| MARILYN GRIFONI BELMONTE,PROGRAM DIRECTOR BURLINGTON DRUG AND ALCOHOL TASK FORCE, CO-CHAIRPERSON |
"Your presentation fit very well into the Norfolk School Partnership's focus on substance abuse prevention. We are always looking for new and exciting programs that will further schools' efforts to decrease substance abuse among their students. I am confident that hearing you speak last month provided many educators in attendance with new information that they can use to help their students make healthy choices." Michael P. Jackman, Norfolk County District Attorney's Office "Thank you so much for your wonderful presentation. Everyone was so appreciative of your knowledge and expertise. I believe that you competently accomplished what I had hoped you would: you broke through the denial and gave people very concrete signs to observe. We are all very grateful." Ellie Griffin, Director of Health & Counseling Services, Milford Academy, Milford MA "There is something positive parents and other concerned residents can do: attend the next Citizens Drug Recognition Academy. I attended last November, and the presenter, Marilyn Belmonte, is a dynamic and informed speaker who may not tell you what you want to hear but will tell you what you need to hear. It’s never too early to learn, so don’t think you have to wait until your children are in high school!" Susan Craig-Gerson, Letter to the Editor, Melrose Free Press "My daycare providers were telling me about a speaker they heard last night. They were so impressed and said they learned SO much. The speaker was so great that the time flew by and the information they learned was just amazing. They look forward to the next time!!! Marilyn, they were talking about you and your presentation. I just thought you would like to know. It’s always great to hear good things about the work that you do and I know that what you do is very important to many people." Pamela S. Milman, Esq., Education Consulting, Advocacy & Legal Services, Lynnfield MA "A captivating, informative, dynamic presentation on a variety of drugs affecting our culture and our teens; every high school and community needs this presentation to correct misinformation being given over the internet to our kids." Sandy DiVincenzo, School Counselor, Chelmsford High School, Chelmsford MA |
CITIZENS DRUG RECOGNITION ACADEMY (CDRA) Now Includes Teen Alcohol Abuse! This "Soup to Nuts" Community Education Series Teaches Recognition of Drugs, Drug Paraphernalia, Eye Clues, Physical Symptoms, Medical Traits and Behavioral Signs! It Increases Parent-Teen Communication, Educates Adults About the Effect of Alcohol on the Adolescent Brain and Teaches Evidence-Based Strategies Proven To Reduce Substance Abuse! Session #1: Plant-Based/Traditional Drugs includes Heroin, Cocaine, Crack Cocaine, Marijuana, Methamphetamine, Crystal Meth, Salvia Divinorum, Jimsom Weed Session #2: Prescription Drugs & Over-The-Counter Drugs includes OxyContin, Methadone, Klonopin, ADHD Medications, DXM, Ephedra, Pseudoephedrine Session #3: Club Drugs includes Ecstasy, GHB, Ketamine, Rohypnol & Drug-Facilitated Sexual Assaults Session #4: Underage Drinking, Drug Testing & Prevention Strategies To Reduce Substance Abuse |
| DRUG ABUSE RECOGNITION FOR COMMUNITIES SPECIALIZED PRESENTATIONS FOR COMMUNITIES OF PARENTS, SCHOOLS & PROFESSIONALS ON DRUG ABUSE AND UNDERAGE DRINKING |
"Reducing Drug Abuse Through Recognition
And Community Awareness"
And Community Awareness"
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"Every adult in
our children's
lives should be
trained to
recognize the
early signs of
drug abuse.
Early
recognition
leads to early
intervention
which can
prevent
addiction,
depression and
suicide."
our children's
lives should be
trained to
recognize the
early signs of
drug abuse.
Early
recognition
leads to early
intervention
which can
prevent
addiction,
depression and
suicide."
DRUG ABUSE RECOGNITION PROGRAMS are community-based adult drug prevention
programs that strengthen the bond between parents and children. These unique and highly effective
presentations lower the risk of substance abuse by dramatically improving parent and child protective
factors in the areas of communication and family skills.
Over the last 20 years, research has shown that positive parental involvement is an important
protective factor that decreases drug abuse and underage drinking. This program aims to:
- Teach parents recognition of drugs, drug paraphernalia, physical symptoms and behavioral
signs of abuse - Educate adults on the effect of alcohol on the adolescent brain
- Improve communication skills between parents and children in discussing risks of drug abuse
and underage drinking - Provide parents with knowledge and understanding of substance abuse risk & protective factors
- Provide a forum for parents to connect with leaders of their community to gain knowledge of
school and law enforcement policies, addiction assistance programs and local rehabilitation
services
| "Service To Science" Nomination by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health Bureau of Substance Abuse Services to the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention Substance Abuse & Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA) March 2008 "ALL-STAR" National Award Winner Cough Medicine Abuse Prevention Award Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA) February 2008 Author of Screening Assessment Of A Student For Suspected Drug or Alcohol Use In School (Exhibit 14-7) Published in the Massachusetts Department of Public Health's "Comprehensive School Health Manual" Revised 2007 "Citizenship in Action" Certificate of Recognition Project Alliance Office of Middlesex County District Attorney, Martha Coakley Middlesex Partnerships for Youth, Inc., Mary Sullivan October 6, 2006 |
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| PREVIOUS PROGRAM SPONSORS Since September 2005: Acton-Boxborough Community Alliance for Youth (CAFY) Allston-Brighton Substance Abuse Coalition Belmont Health Department Beverly Substance Abuse Awareness Coalition/Beverly Health Department Bridgewater-Raynham Schools Burlington Police Department Cambridge School Department Charlestown Substance Abuse Coalition Chelmsford Coalition Against Substance Abuse Danvers Police Department Dare Foster Family Services, Somerville MA Dedham Public Schools / Dedham Police Department Dorchester Substance Abuse Prevention Easton Public Schools / Easton Police Department Partnership for a Drug Free Foxborough Healthy Gloucester/ Public Health Department Greater Boston EMT Association Malden Health Department / Healthy Malden Medway Health Advisory Council Melrose Health Department / Melrose ROCKS / Melrose Police Department Merrimack NH Middleboro, MA Middlesex Sheriff Office Milford NH School Department Milton Academy, Milton MA Nashoba Technical High School, Westford MA Newburyport BEACON, Newburyport, MA Norfolk County School Partnerships, Norfolk District Attorney's Office North Reading Police Department North Shore Technical High School, Middleton MA Peabody Health Department / Peabody Mayor Michael Bonfanti Project Alliance/ Middlesex Partnership For Youth, Middlesex District Attorney's Office Quincy School Department Reading School Department / Reading Police Department Reading Coalition Against Substance Abuse Shirley Public School District / Shirley Police Department Stoneham Parent-School United Council Swampscott School Department Tantasqua Regional High School, Sturbridge MA Tewksbury CARES / Tewksbury Public Health Department United Way Valley View Private School, North Brookfield MA Wakefield Police Department / Wakefield School Department Wilmington School Department / Wilmington Police Department Westford School Department / Westford Parent Connection Westford Against Substance Abuse Woburn LEARN School/Parent Association |
| Filming a parent education video for Healthy Malden, to educate parents about recognition clues and parent-teen communication skills. |
| "Marilyn Belmonte’s mind-blowing information aids adults in recognizing what their children are exposed to on a daily basis, including several pieces of drug paraphernalia she brings to class. ‘Amazing awareness’ is the best way to describe it. She stays on top of the trends right as they hit the streets.” -Pat Mooney, Tewksbury CARES, Tewksbury Advocate, January 23, 2008 |
