Products and Resources Catalog

The latest edition of our bi-monthly newsletter is available. This month’s edition features a PTTC network event "Climate Change from a Prevention Perspective", Exploring Root Causes of Substance Misuse through Stories, Alcohol Awareness Month and awareness campaigns for April, and regionally and nationally developed events and tools to support and grow the prevention workforce in New England. View the newsletter.

The latest edition of our bi-monthly newsletter is available. This month’s edition features our latest product a harm reduction guide for prevention professionals, prevention success videos, resources for awareness campaigns for the month of February, and regionally and nationally developed events and tools to support and grow the prevention workforce in New England. View the newsletter.

Prevention in Pictures: Using Prevention Graphic Novels to Facilitate Conversations with Youth Hosted by the Central East PTTC and New England PTTC January 10, 2024  |  Sarah Johnson, MA, PS-C, and Scott Gagnon, MPP, PS-C Watch now  |  View course description   In the Air, Graphic Medicine | Download a Preview | Request a Full Version (*Printed or Electronic) | Available in English, Spanish and Portuguese.

  Prevention Success Video Series   This video series highlights several initiatives from across New England following evidence-informed prevention practices to develop effective prevention programs. Through interviews, you will see examples of how these prevention practitioners use prevention science to identify and address a need in their communities, and the power of prevention science to create change.    How can you use this resource? This resource is intended to provide real examples of how prevention initiatives are planned and implemented and the impact that effective prevention programs can have. For people who are new to the prevention field, either as staff, volunteers, coalition members, or other community members, these videos can be a tool to demonstrate what prevention is and can do. For those who have been in the prevention field, these videos provide examples to expand the possibilities for how prevention science can be used in different settings to address different types of challenges. DOWNLOAD THE VIDEO SERIES OVERVIEW.   COLLEGE CAMPUS GAMBLING PREVENTION INITIATIVE   Interview with Mallory Schultz, MPH, Prevention and Training Coordinator, Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling    The Connecticut College Campus Gambling Prevention Initiative is a pilot program to provide education and resources for colleges and universities to deliver problem gambling prevention information to the student population. Youth and young adults represent a growing population affected by problem gambling, and this program seeks to empower colleges to address problem gambling along with substance use and mental health. For more information: https://ccpg.org/     INCREDIBLE YEARS Interview with Tamar Dalcé Coles, M.Ed., Incredible Years Grant Coordinator 2021-2023, Rhode Island Regional Coalitions The Incredible Years Series is an evidence-based curriculum to address social-emotional learning for parents, teachers, and children. They are designed to work jointly to promote emotional, social, and academic competence and to prevent, reduce, and treat behavioral and emotional problems in young children. This program has been used as an upstream prevention strategy in two Rhode Island communities, to support parents and teachers of young children and promote healthy development. For more information: https://riprevention.org/upstreamprevention/      LGBTQ+ YOUTH TOBACCO PREVENTION INITIATIVE Interview with Joanne Joy, Senior Program Manager, and April Hughes, Associate Program Manager, Healthy Communities of the Capital Area.  Recognizing a need for more data and information on tobacco use and prevention among LGBTQ+ youth, community partners conducted a needs assessment to learn more about this issue. Using what was learned, HCCA and community partners developed new initiatives to support LGBTQ+ youth and promote prevention which continue to grow and evolve with the needs of the community. For more information: https://hccame.org/lgbtq-youth-support/      About this product: This video series was developed by the New England (HHS Region 1) Prevention Technology Transfer Center in response to highlights several initiatives from across New England following evidence-informed prevention practices within CT, MA, ME, NH, RI and VT about the field of prevention. The New England Prevention Technology Transfer Center program is funded by SAMHSA of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The contents of New England PTTC products are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by SAMHSA/HHS, or the U.S. Government. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by SAMHSA/HHS, or the U.S. Government.   For additional questions about this product, please contact Kristen Erickson [email protected]

