Efforts to Reduce Teen Substance Abuse Working in Guilford

Originally written by Jack Kramer, Correspondent

GUILFORD, CT – A concerted effort to reduce teen substance abuse in town seems to be working, according to a survey compiled by Guilford Developmental Assets for Youth (DAY).

In Guilford, during the period of 2014-2016, teen substance abuse was reduced for alcohol by 25 percent; for cigarettes by 64 percent; for marijuana by 44 percent; and abuse of prescription drugs by 47 percent, according to a survey of students in grades 7-12.

The results of the survey conducted by DAY were discussed at a recent Board of Education meeting.

Bo Huhn, who helps coordinate much of DAY’s efforts, describes the initiative this way:

“In 2006, an effort was convened by the President of the Guilford Foundation, the Executive Director of the Women & Family Life Center, the Superintendent of Schools and the First Selectman.

‘There followed a four year planning effort, involving three meetings of community leaders such as legislators, town officials, schools, town agencies, churches, scouts, youth recreational leaders, the substance recovery community, and non-profit leaders, as well as several general community meetings.”

Huhn continued: “The effort began with the recognition that Guilford has great kids but they are not exempt from the serious dangers which confront today’s youth throughout the U.S. We do not have the violence which confronts urban youth, but we realized that we should not pretend that Guilford is a safe place.

“We recognized that a number of Guilford teens were already addicted to alcohol/marijuana/opiates, and that the numbers would increase as kids reached their 20s. We acknowledged that Guilford kids die of suicide and overdoses,” Huhn continued.

Huhn said the survey enables DAY to monitor its success or failure and areas where more effort is needed.

(Editor's Note: This story first ran previously but here it is again in case you missed it.)