Webinar: Strategies to Combat Substance Misuse in Our Region
November is Military Family Appreciation Month — when America honors and recognizes those unique sacrifices and challenges family members make in support of their loved ones in uniform. Along with Veterans Day, this month is an important time for many people in the Southeast region due to the large population of those affiliated with the armed forces in the area.

In honor of Veterans Day and Military Family Appreciation Month, we’re hosting a new 90-minute webinar to highlight community-level collaborative approaches for substance misuse prevention in the armed forces community.

Community Prevention with the National Guard & Reserve: Opportunities for Collaboration
1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, November 10, 2021

We are collaborating with the National Guard and Reserve to explore examples of environmental strategies such as policies that can impact the community context, with an emphasis on alcohol. We will learn about the National Guard and its role in substance use prevention for service members and communities. Plus, we will explore strong collaborations in Florida and North Carolina between the National Guard’s Drug Demand Reduction Program and community coalitions.
 
This is an important conversation in the Southeast since our region has a strong history of military service. With an expert panel including National Guard officers and prevention experts, we will learn more about the Guard and their unique culture and challenges to determine the best prevention opportunities for that community. 
Youth Marijuana Use Prevention
There continues to be concern regarding the increased use of marijuana among the nations’ youth. According to experts, national estimates indicate more than 3 million youth aged 12 to 17 used marijuana in the past year, and 1.9 million in the past month. The National Institute on Drug Abuse monitors marijuana use among youth and is seeing a steady increase from 2016. 

There are many short-term adverse effects of marijuana use, including learning, memory and cognitive issues, appetite, motor control, sleep, and brief periods of increased heart rate. Long-term use may affect breathing and lung capacity and cause increased anxiety and reproductive issues.

The challenges that prevention experts are experiencing are the rapidly evolving statewide policies regarding marijuana, a declining perception of risk, and increased availability. 
Keeping the Holidays Happy
For many people, the holidays are full of happy times with family and friends. But the holidays can also be a difficult time for those dealing with stress, financial hardships, and loneliness — triggering emotional and behavioral health issues. 

Further research provides evidence that those challenged with substance misuse have difficulty during the holiday seasons with increased numbers of parties and get-togethers.

For many, the holidays can be very stressful — with concerns about gift-giving, finances, family issues, and travel. These triggers can cause depression and other mental health issues.

Experts advise that to prevent issues like these it’s best to practice self-care. Get plenty of rest, eat right and discuss your anxiety with a trusted friend or counselor. You can do many things to avoid the big holiday stressors by creating a plan to manage your own expectations and of those around you.
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