Skip to content

Prevention & Intervention

Talking Matters: Navigating the hard stuff with youth

The Hartford Community Coalition and the ALL Together coalition have collaborated over the past year to produce a series of short videos for parents and guardians about youth substance use. The series covers perspectives from a parent, clinicians, youth, and more. Substance use is a difficult topic to discuss, so we hope these “Talking Matters” videos will provide tools and information to help you or a loved one feel more prepared to navigate this part of your teen’s life.

Check out the Drug Enforcement Agency’s searchable database of all drug types HERE 

Early Intervention

Early intervention for mild substance use disorder can help prevent more severe problems later in life. There are many evidence-based strategies for early intervention. The resources below can help you take the first step towards early intervention for yourself or your loved ones.

Student Assistance Providers/Counselors

Many local schools have student assistance providers/counselors, including the Thetford, Hartford, Hanover, and Lebanon School Districts. These trained professionals focus on Substance Use and Suicide Prevention education and support groups in the schools. Learn more about this state-funded program in your area:

Screening, Brief Intervention, Referral to Treatment (SBIRT)

As written by SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration): Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment is an evidence-based practice used in healthcare settings to routinely screen for problematic substance use among adolescents and intervene with resources and referral to treatment. Providers often use the CRAFFT tool to ask a series of questions about use and risk to determine severity of substance misuse.

Valley Court Diversion Programs

Valley Court Diversion Programs practices restorative justice in Windsor County, Vermont, and Sullivan and Lower Grafton Counties, New Hampshire. Restorative justice aims to repair the harm caused by unlawful actions and lower the likelihood of future offenses through education, provider referrals, and support. Our work is victim-centered and focuses on the physical, emotional, and social impacts of crime.

NH Early Identification Programs

The New Hampshire Center for Excellence has listed early identification programs and approaches that have proven effective. Their website includes a brief overview and links to each, such as:

  • • SBIRT
  • • Court Diversion
  • • Project SUCCESS
  • • Resident Education & Assistance Program
  • • & Other Resources

Join UV All Together

To join the coalition or become an ALL Together partner, please contact us

Resources for Parents

For parents, it may be challenging to find the right words to help educate your children about drug use. 

The tool kits and resources here are designed to help you begin the conversation or connect you with local organizations who can help. 

Partnership for Drug Free kids logo
Download the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids free parent tool kit, with tips on how to understand teens better and how to talk to kids about substance prevention at any age.
operation-parent-logo
This resource provides readers with practical and up-to-date advice on 40+ tough teen issues, including dating, bullying, social media, drugs, mental health and more.
DrugFreeNH_logo_FullColorRGB
Drug Free NH provides an online resource with information on prevention efforts, effects of alcohol and other drugs, guidance on recovery and treatment and links to programs in the Granite State . . . and more.
SAMHSA logo
SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) has downloadable parent resources and mobile apps, with helps parents and caregivers start talking to their children early about the dangers of alcohol.

Starting the Conversation with your Teen

Marijuana Talk Kit

This downloadable and printable resource from the Partnership to End Addiction is a comprehensive guide for starting the conversation about marijuana with your teen. You’ll be prepared with the risks of marijuana use, signs to look out for, strategies and conversation starters, and much more.

SAMHSA: Talk. They Hear You.

SAMHSA’s substance use prevention campaign has resources and for parents and caregivers to start talking early and often with their kids about the dangers of alcohol and other drugs.

If you’ve ever wondered how to bring up the topic of alcohol  and other drugs — and what questions to ask — SAMHSA’s tools are a perfect way for you to start the conversation and keep it flowing.

Resources for Teens

We understand it can be difficult to speak with your parents about questions or concerns related to drug use.

The tool kits and resources here are designed to help you learn more about staying safe or to connect you with local organizations who can help. 

Second Growth_logo
Second Growth’s support groups for adolescents and young adults are free, confidential, and totally accessible. An experienced, professional counselor facilitates each group, through the generosity of our community sponsors.