Products and Resources Catalog

While medical cannabis has been legal for some time in New England, the movement toward adult use cannabis legalization has gained traction over the last few years and now seems imminent for holdout states. However, each New England state has had a different approach to governing and regulating cannabis programs, which has influenced availability, access, and use. Understanding this influence and the context of use is critical for prevention. Join us for a review of New England state cannabis programs and a look at the data available to guide prevention work at the ground level.   ABOUT THE PRESENTER Join presenters from Public Consulting Group, the New England PTTC Evaluation Partner. Tim Diomede, MPP, Epidemiologist, Maine SEOW Coordinator Kim Magoon, MS, Evaluation Analyst Megan Hawkes, MPH, Program Manager, Evaluation   Link to view the recorded webinar (recorded on April 12, 2022). No continuing education is available.    PowerPoint Presentation

Many thanks, to all who shared their stories! Without you, this product wouldn't exist.   In the substance use disorder recovery and mental health recovery communities, people often tell their stories. This serves to heal the story teller, build community and empathy. These recovery stories are also used outside the recovery community to help build empathy and reduce stigma in populations without the lived experience of Substance Use Disorders. In substance misuse prevention, storytelling is not used as commonly or as productively as it is in these recovery communities. However, preventionists often ask people in recovery to tell their story as part of our work so there is something within us that drives us to share stories. With structure, or support, or follow up, storytelling in prevention work has shown to be a powerful tool to support larger points.    This product is a collection of stories that shed light on a variety of lived experiences that reflect some level of prevention, whether universal, selected, or indicated. These stories are told by people who made choices around substance use, but who did not develop a substance use disorder. This is one key difference between a recovery story and a prevention story. 

The latest edition of our bi-monthly newsletter is available. This month’s edition features our re-formatted vaping prevention courses into a microlearning toolkit, upcoming national public education campaigns, the summer internship application deadline is May 1st, the PTTC Network's NEW Map: Compilation of Prevention Specialist Certification Requirements, SAMHSA Marijuana infographic, and regionally and nationally developed events and tools to support and grow the prevention workforce in New England. View the newsletter.