  Harm Reduction Guide for Prevention Professionals in Rhode Island   This educational resource aims to advance the practice of harm reduction within the substance use continuum of care through a prevention lens. It was created by Public Consulting Group and the New England PTTC for the Rhode Island Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities & Hospitals (BHDDH). Information in this guide intends to help prevention professionals in Rhode Island learn more about harm reduction, including shared goals and priorities between the harm reduction and prevention communities, ways to collaborate, best practices for communication and services, and includes practical resources both for prevention professionals and people with a substance use condition. Though it was created for the state of Rhode Island, this guide can be used widely by prevention professionals in any state to enhance their understanding of harm reduction, the types of resources available, and how prevention can both contribute to and benefit from the advancement of harm reduction within the substance use continuum of care.   Stack the Deck Rhode Island This product, made with input from people with lived and living experience in Rhode Island, aims to empower everyone with harm reduction tools, compassionate care resources, and guidance about how to use substances more safely. This deck of cards is sized to fit into harm reduction kits. It is intended to serve as a reference guide for people with a substance use condition about the harm reduction approach to care and practical community and medical resources to help them live the life they want. Information in the deck includes ways to voice needed changes in Rhode Island’s continuum of care, a grievance hotline, services and supplies available, why and how to test for contaminants such as fentanyl and xylazine, how to create a safe environment when using substances, housing options, instructions on how to use injectable and nasal naloxone, information on the state’s Good Samaritan Law, and what to do if an overdose is suspected.   Download the guide. Download stack the deck.   SAMHSA defines harm reduction as a practical and transformative approach that incorporates community-driven public health strategies — including prevention, risk reduction, and health promotion — to empower people who use drugs and their families with the choice to live healthy, self-directed, and purpose-filled lives.    Funding Acknowledgement This guide was prepared by Public Consulting Group (PCG) for the New England Prevention Technology Transfer Center (New England PTTC). The PTTC is supported by Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award with 100 percent funded by SAMHSA/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by SAMHSA/HHS, or the U.S. Government. Cooperative Agreement # 5H79SP081020-05M005

   2023 RESEARCH & DESIGN (RAD) PRODUCTS: New research-based substance misuse prevention tools supporting Practical Resources to Address The Root Causes of Substance Misuse with a Focus on the IC&RC Prevention Domains. Prevention Product Development for the New England Region. Link to view the recorded webinar (recorded on August 17, 2023).    EXPLORING ROOT CAUSES OF SUBSTANCE MISUSE THROUGH SOCIAL STORIES This resource consists of a work of research on the trauma of underrepresentation experienced by Black communities and the ripple effects it has on Black children. This social story title ‘I Feel’ can be used in a variety of settings and tackles the topic of emotions while also confronting the difficulties that emerge from living with a parent who is beginning their path to recovery. READ MORE AND DOWNLOAD.     SUPPORTING YOUTH & ADDRESSING UNDERLYING CAUSES OF SUBSTANCE USE This handbook is designed for adults to better support youth while addressing underlying causes of substance misuse. Throughout this resource, the reader will build a better understanding of the role Adverse Childhood Experiences play in substance use and proven solutions to prevent and mitigate their impacts. The target audience is parents/caregivers, teachers, counselors, coaches, and anyone else who interacts with youth. READ MORE AND DOWNLOAD.     HEALTHY COMMUNITY, HEALTHY PEOPLE: COMMUNITY CANNABIS POLICY TOOLKIT FOR THE VERMONT PREVENTION PROFESSIONAL 2.0 A toolkit that prevention professionals and communities working on cannabis-related policy improvement can use to help support prevention and public health at a community level. This kit has been updated in 2023 to include additional tools and information, including stigma-free language relevant to this work, talking points to use with key audiences, questions to use for community polling, and template presentations for community and key audience education. READ MORE AND DOWNLOAD.     PREVENTING & ADDRESSING ACES IN HISPANIC AND LATINO This guide is designed for Hispanic and Latino Faith Leaders in Massachusetts and can be used to prevent and address adverse childhood experiences impacting Hispanic and Latino communities. Faith Leaders can learn about the connection between trauma and substance use disorder, specific impacts within the Hispanic and Latino community, and the interventions the faith community can deploy to mitigate the impact of ACEs. READ MORE AND DOWNLOAD.     PREVENTING ROOT CAUSES OF SUBSTANCE USE IN LGBTQIA+ YOUTH This toolkit is designed for prevention professionals and can showcase proactive techniques for upstream prevention efforts to address minority stress among LGBTQIA+ youth. This toolkit includes a call to action for the prevention workforce, highlights data and data limitations, research on minority stress and its connection to substance misuse, and provides evidence-informed recommendations for the reader.  READ MORE AND DOWNLOAD.       SUBSTANCE USE RECOVERY AND PREVENTION FOR FAMILIES IN TREATMENT: A GUIDE FOR THERAPISTS, CLIENTS, AND FAMILIES A practical resource to be shared by clinicians with individuals in treatment for substance use disorder. This toolkit will provide the person in treatment with resources from the disciplines of prevention and peer recovery support. It will assist in increasing the family’s awareness of applicable prevention information and strategies and will educate about various levels of clinical and peer supports that are available in the community. READ MORE AND DOWNLOAD.       View the 2021 products.   View the 2022 products.

