Prevention Programs

The parent organization of this group, AHM Youth and Family Services was awarded a federal grant, one of fewer than 200 nationwide communities to help combat local underage drinking, prescription drug abuse and the prevention of marijuana use.  The grant award, which is for five consecutive years, is funded through the Office of National Drug Control Policy and the Drug Free Communities Support Program.

The name CHEC came about through the collaborative efforts of members that serve on this community coalition.  The idea of the name change came about after many parents in the communities expressed ideas on ways to expand membership and support for AHM’s efforts to help keep children and teens drug free.  Throughout the second year of this grant, the coalition will be present at an ever increasing number of community events such as school open houses, farmers markets, town wide celebrations, and youth sporting events.  The idea is to help reach a new generation of families living in the regional community to share important wellness resources on parenting and health related topics.

CHEC, in collaboration with a recently formed RHAM High School Youth Group called RALLY, will work together with the goal of reducing substance use among youth.  Throughout the year the CHEC Coalition will sponsor parent and youth education forums, social marketing campaigns and community wide events such as the prescription drug TAKE BACK program.

For more information about the CHEC Coalition and the way to get involved, please contact the CHEC Project Coordinator, Brendan Grimm at BrendanG@ahmyouth.org.

AHM Prevention Coordinator Brendan Grimm (right) and RHAM Health teacher Christopher Mader at the bi-annual CADCA conference (Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America) in Atlanta, GA.  Hundreds of coalitions from every state in the country attend the 4 day national conference, all with the goal of drug prevention and keeping their communities safe!

According to AHM’s Drug and Alcohol Prevention Coordinator, Brendan Grimm: “local parents play a major role in their sons and daughters choices about alcohol, tobacco and other drugs.” In an April 2018 survey of teens, administered every 2 years at RHAM, teens expressed their perception that alcohol is easy to access. The survey also showed that only 74% of teens perceive alcohol as a risky behavior. Furthermore, the AHM community survey, which was also administered this past spring, revealed valuable information about alcohol. It showed the importance of the messages that parents give to their children. The data showed that when parents attitudes and rules are such that alcohol is risky for youth, it resulted in reported decrease in alcohol use. However, parents who reported to be neutral about the topic with their teen, or those who give the message that it is not harmful, resulted in increased reported use.

Here are a few FACTs for parents to consider about underage drinking in Connecticut:

* Youth under age 21 who are caught with possession of alcohol can also face motor vehicle sanctions, including the suspension of the minor’s operator’s license or a delay in their ability to obtain a license.

* Simply taking away the car keys does not solve all of the problems related to underage drinking. Take away the liquor, calling the parents of the offending minor, and getting help from the police is one of the most effective ways to ensure a teen’s safety if they have been drinking.

* There can also be civil and criminal consequences for adults that serve alcohol to minors.

* Parents can proactively take measures to help ensure these special times for teens are fun, yet safe and drug-free. For additional information, including the full list of parent tips and ideas, visit www.DrugFreeActionAlliance.org

* AHM is just a phone call away. If parents would like more information on ways to speak with teens about drugs and alcohol, there are resources available for you by calling 860-228-9488.

Throughout the school year, the AHM CHEC Coalition has a program called Parent Talks. These are periodic gatherings that bring parents together from the neighboring AHM communities to talk about topics such as underage drinking, and helping teens cope with other risks that exist in the world today facing young people. For more information, contact Brendan Grimm at the AHM offices by calling 860-228-9488.

Anyone is welcome to join the AHM CHEC Coalition, which meets on the first Wednesday of every month starting at 4 PM at the AHM offices on Pendleton Drive in Hebron.