          Brush up on your knowledge with this series of short lessons on vaping and prevention! Each lesson consists of a 5-10 minute video followed by a brief quiz. Topics include: effects of nicotine on the adolescent brain, public health implications of youth ENDS use and why vaping/e-cigarette use appeals to youth.   How to use: Complete the lessons yourself to increase your knowledge or share these lessons with your coalition members, for parent or youth education programs, or with others in your community. Lessons can be viewed in the online quiz format through the links below, or can be taught along with the discussion guide available for download to use with a group.   Option 1: Online Quiz Format To complete the lessons using the online quiz format, follow the link to each lesson below.   Nicotine and the Adolescent Brain How does nicotine use affect the adolescent brain and development? What are potential short and long-term effects of nicotine use during adolescence?   Neurobiology of Nicotine and Cannabis What happens in the brain when nicotine or cannabis are used in vapes or e-cigarettes?   Appeal of JUUL among Adolescents What motivates young people to vape and why do some products appeal more than others?   Public Health Concerns of Youth E-Cigarette Use What are the public health considerations of youth e-cigarette use? How might that differ from adult use?   Option 2: Discussion Guide To use the lessons with a group in a discussion format, follow the discussion guide below. Each lesson includes a link to the video, followed by a set of discussion questions and answers.   Lesson 1: Nicotine and the Adolescent Brain How does nicotine affect the adolescent brain? How does it affect development and does it have any long-term impacts?   Watch the video   Discussion Questions How does nicotine use at a young age relate to substance use later in life? What are the effects of nicotine on the adolescent brain? Can nicotine use lead to feelings of withdrawal? Answers Use of any substance, including nicotine found in e-cigarettes/vaping devices, as an adolescent increases risk of substance use disorder later in life. According to one study, 17% of people who first used marijuana at age 13 went on to develop a substance use disorder, compared to only 4% of people who first used marijuana after age 21, meaning those who used earlier were 4 times more likely to develop a substance use disorder. Research from both human and animal studies shows that early exposure to nicotine while the brain is still developing is associated with impairments in attention and working memory as well as risk for mood disorders and impulse control problems, along with increased risk for development of a substance use disorder. Stopping the use of nicotine can lead to withdrawal symptoms as quickly as 4 hours after cessation, and gradually taper off over 3-4 weeks of cessation.   Learn more New England PTTC Vaping Prevention Resources and Information In the Air is a graphic medicine built to foster conversations with and among young people around vaping, choices about substance use, and social factors. Available in English, Spanish and Portuguese. A New England PTTC product. Tips for Teens: E-Cigarettes - Resource from SAMHSA Reducing Vaping Among Youth and Young Adults - Resource from SAMHSA   Lesson 2: Neurobiology of Nicotine and Cannabis What happens in the brain when cannabis is used in vapes or e-cigarettes? Language note: In this guide, we have used the term cannabis to refer to cannabis/marijuana. If you are using this guide with an audience who may be more familiar with another term, either marijuana or a different term, please substitute that word as needed.   Watch the video Discussion Questions What are some of the chemicals that make up a cannabis product? What are some of the short-term effects of cannabis use? Is it possible to become addicted to cannabis? Which vaping products contain higher potency chemicals? Answers THC (delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol) are the two most common of the 500 chemicals found within the cannabis plant. THC is the psychoactive component that causes the “high” feeling and can impair cognitive and motor function. THC is illegal on the federal level but legal for medical or adult-use in many states. Short term effects of cannabis use may include a heightened sense of perception, poor attention and judgement, increased anxiety or paranoia, or decreased pain, among other effects. Yes, Cannabis Use Disorder is the term for a disorder in which a person is reliant on cannabis use. Just as a person may become dependent on alcohol or nicotine, especially with frequent use, a person can also become dependent on cannabis. A person with cannabis use disorder may experience withdrawal symptoms like irritability, restlessness, difficulty sleeping, and hot flashes Both nicotine and cannabis vaping products can contain very high potency chemicals. For example, a typical vaping pod or cartridge may contain the equivalent of 1 pack of cigarettes and can be consumed very rapidly. Likewise, the typical concentration of THC in a vaping cartridge can be 6-8 times higher than the concentration of a typical smoked product.   Learn more Cannabis/Marijuana Use Disorder Prevention and Youth Cannabis Use Toolkit (PTTC Network) Marijuana & Vaping - The Triangulum: The Future is Now   Lesson 3: Appeal of JUUL among Adolescents How does cannabis use impact driving and road safety? This lesson reviews the impacts of cannabis use on road safety and policy and enforcement considerations in states with and without legalized cannabis.   Watch the video   Discussion Questions What did adolescents report as the top reasons for liking JUUL or vaping products? What reasons did adolescents provide for not liking JUUL or vaping products? What regulatory policies would these findings support to address vape use among adolescents? Answers In the study discussed in this video, which surveyed high school students in Connecticut about their views on vaping, students reported that they liked JUUL primarily because they like the “buzz,” their friends use it, and they like the flavors. Students who reported that they liked the “buzz” also reported more frequent use of vaping products. On the other hand, the most common reasons students reported disliking JUUL or vaping products were because they are too expensive, they have too much nicotine, or it gives them headaches. This study provides some useful insight into policy and environmental strategies to reduce adolescent vaping. For example, it suggests limiting nicotine content and flavor options may help reduce adolescent use. Increasing taxes or the price of vaping products may also help reduce adolescent use. Learn more Kong, G., Bold, K. W., Morean, M. E., Bhatti, H., Camenga, D. R., Jackson, A., & Krishnan-Sarin, S. (2019). Appeal of JUUL among adolescents. Drug and alcohol dependence, 205, 107691. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2019.107691. Abstract accessible at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31706249/   Lesson 4: Public Health Concerns of Youth E-Cigarette Use What are the public health considerations of youth e-cigarette use? How might that differ from adult use?   Watch the video   Discussion Questions What are some of the major public health concerns of youth vaping/e-cigarette use? Are e-cigarettes an FDA-approved tobacco cessation product? How does exposure to nicotine and other chemicals differ between e-cigarettes and combustible cigarettes? Answers exposure at an early age can be detrimental to brain development and lead to nicotine dependence. There is also an increased risk that adolescents who start using vaping products will transition to combustible tobacco products (cigarettes, etc.). Another major risk is exposure to toxicants within the e-cigarette products. The FDA has not currently approved e-cigarette/vaping products as a tobacco cessation product for adults or adolescents. Some other countries, such as the United Kingdom, have approved certain vaping devices for tobacco cessation for adults, although typically with lower limits on the allowable nicotine content. Compared to combustible cigarettes, e-cigarettes contain fewer and lower levels of toxicants. However, people tend to use e-cigarettes more frequently throughout the day, so their exposure to chemicals contained in e-cigarette products can be high.   Learn more New England PTTC Vaping Prevention Resources and Information The Stanford Vaping Prevention Toolkit   Interested in learning more about cannabis prevention? Check out our Microlearning Toolkit: Cannabis Prevention 101.

  Link to view the recorded webinar (recorded on March 4, 2022). No continuing education is available.  Date: March 4, 2022 Format: Webinar   Time: 11:30 AM—12:30 PM EST Cost: FREE Registration (Certificate of Attendance) $25 Fee for Continuing Education Credits Note the CEU fee is for Maine Behavioral Health professionals to cover the cost of issuing those CEUs, for everyone else, when you register you can select the Free option and you will get a certificate of attendance.   ABOUT THE LEARNING SESSION   New England PTTC will be co-Sponsoring the March installment of Maine’s Governor Janet Mills’ Opioid Response Summit Seminar Series, which will be focused on the topic of the intersection of brain injury and substance use disorder. The seminar is being conducted in partnership and featured speakers from the Maine/New Hampshire chapter of the Brain Injury Association of America.   Along with the epidemic of overdoses, there has been a parallel rise in sustained and often permanent cognitive disability resulting from a loss of oxygen to the brain. This webinar will provide an overview of the relationship between brain injury and substance use, and introduce the practical steps providers can take to recognize the cognitive impact of overdoses.  New resources to support provider screening, assessment, and intervention will be introduced.   Presenter: Carolyn Lemsky, Ph.D.,C.Psych ABPP-CN Moderator: Steve Wade, MBA - Consulting Executive Director, Brain Injury Association of America – Maine Chapter   About the webinar: This webinar is co-sponsored by the New England Prevention Technology Transfer Center, administered by AdCare Educational Institute of Maine, Inc. The New England Prevention Technology Transfer Center program is funded by SAMHSA of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). This webinar is planned in response to an identified need to provide training and information on brain injury and substance use disorders for New England (CT, ME, MA, NH, RI, VT) prevention professionals. The contents of New England PTTC programs are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by SAMHSA/HHS, or the U.S. Government.