Building Management Skills for Prevention Professionals    In this video series, trainer Robert Kenney, PhD, discusses practical strategies and approaches to address common supervision and management challenges. Using these videos and the accompanying handouts, prevention professionals will learn useful tips for building team relationships, providing feedback, conducting performance appraisals, and evaluating their own supervisory skills. The videos can be used together to build skills across several areas or can be used as independent lessons for those interested in a specific topic. As you work through these videos and exercises, you will see how many of the skills we develop as prevention specialists can also be used to lead and support teams as supervisors and managers. This series is intended for new and experienced supervisors as well as those aspiring to a supervisory role, and may be useful to those supervising volunteers as well as staff. Team Development through Trust Developing strong relationships with members of your team requires trust between supervisors and staff, but how can supervisors build trust with their teams? This video discusses the importance of trust within teams and strategies to help build and maintain trust.   DOWNLOAD THE HANDOUT.     Coaching and Providing Feedback As a supervisor, you are responsible for helping your staff grow in their roles and providing feedback to your staff, but it can be challenging to know how to approach these tasks. This video will walk you through one approach to providing solutions-focused coaching and constructive feedback.   DOWNLOAD THE HANDOUT.     Performance Appraisals Performance appraisals are an important aspect of being a supervisor, but as with coaching, it may be hard to know where to start. This video will discuss the value of performance appraisal and how to work with your team to conduct performance appraisals to empower your team’s growth.   DOWNLOAD THE HANDOUT.     Supervisory Self-Evaluation Understanding your own strengths as a supervisor and identifying areas for growth can be a useful exercise for both new and experienced supervisors. This video will provide some guidance for assessing your own supervisory skills and creating a development plan to continue building your skills as a supervisor.   DOWNLOAD THE HANDOUT. About the presenter: Robert Kenney, Ph.D. As president of Partners Through Training based in Richmond Virginia, Bob has been delivering training and consultation since 1993. He has worked nationally and internationally helping people develop and practice business skills in the areas of leadership, management, and collaborative teamwork. He has partnered with 19 centers for continuing and executive education at major universities, including the University of Southern Maine, Duke University and their Nonprofit Management Program, and the Universities of North Carolina, Virginia, Pittsburgh, and Maine. Bob holds Masters and Doctorate degrees in social and organizational psychology, with a specialization in small group training and organizational analysis, from the State University New York at Buffalo. His educational activities engage learners to transform and intentionally shape their present and future connections to a more collaborative workplace. Bob has spent some time working in the field of behavioral health at Greater Lynn Mental Health Association, now called Bridgewell, and Presbyterian Homes and Family Services, now called HumanKind, in Virginia. Bob also works with the New England PTTC Prevention Mentoring program.   For additional questions about this product, please contact Kristen Erickson [email protected].   Browse the New Prevention Specialist Credentialing Interactive Map from the PTTC Network Coordinating Office & The International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC).

Learn about the six new research-based tools and resources created for the New England substance misuse prevention workforce to support their work in the Changing Landscape of Cannabis, with a focus on the IC & RC Prevention Domains. Resources include: A Practical guide to introduce and assist preventionists on how to leverage social media as an environmental change strategy for cannabis prevention and adoption of health-promoting norms in school and community settings   A thought piece that applies lessons learned from underage drinking and tobacco use prevention programs to the evolving landscape of cannabis use this paper takes a restorative approach and provide recommendations to communities based on the successes and shortcomings of these programs. A presentation/ToolKit municipalities can use to learn about the implications of allowing retail cannabis businesses to operate in their community the tool kit will cover a variety of data-driven considerations communities may want to review and discuss prior to making any decisions. A communication frame that will compassionately educate parents caregivers and youth on the potential harms of cannabis use on young brains while reducing stigma. A new and improved multipronged cannabis prevention education tool to be used in an alternative to suspension programs the tool could be a standalone product for other school districts and community coalitions to use as an alternative to suspension program. A tool kit that prevention professionals and communities working on cannabis-related policy improvement can use to help support prevention and public health at a community level.   Link to view the recorded webinar (recorded on November 9, 2022). No continuing education is available. 

Learn more about Prevention in Action exploring Drug Take Back Day events and related efforts to reduce the illicit use of prescription medications across New England. This webinar includes a spotlight on what coalitions around the region are doing to support drug take-back as well as a presentation from the DEA on their new and ongoing initiatives.   Link to view the recorded webinar (recorded on October 27, 2022). No continuing education is available.   

