Yesterday, Positive Directions was pleased to have convened representatives of ten local prevention coalitions for a virtual forum with our legislators to talk about current issues related to underage substance use and discuss policy solutions.
There was robust discussion around several topics: smoke shop enforcement, responses to underage cannabis use, THC potency caps, siloed substance regulation systems, and the need for transparent reporting on uses of the sales tax-based Prevention & Recovery Services Fund. If you missed it, click above to watch the recording. (The YouTube caption includes time stamps for different pieces of the forum.) The slides are also downloadable below.
As follow-up, we are happy to announce that a meeting has already been scheduled with Senator Saud Anwar, MD, co-chair of the Public Health Committee. We are also in the process of scheduling meetings with interested legislators who weren't able to attend.
Recognition
Many thanks to our planning committee, which included members of the Local Prevention Coalitions from New Canaan, Norwalk, Trumbull, Weston, Westport, and Wilton, in coordination with the Stamford & Greenwich coalitions and our regional partner, The Hub.
A particular shoutout to our speakers:
Kaitlin Comet, Program Coordinator, The Hub
Kevin Godburn, Director, Westport Youth Services
Nicole Hampton, Alcohol & Drug Policy Council
Melissa McGarry, Prevention Director, Town of Trumbull
Melissa Perez-Constantine, Program Coordinator, The Hub
Jim Walsh, Chief, Norwalk Police Department
Margaret Watt, Prevention Director, Positive Directions
as well as Dr. Robin Oshman and Dr. Joe Feuerstein from the Fairfield County Medical Association, who provided medical commentary.
Resources
Download the slides from our forum here:
Want to know more about today's cannabis? Download our awareness poster here:
Finally, our sister coalitions from Darien, Greenwich and Stamford are holding another prevention legislative forum on January 14th. You can download the invitation here:
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