Products and Resources Catalog

Cannabis Pharmacology for Substance Misuse Prevention Practitioners is a 4.5 hour self-paced course that provides important information on what prevention professionals need to know about cannabis. Dr. Hayden Center presents the following 3-part series: 1. The Effects of Cannabis. 2. Cannabis and the Adolescent Brain. 3. Cannabis Pharmacology. The ideal audience for this training is prevention organizations/coalitions and the prevention professionals serving at the local, state, regional and/or national levels that would like to learn and/or review updated and science-based information on cannabis to be better equipped to serve their communities.This can include coalition members, agencies, sector representatives and partners, volunteer staff, and other key partners, stakeholders, and collaborators. This training can also be appropriate for the broader public, with interest in the role cannabis policies is impacting, informing, influencing and shaping changes in their communities. Certificate of Completion Available

Access free, self-paced online courses through HealtheKnowledge to enhance your substance misuse prevention knowledge and skills.  Upon finishing these courses, participants receive certificates of completion.  Also available are drug fact sheets for reference.  

Stigma and Substance Use Prevention Part 2: Strategies and Recommendations for the Field of Prevention Josh Esrick, MPP, and Olivia Stuart, LMSW May 30, 2024, 1:00pm-2:30pm EST COURSE DESCRIPTION This webinar will provide information on available evidence-based and culturally responsive prevention strategies for addressing youth vaping, cannabis, and tobacco use. It will cover both environmental and behavioral interventions, as well as opportunities to implement or expand policies that can address the social determinants of health. This will include reviewing opportunities to expand the role of prevention in legislative and regulatory decision-making related to these substances. Lastly, it will describe how to ensure cultural responsiveness is incorporated into youth substance use prevention efforts and programming. LEARNING OBJECTIVES Recognize the importance of providing evidence-based culturally responsive youth vaping, cannabis, and tobacco use prevention strategies Describe evidence-based behavioral strategies for preventing youth vaping, cannabis, and tobacco use Describe evidence-based environmental strategies for addressing social determinants of health relevant to youth vaping, cannabis, and tobacco use Explain how to ensure cultural responsiveness in youth substance use prevention programs PRESENTERS Josh Esrick, MPP is the Chief of Training and Technical Assistance at Carnevale Associates, LLC. Mr. Esrick has over ten years of experience researching, writing, evaluating, and presenting on substance use prevention and other behavioral health topics. He is an expert in providing training and technical assistance (T/TA) in substance use, having overseen the development of hundreds of T/TA products for numerous clients, including six of SAMHSA’s ten regional Prevention Technology Transfer Centers (PTTCs), the PTTC Network Coordinating Office, the Central East Addiction Technology Transfer Center (ATTC) and Mental Health Technology Transfer Centers (MHTTC), and SAMHSA’s Center for the Application of Prevention Technologies (CAPT). These trainings and products have covered a wide range of topics, including strategic planning, data collection and analysis, and identifying evidence-based prevention interventions for youth. In addition to T/TA, Mr. Esrick has directly provided many of these services to behavioral health agencies and other entities. He has published several academic journal articles. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the State University of New York at Buffalo and a Master of Public Policy from George Washington University.     Olivia Stuart, MSW supports the training & technical assistance (T/TA) team in the development and delivery of knowledge translation products across multiple projects. In this capacity, she assists with webinars, literature reviews, and infographics on a range of behavioral health topics. Prior to joining Carnevale Associates, Olivia interned with the Urban Institute’s Justice Policy Center where she supported projects to reduce inequities in the criminal justice system. Olivia also served as a Graduate Research Supervisor at George Mason University and worked for several years in LGBTQ+ advocacy and fundraising. She holds a Master of Social Work degree from George Mason University.    