2022 Maternal and Child Health and Substance Exposed Infant Conference Maine’s Maternal and Child Health and Substance Exposed Infant Virtual Conference 2022 offers two days of inspiring presentations along with educational and networking opportunities related to maternal and child health, with focused attention on substance exposed infants and families living with substance use disorder. Participants will gain knowledge about current national and local maternal and child health trends along with strategies and ideas about how to optimize maternal and child health engagement, promote education and cultivate connections and resources within your community. National, regional, and local keynote speakers and presenters will share evidence-based information and guide us to new thinking about how to best support healthy pregnancies (prenatal and postpartum) which lead to healthier outcomes for infants, young children, and families. With filmed and live recovery stories, your understanding of the disease of substance use disorder will deepen while learning about innovative programs and resources for families, including for those living with substance use disorder and those who support them. Topics Featured Include: National and Regional Maternal and Child Health Trends Why Healthy Brain Development Matters: Infancy through Young Adulthood The Oral Health Circle of Life: Childhood through Adulthood Cannabis Use During Pregnancy and Beyond: What it means for Infants and Parenting Individuals Recovery stories will be shared throughout both days of the Conference   Link to view the recorded webinar (recorded on September 28 & 29, 2022). No continuing education is available. 

This 1-hour talk introduces the Invitation to Change (ITC), a model built to provide accessible and impactful practices to anyone in a helping role––be that a family member, peer support, or professional. Blending principles and practices found in three evidence-based approaches for supporting change, the ITC offers guidance on how to use them in a common language: not only to make helpers more effective but also to increase their capacity and willingness to support a person struggling with substance use.   About the Presenter: Dr. Nicole Kosanke is a licensed clinical psychologist with 20 years of experience, and works as the Director of Family Services at the Center for Motivation and Change in their outpatient division in NYC, where she specializes in the assessment and treatment of substance use disorders in individuals and families. She co-authored the award-winning book, Beyond Addiction: How Science and Kindness Help People Change, which is a compassionate and science-based family guide for navigating the addiction treatment world, understanding motivation, and using CRAFT skills. She also contributed to The 20 Minute Guide: A Guide for Parents about How to Help their Child Change their Substance Use. She has been interviewed on radio programs and podcasts about substance use disorders, and her writing on these topics has also been featured in Huffington Post, The Observer, and Counselor Magazine. Dr. Kosanke also does trainings (like these!) for the Center for Motivation and Change's Foundation for Change, helping families respond to their loved one's substance use with evidence-based knowledge and compassion. She is a member of Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies and American Association of Addiction Psychiatrists.   Link to view the recorded webinar (recorded on November 16, 2022). No continuing education is available. 

This tool serves prevention specialists that want to establish positive relationships with hispanic, latino, or latinx populations and those who are already working with this population and want to improve their cultural humility. The goal of this product is to help lessen the barriers that prevention specialists and latino populations may face when discussing substance misuse and addiction. Covered in this tool are geography of hispanic and latino populations within New England, linguistics to consider, risk and protective factors, and New England state specific resources for people who identify as hispanic, latino, or latinx with whom prevention specialists may want to connect. This tool was written in the fall of 2022, during a time of increasing cultural awareness and humility which, when incorporated into all aspects of life, will benefit everyone.   This resource is specific to the New England region which includes Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Hampshire, and Vermont. This tool speaks to some specific cultural aspects of Hispanic, Latino, or Latinx people, discussed further in the Linguistic section.   From the Author: As someone who identifies as Puerto Rican, and who has a passion for advancing health equity for minority populations, I wanted to create this resource to further knowledge of the complexities of hispanic, latino, latina, and latinx people for the prevention workforce in New England. Growing up I watched family members struggling with substance misuse and addiction be negatively affected by a lack of understanding in care settings about the diversities between hispanic and latino subgroups. I hope that by increasing knowledge about these differences, I can contribute to the reduction of health disparities in the prevention portion of behavioral health. -Rhetta Vega