The latest edition of our bi-monthly newsletter is available. This month’s edition features updates on our teams recent travel, training, and networking experience, a toolkit for Parks & Recreation Departments, a guide to Restorative Prevention, honoring and embracing Black history month in February, Awareness + Action: March is Problem Gambling Awareness Month, announcing the most recent Leadership Development Program, and regionally and nationally developed events and tools to support and grow the prevention workforce in New England. View the newsletter.

The latest edition of our bi-monthly newsletter is available. This month’s edition features the announcement of the In the Air, Graphic Novel translated into Portuguese and Spanish, congrats to the 2021 Prevention Mentorship Participants for completion of the program, our new Virtual Booth, resources supporting December is National Impaired Driving Prevention Month, and regionally and nationally developed events and tools to support and grow the prevention workforce in New England. View the newsletter.

Ver esta página en Portugués View this page in English El Aire es una medicina gráfica En creada para fomentar las conversaciones con y entre los jóvenes sobre el vapeo, las opciones sobre el uso de sustancias y los factores sociales. Esta historia al estilo de una novela gráfica de cinco adolescentes que van a la escuela secundaria incorpora la ciencia del comportamiento de la prevención del abuso de sustancias con las historias, el interés y las ideas de los miembros de los Embajadores Juveniles de Rhode Island sin tabaco. La novela tiene preguntas para ayudar a guiar la discusión, una base de investigación sólida y raíces en factores de riesgo y protección.   Obtenga una vista previa de las primeras 15 páginas Vista previa (en inglés) Vista previa (en portugués) Vista previa (en español)   En el formulario de solicitud de versión completa de En El Aire Graphic Medicine.* El PTTC de Nueva Inglaterra solo puede enviar copias en papel a quienes trabajan o viven en la Región 1 del HHS (ME, NH, VT, MA, CT, RI). Si solicita una copia desde fuera de la Región 1 del HHS, nos complace enviarle una copia electrónica (formato PDF) para descargar. Complete el formulario de solicitud de medicina gráfica en el aire.   Para Facilitadores En el aire, Guía de implementación de medicina gráfica: un facilitador que implemente En el aire como plan de estudios debe tener capacitación para fomentar la conversación sobre el contenido de la historia. La historia está diseñada para ofrecer muchas incursiones de conversación, algunas más sutiles que otras, sobre una variedad de temas, incluido el abuso de sustancias, el noviazgo y la violencia en el noviazgo, el cambio, el duelo, la pubertad, la toma de decisiones, las presiones sociales, la elección y las consecuencias, los valores familiares. , y más. Descargue la Guía de implementación para facilitadores. Descarga la Guía (a todo color) Descargar la Guía (escala de grises)   ¿Preguntas? Comuníquese con Sarah Johnson, Coordinadora del Proyecto de Capacitación, PTTC de Nueva Inglaterra: [email protected]   Acerca de este recurso: Este recurso se desarrolló para abordar una necesidad identificada en la Región 1 del HHS (ME, NH, VT, MA, CT, RI) para proporcionar una herramienta para la prevención del abuso de sustancias, específicamente para la prevención del vapeo que los jóvenes (medios y altos escuela), especialistas en prevención que trabajan con jóvenes, maestros de salud / bienestar en la escuela media y secundaria, líderes de grupos de jóvenes y más podrían usar para hablar sobre la prevención del vapeo.

