CAP is a community partnership of interested and engaged individuals who are working together to understand the issues and plan actions around the current culture of alcohol existing within the Annapolis Valley. Focused on reducing alcohol harms, the members are exploring the culture around “how” people drink and the harms associated with the over consumption or “binge” drinking patterns of behavior associated with the misuse of alcohol.
Youth know that the conversation around the topic of alcohol can be difficult but they believe it must occur. They recognize that conversations such as Peer Mentoring in schools can be a point of entry but also recognize that lots more needs to be done to change the current culture of overconsumption. They recommend that work continue around seeking out and addressing the additional pieces of the puzzle known to influence the changes that need to happen to make our society a better place in which to live. One without alcohol harms.
Did You Know?
Strategies to Prevent Underage Drinking
Alcohol Harms, include: Injuries and accidents, sexual and physical violence, unwanted sexual encounters, unplanned pregnancies, overdoses and suicides, academic underachievement, health problems and cancers, addictions, and a magnitude of other personal (physical and mental), social and economic issues.
Point to Ponder...
A parent is the most powerful influence on a child.
Keep the channels of communication open, meaningful and ongoing.
Talk to your children about alcohol.
Teach them refusal skills, assist them to think things through critically, and help
them develop and practice self- esteem skills.
Madd Handbook – Power of Parents *Note: this is a US handbook. Some references (i.e. age) vary from what the current policy is in NS.