   2022 RESEARCH & DESIGN (RAD) PRODUCTS: New research-based substance misuse prevention tools supporting the Changing Landscape of Cannabis with a Focus on the IC&RC Prevention Domains. Prevention Product Development for the New England Region. Link to view the recorded webinar (recorded on November 9, 2022).    USING SOCIAL MEDIA TO SUPPORT YOUTH CANNABIS PREVENTION: A STRATEGY GUIDE FOR PREVENTIONISTS AND COMMUNITY COALITIONS   This product is meant to serve as an introductory strategy guide for preventionists and community coalition members interested in using social media for primary prevention of cannabis use among youth in their communities. The guide introduces professionals to what social media is, the role it plays in cannabis prevention, recent research on the relationship between social media and youth cannabis use, practical considerations for developing social media, and how social media can be used to support different ICRC domains such as evaluation, communication, education and service delivery, community organization, and professional growth. READ MORE AND DOWNLOAD.     MOBILIZING COMMUNITY IN CANNABIS PREVENTION: A PREVENTION GUIDE IN THE ERA OF LEGALIZATION   This toolkit was created for prevention specialists who need some tips in navigating conversations with local lawmakers in the era of legalized cannabis use. Many prevention specialists feel discomfort in outreaching to their municipalities because they do not want to unintentionally advocate or lobby, as this is prohibited. This toolkit helps prevention specialists broach those conversations and clearly outlines the differences between advocacy and education. The latter is very much allowed and encouraged! READ MORE AND DOWNLOAD.     PREVENTING YOUTH USE OF CANNABIS: CANNABIS PREVENTION ALTERNATIVE TO SUSPENSION PROGRAM   An alternative to suspension curricula and facilitators guide built on best practices for cannabis prevention within indicated populations. READ MORE AND DOWNLOAD.     RESTORATIVE PRACTICES IN PREVENTION: TAKING A RELATIONSHIP-BASED APPROACH TO PREVENTING YOUTH CANNABIS USE THROUGH RESTORATIVE PRACTICES   A guide for community prevention efforts focused on keeping youth healthy while navigating the evolving cannabis landscape. Through adopting restorative practices and focusing on relationships, this guide seeks to support youth health and well-being while applying lessons learned from youth alcohol and tobacco use prevention efforts. READ MORE AND DOWNLOAD.     CANNABIS CONVERSATIONS: A TOOLKIT FOR COMMUNITIES WITH A HARM REDUCTION LENS A communication frame that will compassionately educate prevention professionals and community members on the impacts of cannabis use on young brains while not stigmatizing cannabis use for therapeutic or medical reasons. READ MORE AND DOWNLOAD.       HEALTHY COMMUNITY, HEALTHY PEOPLE: COMMUNITY CANNABIS POLICY TOOLKIT FOR THE VERMONT PREVENTION PROFESSIONAL A toolkit that prevention professionals and communities working on cannabis related policy improvement can use to help support prevention and public health at a community level. READ MORE AND DOWNLOAD.       View the 2021 products.

The latest edition of our bi-monthly newsletter is available. This month’s edition features growing prevention careers together, a focus on cannabis prevention, stories of substance misuse prevention and resilience, the application is open for the next Project ECHO, awareness campaigns for the month of June, and regionally and nationally developed events and tools to support and grow the prevention workforce in New England. View the newsletter.

New England Prevention Technology Transfer Center (PTTC) Annual Report Brief: Year Three   Substance use and mental health have been heavily affected in the last two years by the Coronavirus (COVID-19). The region has observed loosened laws related to alcohol and marijuana as well as increased consumption of substances and increased prevalence of mental health and stress disorders. With national outcries for diversity, inclusion and improved mental health services coinciding with changes in federal funding, staff shortages, and recruiting struggles, the prevention workforce has faced some seemingly insurmountable obstacles. However, the New England Prevention Technology Transfer Center (New England PTTC) has not only continued to engage the workforce and use their feedback to make data-driven decisions for programming but has continually expanded service offerings and opportunities to propel the New England workforce into 21st century prevention. In October 2018, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) awarded AdCare Educational Institute of Maine, Inc. (AdCare Maine) the five-year cooperative agreement for the New England PTTC. In turn, AdCare Maine contracted with the Co-occurring Collaborative Serving Maine (CCSME) to provide program support and distance learning. AdCare Maine also contracted with Public Consulting Group LLC (PCG), an external evaluator, to conduct an initial needs assessment regarding training and technical assistance (T/TA) for prevention professionals and to support the project with ongoing quarterly and annual reporting for the grant.   The New England PTTC had three goals for Year Three, to: Develop trainings and educational opportunities for current prevention professionals Disseminate tools and strategies needed to improve the quality of substance use prevention efforts, and Provide intensive technical assistance and learning resources to the greater prevention community.   This brief reflects the efforts of the New England PTTC in Year Three of the grant, i.e., between September 30, 2020, and September 29, 2021, as well as a follow-up to the initial needs assessment.

