Great News! Cranston Substance Abuse Task Force Awarded a State Incentive Grant
 The Cranston Substance Abuse and Youth Violence Prevention Task Force under the coordination of Comprehensive Community Action Program is pleased to announce we have been awarded the Strategic Prevention Framework State Incentive Grant (SPF-SIG) in the amount of $200,000 per year for 3 years.
Cranston is one of 14 RI cities and towns that received a grant to develop and implement a comprehensive plan for substance abuse prevention. The overall goal is to find effective ways to combat underage drinking and driving, reduce substance abuse and to build a strong community based prevention network. The Cranston Task Force will conduct a community needs assessment and research and review different evidence based programs.
Based on the results of the needs assessment, the Cranston Task Force will develop a strategic plan to help educate young people about the dangers and risks of drug and alcohol use.
The Problem
The Surgeon General's Call to Action to Prevent and Reduce Underage Drinking (U.S. Department of Human Services, 2007) reports that,
"Approximately 10% to 20% of 12-year-olds say they have used alcohol at least once. By age 13 that number doubles. And by age 15, approximately 50% have had at least one drink."
"Alcohol dependence rates are highest among young people between the ages of 18 and 20. And they're not even old enough to drink legally."
Substance abuse among teens is a community problem. Underage alcohol use is a major cause of death from injuries among young people. Each year, approximately 5,000 people under the age of 21 die as a result of underage drinking; this includes:
About 1,900 deaths from motor vehicle crashes 1,600 deaths as a result of homicides 300 from suicide And hundreds from other injuries such as falls, burns and drowning.
The Solution
 Get Involved! The greatest influence on young peoples' decisions to begin drinking is the world they live in, which includes their families, friends, schools, the larger community, and society as a whole.
The Cranston Substance Abuse Task Force is committed in improving the youth's lifestyles and behaviors.
The Task Force's board consists of community members, school officials and prevention specialist.
Board Members: Coordinator: Dana DeVerna Susan Pagnozzi - Cranston Chamber of Commerce Donna DeAngelis - Coordinator of Clinical Services CCAP Sheri Brown - Bain Middle School Dr. Paul Cardoza, Director - Physical Education and Health Pltm. Donald Capuano - Cranston Community Police Pltm. Jeanette Clark - Cranston Resource Officer Loretta Santagata - Professional Parliamentarian Fred Pierce - CODAC Behavioral Health Care Deborah Ferrante - CUAVA DELTA Outreach Rev. Dr. Robert B. Lancia - Meshanticut Park Church Jean Colleneri - Cranston YMCA Student Representative - Cranston West Student Representative - Cranston East
We may not have all the answers but we can help to make Cranston a community where young people can feel good about themselves without drinking.
For more information about the Cranston Substance Abuse Task Force call Dana Deverna/Cranston Task Force Coordinator at 467- 9610 x113 or email Dana at ddeveran@comcap.org. |
