Underage Substance Misuse Prevention
In recent years, brain scan technology has shown that young people's brains are far more susceptible to the negative effects of substance abuse than previously understood -- and that there is a higher risk of developing an addiction later in life for those who start using substances in their teens.
The NWDA is actively engaged in educating young people about the risks and consequences of substance use. Working with community partners, the NWDA holds conferences for young people aimed at helping them learn the skills they need to positively influence their peers.
To read about a WWLP news story about our 2018 Conference on Training Active Bystanders, click here and for a Greenfield Recorder story on our 2017 Youth Conference, click here. For a story on one of the NWDA's Youth Conferences on Preventing Substance Abuse, the 3rd annual conference, held Oct. 8, 2014, click here.
Channel 22 reporter David McKay interviews a 2013 conference participant
For examples of student-produced substance misuse prevention PSAs, cick here.
2013 student-created video PSAs:
You Can Stop
Turn Down the Alcohol
Drinking and Dreams Don't Mix
Dodge the Alcohol
Greenfield Recorder story on Oct. 15, 2013 Youth Conference
Daily Hampshire Gazette editorial praises NWDA destructive drinking prevention conference at UMass