https://youtu.be/AD_G6-PDboU
Author: scott
Community Meeting on Feb. 24 at RFPL
Greater Falls Connections invites you to join us for a community meeting at the Rockingham Free Public Library in Bellows Falls on Wednesday, February 24 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm. The coalition will share plans for the Drug-Free Communities Grant that have been developed with the community over the past few months. This a great chance for you to provide your input before we make the final submission for this grant application.
Dinner will be at 6pm, with discussions beginning at 6:30pm. Let’s come together as a community to help youth thrive and avoid alcohol and other drug abuse. Parents, kids, school staff, and all others are welcome. Greater Falls Connections… “Prevention through Inspiration!”
Community Dinner 12/21
You are invited to join us for a community dinner at The Stone Church (Immanuel Episcopal) on School St. in Bellows Falls.
When: Monday, December 21st at 5:00pm
Come celebrate the season with a lovely dinner! Click here for the Facebook Event for the dinner.
Holidays, Addiction, and Support
The holiday season can be a fantastic, festive time. It can be a time for us to slow down, reconnect with the people we care about, and reflect on the year gone by. The holidays can also be overwhelming. Stress caused by work, school, strained relationships, or finances can certainly take a toll.
Some might turn toward drugs or alcohol to cope, or some might already be quietly struggling with a substance addiction. More than 22 million Americans over the age of 12 are dealing with substance dependence, according to the latest National Survey on Drug Use and Health.
What follows are some tips we can all use during the holidays to alleviate the collective stress, decrease substance use, and support those coping with an addiction:
- Knowing the triggers: It’s helpful to know the particular event, circumstance, situation or feeling that might trigger the use of substances. Crisis, anxiety, isolation or stress are but a few of the most severe.
- The stress, or anticipation of stress, during the holidays might be heightened by fear of confrontation, fear of financial challenges, or fear of how to hide substance use.
- Knowing these triggers can help to avoid situations, or to prepare ahead of time. Additionally, understanding the triggers and reducing the level of stress during the holidays can dramatically improve our mental well-being and prevent substance use and abuse.
- Signs of use: It can be awfully tricky for parents, friends, and relatives to know if a loved one or friend is using or abusing alcohol or other drugs.
- If you are concerned that someone you know might be using or abusing drugs, here are a few things to be aware of:
- Sharp or sudden change in mood.
- Defensiveness;
- Withdrawal;
- Smell of substances such as alcohol or marijuana, or strong fragrances to cover up the odor.
- While use does not necessarily mean that one is abusing a substance, sudden shifts in behavior might be cause for concern.
- Be that solid friend or relative: How can we help prevent the use of substances or support someone struggling with addiction during the holidays? There are numerous ways to be there for your family and friends.
- Above all, use open, honest communication. Listen and be free of judgment. Be comforting and compassionate. Make a few calls and compile a few websites or blogs for him or her.
- Be sure to lock or secure all your prescription medications. It helps to count your prescriptions, especially if you are having guests over to your home.
- During the holidays, plan meals and activities with no or limited alcohol. In general, limit availability during the holidays, and always provide non-alcoholic options.
- On that note, come up with physical activities to keep people moving and active. Go for walks, snowshoe, or build snow forts. (With recent weather, tossing the football around or going for a bike ride might be more realistic.)
- Play games or watch movies together. (Try a raging game of charades, or make some popcorn and turn on A Christmas Story.)
- Finally, make sure everyone eats well and gets plenty of sleep.
Laugh, listen, converse and connect. Happy holidays!
September 2015 Events
September 25, 2015 – 12:00-1:30 PM – GFC Monthly Coalition Meeting featuring the Bellows Falls Justice Project
September 26, 2015 – Prescription Drug Take-Back Day at Bellows Falls Police Department
Smoke-Free Zones: Greater Falls Pharmacy
Part 2 of our current Smoke-Free Zones video series is now live! Find out what makes the Smoke-Free Zone at Greater Falls Pharmacy great. 98% of VT’s family-owned, independent pharmacies do not sell tobacco. Learn more at the CounterBalance campaign.
In this edition, Greater Falls Pharmacy store manager Josh Rushford talks about why their Smoke-Free Zone is important to the patients and customers at the store.
To get your very own Smoke-Free Zone sign (they are free!), contact Greater Falls Connections at www.greaterfallsconnections.org or scott (at) greaterfallsconnections.org or call us at 802-463-9927 x213.
Thanks to all the following businesses, schools, and public places that participated:
Greater Falls Pharmacy
Rockingham Medical Group
Lisai’s Market
Shona Grill
Rockingham Free Public Library
Windham Northeast Supervisory Union (WNESU)
Rockingham Parks and Recreation
Thanks to FACT TV and Alex Stradling for filming this video. Thanks to Eileen Katchen for the great photography work. Video edited by Scott Sharland and Dominic Farinoli.
Smoke-Free Zones: Rockingham Free Public Library
Announcing the launch of our latest video, which promotes the Smoke-Free Zone at the Rockingham Public Library.
Learn about the impact of the Smoke-Free Zone at the Rockingham Free Public Library. In this edition, Celina Houlne and Sam Maskell are interviewed by Greater Falls Connections’ Scott Sharland. To get your very own Smoke-Free Zone sign, contact Greater Falls Connections at scott (at) greaterfallsconnections.org or call us at 802-463-9927 x213.
Thanks to all the following businesses, schools, and public places that participated:
Greater Falls Pharmacy
Rockingham Medical Group and Squeaky Sneakers
Lisai’s Market
Shona Grill
Windham Northeast Supervisory Union (WNESU)
Rockingham Parks and Recreation
Thanks to FACT TV and Alex Stradling for filming this video. Thanks to Eileen Katchen for the great photography work. Video edited by Scott Sharland and Dominic Farinoli.
Make a Fresh Start for the New Year
Smoking Quit Classes Are Coming to Bellows Falls. Just in time for those New Year’s resolutions, Greater Falls Connections (GFC) and Springfield Medical Care Systems are partnering to provide tobacco cessation classes in Bellows Falls. The program consists of 4 weekly one-hour sessions, which will cover a variety of topics related to quitting smoking. Participants will learn about:
- How to beat the addiction to nicotine
- Skills for coping with cravings
- Medication and effective approaches to quitting
Participants will also receive:
- Counseling to build problem-solving skills
- Moral support from a VT Quit Partner
- Access to nicotine replacement therapy
The classes will run in January at Parks Place in Bellows Falls, with date and time to be determined. Pre-registration is required. In order to register, contact Scott Sharland at 802-463-9927 ext. 213 or send an email to scott AT greaterfallsconnections.org. Please select a valid form