April is Alcohol Awareness Month

Volume 40 | April 1, 2021

News & Updates

Please share!

Contact Dawn Fawcett - admin@wctcoalition.org

to be added to our email list.

Visit our Website.

Archived volumes can be found on the Updates page

The Weekly Update is now posted each week on our Facebook page

Regional Opioid and Other Drug Prevention and Policy Workgroup

Join us tonight at our monthly meeting

with guest Kelvin B. Young

Kelvin, a person in long-term recovery and a recovery coach, is a renouned expert in the field of holistic stress management

5:30-7:00 PM Thursday April 1

Email admin@wctcoalition to receive the Zoom link

Space is available

Tuesday April 20 10:00 a.m.

Visit the IOAD webpage for more information about IOAD planning tips for 2021

Drug Free Schools Committee

Resources for Youth, Parents and Families

SAMHSA's Talk. They Hear You

Substance Use Prevention Campaign for Parents

The “Talk. They Hear You.” campaign aims to reduce underage drinking and substance use among youth by providing parents and caregivers with information-

Research shows that parents are the #1 reason

young people decide NOT to drink.

They really do hear you!

These downloadable Fact Sheets for parents are great for newsletters, webpages and other social media.

Start talking to young people about alcohol before they start drinking—

Continue the conversation even as they head off to college

Mental Health

Alcohol and Mental Health

Alcohol can have a major impact on mental health. Because alcohol is a depressant, it slows down the central nervous system and impacts brain function. It can alter:

mood
energy levels
sleeping patterns
concentration
memory and many other things.

Alcohol also reduces inhibitions and impacts decision making. It is also linked with:

increases in risky behavior
increases in aggression
self-harm and suicide in people who may already be struggling

Frequent or heavy alcohol use can increase these effects, especially the impact on mood, and the ability to cope with tough times.

Download this Fact Sheet on Alcohol from Headspace:

Region 5 Suicide Advisory Board

CABLE Warm Line

According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP.org), more law enforcemement officers die by suicide than from being killed in the line of duty. Many police officers suffer from depression, stress, and anxeity. Sometimes these conditions lead to feelings of helplessness and hopelessness- risk factors for suicide.

Help and resources are available.

The Connecticut Alliance to Benefit Law Enforcement (CABLE) has a confidential warm line available to police officers and other first responders.

Please share their flyer.

Suicide Prevention

Webinar Training

Please join us in April for a

QPR gatekeeper training.

All are welcome!

"Suicide Prevention is

Everyone's Business"

-QPR Institute

Prevention

Alcohol Misuse Prevention Resources

Fact Sheets from the CT Clearinghouse

Click to download

Dangers of Teen Drinking

Alcohol Use and Misuse: Older Adults

Alcohol Overdose

Social Hosting: Set the Rules, Know the Laws

Problem Gambling Awareness

The Region 5 Problem Gambling Team

Western CT Coalition held a PGAM event "The Wild World of Sports Betting" last week. Dan Trolaro from 1-800 Gambler New Jersey, delivered a dynamic presentation on the implications of legalized sports betting, internet gambling, fantasy sports and so much more!

If you missed it, click here to view the recording.

We will continue the conversation about sports betting and online gambling at our next team meeting:

Thursday April 8, 2:00-3:30 p.m.

As our state leaders consider legalizing sports betting and other gambling expansion, speaker Scott Nelson of MCCA will address the potential impact of gambling in the digital age.

All are welcome!

Click flyer for details and rsvp link.

Upcoming Events

Continue to visit ccpg.org for gambling awareness state-wide events calendar (on their homepage)