State and local leaders in New Hampshire are coming together to address the issue of youth substance misuse. The Youth CAN Coalition recently held a roundtable discussion in Claremont to discuss ways to prevent youth from abusing alcohol and marijuana, the top two substances misused by young people. The coalition, which stands for “Claremont and Newport,” is targeting efforts in these two towns to keep children away from negative influences.
Leaders at the roundtable emphasized the importance of creating distractions and activities to keep kids engaged and away from high-risk behaviors. U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen was in attendance and highlighted the coalition’s efforts to work with families on providing alternative activities for youth, such as trips to Celtics games. The Youth CAN Coalition is funded in part by a Drug-Free Communities grant, with the goal of addressing substance misuse issues across the state.
By working together, school, law enforcement, and government leaders hope to make a positive impact on the lives of New Hampshire’s youngest and most vulnerable groups. The roundtable discussion was dedicated to finding tangible solutions to the problem and promoting collaboration among key stakeholders. As efforts continue to curb youth substance misuse, the coalition remains committed to providing support to families and creating a positive environment for children to thrive.
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