange County. Using a public health lens, students learn how to address societal challenges including poor mental health and youth substance use. We aspire to inspire students to analyze their surroundings and identify strategies to create changes, develop skills in public speaking, become peer educators and community advocates.

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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 Suicide Prevention Awareness

#BeThe1To is the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline’s message for National Suicide Prevention Month and helps spread the word about actions we can take to prevent suicide. The Lifeline network and its partners are working to change the conversation from suicide to suicide prevention, and to actions that can promote healing, help and give hope. Research shows people who are having thoughts of suicide feel relief when someone asks after them in a caring way. Findings suggest acknowledging and talking about suicide may reduce rather than increase suicidal ideation.

Click here to visit our Campaign Toolkit and download our personalized Facebook and Instagram shareables. Mention @orangepartnership in your posts.

Celebrate Family Health & Fitness

What will you do today to get your loved ones moving?
Sport and physical activity can be effective in promoting overall wellbeing and health, including mental health; it's been shown to reduce the risk of depression and improves the cognitive functions and academic outcomes of young people and adolescents.

How to Join the Movement to GET FIT together:

Share your family fitness moments using #familyhealthandfitness and/or
Click here to visit our Campaign Toolkit and download our personalized Facebook and Instagram shareables.
Mention @orangepartnership in your posts.

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Try a New Sport!

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Get Outdoors!

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Maintain a Healthy Diet!

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Walk in Nature!

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Connect with Wildlife!

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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.

Learn More

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

Learn More

Five different flavors of koi disposable electronic cigarettes

Could your child be vaping?

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

Learn More

Mental Health Awareness Month

No matter how old you are, taking care of your mental health is important.

When feelings of anxiety or depression take over, go for a walk in nature, talk to a supportive friend, listen to your favorite music, or make something with your hands. Something as simple as giving yourself - or a loved one - a hug can be just the mood booster you need. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or unable to cope, please call or text 988 – help is available.

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More 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

· Mental Health America

Resources for Immediate Response | Mental Health America (mhanational.org)

PREVENTION CORNER

"Bridging the Gap": on the Radio

Red Ribbon Week (RRW)

RRW recognizes the importance of living a drug free life. Disussion highlights include different kinds of vapes and why you shouldn’t drive after consuming marijuana.

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National Suicide Prevention Month

Check in with loved ones and offer support - as depression and anxiety may lead to feelings of hopelessness - which can increase thoughts of suicide.

Listen Here
Back to School: Conversation Starters

As kids return to the classroom, we want to prioritize their health and wellbeing by talking to them about tough topics like substance use and mental health. Kids want to hear your voice!

Listen Here
Nat'l Black, Indigenous and People of Color Mental Health Month

Listen to an impactful conversation addressing mental health myths in communities of people of color.

Listen Here
Family Health & Fitness Month

Learn more about the link between exercise and good mental health - how teens look to their parents for modeling and how it plays a protective role in preventing teen substance use.

Listen Here
Mental Health Awareness Month

In this episode, we highlght the importance of mental health in children and teens - and how to break down the stigma.

Listen Here
Teen THC Usage and Effects

Learn about the changing cannabis landscape, the current laws and regulations, how THC packaging entices our youth - and what parents should know.

Listen Here
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.

Listen Here
National Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month

Raising awareness of healthy relationships and teen dating abuse.

Listen Here
National Mentoring Month

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

Listen Here
National Impaired Driving Month

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

Listen Here
The Great American Smokeout

Coalition partners discuss nicotine addiction and provide quit resources.

Listen Here
Red Ribbon Week

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

Listen Here
National Suicide Prevention Month

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

Listen Here

In the Community

Our coalition joined forces with Stanback Middle School - administration, teachers, students and parents - to host a "Take Down Tobacco" Event. We used fun kickball games, awareness activities and engaging high school Intern presentations to encourage our youth to live tobacco and drug free and consider alternative coping activities. Check out our recap video below!

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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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.

Public Service Announcements

Our Public Service Announcements air monthly on 97.9 "The Hill" radio. Similar to our interviews covering national prevention topics, our PSAs deliver daily tips and feature the voices of our valued coalition partners. These messages are geared for our youth, parent and school communities. All PSAs are archived below; links to the full prevention-focused interviews can be found here.

"Bridging the Gap" PSAs (2024/2025 Funding Year)