Join the New England PTTC for a Prevention in Action webinar to learn about the development and implementation of the You Think You Know media campaign addressing counterfeit pills in Connecticut. This webinar will address how this campaign came to be, from recognizing the need to developing the campaign and disseminating information statewide- and beyond!   SPEAKERS WILL INCLUDE: Melissa McGarry, TPAUD, Trumbull Prevention Partnership Katherine Gallo, Daydream Communications Giovanna Mozzo, The Hub Anna Gasinski, New England HIDTA   Link to view the recorded webinar (recorded on May 4, 2022). No continuing education is available.    PowerPoint Presentation

While medical cannabis has been legal for some time in New England, the movement toward adult use cannabis legalization has gained traction over the last few years and now seems imminent for holdout states. However, each New England state has had a different approach to governing and regulating cannabis programs, which has influenced availability, access, and use. Understanding this influence and the context of use is critical for prevention. Join us for a review of New England state cannabis programs and a look at the data available to guide prevention work at the ground level.   ABOUT THE PRESENTER Join presenters from Public Consulting Group, the New England PTTC Evaluation Partner. Tim Diomede, MPP, Epidemiologist, Maine SEOW Coordinator Kim Magoon, MS, Evaluation Analyst Megan Hawkes, MPH, Program Manager, Evaluation   Link to view the recorded webinar (recorded on April 12, 2022). No continuing education is available.    PowerPoint Presentation

Many thanks, to all who shared their stories! Without you, this product wouldn't exist.   In the substance use disorder recovery and mental health recovery communities, people often tell their stories. This serves to heal the story teller, build community and empathy. These recovery stories are also used outside the recovery community to help build empathy and reduce stigma in populations without the lived experience of Substance Use Disorders. In substance misuse prevention, storytelling is not used as commonly or as productively as it is in these recovery communities. However, preventionists often ask people in recovery to tell their story as part of our work so there is something within us that drives us to share stories. With structure, or support, or follow up, storytelling in prevention work has shown to be a powerful tool to support larger points.    This product is a collection of stories that shed light on a variety of lived experiences that reflect some level of prevention, whether universal, selected, or indicated. These stories are told by people who made choices around substance use, but who did not develop a substance use disorder. This is one key difference between a recovery story and a prevention story. 

The latest edition of our bi-monthly newsletter is available. This month’s edition features our re-formatted vaping prevention courses into a microlearning toolkit, upcoming national public education campaigns, the summer internship application deadline is May 1st, the PTTC Network's NEW Map: Compilation of Prevention Specialist Certification Requirements, SAMHSA Marijuana infographic, and regionally and nationally developed events and tools to support and grow the prevention workforce in New England. View the newsletter.

