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Prevention Starts With You

The Partnership, along with partner organizations and agencies in the region, will distribute 50,000 conversation starters and drug deactivation and disposal pouches to residents of Greater Hartford and New Haven through September of 2024. The pouches can be used anywhere, anytime, and thrown into the regular household trash, eliminating risk of both misuse and a negative environmental impact.

This initiative will eliminate over two million unwanted pills or medications. The Partnership will also run a statewide campaign across all media channels to raise awareness about the need for prevention.

SMALL STEPS, BIG IMPACT

Preventing substance use isn’t easy, but even the smallest steps can yield the biggest returns. You practice prevention every day… even if you don’t think about it! You don’t wait until you have a cavity to start brushing your teeth. You don’t look both ways after crossing the street. Preventing substance use is no different. It’s about doing the little things every single day to help the young people in your life make the right decisions for their future.

Prevention is about creating a foundation of trust and open dialogue. Talking openly and often with our young people, listening to their concerns, and offering guidance are preventive measures in themselves. How do we know this approach works? Consider this – youth whose parents talk to them about the dangers of substance use are 50% less likely to use than their peers.

Prevention also requires tools. That’s why we’re proud to partner with Deterra to distribute tens of thousands of drug deactivation pouches to Connecticut families. These pouches make it simple to ensure that unused medications in our homes are safely disposed of, eliminating a potential risk right at the source. They’re easy to use – just 30 seconds and the job is done. 

With “Prevention Starts With You,” we’re making prevention as straightforward as possible, ensuring the safety and well-being of our young people is always at the forefront.

SUPPORT FOR THE PROJECT

MEDIA COVERAGE

PRESS RELEASES

PARTNERS IN PREVENTION

“Prevention Starts With You” couldn’t happen without the help of our incredible community partners, who will be helping to distribute drug deactivation pouches and raise prevention awareness across the Greater Hartford and Greater New Haven areas.

 *As of 7/2/2024

TALKING TO YOUTH ABOUT SUBSTANCE USE

Talking to youth about substance use isn’t easy, but it’s incredibly important. Use the conversation starters and resources available for download below to help break the ice with the young people in your life!

HOW DETERRA'S POUCHES WORK

These drug deactivation pouches truly are prevention on demand! Watch as our Co-President, Kelly Juleson, demonstrates just how easy it is to use one of these lifesaving prevention tools!

GET HELP

If you or someone you know is struggling with substance use, help is available! Visit 211’s Substance Use Disorder page for immediate assistance.

For More Information

Contact Hannah Granfield-Horton. Hannah@gppct.org

This publication was made possible by Grant Number is 1H79FG000981-01 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services AdministrationIts contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of SAMHSA.

The Governor’s Prevention Partnership builds statewide capacity to prevent underage drinking and substance use and builds strategic alliances to promote the overall well-being of Connecticut’s future workforce.