Stigma and Substance Use Prevention Part 1: Identifying and Understanding the Data Josh Esrick, MPP, and Olivia Stuart, LMSW May 28, 2024, 1:00pm-2:30pm EST COURSE DESCRIPTION This webinar will provide a broad overview of the current state of youth vaping, cannabis, and tobacco use. It will begin by reviewing the most common data sources for youth substance use and discuss opportunities to improve and expand data collection efforts. The webinar will then summarize the most recent data on youth vaping, cannabis, and tobacco use prevalence and consequences at the national level and for the Central East region. It will also describe the research on risk and protective factors for youth vaping, cannabis, and tobacco use. Lastly, it will provide information on how the social determinants of health play a role in youth use of these substances. LEARNING OBJECTIVES Describe youth substance use data sources and opportunities to expand data collection Explain the scope of youth vaping, cannabis, and tobacco use and consequences in the Central East region and nationally Identify risk and protective factors relevant to youth vaping, cannabis, and tobacco use Recognize the effect of the social determinants of health on youth vaping, cannabis, and tobacco use PRESENTERS Josh Esrick, MPP is the Chief of Training and Technical Assistance at Carnevale Associates, LLC. Mr. Esrick has over ten years of experience researching, writing, evaluating, and presenting on substance use prevention and other behavioral health topics. He is an expert in providing training and technical assistance (T/TA) in substance use, having overseen the development of hundreds of T/TA products for numerous clients, including six of SAMHSA’s ten regional Prevention Technology Transfer Centers (PTTCs), the PTTC Network Coordinating Office, the Central East Addiction Technology Transfer Center (ATTC) and Mental Health Technology Transfer Centers (MHTTC), and SAMHSA’s Center for the Application of Prevention Technologies (CAPT). These trainings and products have covered a wide range of topics, including strategic planning, data collection and analysis, and identifying evidence-based prevention interventions for youth. In addition to T/TA, Mr. Esrick has directly provided many of these services to behavioral health agencies and other entities. He has published several academic journal articles. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the State University of New York at Buffalo and a Master of Public Policy from George Washington University. Olivia Stuart, MSW supports the training & technical assistance (T/TA) team in the development and delivery of knowledge translation products across multiple projects. In this capacity, she assists with webinars, literature reviews, and infographics on a range of behavioral health topics. Prior to joining Carnevale Associates, Olivia interned with the Urban Institute’s Justice Policy Center where she supported projects to reduce inequities in the criminal justice system. Olivia also served as a Graduate Research Supervisor at George Mason University and worked for several years in LGBTQ+ advocacy and fundraising. She holds a Master of Social Work degree from George Mason University.    

Join the PTTC for an insightful session with leading public health experts on semi-synthetic cannabis products such as Delta-8 THC. The panel will provide information on recent shifts in the U.S. cannabis markets and their implications, harms from using semi-synthetic cannabis products, and laws needed to effective in mitigating these harms.

The Role of Evidence-Based Prevention Strategies in Helping Address Addiction Robert Rogers, LADC, CCS, PS-A, LSW May 1, 2024, 1:00pm-2:30pm EST COURSE DESCRIPTION In this session, we will review evidence-based strategies for substance use prevention addressing alcohol, cannabis, vaping, and prescription drugs that local coalitions and prevention providers can implement in their communities. We will examine interest groups to collaborate and “work with” as we work on the prevention of substance use and discuss the importance of language in reducing stigma and bias related to substance use and the people impacted by the use of substances. LEARNING OBJECTIVES - Identify a minimum of 2 strategies for substance use prevention. (Substances covered include alcohol, cannabis, vaping, and prescription drugs.) - Identify a minimum of 3 interest groups to collaborate with on evidence-based prevention strategies. - Describe the importance of language in reducing stigma. PRESENTERS Robert Rogers, LADC, CCS, LSW, PS-A, has worked with youth and families throughout Somerset and Kennebec Counties since 1994. Robert works for Kennebec Behavioral Health as Director of Substance Use Prevention and Grant Services. He worked with Somerset Public Health as the Drug-Free Communities Program Coordinator, completing ten years of coalition work. Robert is a certified Prime for Life instructor and the State of Maine certified Responsible Beverage Seller trainer for the Bureau of Alcoholic Beverages & Lottery Operations. Robert also coordinates Respect ME, a Certified Domestic Violence Intervention Program for female survivors of domestic violence who used resistive violence with their intimate partners. Robert was appointed to the state Substance Abuse Service Commission, served by appointment on the state's Maine Opiate Collaborative Prevention and Harm Reduction team, served as Chair for the Maine Prevention Specialists Certification Board, and serves as a Maine representative on the New England Prevention Technology Transfer Center’s Advisory Board. Additionally, Robert is on the Board of Directors for AdCare of Maine and Sunset Home, a non-profit assisted living facility for older women in Waterville, Maine. Robert is an Adjunct Professor of Substance Use Prevention at the University of Maine at Farmington. Most recently, Governor Mills appointed Robert to the State of Maine Board of Alcohol & Drug Counselors and serves as the board's Chair. In 2021, Robert was awarded the Neill E. Miner Memorial Prevention Award, and in 2014 was awarded Prevention Provider of the Year by the Maine Alliance to Prevent Substance Abuse.  