Ver esta página en Español View this page in English   No ar é uma romance de medicina gráfica para encorajar conversas entre jovens sobre o uso do vape, escolhas sobre o uso de substâncias e fatores sociais. Esta história em estilo de romance gráfico de cinco adolescentes indo para o ensino médio incorpora a ciência comportamental da prevenção do uso indevido de substâncias com as histórias, interesses e ideias dos membros dos Jovens Embaixadores do Tabaco Livre de Rhode Island. O romance tem perguntas para ajudar a orientar a discussão, uma forte base de pesquisa e raízes em fatores de risco e proteção.   Visualize as primeiras 15 páginas. Antevisão (em Inglês) Antevisão (em português) Antevisão (em espanhol)   Formulário de solicitação de versão completa do No ar romance de medicina gráfica. * cópia em papel ou cópia eletrônica (formato PDF) para download * O New England PTTC só pode enviar cópias impressas para aqueles que trabalham / moram na Região 1 do HHS (ME, NH, VT, MA, CT, RI). Se você estiver solicitando uma cópia de fora da Região 1 do HHS, teremos o prazer de enviar uma cópia eletrônica (formato PDF) para download. Por favor, preencha o No ar, romance de medicina gráficaformulário de solicitação.   Guia de implementação do facilitador em breve!   Perguntas? Entre em contato com Sarah Johnson, Coordenadora do Projeto de Treinamento, New England PTTC: [email protected]   Sobre este recurso: Este recurso foi desenvolvido para atender a uma necessidade identificada no HHS Região 1 (ME, NH, VT, MA, CT, RI) de fornecer uma ferramenta para a prevenção do uso indevido de substâncias, especificamente para a prevenção de vapores que jovens (médio e alto) escola), especialistas em prevenção que trabalham com jovens, professores de saúde / bem-estar no ensino fundamental e médio, líderes de grupos de jovens e outros podem usar para falar sobre prevenção de vaporização.

Link to view the recorded webinar (recorded on November 16, 2021). No continuing education is available.    Held on Tuesday, November 16 from 3:00-4:30. A virtual event sharing stories, information, and messages on how to promote wellness and prevent underage drinking in Maine youth. Guest speakers: Sterling Campbell is a professional musician with the B-52s. Sterling has also toured with David Bowie, Cyndi Lauper, Soul Asylum and played throughout the U.S. and Europe. Matt Bellace is a psychologist and comedian who addresses substance use and mental health for young people and adults across the country. Greg Marley is the director of suicide prevention at NAMI Maine, providing education, support and awareness for suicide prevention in Maine communities and schools. In addition to guest speakers, you will also hear from students around the state promoting ways to talk about wellness and substance use. This event is a collaboration among the New England Prevention Technology Transfer Center, River Valley Rising, Be the Influence Windham-Raymond, Gardiner Area Thrives/Alliance for Substance Abuse Prevention, and Casco Bay CAN, in partnership with the SAMHSA Region 1 office.  