          Brush up on your knowledge with this series of short lessons on vaping and prevention! Each lesson consists of a 5-10 minute video followed by a brief quiz. Topics include: effects of nicotine on the adolescent brain, public health implications of youth ENDS use and why vaping/e-cigarette use appeals to youth.   How to use: Complete the lessons yourself to increase your knowledge or share these lessons with your coalition members, for parent or youth education programs, or with others in your community. Lessons can be viewed in the online quiz format through the links below, or can be taught along with the discussion guide available for download to use with a group.   Option 1: Online Quiz Format To complete the lessons using the online quiz format, follow the link to each lesson below.   Nicotine and the Adolescent Brain How does nicotine use affect the adolescent brain and development? What are potential short and long-term effects of nicotine use during adolescence?   Neurobiology of Nicotine and Cannabis What happens in the brain when nicotine or cannabis are used in vapes or e-cigarettes?   Appeal of JUUL among Adolescents What motivates young people to vape and why do some products appeal more than others?   Public Health Concerns of Youth E-Cigarette Use What are the public health considerations of youth e-cigarette use? How might that differ from adult use?   Option 2: Discussion Guide To use the lessons with a group in a discussion format, follow the discussion guide below. Each lesson includes a link to the video, followed by a set of discussion questions and answers.     Lesson 1: Nicotine and the Adolescent Brain How does nicotine affect the adolescent brain? How does it affect development and does it have any long-term impacts?   Watch the video   Discussion Questions How does nicotine use at a young age relate to substance use later in life? What are the effects of nicotine on the adolescent brain? Can nicotine use lead to feelings of withdrawal? Answers Use of any substance, including nicotine found in e-cigarettes/vaping devices, as an adolescent increases risk of substance use disorder later in life. According to one study, 17% of people who first used marijuana at age 13 went on to develop a substance use disorder, compared to only 4% of people who first used marijuana after age 21, meaning those who used earlier were 4 times more likely to develop a substance use disorder. Research from both human and animal studies shows that early exposure to nicotine while the brain is still developing is associated with impairments in attention and working memory as well as risk for mood disorders and impulse control problems, along with increased risk for development of a substance use disorder. Stopping the use of nicotine can lead to withdrawal symptoms as quickly as 4 hours after cessation, and gradually taper off over 3-4 weeks of cessation.   Learn more New England PTTC Vaping Prevention Resources and Information In the Air is a graphic medicine built to foster conversations with and among young people around vaping, choices about substance use, and social factors. Available in English, Spanish and Portuguese. A New England PTTC product. Tips for Teens: E-Cigarettes - Resource from SAMHSA Reducing Vaping Among Youth and Young Adults - Resource from SAMHSA     Lesson 2: Neurobiology of Nicotine and Cannabis What happens in the brain when cannabis is used in vapes or e-cigarettes? Language note: In this guide, we have used the term cannabis to refer to cannabis/marijuana. If you are using this guide with an audience who may be more familiar with another term, either marijuana or a different term, please substitute that word as needed.   Watch the video Discussion Questions What are some of the chemicals that make up a cannabis product? What are some of the short-term effects of cannabis use? Is it possible to become addicted to cannabis? Which vaping products contain higher potency chemicals? Answers THC (delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol) are the two most common of the 500 chemicals found within the cannabis plant. THC is the psychoactive component that causes the “high” feeling and can impair cognitive and motor function. THC is illegal on the federal level but legal for medical or adult-use in many states. Short term effects of cannabis use may include a heightened sense of perception, poor attention and judgement, increased anxiety or paranoia, or decreased pain, among other effects. Yes, Cannabis Use Disorder is the term for a disorder in which a person is reliant on cannabis use. Just as a person may become dependent on alcohol or nicotine, especially with frequent use, a person can also become dependent on cannabis. A person with cannabis use disorder may experience withdrawal symptoms like irritability, restlessness, difficulty sleeping, and hot flashes Both nicotine and cannabis vaping products can contain very high potency chemicals. For example, a typical vaping pod or cartridge may contain the equivalent of 1 pack of cigarettes and can be consumed very rapidly. Likewise, the typical concentration of THC in a vaping cartridge can be 6-8 times higher than the concentration of a typical smoked product.   Learn more Cannabis/Marijuana Use Disorder Prevention and Youth Cannabis Use Toolkit (PTTC Network) Marijuana & Vaping - The Triangulum: The Future is Now     Lesson 3: Appeal of JUUL among Adolescents How does cannabis use impact driving and road safety? This lesson reviews the impacts of cannabis use on road safety and policy and enforcement considerations in states with and without legalized cannabis.   Watch the video   Discussion Questions What did adolescents report as the top reasons for liking JUUL or vaping products? What reasons did adolescents provide for not liking JUUL or vaping products? What regulatory policies would these findings support to address vape use among adolescents? Answers In the study discussed in this video, which surveyed high school students in Connecticut about their views on vaping, students reported that they liked JUUL primarily because they like the “buzz,” their friends use it, and they like the flavors. Students who reported that they liked the “buzz” also reported more frequent use of vaping products. On the other hand, the most common reasons students reported disliking JUUL or vaping products were because they are too expensive, they have too much nicotine, or it gives them headaches. This study provides some useful insight into policy and environmental strategies to reduce adolescent vaping. For example, it suggests limiting nicotine content and flavor options may help reduce adolescent use. Increasing taxes or the price of vaping products may also help reduce adolescent use. Learn more Kong, G., Bold, K. W., Morean, M. E., Bhatti, H., Camenga, D. R., Jackson, A., & Krishnan-Sarin, S. (2019). Appeal of JUUL among adolescents. Drug and alcohol dependence, 205, 107691. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2019.107691. Abstract accessible at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31706249/     Lesson 4: Public Health Concerns of Youth E-Cigarette Use What are the public health considerations of youth e-cigarette use? How might that differ from adult use?   Watch the video   Discussion Questions What are some of the major public health concerns of youth vaping/e-cigarette use? Are e-cigarettes an FDA-approved tobacco cessation product? How does exposure to nicotine and other chemicals differ between e-cigarettes and combustible cigarettes? Answers exposure at an early age can be detrimental to brain development and lead to nicotine dependence. There is also an increased risk that adolescents who start using vaping products will transition to combustible tobacco products (cigarettes, etc.). Another major risk is exposure to toxicants within the e-cigarette products. The FDA has not currently approved e-cigarette/vaping products as a tobacco cessation product for adults or adolescents. Some other countries, such as the United Kingdom, have approved certain vaping devices for tobacco cessation for adults, although typically with lower limits on the allowable nicotine content. Compared to combustible cigarettes, e-cigarettes contain fewer and lower levels of toxicants. However, people tend to use e-cigarettes more frequently throughout the day, so their exposure to chemicals contained in e-cigarette products can be high.   Learn more New England PTTC Vaping Prevention Resources and Information The Stanford Vaping Prevention Toolkit   Interested in learning more about cannabis prevention? Check out our Microlearning Toolkit: Cannabis Prevention 101.

