October is National Substance Use Disorder Prevention Month, and for over nine years, the Charlestown Coalition has partnered with the Clarence R. Edwards Middle School, the Harvard-Kent School, the Warren Prescott School, and the Mass General Hospital’s Center for Community Health Improvement (CCHI) to deliver the Botvin LifeSkills and Stay-In-Shape curriculum to 6th, 7th, and 8th graders. 

 

The curriculum encourages healthy habits around nutrition and exercise; teaches about smoking, drugs and bullying prevention; and, helps students learn relaxation techniques, among other important health improvement skills which will now be taught online.

 

Due to COVID-19 and the virtual adjustments and restrictions put in place to remain healthy, we are also republishing our digital campaign, "Advice to My Middle School Self," photo contest produced by the Turn It Around youth group for 2020's Prevention Month Activity. To continue engaging young people and in an effort to effect positive change, we are using Prevention Month as a way to instill wisdom from youth who can relate to the peer pressures others may face during this unprecedented time. Their wisdom is beyond their years and we hope that it will enlighten everyone who visits our page.

 

Our goal is to pass on to the younger generation wisdom the older youth wish they had while in middle school. We’re helping kids with more effective ways to handle life's pressures, make better decisions, and avoid risky behaviors.