Community Impact Team Announces 2019 Prevention Week

The North Reading Community Impact Team’s Youth Substance Use Prevention Coalition has announced programming for Prevention Week 2019 during the week of June 10-June 14. This week-long intensive focus on providing education will host multiple free workshops to the community and students. Drug-Free Communities Grant Director Amy Luckiewicz explained, “We host workshops and educational activities all year. But Prevention Week is an intensive week that we hope will help educate the community and draw attention to substance use prevention.” She added, “This year, we’re thrilled to introduce two mental health-related workshops as well.” In addition to providing information, the community is being asked to drop off any unused prescription drugs at the North Reading Police Department during Prevention Week. Luckiewicz noted, “The drug drop-off box is available every day, all day at NRPD. We’re asking the community to commit now to cleaning out their cabinets and get unused prescription drugs out of their homes.” The drop-off box is located in the lobby of NRPD and free of charge.

The Coalition will partner with NRPD officers to offer free workshops to adults and students on vaping and how to spot some red flags of substance use. “Vaping 101: is a workshop that teaches adults the current trends in vaping and risks associated with vape use. Workshops on vaping will be held Monday, June 10th in the morning and Tuesday, June 11th in the evening; students are welcome during the evening sessions. In addition, the workshop “THC, CBD, and Edibles: Hidden Threats” will be held on Thursday, June 13th in the evening and Friday, June 14th in the morning. Again, students are welcome to attend the evening sessions. Luckiewicz noted, “We added this workshop as we see more and more concentrated marijuana-based products change their marketing to be attractive to youth.”

North Reading Mental Health/Substance Use Clinician Laura Miranda will also host two mental health workshops. “Understanding Risk and Protective Factors” will be hosted Monday, June 10th at 6:30pm. She commented, “It’s important that guardians understand the role that protective and risk factors play in helping a student resist high-risk behaviors.” In addition, “Mindfullness and Self Care” will be hosted on Wednesday, June 12th at 6:30pm. Students are welcome at both sessions.

To register for any of these workshops, please visit www.northreadingma.gov/CIT and click on “events” or email Amy Luckiewicz at aluckiewicz@northreadingma.gov.For more information on any CIT program, please contact Amy Luckiewicz at coalition@northreadingma.gov or visit www.northreadingma.gov/CIT.