  Link to view the recorded webinar (recorded on March 4, 2022). No continuing education is available.  Date: March 4, 2022 Format: Webinar   Time: 11:30 AM—12:30 PM EST Cost: FREE Registration (Certificate of Attendance) $25 Fee for Continuing Education Credits Note the CEU fee is for Maine Behavioral Health professionals to cover the cost of issuing those CEUs, for everyone else, when you register you can select the Free option and you will get a certificate of attendance.   ABOUT THE LEARNING SESSION   New England PTTC will be co-Sponsoring the March installment of Maine’s Governor Janet Mills’ Opioid Response Summit Seminar Series, which will be focused on the topic of the intersection of brain injury and substance use disorder. The seminar is being conducted in partnership and featured speakers from the Maine/New Hampshire chapter of the Brain Injury Association of America.   Along with the epidemic of overdoses, there has been a parallel rise in sustained and often permanent cognitive disability resulting from a loss of oxygen to the brain. This webinar will provide an overview of the relationship between brain injury and substance use, and introduce the practical steps providers can take to recognize the cognitive impact of overdoses.  New resources to support provider screening, assessment, and intervention will be introduced.   Presenter: Carolyn Lemsky, Ph.D.,C.Psych ABPP-CN Moderator: Steve Wade, MBA - Consulting Executive Director, Brain Injury Association of America – Maine Chapter   About the webinar: This webinar is co-sponsored by the New England Prevention Technology Transfer Center, administered by AdCare Educational Institute of Maine, Inc. The New England Prevention Technology Transfer Center program is funded by SAMHSA of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). This webinar is planned in response to an identified need to provide training and information on brain injury and substance use disorders for New England (CT, ME, MA, NH, RI, VT) prevention professionals. The contents of New England PTTC programs are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by SAMHSA/HHS, or the U.S. Government.

The latest edition of our bi-monthly newsletter is available. This month’s edition features updates on our teams recent travel, training, and networking experience, a toolkit for Parks & Recreation Departments, a guide to Restorative Prevention, honoring and embracing Black history month in February, Awareness + Action: March is Problem Gambling Awareness Month, announcing the most recent Leadership Development Program, and regionally and nationally developed events and tools to support and grow the prevention workforce in New England. View the newsletter.

The latest edition of our bi-monthly newsletter is available. This month’s edition features the announcement of the In the Air, Graphic Novel translated into Portuguese and Spanish, congrats to the 2021 Prevention Mentorship Participants for completion of the program, our new Virtual Booth, resources supporting December is National Impaired Driving Prevention Month, and regionally and nationally developed events and tools to support and grow the prevention workforce in New England. View the newsletter.

Ver esta página en Español View this page in English   No ar é uma romance de medicina gráfica para encorajar conversas entre jovens sobre o uso do vape, escolhas sobre o uso de substâncias e fatores sociais. Esta história em estilo de romance gráfico de cinco adolescentes indo para o ensino médio incorpora a ciência comportamental da prevenção do uso indevido de substâncias com as histórias, interesses e ideias dos membros dos Jovens Embaixadores do Tabaco Livre de Rhode Island. O romance tem perguntas para ajudar a orientar a discussão, uma forte base de pesquisa e raízes em fatores de risco e proteção.   Visualize as primeiras 15 páginas. Antevisão (em Inglês) Antevisão (em português) Antevisão (em espanhol)   Formulário de solicitação de versão completa do No ar romance de medicina gráfica. * cópia em papel ou cópia eletrônica (formato PDF) para download * O New England PTTC só pode enviar cópias impressas para aqueles que trabalham / moram na Região 1 do HHS (ME, NH, VT, MA, CT, RI). Se você estiver solicitando uma cópia de fora da Região 1 do HHS, teremos o prazer de enviar uma cópia eletrônica (formato PDF) para download. Por favor, preencha o No ar, romance de medicina gráficaformulário de solicitação.   Guia de implementação do facilitador em breve!   Perguntas? Entre em contato com Sarah Johnson, Coordenadora do Projeto de Treinamento, New England PTTC: [email protected]   Sobre este recurso: Este recurso foi desenvolvido para atender a uma necessidade identificada no HHS Região 1 (ME, NH, VT, MA, CT, RI) de fornecer uma ferramenta para a prevenção do uso indevido de substâncias, especificamente para a prevenção de vapores que jovens (médio e alto) escola), especialistas em prevenção que trabalham com jovens, professores de saúde / bem-estar no ensino fundamental e médio, líderes de grupos de jovens e outros podem usar para falar sobre prevenção de vaporização.