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Together, we aim to prevent young people from developing an unhealthy relationship with alcohol, cannabis, tobacco, opioids, and other substances.



Coming Together for Overdose Awareness Day

A Celebration of Life

Today, August 31, 2022, is Overdose Awareness Day, and we pause to honor those who have died from an overdose and to reflect on the grief. Many continue to live with the stigma associated with having a close family or friend die from an overdose. However, overdose is the leading cause of death for 18 to 45-year-olds in America today. More than 100,000 people died in the United States in the 12 months ending in March 2022.


Many of us know one of the 100,000, and some of us know more than one. Among this group are our children, siblings, parents, grandparents, cousins, non-blood relatives, and friends. Today's observance is a time to share grief without stigma, bring attention to substance use disorder, and come together as a community without fear of stigmatization. 


For this year's Overdose Awareness Day, the Coalition attended a Celebration of Life hosted by BAART Port Angeles and Clallam County Health and Human Services. Throughout the day, the Coalition provided 32 individuals and families free lockable bags to safely store substances like prescription opioids. We are honored to be a part of raising awareness - supporting a day of remembrance and a day of action. 


For more information on what you can do to prevent opioid misuse, visit, It Starts With One and SAMHSA, and to learn more about local overdose prevention, connect with the team at Health & Human Services.

2nd Annual Community Survey for Port Angeles

It's that time of year again. The Port Angeles Healthy Youth Coalition's 2nd annual Community Prevention and Wellness Initiative Survey is here - with a twist!


Complete this quick, anonymous survey and message your name and a screenshot of a finished survey to 253-370-9562 to enter a drawing for $100 or a National Park Pass (winner's choice). Only one entry per person, must be 18 years or older to participate and live or work in the Port Angeles area. Raffle closes on September 15th!


The results are used to help us better understand and better serve the needs of local youth. For over a decade, Washington Health Care Authority's Community Prevention and Wellness Initiative has conducted this community survey to learn more about the impact of underage substance use across the state. Find the survey online at: https://www.research.net/r/CLPOANEN2022

Navigating The Transition Into Early Adolescence:

Guiding Good Choices

with Stevens Middle School and Clallam County Juvenile and Family Services

Port Angeles Healthy Youth Coalition with Stevens Middle School, and Clallam County Juvenile and Family Services is hosting a Guiding Good Choices Workshop for all parents, grandparents and caregivers with children transitioning into 7th and 8th grade this fall. This interactive 5 week series is held in-person every Thursday, October 6th - November 3rd from 6 pm to 8 pm in the Stevens Middle School Library. Dinner starts at 5:30, and is included.  

 

Childcare can be provided, please get in touch to learn more. Group participation involves taking a look at some video clips and having discussion with other adults. We understand this may be a challenge and we welcome multi-tasking parenting, and would like to support participants in any way we can to optimize their learning experience.   


Reach out to the Coordinator at Rachel.Ray@clallamcountywa.gov or 360-565-2637 with any questions. To register complete this confidential survey at surveymonkey.com/r/PAGGCFall2022


This free workshop and meal is paid for through the Port Angeles Healthy Youth Coalition with funding from Washington Health Care Authority.

Positive Childhood Experiences, the Science of the Positive, and Positive Community Norms

Reflections on PCEs and ACEs

At this year's Montana Summer Institute, Port Angeles Healthy Youth Coalition members explored the Science of the Positive, Positive Community Norms, and emerging research on Positive Childhood Experiences or PCEs. PCEs are 7 positive childhood experiences that have been statistically linked to improved emotional and mental health, and lower high risk substance use in adulthood. The research also identified that PCEs mitigate the impacts of Adverse Childhood Experiences or ACEs, acting as a buffer against the effects of trauma.


Positive Childhood Experiences are, in addition to being intuitive, cost free, and offer a healing-centered approach to improving outcomes for youth in our community. They include,


  • The ability to talk with family about feelings.
  • The sense that family is supportive during difficult times.
  • The enjoyment of participation in community traditions.
  • Feeling a sense of belonging in high school.
  • Feeling supported by friends.
  • Having at least two non-parent adults who genuinely cared.
  • Feeling safe and protected by an adult in the home


There is so much to learn and explore and we look forward to exploring this with you. To read the research we recommend starting with, PACEs Connection.

Ways To Get Involved

“With rare exceptions, all of your most important achievements on this planet will come from working with others- or, in a word, partnership.” - Paul Farmer, MD, Ph.D.


We look forward to getting to know and seeing you at our next meeting, every third Thursday from 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm, currently on Zoom at https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89225054548


Our Coalition is always seeking members and partners within the community, who have a passion for preventing youth substance use and misuse, and promoting our shared vision, a safe place where young people thrive, free from substance misuse and supported in their overall health and well-being.


To learn more visit, www.pahealthyyouth.org, or view our program summary here.


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