Brush up on your cannabis knowledge with this series of short lessons on cannabis and prevention! Each lesson consists of a 5-10 minute video followed by a brief quiz. Topics include the basic differences between THC, CBD and hemp, how drug screening and confirmation for cannabis works, the effects of cannabis consumption on road safety, and the role of prevention in cannabis policy decisions.   How to use: Complete the lessons yourself to increase your knowledge or share these lessons with your coalition members, for parent or youth education programs, or with others in your community. Lessons can be viewed in the online quiz format through the links below or can be taught along with the discussion guide available for download to use with a group.   Option 1: Online Quiz Format To complete the lessons using the online quiz format, follow the link to each lesson below.   Cannabis, THC and CBD – What are they? Cannabis, hemp, THC, CBD, what’s the difference? This lesson briefly reviews each of these substances and where they come from.   Cannabis and Drug Screening and Testing How does drug screening for cannabis work and what does it detect? This lesson reviews what drug screening and confirmation testing are, what they can (and can’t) detect and other considerations of urine drug screening.   Cannabis and Driving Safety How does cannabis use impact driving and road safety? This lesson reviews the impacts of cannabis use on road safety and policy and enforcement considerations in states with and without legalized cannabis.   Cannabis Policy - Where Prevention Fits What is the role of prevention in cannabis policy at the municipal/local or organization level? This lesson reviews the various types of policy that preventionists can be aware of and how to strategize for effective policy change.   Option 2: Discussion Guide To use the lessons with a group in a discussion format, follow the discussion guide below. Each lesson includes a link to the video, followed by a set of discussion questions and answers.     Lesson 1: Cannabis, THC and CBD – What are they? Cannabis, hemp, THC, CBD, what’s the difference? This lesson briefly reviews each of these substances and where they come from.   Watch the video   Discussion Questions What does the term cannabis refer to? What are THC and CBD? Are they related? Is hemp the same as cannabis? Why is it important that we understand the terminology of cannabis?   Answers Cannabis refers to the plant (typically Cannabis Sativa or Cannabis Indica) that THC, CBD, and other cannabis products are derived from. Cannabis is the scientific name for the plant that may be referred to as a marijuana plant in some settings.   THC (delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol) are the two most common of the 500 chemicals found within the cannabis plant. THC is the psychoactive component that causes the “high” feeling and can impair cognitive and motor function. THC is illegal on the federal level but legal for medical or adult-use in many states.   CBD is not psychoactive and is thought to balance some of the negative effects of THC. It has potential medical applications in large doses as an anticonvulsant used to treat epilepsy. The FDA currently allows CBD products such as lotions and topical products, but not CBD for consumption in food or beverages.   Hemp is a variant of the cannabis plant without THC. Hemp plants can be farmed and harvested for fibers often used to make rope, fabric and other applications. Hemp agriculture is governed by the USDA and cannot contain more than 0.03% THC in dry weight.   Learn more The Marijuana Education Toolkit (PTTC Network) Marijuana DrugFacts (National Institute on Drug Abuse) Research, Policies, and Practices: Federal and Community-level Perspectives on Vaping (PTTC Network) Preventing Marijuana Use Among Youth - Resource from SAMHSA       Lesson 2: Cannabis and Drug Screening and Testing How does drug screening and confirmation testing for cannabis work and what does it detect (or not)?   Watch the video   Discussion Questions What are the key differences between a urine drug screen and a confirmation test? Can secondhand exposure to THC result in a positive drug screen? Can CBD-use result in a positive drug screen? Does your state have policies limiting use of drug screening tests in the workplace or other settings?   Answers Urine screens are commonly used to provide quick results. They are often used at point-of-care testing and typically identify "positive" or "negative" results for the presence of certain drug classes in the urine. Screens can lead to false positive or negative results. Confirmations are more accurate laboratory tests that take longer but provide more accurate and detailed results. A confirmation can identify specific substances and the amount of substance present in the test.   If a screening test uses the standard cutoff of 50ng/mL, it extremely unlikely for someone to test positive having only been exposed secondhand given the amount of smoke they would have to be exposed to at that level. For screening tests that use a lower cutoff like 20ng/mL, it is possible because the results can be more variable, but still not likely.   CBD does not cross well with most urine drug screens, meaning it is unlikely that it would lead to a positive result, but it is possible that large amounts of CBD combined with other factors like trace amounts of THC in the products could result in a positive test. However, follow up confirmation testing can distinguish THC from CBD. One related issue is that studies have shown that CBD products are not always accurately tested and labeled regarding their CBD and THC content, so it is possible for someone who uses CBD products regularly to have inadvertent THC exposure if products are not accurately labeled.   State policies regarding the use of urine drug screening in different settings may vary, especially for use in the workplace. Some states have policies limiting use of drug screening for cannabis while others may not.   Learn More Moeller, Karen E., Julie C. Kissack, Rabia S. Atayee, and Kelly C. Lee. “Clinical Interpretation of Urine Drug Tests: What Clinicians Need to Know About Urine Drug Screens.” Mayo Clinic Proceedings (2017)       Lesson 3: Cannabis and Road Safety: How does cannabis use impact driving and road safety? This lesson reviews the impacts of cannabis use on road safety and policy and enforcement considerations in states with and without legalized cannabis.   Watch the video   Discussion Questions What are the possible effects of cannabis that can impair driving ability? What are some examples of negative effects of cannabis use on driving? For how long after cannabis use could driving ability be impaired? What are some of the enforcement challenges related to cannabis-impaired driving?   Answers Cannabis use can impact several areas related to driving. THC, the psychoactive component of cannabis, can impair motor coordination and impair perception. It can also slow reaction time and impair ability to make decisions, all of which can influence driving. Under the influence of cannabis, some common driving safety effects are delayed braking, not maintaining a consistent speed or driving too slow (which can be dangerous) and not maintaining a safe distance between cars.   While THC levels begin to drop within a few minutes of stopping use (while smoking), performance can be impaired for another 1-2 hours after use, which may be longer than a person feels the subjective high. For edible products, the peak effects occur anywhere from 2-4 hours after use and may last as long as 4-12 hours.   A major challenge for enforcement of cannabis-impaired driving is that there is no accurate roadside test currently available, especially since cannabis can remain in a person’s system for several days or longer. A standardized field sobriety test may be used but is not always effective. Combined use of alcohol and cannabis is becoming more common, and alcohol can be detected through roadside testing. Use of primary enforcement seatbelt laws may help prevent cannabis-impaired driving.   Learn More Does marijuana use affect driving? (National Institute on Drug Abuse) Marijuana Use and Driving. (Teen Driver Source)  Brands B, Di Ciano P, Mann RE. Cannabis, Impaired Driving, and Road Safety: An Overview of Key Questions and Issues. (Front Psychiatry. 2021)       Lesson 4: Cannabis Policy - Where Prevention Fits What is the role of prevention in cannabis policy at the municipal/local or organization level? This lesson reviews the various types of policy that preventionists can be aware of and how to strategize for effective policy change.   Watch the video   Discussion Questions Besides the federal and state level, what are other policy levels where cannabis policy should be considered? Zoning, limits on number of dispensaries, and school buffer zones are some examples of cannabis policies that can be enacted at what level? What elements are important to making effective policy change?   Answers In addition to federal and state laws on cannabis, many other policy levels should consider cannabis. Some examples include municipalities, K-12 and college/university school systems, healthcare organizations, housing/residential programs, and employers.   While some state laws on cannabis may include stipulations on zoning, density limits or buffer zones, these policies are often enacted at the local/municipal level. A community that is deciding to opt-in or opt-out of a state cannabis policy should consider these factors.   Training, communication, monitoring and evaluation, and strategy for periodic policy review/revision are key elements of the policy change cycle. These elements align with the Strategic Prevention Framework in many ways.   Learn More Prevention and Youth Cannabis Use Toolkit (PTTC Network) Cannabis: People before Profits. The Evolution of Cannabis Policies and Where Prevention Fits In (Recorded Webinar – PTTC Network) A Prevention Practitioners' Toolkit to Understanding HHS Region 10 State Cannabis Policies and Regulations (PTTC Network)   Interested in learning more about vaping prevention? Check out our Microlearning Toolkit: Vaping Prevention 101. 

