Substance Abuse Prevention Community Education Series

Being a parent can be hard. But getting support doesn’t have to be.

We are helping to sponsor free, public presentations and discussions designed to help parents and others caring for middle and high school aged youth, learn more about what is changing around drug and alcohol use and how to support our kids to make healthy decisions in our increasingly complex world.

The Hungry Heart
a Film Screening and Discussion with the Cast
Wednesday, February 15th
6:30 – 8:30pm
The Film House-Main Street Landing, 60 Lake Street
The Hungry Heart an award-winning documentary film on prescription drug and opiate addiction and recovery in Vermont by local filmmaker, Bess O’Brien. Through the movie we see the many faces and diverse populations of addiction, and their continued search for a life of recovery. After the screening there will be time for dialogue and a Q & A with Bess O’Brien, a cast member, and a local treatment provider who can connect families to resources in the community. For more information click here.

Community Dialogue Night
Hosted and led by Burlington High School students from the leadership group Above the Influence Burlington
Wednesday, March 15th
6:00-8:00pm (Free Dinner Provided!)
Burlington High School Cafeteria
The event will include:
-education from community experts about key issues facing our youth, such as e-cigarettes and marijuana use.
-review data from the 2015 Youth Risk Behavior Survey results for Burlington School District.
-conversation with BHS teens about issues they face such as peer pressure, school climate, stress, drugs and alcohol and more.
-opportunity for dialogue about how to address high risk youth issues.

What Parents Need to Know About Marijuana
Interactive presentation from Margo Austin, LADC – BHS Student Assistance Counselor AND
Q & A with area educators and clinicians
Wednesday, March 29th 6:30-8:30pm
Location: Burlington High School Library
Marijuana is the most widely used illicit drug among youth today and is more potent than ever. The chances of our kids encountering marijuana in their tweens and teens have increased. This interactive presentation with Licenced Drug and Alcohol Counselor, Margo Austin, is designed to teach parents about changes in research and trends and myths related to marijuana so they can feel prepared and comfortable to have conversations with our kids about use. The presentation will be followed by an opportunity to ask questions from a panel of local experts and discuss with other parents the impact of marijuana use on our kids. Click here for more info

Parenting in an Online World
Presentation and Discussion with National speaker, Eric Thompson from CivilSchools
April 10th, 2017 from 6:30-8:00pm
Location: Lyman C. Hunt Middle School Library
Welcome to parenting in Web 2.0. The Internet, social networking, cell phones, video games and other digital innovations are game changers in our work and family life. We see examples in our kids every day as they multi-task, play on-line video games, text their friends and post on their social media pages. We have arrived in the digital world without a map or compass, leaving many parents struggling to keep up. However, life’s challenges can produce some of life’s greatest lessons.

National speaker, Eric Thompson, co-founder of CivilSchools will help families handle cyber-bullying, sexting, and other negative elements of the online world and discuss how to help kids thrive within these challenges. With a good strategy, the digital world can be a perfect place for your child to develop self-regulation and self-awareness. Click here for more info

About the Author

YouParent YouParent is a program of Burlington Partnership for a Healthy Community. We are a coalition of Burlington residents, businesses, schools, colleges, parents, youth, medical professionals, students, social services, law enforcement officials, court representatives and more. We recognize that the damages of drugs, alcohol abuse and tobacco effect us all and we work together to create a healthier environment in Burlington, Vermont.