The latest edition of our bi-monthly newsletter is available. This month’s edition features a PTTC network event "Climate Change from a Prevention Perspective", Exploring Root Causes of Substance Misuse through Stories, Alcohol Awareness Month and awareness campaigns for April, and regionally and nationally developed events and tools to support and grow the prevention workforce in New England. View the newsletter.

Access free, self-paced online courses through HealtheKnowledge to enhance your substance misuse prevention knowledge and skills.  Upon finishing these courses, participants receive certificates of completion. Don't have a HealtheKnowledge account? Sign up for free and start browsing substance misuse prevention courses.  

    Considering the Associations Between Substance Use and Suicide September 7, 2023   Webinar Description September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. For this month's Monthly Media Series webinar, the Pacific Southwest PTTC would like to raise awareness on this preventable issue and highlight the important intersection between substance use and suicide.  In this webinar, we will consider alcohol-related risk factors for suicide, including ways in which alcohol use can impact decision making when a person is experiencing distress. We will also review the recent literature on cannabis, focusing on mental health concerns associated with the use of high-potency cannabis, as well as associations between cannabis use disorder and suicide risk. Implications for prevention, intervention, and public health will be discussed   Objectives By the end of this webinar, participants will be able to: Define “alcohol myopia” and how this relates to suicide risk. Identify a screening measure for cannabis use disorder. Describe at least one potential unwanted outcome associated with the use of high-potency cannabis. Discuss at least one implication for prevention, intervention, and public health.   Webinar Recording and Presentation Handout Considering the Associations Between Substance Use and Suicide Recording Considering the Associations Between Substance Use and Suicide Presentation Handout (PDF) *This presentation and all information contained within it is proprietary information of Dr. Jason Kilmer, Ph.D., and may not be adapted, modified, or disseminated without prior written consent of Dr. Kilmer. This presentation is intended to be used by prevention professionals for learning purposes only. This presentation is not ADA compliant.   Presenter Dr. Jason Kilmer, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor in Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Washington (UW) School of Medicine and an Adjunct Associate Professor in Psychology at UW. Jason serves as an investigator on several studies evaluating prevention and intervention efforts for alcohol, cannabis, and other drug use by college students. In addition to research and teaching, he has worked extensively with college students and student groups around alcohol and other drug prevention programming and presentations throughout his career (including student athletes, fraternity and sorority members, residence life, and first-year students), both at UW and on over 125 campuses across the nation.    As faculty in the School of Medicine, Jason continues his direct work with students through presentations for intercollegiate athletics and residence life. Jason also serves as the chairperson of Washington state's College Coalition on Substance misuse, Advocacy, and Prevention (CCSAP)   Questions Contact Britany Wiele ([email protected]) if you have additional questions about the content related to this webinar.

After attending this webinar from Dr. Sheryl Ryan, viewers should be able to: 1. Describe the biology of cannabis products and the endocannabinoid system. 2. Explain the adverse short and long-term health effects of cannabis products especially during pregnancy and breast-feeding on fetal and neonatal development. 3. Discuss prevention strategies including multi-sector approaches and recommendations for people who are pregnant, planning pregnancy, or breastfeeding. Slide Deck Available: Here

This product is developed by Cheyenne Chee under the 2022-2023 Mountain Plains Prevention Technology Transfer Center (PTTC) Fellowship Program. This toolkit is designed to provide Native American parents/ guardians with valuable resources and information to prevent cannabis use among youth. By utilizing the PTTC Network and Gray Matters campaign as primary resources, this toolkit aims to empower parents/guardians in promoting healthy choices and supporting their children's well-being. Additional relevant resources are also included to enhance the effectiveness of prevention efforts. 