  2021 RESEARCH & DESIGN (RAD)PRODUCTS: New research-based substance misuse prevention tools supporting Diversity & Intentional Inclusion in Prevention, in New England.   CANNABIS IN THE UNITED STATES A TOOLKIT FOR NON-CITIZENS IN MAINE The toolkit provides education for immigrants, refugees, asylum seekers, and green card holders about cannabis, which some states have legalized but remains federally illicit. The toolkit (including a fact sheet) is translated into eight languages identified as priorities by community partners in Maine. The toolkit aims to support non-citizens in making informed decisions about working in the cannabis industry or how using cannabis may impact legal standing as a non-citizen. Read more and download.   RESTORATIVE PREVENTION: HOW CENTERING EQUITY IN PRIMARY PREVENTION CAN BUILD HEALTHY COMMUNITIES AND PREVENT SUBSTANCE MISUSE A guide for local and regional substance misuse prevention efforts seeks to improve community health by building relationships and a sense of connectedness while paying close attention to those that are often excluded. Read more and download.         SUBSTANCE MISUSE PREVENTION WITH LGBTQIA+ YOUTH: A HEALTH EDUCATOR'S GUIDE A self-guided and reflective tool that is inclusive of evidence-based practices, risk, and protective factors, and coping skills specific to LGBTQ+ youth for educators to utilize when developing and evaluating their own curriculum and informational products, to ensure they are being intentional with their inclusion and support of LGBTQIA+ youth. Read more and download.     QUEER-INCLUSIVE PROGRAMMING: AN ALLY’S GUIDE TO PREVENTION A resource for prevention providers that showcases the importance of working with the LGBTQ+ community, how to launch queer-inclusive programming in a meaningful way, and collect inclusive data around sexual orientation and gender identity. The guidance document includes state-specific infographics for all of New England. Read more and download.         AMERICAN INDIAN: SUBSTANCE MISUSE PREVENTION WITH NEW ENGLAND NATIVE POPULATIONS A toolkit to provide Prevention Specialists who work with Native American communities the ability to better understand the culture, use data for future funding specific to Native communities, and carry out the implementation of evidence-based programs that are inclusive of their culture. It addresses and provides guidance on health disparities within the Native American Tribes. Read more and download.       TRENDING DATA NOW: A GUIDE TO CONDUCTING YOUR OWN VIRTUAL RISK BEHAVIOR SURVEY This guide is designed to help schools administer a shortened youth risk behavior survey more frequently. This shortened survey focuses on mental health, substance use, perceptions, and assets. Many of the questions are identical to those from the full survey, which allows schools and health officials to draw comparisons between already existing longitudinal data. This shortened survey is also available through SurveyMonkey, a user-friendly digital format that allows students to complete the survey using school-provided computers or tablets. Read more and download.       View the 2022 products.

Recovery & Resiliency with Real Students (HHS Region 1) Brought to you by the New England PTTC and SAMHSA Region 1   This webinar is one of the New England PTTC's prevention trainings (recorded October 20, 2021). No continuing education is available. Contact us if you have any questions.   Course Summary: Listen to hear student testimony and learn how commitment, collaboration, and compassion, work together to make recovery possible with welcoming remarks from SAMHSA’s Office of the Assistant Secretary, Office of Recovery. SAMHSA would like to highlight the successes of recovery high schools in MA while addressing the barriers communities sometimes face during implementation and emphasizing the importance of cross-sector collaboration. This is also an opportunity to share those best practices with neighboring states and community leaders.   Link to view the recorded webinar (recorded on October 20, 2021). No continuing education is available. 

The eleventh edition of our bi-monthly newsletter is available. This month’s edition features the National Youth Substance Use Prevention Month, Information Sheet – Overview of Connecticut Cannabis Legalization Law PA 21-1, Podcast talking about the roles and focus of the prevention field in today's environment, upcoming events including the Fellowship Symposium and Learning Labs, and regionally and nationally developed events and tools to support and grow the prevention workforce in New England. View the newsletter.

A downloadable four-page (PDF document) that provides an overview of Connecticut Cannabis Legalization Law PA 21-1. The document highlights the following topics: Public Safety Placement & Access Product & Potency Promotion & Advertising Pricing

The tenth edition of our bi-monthly newsletter is available. This month’s edition features the Leadership Development Program, research by RAND on Protective Behavioral Strategies for Marijuana Scale, the (NCSACW) recently developed Working with Adolescents: Practice Tips and Resource Guide, August is National Wellness Month, regionally and nationally developed events and tools to support and grow the prevention workforce in New England. View the newsletter.

