易胜博官网

This is the second article in our听series听exploring how 易胜博官网 alumni, faculty and students are tackling the heroin and opioid epidemic that has hit 易胜博官网 and many other parts of the country.

This story takes a look at the (RCFY), which got off the ground with the help of . The coalition helps prevent addiction by engaging youth and teens in positive activities, and the town has seen a reduction in substance abuse among youngsters since the group opened its doors in 2004. Today, RCFY maintains a strong connection to 易胜博官网 Cooperative Extension, whose youth and family specialists deliver RCFY training and programming.听

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In 2002, Raymond, a small working-class town east of Manchester, had the highest rate of youth substance abuse in 易胜博官网. 易胜博官网 Cooperative Extension, in partnership with the town, had just completed a Teen Assessment Project survey that identified issues facing local at-risk teens. Many in Raymond knew something needed to be done.

Celeste Clark, a concerned parent of four sons, turned to Rick Alleva for help. Alleva, a youth and family field specialist at Cooperative Extension, has devoted much of his professional and personal life to positive youth development and substance abuse prevention. During the next two years, he worked closely with Clark 鈥� writing grants, applying for nonprofit status and providing technical assistance and leadership training 鈥� to help establish and build a community coalition for Raymond鈥檚 youth.

Since opening in 2004, Raymond Coalition for Youth (RCFY) has made a significant impact in the community through outreach programs and educational forums that create connections to community, teach leadership and good decision-making, build self-worth and confidence and provide stability.

鈥淚f we go out into the community with only an anti-drug message, the kids won鈥檛 listen,鈥� says Clark, who is RCFY鈥檚 executive director. 鈥淏ut if we can engage and empower our kids and make them resilient, they will be less likely to abuse alcohol and drugs like opioids. It starts at a young age and is nurtured throughout a lifetime.鈥�

One of the most popular RCFY programs is Youth Action. Students from Raymond鈥檚 middle and high schools develop and lead events that encourage positive and healthy behaviors among both their peers and children in the elementary school.

They also reach out to the adult community through their twice-yearly involvement in Sticker Shock, a 易胜博官网 Liquor Enforcement Buyers Beware program aimed at making sure adults know it鈥檚 illegal to buy alcohol for anyone under 21.

鈥淩CFY is one of the most dynamic and successful coalitions of youth, parents and service providers in 易胜博官网,鈥� says Alleva, who, as part of RCFY鈥檚 ongoing partnership with Cooperative Extension, develops the organization鈥檚 after-school programs and teaches leadership skills to Youth Action participants and program staff. He is also a member of RCYF鈥檚 board of directors.

鈥淭hrough positive youth development, RCFY builds on the strengths and assets of young people to help them make healthy choices and avoid risky and destructive activities such as substance abuse.鈥� Alleva says.

Raymond no longer leads the state in youth substance abuse, and the number of youth positively affected by the coalition continues to grow. Clark shares a story about one participant 鈥� a teenage girl whose parents struggled with substance abuse. RCFY was a place where she felt safe, understood and empowered. She became an active member of the community, leading an effort to eliminate smoking in Raymond鈥檚 school bathrooms and town recreation areas. Today she鈥檚 attending medical school in Texas.

Even with successes, Clark and Alleva both know there are no quick fixes or simple solutions 鈥� especially given the rise of opioid addiction and overdoses in the state. This past year, RCFY sponsored forums on heroin and opiates, and David Salois, the coalition鈥檚 board chair and Raymond鈥檚 police chief, is outspoken about the need for everyone to work together to combat the crisis.

Recently the coalition received another five-year federal Drug-Free Communities grant, which Alleva considers a 鈥渢rue testament to the positive outcomes that RCFY has effected, including a reduction of youth substance abuse and an increase in youth and adult involvement in their community.鈥�

As far as the work RCFY is doing now, Clark is proud of its role in the overall fight against substance abuse in the state. 鈥淚t鈥檚 such an important story to tell,鈥� she says.

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易胜博官网 Health Services is hosting a free screening of the documentary 鈥溾�� on Tuesday, Oct. 13, at 7 p.m. in MUB Theatre II. This event is open to the public. .听