  2023 RESEARCH & DESIGN (RAD) PRODUCTS: New research-based substance misuse prevention tools supporting Practical Resources to Address The Root Causes of Substance Misuse with a Focus on the IC&RC Prevention Domains. Prevention Product Development for the New England Region. Link to view the recorded webinar (recorded on August 17, 2023).   EXPLORING ROOT CAUSES OF SUBSTANCE MISUSE THROUGH SOCIAL STORIES This resource consists of a work of research on the trauma of underrepresentation experienced by Black communities and the ripple effects it has on Black children. This social story title ‘I Feel’ can be used in a variety of settings and tackles the topic of emotions while also confronting the difficulties that emerge from living with a parent who is beginning their path to recovery. READ MORE AND DOWNLOAD.     SUPPORTING YOUTH & ADDRESSING UNDERLYING CAUSES OF SUBSTANCE USE This handbook is designed for adults to better support youth while addressing underlying causes of substance misuse. Throughout this resource, the reader will build a better understanding of the role Adverse Childhood Experiences play in substance use and proven solutions to prevent and mitigate their impacts. The target audience is parents/caregivers, teachers, counselors, coaches, and anyone else who interacts with youth. READ MORE AND DOWNLOAD.     HEALTHY COMMUNITY, HEALTHY PEOPLE: COMMUNITY CANNABIS POLICY TOOLKIT FOR THE VERMONT PREVENTION PROFESSIONAL 2.0 A toolkit that prevention professionals and communities working on cannabis-related policy improvement can use to help support prevention and public health at a community level. This kit has been updated in 2023 to include additional tools and information, including stigma-free language relevant to this work, talking points to use with key audiences, questions to use for community polling, and template presentations for community and key audience education. READ MORE AND DOWNLOAD.     PREVENTING & ADDRESSING ACES IN HISPANIC AND LATINO This guide is designed for Hispanic and Latino Faith Leaders in Massachusetts and can be used to prevent and address adverse childhood experiences impacting Hispanic and Latino communities. Faith Leaders can learn about the connection between trauma and substance use disorder, specific impacts within the Hispanic and Latino community, and the interventions the faith community can deploy to mitigate the impact of ACEs. READ MORE AND DOWNLOAD.     PREVENTING ROOT CAUSES OF SUBSTANCE USE IN LGBTQIA+ YOUTH This toolkit is designed for prevention professionals and can showcase proactive techniques for upstream prevention efforts to address minority stress among LGBTQIA+ youth. This toolkit includes a call to action for the prevention workforce, highlights data and data limitations, research on minority stress and its connection to substance misuse, and provides evidence-informed recommendations for the reader.  READ MORE AND DOWNLOAD.       SUBSTANCE USE RECOVERY AND PREVENTION FOR FAMILIES IN TREATMENT: A GUIDE FOR THERAPISTS, CLIENTS, AND FAMILIES A practical resource to be shared by clinicians with individuals in treatment for substance use disorder. This toolkit will provide the person in treatment with resources from the disciplines of prevention and peer recovery support. It will assist in increasing the family’s awareness of applicable prevention information and strategies and will educate about various levels of clinical and peer supports that are available in the community. READ MORE AND DOWNLOAD.       View the 2021 products.   View the 2022 products.

Amy Ronshausen is the Executive Director of both Drug Free America Foundation and Save Our Society from Drugs. Both of these national nonprofit organizations work to defeat drug legalization attempts, promote sound drug policies, and prevent drug use, abuse and addiction. Amy is passionate about reducing illegal drug use and drug prevention, coordinating grassroots advocacy campaigns, prevention summits, analyze and track state and federal drug policy legislation, and training prevention professionals at local and national conferences. www.dfaf.org (drug free America foundation)  www.saveoursociety.org (save our society from drugs) https://onechoiceprevention.org/ (One Choice) https://www.listenfirstproject.org/ (Listen First Project) https://learnaboutsam.org/ (Smart Approaches to Marijuana) https://onechancetogrowup.org/ (One Chance to Grow Up) The funder of this project, along with all other products of the Mid-America PTTC is the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Although funded by SAMHSA, the content of this recording does not necessarily reflect the views of SAMHSA. Did you know nearly 700 publications and digital products are available online at https://store.samhsa.gov Learn about the real risks for people who use marijuana, especially youth and young adults, and women who are pregnant or nursing. SAMHSA has online resources available at www.samhsa.gov/marijuana 