New England PTTC Webinar Series: Evaluation for Substance Use Prevention Professionals   RECORDED WEBINARS AVAILABLE ON-DEMAND Part 1: RECORDED ON December 2, 2020. Watch on-demand at https://youtu.be/fIExqfs8p7c. Part 2: RECORDED ON February 24, 2021. Watch on-demand at https://youtu.be/IbJdkuYH0nU.  Part 3: RECORDED ON April 14, 2021. Watch on-demand at https://youtu.be/yFfzp_wz_Xw. Part 4: RECORDED ON June 23, 2021. Watch on-demand at https://youtu.be/w0YEyru3N9Y   ABOUT THE LEARNING SESSION: Prevention funding often requires program evaluation to demonstrate impacts, successes, challenges, opportunities, and efficiencies. However, conducting an evaluation is a science with many steps along the way. Join Public Consulting Group (PCG) on June 23 at 1:00 pm for Part 4 of a four-part webinar series on evaluation for substance use prevention professionals.   LEARNING OBJECTIVES Over four sessions, this webinar series will: Provide basic understanding of prevention science and the role of evaluation Describe evaluation planning and types of evaluation Discuss data collection tools and gap analysis techniques Discuss strategies for data analysis and communicating findings to stakeholders   The New England PTTC Evaluation Webinar Series dates are: Dec. 2, Feb. 24, April 14, and June 23. Recordings of previous webinars will be made available for on-demand viewing. This event listing may be updated with specific objectives for the June 23 session at a later date.   This series is intended for professionals in HHS Region 1 (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont).   About the Presenters: Megan Hawkes, MPH, Research Supervisor, and Kim Magoon, MS, Research Analyst at Public Consulting Group are the lead evaluators for the New England PTTC, as well as several other prevention and human services projects in New England and around the country. This webinar is intended for professionals in HHS Region 1 (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont).

This tool is serving prevention specialists that want to establish positive relationships with South West Asian, Northern African (SWANA) populations and those who are already working with this population and want to improve their cultural humility. The goal of this product is to help lessen the barriers that prevention specialists and SWANA populations may face when discussing substance misuse and addiction. Covered in this tool are geography of SWANA populations within new England, linguistics to consider, substances specific to this population, risk and protective factors, and New England state-specific resources for people who identify as a part of SWANA with whom prevention specialist may want to connect. This tool was written in the spring of 2021, during a time of increasing cultural awareness and humility which when incorporated into all aspects of life will benefit everyone.    This resource is specific to the New England region which includes Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Hampshire, and Vermont. This tool speaks to some specific cultural aspects of SWANA people, often referred to as the Middle Eastern region, discussed further in the Linguistic section.

In this tool, you can see how you can use each step to inform your practices. Feel free to use this map with stakeholders, a coalition, or community members to explain the process and how you'll use this tool. At the end of this guide, there is a survey that you can use with your organization, coalition, or group to assess your strengths and areas of growth. The New England PTTC will create a report from your organization-specific data which you can share with your team to assess what areas you may want to focus your work around diversity and inclusion. You may return to this tool when you have determined which areas you want to work on for thoughts on what you might do to improve.   Prevention specialists make a commitment to serving the community. To serve a community fully and equitably, the prevention specialist must recognize that not all parts of the community receive prevention messaging and programing the same way. In order to reach all the diverse parts of your population, you must make intentional efforts to identify, understand, and speak to the full variety of people you serve.

New England PTTC Webinar Series: Evaluation for Substance Use Prevention Professionals   RECORDED WEBINARS AVAILABLE ON-DEMAND Part 1: RECORDED ON December 2, 2020. Watch on-demand at https://youtu.be/fIExqfs8p7c. Part 2: RECORDED ON February 24, 2021. Watch on-demand at https://youtu.be/IbJdkuYH0nU.  Part 3: RECORDED ON April 14, 2021. Watch on-demand at https://youtu.be/yFfzp_wz_Xw. Part 4: RECORDED ON June 23, 2021. Watch on-demand at https://youtu.be/w0YEyru3N9Y   Part 3: Conducting a Program Evaluation Prevention funding often requires program evaluation to demonstrate impacts, successes, challenges, opportunities, and efficiencies. However, conducting an evaluation is a science with many steps along the way. Join Public Consulting Group (PCG) on April 14 at 1:00 pm for Part 3 of a four-part webinar series on evaluation for substance use prevention professionals.   Over four sessions, this webinar series will: Provide basic understanding of prevention science and the role of evaluation Describe evaluation planning and types of evaluation Discuss data collection tools and gap analysis techniques Discuss strategies for data analysis and communicating findings to stakeholders   The New England PTTC Evaluation Webinar Series dates are: Dec. 2, Feb. 24, April 14, and June 23. Recordings of previous webinars will be made available for on-demand viewing. This event listing may be updated with specific objectives for the April 14 session at a later date.   About the Presenters: Megan Hawkes, MPH, Research Supervisor, and Kim Magoon, MS, Research Analyst at Public Consulting Group are the lead evaluators for the New England PTTC, as well as several other prevention and human services projects in New England and around the country. This webinar is intended for professionals in HHS Region 1 (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont).

The eighth edition of our bi-monthly newsletter is available. This month’s edition features the launch of In the Air, a graphic medicine built to foster conversations with and among the young, a roadmap tool to assist new prevention professionals, in New England, to hit the ground running during the orientation phase, wellness resources from the PTTC network, awareness campaign toolkits, and regionally and nationally developed events and tools to support and grow the prevention workforce in New England. View the newsletter.

