Nashua Prevention Coalition
Posted by Ann Bellamy
on Jun 01, 2015
On June 1st, Jan Valuk and Monica Gallant from the Nashua Prevention Coalition, addressed the Rotary Club of Nashua about substance abuse in New Hampshire. Jan read a letter from a student whose cousin died from a drug overdose. Their mission is to increase Awareness and education. A recent survey revealed that Nashua 9th – 12th graders scored worse than the state average in alcohol, marijuana and prescription drugs.
NH is one of the worst states for underage drug abuse in the nation. Nashua youth doesn’t perceive this as risky behavior. Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death amoung 15-24 year old, and there is a direction correlation between substance misuse and mental illness. NH is 6th in the country for herion use. Alcohol and drug misuse caused NH more than 1.84 billion annually.
Nashua was awarded a Drug Free Community grant to assist, and they need to engage the community in the effort. One of their strategies is the Lock It Up campaign. Everyone can help by locking up their medications, both prescriptions and non-prescriptions. There is a prescription Drop Box at Nashua Police Department.
Red Ribbon week was in October, with Girls Inc, the Boys and Girls Club, and Nashua HS South participating o promote drug free behavior.
Student leaders in Nashua High Schools North and South participated in the Life of an Athlete program. This has resulted in a reduction of the drug use by athletes
Talk to your kids, refer employees to EAP, and lock up your medications. www.nashuacares.org