This webinar will explore common risk factors for mental health and substance use disorders.   The presentation is roughly divided into two evidence-based approaches to stigma-reduction and education:  Part 1 includes a personal testimony of co-occurring substance use disorder and mental health diagnoses.  Part 2 details the common risk factors and provides context for preventing and treating co-occurring disorders   Learning Objectives:  To compare risk factors for mental health and substance use disorders To apply research-informed approaches to preventing and/or supporting recovery from mental health and/or substance use disorders   About the Presenter:   Dr. Alex Elswick joined the Department of Family Sciences at the University of Kentucky in 2020 as an Assistant Extension Professor for Substance Use Prevention and Recovery.  He began his journey with the department as a graduate student in 2015, where he earned his Master’s and PhD and later served Family and Consumer Sciences Extension as an Extension Associate and as an Extension Specialist. Alex Elswick is a tireless advocate for people who use drugs and people with substance use disorders.  He currently serves the University of Kentucky as an Assistant Extension Professor for Substance Use Prevention and Recovery. He is a trained researcher and therapist, but most importantly, Alex is himself a person in long term recovery from the chronic disease of addiction.          

  Webinars/Videos Awareness About Cannabis Use Among Youth - A short video about Marijuana Prevention, with the goal to increase the awareness among youth. (Available in English and Portuguese) The Reality of Legal Marijuana and Hispanic Latino Youth. Myths, Truths, Consequences - The advent of the medical marijuana movement has given way to an avalanche of business opportunities that many states have adopted as a means of increasing tax revenues. Ten states have fully adopted the legalization of marijuana for both medical and recreational use (Alaska, California, Colorado, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Nevada, Oregon, Vermont, Washington). Nineteen other states, and the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, have legalized medical marijuana. These developments present many challenges for those who educate youth and parents on prevention approaches to drug use. This virtual learning community session will highlight one of the states that has vigorously developed policy and public education efforts that address the need to educate youth and the broader community about the dangers of marijuana use by children and youth: Colorado. It will also present the latest research and epidemiological data that has a bearing on issues faced by Hispanic/Latino communities. The session also includes examples of public health education efforts targeting Hispanic/Latino youth and parents and will delineate successful evidence-based prevention approaches.    Factsheets Marijuana Prevention Among Hispanic And Latino Adults Factsheet - Provide information and resources to prevention professionals, providers, and community members on the topic of Marijuana Prevention among Hispanic and Latino Adults, why is this an issue, how does marijuana use impact our communities overall. (Available in English, Spanish, and Portuguese) Marijuana Prevention Among Hispanic And Latino Adults Factsheet - Provide information and resources to prevention professionals, providers, and community members on the topic of Marijuana Prevention among Hispanic and Latino Youth, why is this an issue, how does marijuana use impact our communities, several factors that can impact our communities in relation to substance use such as COVID-19, the Social Determinants of Health, risk factors, mental health. (Available in English, Spanish, and Portuguese)   Additional Resources Resources on Cannabis - List of resources on Cannabis developed by the NHL PTTC, the PTTC Network, SAMHSA, National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the Partnership to End Addiction. These resources include webinars, factsheets, reports, and talk kits. 

  This webinar will cover the products typically utilized in vape devices, such as THC. We will also discuss the components and constituents and associated health risks. Finally, we will discuss available some resources for helping people quit smoking or vaping.   Learning Objectives: Participants will increase their understanding of vape function and product usage. Participants will be able to restate the risks of vaping after the event. Participants will map policy concerns about vaping for their state/region. Participants will be able to find and recommend resources for their clients.   About the Presenter: Dr. Mary Martinasek is an Associate Professor in Public Health at the University of Tampa. She is also a registered respiratory therapist, a certified asthma educator, a tobacco treatment and health education specialist. Mary’s research is focused on hookah smoking and vaping electronic nicotine delivery devices; however, she also conducted a systematic review on the respiratory effects of inhalational marijuana. Her recent manuscripts have focused on the relationship of Adverse Childhood Experiences as predictors of vaping and tobacco use, asthma and vaping, and social marketing campaigns for hookah reduction.  

The Great Lakes Current is the e-newsletter of the Great Lakes ATTC, MHTTC, and PTTC.   The January 2023 issue honors National Birth Defects Prevention Month by sharing resources and media from SAMHSA that focus on the effects of marijuana use during pregnancy. This issue also features new products from the Great Lakes MHTTC and PTTC, HealtheKnowledge content specific to women's reproductive health, and opportunities for mental health and SUD professionals to participate in ongoing research studies.  As always, The Great Lakes Current provides links to all the upcoming events and trainings for the Great Lakes ATTC, MHTTC, and PTTC.   