Ver esta página en Portugués Ver esta página en Español In the Air is a graphic medicine built to foster conversations with and among young people around vaping, choices about substance use, and social factors. This graphic novel-styled story of five teens going through high school incorporates behavioral science of substance misuse prevention with the stories, interests, and ideas of members of the Tobacco Free Rhode Island Youth Ambassadors. The novel has questions to help guide the discussion, a strong research base, and roots in risk and protective factors.   Preview and download (PDF) of the first 15 pages.  Preview (in English) Preview (in Portuguese) Preview (in Spanish)   In the Air Graphic Medicine request form, click here to request the full version; *printed copy or electronic copy (PDF format) to download.*The New England PTTC is only able to mail printed copies to those working/living in HHS Region 1 (ME, NH, VT, MA, CT, RI). If you’re requesting a copy from outside of HHS Region 1, we're happy to send you an electronic copy (PDF format) to download. Please complete the In the Air, Graphic Medicine Request Form.   For Facilitators In the Air, Graphic Medicine Implementation Guide - A facilitator who implements In the Air as a curriculum should have training on fostering conversation around the content of the story. The story is designed to offer many inroads of conversation, some more subtle than others, over a variety of topics, including substance misuse, dating and dating violence, change, grief, puberty, decision making, social pressures, choice and consequences, family values, and more.   Download the Facilitators Implementation Guide. Download the Guide (full color) Download the Guide (grayscale)   Facilitator Training If you're planning to facilitate conversations using the New England PTTC Vaping Prevention Graphic Medicine In the Air, join us to learn how to use the new materials and the tool together to get the most out of your session. View the recorded webinar.   Questions? Contact Sarah Harlow, Co-Director, New England PTTC: [email protected]   About this resource: This resource was developed to address a need identified in HHS Region 1 (ME, NH, VT, MA, CT, RI) to provide a tool for substance misuse prevention, specifically for vaping prevention that young people (middle and high school), prevention specialists who work with young people, health/wellness teachers in middle and high school, youth group leaders, and more could use to talk about vaping prevention.

This resource is adapted by the New England PTTC from a resource created in partnership with the Maine Prevention Workforce Development Workgroup, convened by AdCare Educational Institute of Maine under contract with the Maine Center for Disease Control. It aims to meet universal developmental training needs of the substance misuse prevention workforce in New England. This resource is not specific to any one funding source or program. This resource can be used by new preventionists entering the field working in any federal, state, or locally funded prevention coalition, organization, or initiative. With this resource, the New England PTTC hopes to provide a strong science-based overview of the field for new professionals to assist them in getting through the orientation phase and into the work they came to do more quickly, and with a shared perspective throughout the region. Specific substance use prevention initiatives likely have their own onboarding process and tools that are program-specific. This resource is offered to supplement these program specific trainings, and give a scope of the prevention field. This document is a living document that will change as the field of substance use prevention changes within the state, regionally, and nationally.  Prevention specialists are welcome to return to this document at any point to review 101 level concept and ideas. This document is interactive in that almost every graphic is clickable to bring you to an in-depth and reliable resource to learn more about the discussed topic. Many words are underlined to help break complex topics down into more details, as well. These links will be updated as this document is updated if more timely research or data is found within the field.    For Prevention Directors and Supervisors The Prevention Domain Video Series, along with the New England Prevention Specialist Onboarding and Orientation Roadmap, can be very helpful resources for when you are onboarding new employees to your organization who are brand new to the field of prevention. Both the roadmap and video series provides a well-rounded, and evidence-based, overview of what it means to be a prevention professional. This video series was purposefully crafted to provide both the factual information about each of the competencies, but also some great stories and anecdotes to illustrate what these look like in action. We encourage you to weave these into the onboarding process for your new prevention professionals.    About the product: This productwas developed to address a need identified in HHS Region 1 (ME, NH, VT, MA, CT, RI) to provide substance misuse prevention professionals with tools for substance misuse prevention.      Browse the New Prevention Specialist Credentialing Interactive Map from the PTTC Network Coordinating Office & The International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC). 

Unsure of what CBD is and how it is related to cannabis and THC? In this webinar, Dr. Karen Simone will review the differences between CBD, THC and cannabis, what is the evidence for clinical use of CBD and how prescription CBD differs from commercially available CBD products. As state policies on cannabis and related products continue to evolve, it is important for prevention professionals to stay aware of what products exist and how they are used.   About the Presenter: Dr. Karen Simone is the Director of the Northern New England Poison Center, which serves the states of Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. She is an Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine at Tufts University School of Medicine. A Certified Specialist in Poison Information, Dr. Simone holds a Doctorate in Pharmacy, is a member of the American Academy of Clinical Toxicology (AACT), a Diplomate of the American Board of Applied Toxicology (ABAT) and a Fellow of the American Academy of Clinical Toxicology.   This webinar is intended for professionals in HHS Region 1 (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont).   Link to view the recorded webinar (recorded on March 9, 2021). No continuing education is available.