Community Prevention Programs | Vermont Department of Health CLOSE Translations for you Community Prevention Programs Bennington WIC (Bennington) Family and Child Health Active and Healthy Communities Worksite Wellness School Health Immunizations Infectious Disease Community Prevention Programs Tobacco Prevention Emergency Preparedness Healthy Homes and Lead Poisoning Prevention Get Help Regional Substance Abuse Prevention Consultants work with community groups, schools, human service agencies, hospitals, law enforcement, parents and youth. The purpose of this work is to educate communities about the risks of alcohol and other drug use and to reduce misuse among youth, young adults and adults through: Community organizing Program planning and consultation Presentations and training Community grants information and guidance Information and referral Prevention Works! Community Organization Focuses on Preventing Alcohol and other Drug Use Several area organizations provide coordination of prevention partnerships in your community. These partnerships aim to reduce underage drinking, binge drinking, prescription drug misuse and cannabis use by promoting municipal policy changes, providing opportunities for education and providing referrals to local resources. Talking to Your Kids About Alcohol and Other Drugs Using alcohol and other drugs in early life can have a negative impact on your child’s health now, and later on by impacting proper brain development and creating other risks. You are their #1 influence. Parent Up Vermont has tips on how to start and continue to have conversations with your children early and often, no matter how awkward. Prescription Drug Disposal Properly storing and getting rid of unused prescription medications protects your loved ones and the environment. Here are three easy steps: LOCK: Store your medications in a lock box or locked medicine cabinet. DROP: Drop off unused medication at a kiosk or local pharmacy or police stations. Find a location in your area MAIL: Mail unused medication in a pre-paid envelope. Request a free mail-back envelope Treatment is Effective! Treatment might look different depending on the level that you need. Find the type of treatment that is right for you or your loved one, what to expect, how soon you can get help and the treatment services specific to youth, people who are pregnant or breastfeeding and older adults on our Treatment Options page There are a number of treatment options in your community. Find them, as well as answers to common questions you may have about treatment in the Bennington County Resource Guide People Recover! There is no wrong door to recovery. It is a life-long journey that is not always a straight line. Find recovery opportunities and supports in your area on our Recovery page. Bennington County is engaged in collaborative initiatives and capacity-building efforts that rally community partners to join forces in making long-term changes that build a culture of health for the whole community. Substance Misuse Coalitions and other prevention partners across Vermont aim to reduce underage drinking, binge drinking, prescription drug misuse and cannabis use in Vermonters age 12-25. Coalitions use evidence-based/evidence-informed and/or promising practices and the Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF) process and model in this work. Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) Bennington County Profile Substance Information Katie, Prevention Consultant [email protected] February 25, 2025