Prevention 5 Virtual Lunch, Learn

HOWARD COUNTY - In efforts to understand the prevention needs of Howard County, Helping Services for Youth & Families conducted survey interviews with 30 community members from multiple sectors of the county. 

These surveys measured the community awareness and knowledge of local efforts for five priority issues; adult binge drinking, adult prescription misuse, adult problem gambling, youth marijuana use and youth tobacco use.

After surveys were conducted and scored, a noticeable trend was found showing the need to develop informative programs for the community addressing the five priority areas. 

Helping Services and Prevention 5 plan to utilize the information gathered through the survey interviews to better focus prevention efforts in the county. By looking at the gaps in awareness for these priority issues, we will create a plan for the best ways to raise awareness. 

This will help us reach our ultimate goal of more residents in Howard County having the knowledge and resources needed to make healthy, informed decisions related to substance use. 

Community members interested in learning more about the survey and results are invited to join the discussion with Prevention 5 at the Virtual Lunch & Learn on Monday, Nov. 9, 12-1 p.m. 

Attending this meeting would be beneficial to community members as it would allow further understanding of each issue and allow the community to provide input on developing future programming efforts. Click on this zoom link https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88240038819 or enter the meeting ID 882 4003 8819 to join.   

Submitted by Karen Skretta, Prevention Intern, Helping Services for Youth & Families