  The past ten years have ushered in radical changes to alcohol and cannabis policies. From the 2012 legalization of cannabis for adult recreational use in Colorado to the pandemic-related changes in home delivery of alcohol, there’s been a seismic shift in the substance misuse landscape and the way prevention professionals must approach their work. This virtual learning event explored building policy change readiness and the implementation considerations, situating the role of policy within comprehensive prevention efforts. It included a deep dive into alcohol & cannabis policies and explored the fundamentals of policy change and implementation as an environmental intervention.   Learning Objectives: • Discuss preparing your community to do policy work. • Identify ways to engage stakeholders and community members in policy change efforts. • Describe ways to incorporate policy work into community youth development efforts.   Ivy Jones Turner – Is a training and technical assistance specialist with Education Development Center. For over 20 years, Ivy has provided organizational capacity assistance on health promotion and prevention in substance misuse, suicide, violence, injury, and mental health with nonprofit and community-based organizations, state and faith-based agencies, and school districts. Her capacity building skills include program evaluation, training and technical assistance in program design and implementation, organizational development, partnerships/collaborations, and sustainability. Ms. Jones-Turner is a Certified Prevention Specialist and holds an MPA from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government. Lauri Solomon -Is a training and technical assistance specialist with Education Development Center.  She is a public health expert and an experienced prevention specialist.  For over 20 years, she has provided training and technical assistance (TA) on topics such as substance misuse, HIV and sexually transmitted infection, and teen pregnancy prevention. She brings expertise in community needs assessments, qualitative and quantitative data analysis, program evaluation, social marketing, parent education, and positive youth development models.

  The past ten years have ushered in radical changes to alcohol and cannabis policies. From the 2012 legalization of cannabis for adult recreational use in Colorado to the pandemic-related changes in home delivery of alcohol, there’s been a seismic shift in the substance misuse landscape and the way prevention professionals must approach their work. This virtual learning event explored why policies are critical to prevention efforts, situating the role of policy within comprehensive prevention efforts. It included a deep dive into alcohol & cannabis policies and explored the fundamentals of policy change and implementation as an environmental intervention.   Learning Objectives: • Identify the factors that influence substance misuse including environmental (Community-wide) prevention strategies. • Identify ways to engage stakeholders and community members in policy change efforts. • Explore the effects of evidence-based policies.   Ivy Jones Turner – Is a training and technical assistance specialist with Education Development Center. For over 20 years, Ivy has provided organizational capacity assistance on health promotion and prevention in substance misuse, suicide, violence, injury, and mental health with nonprofit and community-based organizations, state and faith-based agencies, and school districts. Her capacity building skills include program evaluation, training and technical assistance in program design and implementation, organizational development, partnerships/collaborations, and sustainability. Ms. Jones-Turner is a Certified Prevention Specialist and holds an MPA from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government. Lauri Solomon -Is a training and technical assistance specialist with Education Development Center.  She is a public health expert and an experienced prevention specialist.  For over 20 years, she has provided training and technical assistance (TA) on topics such as substance misuse, HIV and sexually transmitted infection, and teen pregnancy prevention. She brings expertise in community needs assessments, qualitative and quantitative data analysis, program evaluation, social marketing, parent education, and positive youth development models. 

This 3-minute video describes the effects of the most commonly used substances (E-Cigarettes, Cannabis, & Alcohol) on the developing teen body.   Share this video on your Social Media or embed it in your presentations as a supplemental resource.    Click "View Resource" to go to the video.    For more information, contact us: [email protected] 

This 2-minute video describes the effects of substances on the developing teen brain. The brain is a complex organ and doesn’t fully develop until a person’s mid 20s. Substances affect the brain and can cause developmental issues.   Share this video on your Social Media or embed it in your presentations as a supplemental resource. Click "Download" to view and download the video. OR Click here to view the video on YouTube (Where you can share, embed, etc.) View   View body video: Effects of Substances on the Teen Body   For more information, contact us: [email protected]

Learn about the six new research-based tools and resources created for the New England substance misuse prevention workforce to support their work in the Changing Landscape of Cannabis, with a focus on the IC & RC Prevention Domains. Resources include: A Practical guide to introduce and assist preventionists on how to leverage social media as an environmental change strategy for cannabis prevention and adoption of health-promoting norms in school and community settings   A thought piece that applies lessons learned from underage drinking and tobacco use prevention programs to the evolving landscape of cannabis use this paper takes a restorative approach and provide recommendations to communities based on the successes and shortcomings of these programs. A presentation/ToolKit municipalities can use to learn about the implications of allowing retail cannabis businesses to operate in their community the tool kit will cover a variety of data-driven considerations communities may want to review and discuss prior to making any decisions. A communication frame that will compassionately educate parents caregivers and youth on the potential harms of cannabis use on young brains while reducing stigma. A new and improved multipronged cannabis prevention education tool to be used in an alternative to suspension programs the tool could be a standalone product for other school districts and community coalitions to use as an alternative to suspension program. A tool kit that prevention professionals and communities working on cannabis-related policy improvement can use to help support prevention and public health at a community level.   Link to view the recorded webinar (recorded on November 9, 2022). No continuing education is available. 

Learn more about Prevention in Action exploring Drug Take Back Day events and related efforts to reduce the illicit use of prescription medications across New England. This webinar includes a spotlight on what coalitions around the region are doing to support drug take-back as well as a presentation from the DEA on their new and ongoing initiatives.   Link to view the recorded webinar (recorded on October 27, 2022). No continuing education is available.   

   2022 RESEARCH & DESIGN (RAD) PRODUCTS: New research-based substance misuse prevention tools supporting the Changing Landscape of Cannabis with a Focus on the IC&RC Prevention Domains. Prevention Product Development for the New England Region. Link to view the recorded webinar (recorded on November 9, 2022).    USING SOCIAL MEDIA TO SUPPORT YOUTH CANNABIS PREVENTION: A STRATEGY GUIDE FOR PREVENTIONISTS AND COMMUNITY COALITIONS   This product is meant to serve as an introductory strategy guide for preventionists and community coalition members interested in using social media for primary prevention of cannabis use among youth in their communities. The guide introduces professionals to what social media is, the role it plays in cannabis prevention, recent research on the relationship between social media and youth cannabis use, practical considerations for developing social media, and how social media can be used to support different ICRC domains such as evaluation, communication, education and service delivery, community organization, and professional growth. READ MORE AND DOWNLOAD.     MOBILIZING COMMUNITY IN CANNABIS PREVENTION: A PREVENTION GUIDE IN THE ERA OF LEGALIZATION   This toolkit was created for prevention specialists who need some tips in navigating conversations with local lawmakers in the era of legalized cannabis use. Many prevention specialists feel discomfort in outreaching to their municipalities because they do not want to unintentionally advocate or lobby, as this is prohibited. This toolkit helps prevention specialists broach those conversations and clearly outlines the differences between advocacy and education. The latter is very much allowed and encouraged! READ MORE AND DOWNLOAD.     PREVENTING YOUTH USE OF CANNABIS: CANNABIS PREVENTION ALTERNATIVE TO SUSPENSION PROGRAM   An alternative to suspension curricula and facilitators guide built on best practices for cannabis prevention within indicated populations. READ MORE AND DOWNLOAD.     RESTORATIVE PRACTICES IN PREVENTION: TAKING A RELATIONSHIP-BASED APPROACH TO PREVENTING YOUTH CANNABIS USE THROUGH RESTORATIVE PRACTICES   A guide for community prevention efforts focused on keeping youth healthy while navigating the evolving cannabis landscape. Through adopting restorative practices and focusing on relationships, this guide seeks to support youth health and well-being while applying lessons learned from youth alcohol and tobacco use prevention efforts. READ MORE AND DOWNLOAD.     CANNABIS CONVERSATIONS: A TOOLKIT FOR COMMUNITIES WITH A HARM REDUCTION LENS A communication frame that will compassionately educate prevention professionals and community members on the impacts of cannabis use on young brains while not stigmatizing cannabis use for therapeutic or medical reasons. READ MORE AND DOWNLOAD.       HEALTHY COMMUNITY, HEALTHY PEOPLE: COMMUNITY CANNABIS POLICY TOOLKIT FOR THE VERMONT PREVENTION PROFESSIONAL A toolkit that prevention professionals and communities working on cannabis related policy improvement can use to help support prevention and public health at a community level. READ MORE AND DOWNLOAD.       View the 2021 products.